polishing compound advice

[jbs]

We did it! Found a decent '93 240 and took possession over the weekend. Now it's covered with snow and I wanna see if the faded red can be brought back. The paint on the sides is great, but the hood, roof and trunk needs big improvement. I'm hoping that with some compound and elbow grease it will shine again. Has anyone had good luck with any specific polish? Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks

[stylngle2003]

meguiars 3 stage system always works wonders on oxidized paint...but from the sounds of it, you might be using a machine? 3M makes great polishing compounds that are specially formulated for machine use..should be available at most auto parts stores.

[jbs]

meguiars 3 stage system .... is that available only direct? I always use thier Gold Class on our other cars. I see from your sig. that you are probably located in PA right now - so am I. So you know that it will be awhile till this snow goes away! I'll be using no machine for this job! Thanks for the response!
Jim

[fupabox]

If the paint is non clear coat you can give color sanding a try(color sanding doesn't work as well with clear coat,as the fading is partly the paint under the clear). If you do have clear coat disregard the following and begin with clear coat rubbing compound followed with polish.Start with 1200 wet dry lots of warm water with dish soap in it to keep the surface lubricated,and the paper unclogged. Work up progressively to 2500 wet dry paper(or higher if you can find it) don't try to cheat with a palm sander or anything powered unless you are very careful. Use a semi hard rubber sanding block under the paper. Again, use tons of water. Finish off with Meguirs rubbing compound for clear coat paint,and finally Meguirs polish. The rubbing compound can be applied with a buffer if you are careful,especially at seams and edges(you can burn through quicker than you might think) Don't use wax after or before the polishing compound as the slight heat from the sanding process will open the paints pores and wax will get inside. If you want to use wax, wait a few days for the paint to re-harden, or you can use polish immediately. hope this is helpful!

[boondoggie]

I'm a big fan of:

3M Swirl Remover, applied with cheap Sears buffer
Meguiars #7, applied with cheap Sears buffer
Meguiars #26, by hand, until you're tired.

I'll never own another black car as long as I live. :rofl:

[mikep]

If it is chalky, it won't likely need sanding. If you need to sand out iperfections, use a 3M foam sanding pad, http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_GS4GWXF2X8gs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/bgel_ZTBTRZQKV6bl/gvel_9T9TGCD1GSgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html sandpaper on foam, http://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=3754 or meguiars's. http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MEG-E7200.html

[EvanSargent]

If you can find sombody that carries it locally, we use Aero Gloss. It works great but, its expensive to have it shipped. I found a NAPA that carries it. Runs about $45 a gallon.

[jbs]

Man, I can't wait to get at it! Thanks All!!!

[jbs]

If you can find sombody that carries it locally, we use Aero Gloss. It works great but, its expensive to have it shipped. I found a NAPA that carries it. Runs about $45 a gallon.

is that the Areo Gloss that is used for aircraft? How much is needed for one car - is a pint enough? Sounds interesting!

[EvanSargent]

[quote:0b76efd168="EvanSargent"]If you can find sombody that carries it locally, we use Aero Gloss. It works great but, its expensive to have it shipped. I found a NAPA that carries it. Runs about $45 a gallon.

is that the Areo Gloss that is used for aircraft? How much is needed for one car - is a pint enough? Sounds interesting![/quote:0b76efd168]

Yes it is used on aircraft which, by the way, can be way more of a bitch to wax than a car. A pint would probably do you just fine I have never used more than a half pint on any of our cars.

I did a google search and this is the first site to come up;
http://www.airsuppliers.com/aircraftparts/AERO%20GLOSS.asp
12 bucks a pint plus shiping.

After using areo gloss for years a friend of ours went out to the lock auto parts store and bought up 3 or 4 different kinds of wax and tested them all. When he was done he decided that he still liked areo gloss the best.

[EvanSargent]

We have also used some of this;
http://www.premiumautocare.com/klasse.html
the only real advantage is that with the Klasse, you dont have to wait for it to dry to wipe it away.

[Hank Scorpio]

meguiars 3 stage system always works wonders on oxidized paint...but from the sounds of it, you might be using a machine? 3M makes great polishing compounds that are specially formulated for machine use..should be available at most auto parts stores.

that stuff is AMAZING. Been using it for years.

[jbs]

[quote:cb73f81a66="stylngle2003"]meguiars 3 stage system always works wonders on oxidized paint...but from the sounds of it, you might be using a machine? 3M makes great polishing compounds that are specially formulated for machine use..should be available at most auto parts stores.

that stuff is AMAZING. Been using it for years.[/quote:cb73f81a66]

Went with the meguiars looks 1,000% but still some tough spots I was afraid to get too agressive. Thanks to all for your sharing your ideas, this is what makes it so cool to own a Brick! I should have taken a pic before 'cause now it looks like a new car!
<img src=http://img1.photobucket.com/albums/1003/ruster00/1993%20240%20Volvo/240_001.jpg>

[stylngle2003]

looks good!
congrats on having paint in such good shape, youre a lucky brick owner

[jbs]

looks good!
congrats on having paint in such good shape, youre a lucky brick owner

Yeah man! thanks again, this summer I'm going to be working on those "tough" spots. If this snow ever goes away...It sure will beat working in the garage with two heaters going just trying to maintain 50 degrees!

[mikep]

Nice paint. Watch out for seagulls.