No Clear Coat

[rrobello]

What is the best way to go about detailing a car with no clear coat? Can you use normal waxes on it? Thanks for any advice anyone can give on this.

[Jorge Sanchez]

Is it a single stage finish or "no clear coat" as in bad paint, peeling, bad oxidation?

[rrobello]

its a single stage finish, no clear was ever put on this car, however info on both would be appreciated if the techinques are different.

[Tom Claessens]

I can't remember reading anything about different treatments to CC or single-stage paints.

The only thing that's going to happen is that if you use cleaners / polishes, your pads and Microfiber towels will pick up pigment on single-stages which is normal.

[Murr1525]

Since it sounds like your finish is in good shape, the usual 5-step process will work fine for you.

If it was clear-coated, but the clear had peeled off, the only fix would be a new paint job.

[rrobello]

thanks for all the help so far, but I have one more question that just came up,

what about swirls in a single stage paint, removing them can I still use scratch x or should I use something else? and what is the best way to bring back the color (if it can be done) and give it a nice shine (again if it can be done)?

thanks again.

[Hawk]

rrobello,

While I don’t profess to be any kind of expert, I did watch Mike Phillips’ DVD where he did an older corvette that didn’t have a clear coat. If you haven’t seen it, it is worth buying.

As for color restoration, I just finished the neighbor’s red S-10. It is an older model and had been left in the sun for long periods of time. I used COLORx on it with a dual action polisher. It came out looking pretty impressive. It went from pink to red.

Hope this helps,

Hawk

[Murr1525]

Here is what ColorX can do when well worked in by hand.
1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover


As for the rest of your question, yes, ScratchX can be used on an old paint job as well.

You would want ot use one of these 2 procedures:

1. Wash - Gold Class is nice for old paint, or any other favorite.
2. Clay
3. Clean - ScratchX and/or DC#1
4. Polish - DC#2, or your favorite polish
5. Wax - Nxt, Gold Class, etc.

OR:

1. Wash - Gold Class, etc.
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Gold Class, Nxt, etc.

Hope that helps...