The wagon I am getting has original paint that has some rust stains/discoloration. No gloss to the paint anymore. Is there a way to clean it up a bit ? Maybe with a Scotch-Brite pad or something or will that just scratch it up? I just want to clean it up a bit.......
Might want to try "Color Back"..Turtle wax product. Cheap enough.. Rubbing out the paint is definetly an option..but if it's old and thin you could cut it completely.. I would not use any abrasive..just adds ****ches..and easily willl remove whats left of old..thin paint.
Don't uses scotchbrite. I have a 63 t-bird with original paint. All oxidized. I buffed it out with polish/glaze. Very gently. It sparkled right back up. If you don't know how to buff, ask your friendly body man. Rick
Do NOT hit it with a scothbrite pad or you'll have rust as a result of s****ing off the paint. Wax. Clean it with dawn first using a soft rag. IF you have good paint and no rust, you can use some turtle wax polishing compound to take off the oxidation but be careful it's not too gritty or you're back to scotchbrite pad and paint removal. Surface rust areas should be dealt with asap, they'll grow and pit.
A picture would be helpful. What's your goal- Shine or cleaned-up patina? Is the paint sun-burned off or just getting thin?
depending on the paint you might try miiror glaze number 7 polish. the rusted areas may need something a little more abrasive. watch the corners and bumps so you don't rub the paint right off high spots.
Cleaned up patina. Here is a link to the thread with a shot of the car. The worst area that I want to attack is the tail gate, for the most part I just want to see if I can take some of the discoloration away and make it look a little better. This picture really does not help though.......Oh, and I know that there is no help for the roof and the hood I am going to spray white.
Don't see a link- sorry. If it's a metallic color, you'll want to just go at it by hand. A buffer will easily produce splotchy or cloudy areas on an oxidized, non-clearcoat paint job. In that case, good old fashioned rubbing compound will do the trick. The rubbing compound (the kind with abrasives in it) will produce dull, even sheen, while a Wax or "Hand Glaze" is more like putting a layer of shiny oil on top of the paint while not doing much to remove stains, etc. You can still get the older style DuPont "Rubbing Compound" just about anywhere they sell waxes and wheel cleaners. note: the Polishing Compound sold alongside is usually less abrasive than the rubbing compound with a little bit more waxiness.
My mistake. Here is the link. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289284&highlight=deal
Actually, you were on with your first idea. They make white scotch-brite pads that produce a much finer scratch....but you can just take a shop rag with dish soap and scouring powder and accomplish about the same thing. I'd maybe hit the bumpers and gl*** with a buffer and then "scotchbrite" the body.... BTW--I've got a buffer if you end up wanting one.
Paint with no clear coat you definitely want to hit by hand a buffer will burn right through old paint. I use 3M Rubbing compound to start its abrasive but just to the point where it doesn't tear anything up then after you get through with the rubbing compound I would use 3M FinessIT, the finessit is great for polishing and is a good combo with the rubbing compound. 3M also makes a imperial hand glaze that will give the good areas a nice shine. Here is a link to a site that has everything you need and if you call they are always willing to help steer you in the right direction, www.tcpglobal.com On another note rust attacks metal not paint so those areas will have to be broken down and treated appropriately.
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