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Bringing old paint back to life

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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 09:31 AM
  #1  
Ryan Wandell's Avatar
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Car: 89' RS.
Engine: Carbureted 305.
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.56
Bringing old paint back to life

I just bought an 89' RS that has seen better days. As old as it is, it doesn't have even a ding on it, it's just sat under a tree for the past year and has fell victim too extreme oxidation and fading.

My brother and I already took Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound too the entire body, it removed a lot of the oxidation and really made it smooth to the touch, I was told by a guy at Advanced Auto too try Meguiars Carnauba wax too create a shine, and top it off. While it does shine pretty good, I'd like it to be a brighter shine because it just isn't doing it for me.

Does anyone know of some good products I could use?

This is my car:

https://i.imgur.com/8aIrsQt.jpg


Also, does anyone know a good website to buy the front plastic bumper/assembly for our cars? As you can see mine has several chips from the paint in it, but the body it's self is fine.
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 09:59 AM
  #2  
chazman's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: Bringing old paint back to life

Hard to see what's going on in that blurry pic, but if it's still in factory clear coat/color coat paint and the clear coat hasn't failed you can probably save it. First things first, I'd clay the paint. This part is REALLY important. If it's been sitting under a tree, I think you'll be shocked at how much crap that clay bar will take off. I also wouldn't be surprised if you kill more than one clay bar on it.

After that I'd go over it with Meguires 105. If you can use a buffer that will make go easier. After that go over it with Megs 205. Take your time, do one panel at a time.

When you're all done, apply a good wax or sealant.

Last edited by chazman; Jun 9, 2013 at 10:18 AM.
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 10:00 AM
  #3  
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Re: Bringing old paint back to life

Try a medium cut buffing compound followed by a wax. Black is a difficult color to detail. I would also get a bottle of swirl remover. I don't see much of a difference between Turtle and Carnauba besides the price.
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 10:10 AM
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naf
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From: Lexington, SC
Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
Engine: 350/vortec/fitech
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt
Re: Bringing old paint back to life

autogeek.net

tons of tutorials and how-tos
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 10:15 AM
  #5  
chazman's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: Bringing old paint back to life

Originally Posted by naf
autogeek.net

tons of tutorials and how-tos

Listen to this guy. Awesome site.
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 10:16 AM
  #6  
Ryan Wandell's Avatar
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Car: 89' RS.
Engine: Carbureted 305.
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.56
Re: Bringing old paint back to life

Yes I apologize about the pic, if you guys want I'll go take another right now but I appreciate the replys. I'll look into the bar.
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 10:21 AM
  #7  
chazman's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: Bringing old paint back to life

BTW, I just noticed that your buffer is set pad first on the driveway. Either clean or dispose of that pad. The grit from the driveway just turned that buffer into rough grit sandpaper on your black paint.
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Old Jun 9, 2013 | 10:52 AM
  #8  
Ryan Wandell's Avatar
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Posts: 37
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Car: 89' RS.
Engine: Carbureted 305.
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4.56
Re: Bringing old paint back to life

Yeah my idiot friend did that.. that was the first night I brought the car home. I've done disposed of that.

I'm also using a commercial buffer now, one of those two hand things haha.
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