Our Fire Engines need help!

[Ocean Winds]

Hello everyone,
We have one particularly bad fire engine. This has been a bit neglected from prior users. It`s red, and I`m guessing a one Stage paint, so no clear coat. It`s so scratched like they dried with with a terry towel full of sand. I need to know the best way, and not too expensive way, of restoring her to her prior glory!
Thanks!

[Ronkh]

2004 Ford F-450/PL Customs Rescue ambulance

[Ronkh]

Maybe my expectation is to high.

[Mike lambert]

It`s probably DuPont Imron, very hard paint! It can be done with the meguiars da system or my preference is Griot`s boss system of fast cut and finishing sealant.

[Ocean Winds]

Hmmm...thanks. Looks like more time and more money than we`ve got. This is a volunteer department with zero budget. I was trying to do them a favor. I need something simple. I have cancer so not a whole lot of strength. I was doing this as a favor. My husband is a volunteer firefighter. I`m a retired first responder now. I guess I could do a couple hours every other day. This is going to be more difficult than I thought.

[Mike lambert]

Where are you?

[Ocean Winds]

Oregon coast

[Mike lambert]

Well , I was going to offer my help but, I don`t fly, to dangerous. Got to be someone on here can get you started?

[Ronkh]

I dunno anyone in that area. Sorry.

[Ronkh]

You could "one step" it with something like"

PB Polish W Sealant
Megs D 151

But won`t remove most of the scratches.

[Poorboy]

I would try Polish w/ Carnauba blue ... we have a distributor in Oregon and maybe they can help you out

[Alpez38]

I am a fire fighter and have protected one of our 1929 American LaFrance pumpers. Engines can be tricky! I say this because the modern engines have roll up doors that love the gather all the wax or sealants you put over them. Then you`ll have to go through all that trouble to dig them out. What year is your engine? Is it on the front lines? How are they being cared for and washed? Our engines are scrubbed with a bores hair brush and it just scratches the heck out of the paint. That being said our frontline rigs take a beating. If its not a frontline rig you could probably do a light machine polish to bring the depth of color back and then protect it with a Jescar Power Lock+ (I absolutely love this stuff!) unless your department has a regular waxing cycle that they prefer the blue shirts do. I would like to help you any way that I can but without knowing what type of rig you have its a little difficult to say. If you would like to see the American LaFrance with Power Lock + take a look at my site. I have flickr photos below.

DECON Auto Detailing | Mobile Auto Detailing Service

[Ronkh]

I am a fire fighter and have protected one of our 1929 American LaFrance pumpers. Engines can be tricky! I say this because the modern engines have roll up doors that love the gather all the wax or sealants you put over them. Then you`ll have to go through all that trouble to dig them out. What year is your engine? Is it on the front lines? How are they being cared for and washed? Our engines are scrubbed with a bores hair brush and it just scratches the heck out of the paint. That being said our frontline rigs take a beating. If its not a frontline rig you could probably do a light machine polish to bring the depth of color back and then protect it with a Jescar Power Lock+ (I absolutely love this stuff!) unless your department has a regular waxing cycle that they prefer the blue shirts do. I would like to help you any way that I can but without knowing what type of rig you have its a little difficult to say. If you would like to see the American LaFrance with Power Lock + take a look at my site. I have flickr photos below.

DECON Auto Detailing | Mobile Auto Detailing Service

I did more detailing of apparatus wearing a white shirt than I did blue.

[Ocean Winds]

I tried to upload photos from my iPad and laptop and I kept getting errors. It`s a 1989 rig. There are other engines that are called out before this one. This sits at a satellite station. It`s been neglected for years and we finally have people who want to make it nice. I tested a small area with rubbing compound and wax and it was a LOT better, but tough for me strength wise. I seriously will need a buffer of some kind. It also needs the diamond plate polished. I want to get a list together of supplies and turn it into the Chief. Low budget department but what isn`t nowadays. I can get a couple of the guys....it`s volunteer like I said and some have jobs. Even if it`s just waxed, I think that will make a big difference.

[Mike lambert]

Call Griot`s in Tacoma, tell them your situation and maybe they can help? Wonderful people to deal with.