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Tips

30 year old paint

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zimmy

zimmy

Jedi Knight
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my car has the original paint....
i have the Meguiars Deep Crystal 3 bottle setup....
step 1 is a cleaner....my car has little cracks oxi etc...no shine
i have a buffer pad to make it easier....
has anyone tried this and is it worth the trouble?
i just wanna get by for 6 mths or so till i can get to the paint job....plus keeps me busy while work is slow /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif....zimmy
 
It should help quite a bit....before using the cleaner use a polishing compound, then the mequires system....I use the mothers system all the time...I assume theres not much difference.
 
Yes, use a polishing compound. If you have never used a buffing wheel, here is your chance to practice before you get nice paint on your car.
 
I'd highly recommend some cutting compound from the local paint supply shop (PPG, etc) and an electric buffer with correct pad. This will cut through scratched paint pretty quickly. I used this method to refresh my 2 stage paint on my '85 BMW for another 4 years (it's just now getting painted). Both the BMW and the Midget were horribly scratched from dust and dirt. This method was also used on the original single stage midget paint. In both cases, the buffer just wasn't cutting it, so we learned to use as much as 600 (that's right, 600!) grit sandpaper before buffing. It took the shine off, but it also evened out the surface, preparing it for buffing. Although we cut through the clear on the BMW, it made a definite improvement on both vehicles until they could be painted. It was like the car went from obviously needing a paintjob to passing the 50/50 (from 50' at 50 mph) test with basically only elbow grease required. With its current paint job I'd say the Midget will pass a 10/10 test, but those minor defects still bother me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
But keep the buffing wheel away from body ridges & edges or you'll be painting sooner than you want!
 
I have a 52 TD with the original paint. Black & very dull. I tested a few spots with compound & TB is right. NO COMPOUND. Mothers make a very nice 3 part system that helps bring it back to life. Wax on! Wax off! Lots o'elbo grease and you'll be satisfied. I'll try and post before & afters.
 
Meguiar's 3 stage Gold system. Best stuff there is.
 
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