Whats the best method or product to use to revive old paint? I tried some Turtle Clear Coat compound on the hood and it seems to work but didn't look so hot after I got done with it. Started with a orbital buffer but it seemed to make it look worse. So I went at it by hand and it removed a lot of old grime washing didn't remove. Has to be a better way. Don
do all of this in the shade.....no direct sunlight using a rubbing compound ...apply it by hand....let it haze over... take a buffer and on a medium speed buff it out... it will take time and make sure you dont burn through the paint... take it slow... only apply the compound to a small area at a time....like a door... or a fender... have a little patience...and it can look great... good luck
If you are using clear coat products on old enamel or single stage paint it probably won't help. Mine had the original paint on it years ago and I brought it back out using Turtle Wax heavy duty rubbing compound and then polishing compound. I did NOT use a power buffer for either. The paint was thin and I am sure it would not stand up to most power buffers. I probably did two stages of heavy duty and at least three stages of the polishing formula. After that it took several coats of various Carnuba wax to condition the paint to give it a shine. Keep in mind, I was 15/16, in school, and had plenty of time on my hands. My car was waxed at least 3 times a month year round and was washed with Car Wash wax at least 6 times a week. Heck I would wash it 2-3 times on a Sat./Sun. The compounding too over a week. Good luck. Seth
my neighbour had a old black 66 caddy, paint was oxidized . he took 40 weight motor oil on a rag and shined it up(I didn't say he was smart) looked great for about 20 minutes ...then the dust started sticking to it, lol......don't try this at home kids. rubbing compound and lots of elbow grease ( not real grease) can do the trick...take your time...Jim
Don, you can bring back the shine as stated above with lots of elbow grease but don't expect it to last if the car stays outdoors. Oxidized paint is normally not worth the effort to keep it shined up. It's usually too thin to do much buffing or polishing. Too much polishing and you'll be able to see clear through to the primer. I think you need to get ready in the near future for a paint job. Good luck with the car whichever way you go.
Never got a chance to work on it last night. Getting this paint to shine was more of a temp fix. Really was wanting to be able to get some wax on it to help shed the rain off of it since its been sitting outside. I really need to clear out the garage and get it inside. I knew it was going to take a lot of elbow grease. I've linked to it before, but here's what I'm working with. Thanks for the advice! Don http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/osborne33/album?.dir=/1ca8
Believe it or not, I have heard of people using various household products to help condition old non-clear coat paint. I have heard of everything from butter to motor oil. Heck, most any wax is petroleum or oil based to some extent, it's just designed to work with paint better. Use the rubbing compound to take off the dead and faded layers of paint as well as to smooth out deep scratches. The polishing compound takes out finer scratches usually left by the rubbing compound. My favorite wax is Meguiers and Mothers. Be sure to apply to a cool surface. Do it in the shade, rinse the car if it has been in the sun with cool water before starting. Work a panel at a time. Use SOFT cloths for the polishing compound and wax for both on and off. Unlike guys in the 70's and early 80's, don't put the wax on, drive to McDonald's and eat lunch and then go home and wipe it off. Never let it dry completely, it is harder to get off. Buff the wax/compound in repeated circular motion, not back and forth or linear. Keep shaking the dry material/dust out of your towel or buffing cloth. Take your time and you may be surprised what you can do with these methods. Use masking tape to keep wax off of rubber seals, glass and mirrors or chrome. If you have tar or gum behind wheels etc. use a proffessional product to remove it. Don't use thinners or gas to remove these items. Goof off usually works well but use it sparingly on paint with no wax or it will soak through to the metal in some cases. Good luck. Seth
