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Thread: restoring original paint

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    Default restoring original paint

    i have intense blue factory paint..which could use a little love, i have quite a few surface scatches and scuffs...there are so many products available, anyone recommend a product or know how to restore the paint?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Phoenix View Post
    i have intense blue factory paint..which could use a little love, i have quite a few surface scatches and scuffs...there are so many products available, anyone recommend a product or know how to restore the paint?
    Paint.
    11.27 @ 118.23
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    99dart's Avatar
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    Do you have an orbital buffer?
    http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polisher.html
    My son used these on his r/t & really liked ease of use & the final finish of his black paint.
    http://www.dakotart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28632
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    If you don't have a buffer, look into buying the Porter cable or Griot's Garage 6". I have the Griot's. I'm no expert, frankly, I was scared to death I would fubar my paint! But, the guys on here (sunike32) Andrew really helped me out with product choices. Let us know how far you a ready to go and we will help you out.
    99 DA CC R/T
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    I work at a body shop. 3m has a 3 stage system that works very well. It has 3 different compounds and 3 different pads (one for each product) You will have to purchase a variable speed buffer but it is well worth it! I have done about 5 vehicles with the stuff and it is easy to learn! Results are fantastic! I have to admit that I have been slacking and have not had a chance to do my own yet I will get there one day!

    Vortech V-3, 52mm TB, EQ Heads, "R/T" Cam, MSaine VB, 2800 Stall, HS 1.7's, 11.6 @ 119 in 1/4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bang4theBuck View Post
    I work at a body shop. 3m has a 3 stage system that works very well. It has 3 different compounds and 3 different pads (one for each product) You will have to purchase a variable speed buffer but it is well worth it! I have done about 5 vehicles with the stuff and it is easy to learn! Results are fantastic! I have to admit that I have been slacking and have not had a chance to do my own yet I will get there one day!
    I have a NIB Porter cable DA polisher, different compounds, and pads. Just don't have the garage to house the truck for 2-3 days as I do a complete detail.
    Had everything for almost two years now too
    12.10@106@Famoso Raceway

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    Quote Originally Posted by GoFastGray View Post
    I have a NIB Porter cable DA polisher, different compounds, and pads. Just don't have the garage to house the truck for 2-3 days as I do a complete detail.
    Had everything for almost two years now too
    You have much nicer weather than NY, and I've done all of the details on my truck outside in NY. I wasn't fortunate enough to have a garage to put it in...now get to work on yours
    Andrew
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    It's the clear coat that protects the paint. Polishing removes that.

    I never polish any vehicle, only use 3M wax, no abrasives in it...Never had any clear coat problems and I live in the UV capital of the world.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Adobedude View Post
    It's the clear coat that protects the paint. Polishing removes that.

    I never polish any vehicle, only use 3M wax, no abrasives in it...Never had any clear coat problems and I live in the UV capital of the world.

    Does your truck stay inside or outside??
    12.10@106@Famoso Raceway

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    Quote Originally Posted by sunike32 View Post
    You have much nicer weather than NY, and I've done all of the details on my truck outside in NY. I wasn't fortunate enough to have a garage to put it in...now get to work on yours
    I'd much rather do it indoors and slowly work at it under fluorescent lighting. Sun and wind get in the way.
    12.10@106@Famoso Raceway

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    Quote Originally Posted by GoFastGray View Post
    I'd much rather do it indoors and slowly work at it under fluorescent lighting. Sun and wind get in the way.
    I agree with you 100%. I was just busting your chops and letting you know you could get it done without a garage if you really wanted to
    Andrew
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    Quote Originally Posted by Adobedude View Post
    It's the clear coat that protects the paint. Polishing removes that.

    I never polish any vehicle, only use 3M wax, no abrasives in it...Never had any clear coat problems and I live in the UV capital of the world.

    Arent our trucks painted with a basecoat/clearcoat mix? Not a two stage setup.

    And to the OP... if it needs real work have the thing color sanded and buffed at a professional body shop. You wont believe the results. Just keep it waxed after that. See sig pic.
    HI. I like beer, burnouts, and boobies...


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    Quote Originally Posted by dakrt23 View Post
    Arent our trucks painted with a basecoat/clearcoat mix? Not a two stage setup.

    And to the OP... if it needs real work have the thing color sanded and buffed at a professional body shop. You wont believe the results. Just keep it waxed after that. See sig pic.
    2 stage,and very thin at that.

    A quality polisher and pads as well as materials can work wonders,IF theres still enough good material left.

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    Quote Originally Posted by y2krtaf View Post
    2 stage,and very thin at that.

    A quality polisher and pads as well as materials can work wonders,IF theres still enough good material left.
    Mine has good material left everywhere but the roof. I'm just afraid after wet sanding the rest it will eventually separate from the base. I keep a cover in it now and garage space in the works.
    12.10@106@Famoso Raceway

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    ^^^ Real thin.
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    Quote Originally Posted by GoFastGray View Post
    Mine has good material left everywhere but the roof. I'm just afraid after wet sanding the rest it will eventually separate from the base. I keep a cover in it now and garage space in the works.
    Kevin,I wouldn't think you would need to wetsand unless you have severe scratches.The polisher you have,with the right pads and polish will get you great results.

    Autogeek has some great videos

    http://youtu.be/zUHRnHsSXZU
    http://youtu.be/fxwlWijdIxM

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    Quote Originally Posted by y2krtaf View Post
    Kevin,I wouldn't think you would need to wetsand unless you have severe scratches.The polisher you have,with the right pads and polish will get you great results.

    Autogeek has some great videos

    http://youtu.be/zUHRnHsSXZU
    http://youtu.be/fxwlWijdIxM
    You dont neeeeeeed to but it does remove the orange peel and leave a much flatter glossier surface. It was night and day for mine.
    HI. I like beer, burnouts, and boobies...


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    Quote Originally Posted by dakrt23 View Post
    You dont neeeeeeed to but it does remove the orange peel and leave a much flatter glossier surface. It was night and day for mine.
    Agree 100%.
    Just playing it safe on older maybe not as well cared for up front paint.

    I know the AZ sun just sucks the ever lovin life out of the already shaky quality paint these poor things have....

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    Quote Originally Posted by y2krtaf View Post
    Kevin,I wouldn't think you would need to wetsand unless you have severe scratches.The polisher you have,with the right pads and polish will get you great results.

    Autogeek has some great videos

    http://youtu.be/zUHRnHsSXZU
    http://youtu.be/fxwlWijdIxM
    Yea, watched most of them. Just need to get out and do it. I'll probably bust out the DA and compounds to see what it looks like after before trying to wet sand. But, I do want to rid of the orange peel eventually. Looking at the 5000 grit paper pads for my DA.
    12.10@106@Famoso Raceway

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    Makita makes a great variable speed buffer. Amazon sells one for $185 and I believe is a 8 or 9". I would go with the 3M 3 step system. With three different pads. You will have NO swirl marks if done correctly. Also I would not recommend wet sanding the truck because the OEM clear is very VERY thin! And if not experienced with this type of work, you can do more harm than good. Resulting in burning through the clear, and by making the clear even thinner, may, I mean may cause less UV protection and may fail easier over time. With dakrt23 his truck was repaint so therefore there was more clear applied. I agree 100% that sanding the clear removes orange peel and improves the look. Not a doubt in my
    Mind.
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  21. #21

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    You could use RestorFX, it's a chemical applicant that bonds to the paint. Hides scratches and restores your vehicles showroom shine. www.restorfx.com

    Here's some before and after pics link... www.restorfx.com/galereya_northvancouver.html
    Last edited by NosMan; 12-03-2013 at 02:56 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by NosMan View Post
    You could use RestorFX, it's a chemical applicant that bonds to the paint. Hides scratches and restores your vehicles showroom shine. www.restorfx.com

    Here's some before and after pics link... www.restorfx.com/galereya_northvancouver.html
    That appears to be something that has to be done on site, not something that can be user-applied... right?
    HI. I like beer, burnouts, and boobies...


  23. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by dakrt23 View Post
    That appears to be something that has to be done on site, not something that can be user-applied... right?
    Yes your right, not a do it yourself job sorry about that. Too bad, it's amazing how this product restores paint. It's also cheap, only a couple hundred bucks to have it done by a professional. There are other names for this chemical process so most likely it's available all over North America for anybody interested.
    Eating Fords & Slaying Chevy's

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