Restoring a Non clear-coat finish...

LikeaRock

LikeaRock

...Dreaming on an E92....
Hey there guys
I've asked in other threads before, about restoring the finish on my neighbors 79 Mercedes SL450, it's not the origonal paint job but is over 20 years old, and is in some need of some TLC. ver the summer we accomplished half the car, we used some rubbing compound and buffed the hell out of it with a couple coas of 3M wax. It did look better but it wasn't perfect, but now the whole car needs to be redone. There's spider webbing on the car, not horrible but it could use some swirl remover, and possibly a good sealant before we wax it.
My question is that is it safe to use products such as Poorboys SSR2 or 2.5, a sealant, and other products on an older finish that doesn't have a clear coat? I washed it this past weekend and use some Quick Detail Spray after I was done for touch up, and used some Back To Black to restore the trim as best as I could, but there's some wax on there from previous years we need to scrub out. Like I said, it's not in the best condition, but it's not as bad as I may have made it seem. I personally think that a claying, possibly SSR or Meguiars ScratchX (Or whatever their swirl remover product is called), a sealant and a nice pure carnauba wax will do the job. All input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Dolan
 
LikeaRock,
Yes, it is safe to use the same products on single stage paint as would be used on clearcoat. 20 year old paint can be a challange. Paint can become porous in time meaning it is difficult to ever bring it back up to a brand new luster. That is without taking almost all of it off. Just depends on how bad a condition it is in. The process is much easier with a buffer. Even a $16 palm buffer from Walmart would be better than by hand. Start out with a medium cut compound. Then a fine polish to finish. It takes at least two steps with two grades of polish.
 
Well, we've realized it won't come back to look like new, and along with some deeper scratches and with some chips we know it won't come back perfect, his main thing is just that he wants it as clean as we can get it before his son
comes up to take it off his hands. I think it will turn out pretty dang good though

Thanks
Dolan
 
ROCK

I did a 79 MB 450 SL orginal single stage paint. I used a light cut compound or you could use SSR2.5 working this in small areas, 12 x 12 inch areas, you can get better control over the product this way. Then polish to bring back the luster in the paint. I covered the car twice with this process only on the tops areas. I did not top this one with a sealant but you could and that would help to cut down on oxidadtion. I topped with a 100% carnauba paste wax. I felt like the car came bakc to life it was that yellow color that they had out for a while.

On the rubber that goes around the bumpers I used Poorboys trim restorer and that really made it look nice, not new but much better than it did.
 
yes you can easily restore the color and luster to most older finishes, but there are a few things to consider:

a) how much paint is really left on the vehicle ....without a paint thickness guage or at least first hand knowledge you could go right through the paint and that would look worse.

b) you need to know what kind of paint it has..ie laquer, enamel, synthetic ...a product that is too strong might go right through it

c) know the expectations of the owner as you stated with chips and deep scratches it will probably never be perfect

d) try small areas first a see your results

e) use old mf and cotton as the paint will be transfered to your cloths

Example of 17 yr old Enamel on my bronco II
left side is Pwc ..middle undone ..right is new version of QD+
 
Beemerboy, I too am in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa to be exact. Maybe if you were willing, you could even come by and give us some tips, or check out the car in person and let us know what would work best. Like I said, theres some chips and scratches, but I think we could take care of it pretty well and bring its "luster" back.
Thanks for the great info guys!
 
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