Paint Help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Paint Help
The paint on my 79 is in, err, "original condition" - meaning it is almost 30 years old, faded, with a couple of smaller bubbles, etc.
I am planning on having it stripped and repainted in a few years, but right now I have just dumped all my money and time into replacing the motor (zz383 -should be running in two weeks!), suspension, brakes, rear end, radiator, ac/heat, blah, blah, blah.
So my question is, is there anything I can do, for few hundred bucks or so, to make the paint a little better? At this point, I am even afraid of waxing it. Has anyone had any success with a good detailing? Any other ideas?
Thanks
I am planning on having it stripped and repainted in a few years, but right now I have just dumped all my money and time into replacing the motor (zz383 -should be running in two weeks!), suspension, brakes, rear end, radiator, ac/heat, blah, blah, blah.
So my question is, is there anything I can do, for few hundred bucks or so, to make the paint a little better? At this point, I am even afraid of waxing it. Has anyone had any success with a good detailing? Any other ideas?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Take it to a good paint guy who works on Corvettes a lot. He'll tell you what can be done. If the paint is not breaking down (checked, split, etc.) a good cut-n-buff will do wonders for the paint. Then you [or the painter] can do some careful touch-up on chips, etc. and finally put on a good polymer glaze (rather than wax). You won't believe the difference (and it won't cost "an arm & a leg").
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I am definately more of a engine guy, than a body guy.
When you say 'cut and buff' is that the same as waxing with a rough compound wax? Also, is the polymer spray equivalent to a clear coat?
Thanks for the tips!
When you say 'cut and buff' is that the same as waxing with a rough compound wax? Also, is the polymer spray equivalent to a clear coat?
Thanks for the tips!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 11
From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
A Porter Cable Orbital polisher will work wonders on tired paint. 
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-108-p...ssentials.aspx
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-108-p...ssentials.aspx
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
A cut-n-buff is using a low speed electric polisher/buffer and some liquid [mild] abrasive compound to take off the oxidized layer of paint, to bring out the original color, and to smooth the surface [make it shine]. That gets the paint ready for its layer of protection. Many people still "wax" their car with their favorite brand/type of wax. That still works well; but the new polymer polishes are much easier to use, requiring much less effort, eliminating the "white dust" syndrome, not degrading in the sun/over time, and allowing you to add layers of the same polish without having to strip the first layer...and the more layers, the better the shine!
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
A Porter Cable Orbital polisher will work wonders on tired paint.
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-108-p...ssentials.aspx
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-108-p...ssentials.aspx
That's some good stuff there!
