Any help from the gurus out there?

Paint is pretty shinny but has been sitting around at a auction for a while so it has some crap in it, and it looks as though people were sitting on the trunk and put lots of light scratches on it. Only other trouble spot is also on the trunk, looks as though something dripped on it and made the color slightly darker and not as glossy.

Any advice on what to use on this thing. OTC products would be awesome but if there is something I have to order that would make it really look good I will do it. Also since it is single stage I am scared to death to touch it with my PC. What method should I use to apply product?

Thank you
Speedy

 

There's no reason why you should be scared to use your PC to polish your single-stage paint finish, unless of course the paint is already so thin that anything you do will take you straight to the metal.

If you want to remove swirls and scratches, then you are going to have to "remove" some paint through polishing. The PC is going to be far more efficient at this than hand polishing.

If you are content to allow the scratches to be, then here's a simple and inexpensive approach: pick up a bottle of ColorX from the local auto store. ColorX is a one-step cleaner wax that contains chemical cleaners and light diminishing abrasives. It will remove oxidation, staining, and wax residue and leave behind a layer of protection. The top the ColorX with the wax or sealant of your choice.

 

I personally would use Meguiar's #7 show car glaze. This is a product that has been around for a very long time and was initially developed for single stage paints. You can apply it by hand, or with a PC.

the trick is to work it in gently and let the oils do their job. Do not let it dry, and wipe it off as soon as your done working the paint.

I personally would not use anything else on neglected/weathered single stage paints.

 

+1 the recommendation of #7.

An alternative might be M80, which combines mild diminishing abrasives and the same polishing oils that constitute M07. An even less abrasive product would be M09.

All of these products were created to work with single-state paint systems.

 

what car? How do you know it's single stage?

 

Car is a 67 Oldsmobile Delmont. Its a new toy of mine. Rubbing a little spot with compound and the cloth turned blue so it is deff single stage.

Next week I am going to try the #7. What should I use as a sealer?

 

For an old car like that, how about an old school wax, like Harly Wax or M16? But any carnauba wax would do just fine, I'm sure. You want to avoid synthetic sealants if you are using #7. If you want an OTC wax, try AutoGlym's High Definition Wax, available now at Walmart.

 

I agree. If you want a great carnauba that is OTC, AutoGlym is the way to go.

 

Another suggestion for an OTC wax: Meguiar's M26. It can be found at most local auto stores and at $12 a bottle may well be the best value out there. M26 has a loyal following.