Old Lacquer Paint

[Mr. Chevy]

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I would like to hear some recommendations on how to bring back the shine on an old lacquer finish without harming it...

Thanks

Rich

[ZLP955]

It's not that recent, but this article has some great info:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ge-paints.html
Also Darrell (cook_dw) and James (firstgenaddict) have posted to share fantastic results of their own preservation techniques and tips.

[prototype]

If metallic paint the Mequiars 7 works well.

If using any aggressive form (power tools or wool pads) be very careful not to burn through, especially on any edge or crown, that will ruin your day quickly.

I use a digital paint guage to ensure how much paint is being removed

[Postsedan]

You can have outstanding results when restoring lacquer paint. In fact.....So good, that many may think it has had a repaint.
If you do happen to burn through it is acceptable....as it is a way of showing that it is indeed the original paint.

Use excellent lighting and take your time....you cannot rush this process.

Dan

[Crossbreed383]

My question would be on old single stage paint( black ) that has some orange peel to it.
is there any way to remove some orange peel without resorting to wet sanding,for ex . using a certain type of buffing pad or a more aggressive compound?
Or is wet sanding the only way?
Thanks

[firstgenaddict]

Originally Posted by Crossbreed383

My question would be on old single stage paint( black ) that has some orange peel to it.
is there any way to remove some orange peel without resorting to wet sanding,for ex . using a certain type of buffing pad or a more aggressive compound?
Or is wet sanding the only way?
Thanks

I am going to assume the "old single stage" is not original paint, do you know if it is lacquer or enamel?
Catalyzed enamel will be pretty hard when compared to lacquer.

Assuming it is not original paint and I wanted to level it... I would use some 3000 trizac WET on a 6" orbital unless I were sure there was enough paint for me to hardblock it with 2000, then finish with 3000 and cut polish.

You can remove some orange peel using a wool bonnet, however be aware a wool bonnet cuts pretty FAST.

First -
Run some inexpensive masking tape along the ridges on the body lines and along the panel edges, tape off around the emblems and trim to save time cleaning afterwards.

On older paint after I get the paint hydrated and gloss back with SHOW CAR GLAZE I go around and mark surface imperfections with a piece of tape...
then I go back with the least aggressive polish first (in meguires the order from least aggressive is machine glaze, swirl remover, fine cut, medium cut and then rough cut) and shoot for a 30-50% improvement when focusing on the single particular issue. - if the least aggressive will not remove it I work to the next.

When you step back the overall improvement appears much better than 50%.

Picking out imperfections from 12" away when you are searching is pretty easy... improve them by 50% walk away for a day or two when you come back you will be amazed.
When I sent photos to the Previous owner of my LT1 they asked if I painted it...

[cook_dw]

Short answer is yes on the orange peel. As most already know every time you wax or rub on lacquer you are taking a small amount of the paint off. I would resist the urges of pulling out a buffer or polisher on lacquer paint as you can burn it as mentioned previously.. I personally have had good success with DA polishers and foam pads. Wool and microfiber as well in certain situations. But realize you can overheat the paint even with a DA polisher. Keep the pad hydrated but not saturated and as mentioned previously take your time and be patient as it's a long process. Mequiar's #7 is still my go to choice for single stage paints to help hydrate the older lacquers. There are plenty of folks here that have much more experience than I on this matter but I wanted to give some input on the subject. I'm just about finished with the current project of preservation for someone and will eventually post up photos of it when it is completed. Good luck.

[chevyman0429]

Not to derail this topic but speaking of rubbing thru the paint! When I was young my parents were saving money to buy a car so one morning before my father left for work my mother gave him the money she had saved and told him to get a car on his walk home. She said about the time he was suppose to be home she heard a very loud rumbling coming from the driveway. She walks out there and there was my Father with a black on black hemi cuda with a tunnel ram poking thru the hood and it had one bucket seat! My mother said she was so pissed since there was 4 of us. My mother sat on a plastic milk krate and my brother and I sat on the sheet metal floor. She said he loved that car so much he rubbed thru the paint waxing it so much.
Rant over carry on !

[mssl72]

... black hemi Cuda, 1 bucket seat, pissed off wife! That's a funny story!!

[mockingbird812]

Originally Posted by chevyman0429

Not to derail this topic but speaking of rubbing thru the paint! When I was young my parents were saving money to buy a car so one morning before my father left for work my mother gave him the money she had saved and told him to get a car on his walk home. She said about the time he was suppose to be home she heard a very loud rumbling coming from the driveway. She walks out there and there was my Father with a black on black hemi cuda with a tunnel ram poking thru the hood and it had one bucket seat! My mother said she was so pissed since there was 4 of us. My mother sat on a plastic milk krate and my brother and I sat on the sheet metal floor. She said he loved that car so much he rubbed thru the paint waxing it so much.
Rant over carry on !

That is a STORY!!!!!!!!!!