1971 Chrysler Enamel - what to use?

[jeffgrice]

Hi,
My friend has a 71 charger with the original enamel. /He was told not to use wax as the paint needs to breath.
He was supplied a polish years ago that is no longer made. Forumulated for enamal.
What is suggested for this vintage of car/paint?
Thanks Jeff

[akimel]

Re: 1971 Chrysler Enamel - what to use?

I'm sure one of the Meguiar's experts will chime in if any of the following is incorrect, but the care of single-stage paint is not significantly different than the care of clear-coat paint. The paint on your friend's car has had 28 years to cure. It doesn't need any more time to "breathe." But what it does probably need is to be cleaned well. Here is a possible process for your friend:

1) Wash

2) Clay

3) Clean the paint. For this purpose you can use Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, M09, or SwirlX.

4) Apply a pure polish. Though this is considered an optional step by Meguiar's, the application of a pure polish might really help to bring the single stage paint alive. For this purpose you can use Deep Crystal Polish or #7 Show Car Glaze.

5) Wax. Any good wax or sealant will do. The best two waxes made by Meguiar's are NXT and M26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax. For optimal results apply two coats.

Have your friend read this article: Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Al

[BarryK]

Re: 1971 Chrysler Enamel - what to use?



38 years is more than plenty for any paint to cure - it's had lots of time to "breathe".
Not put on a wax or sealant just means not having a layer of protection on the paint which is what the wax is there for.

I do a lot of classic cars, my own and lots of others, many of which still have their original single stage paints. Every single one gets finished with a good coat or two of wax.
Personally I usually use #26 wax on classic cars since 99.9% of the times these cars get driven very little and usually only on nice weekends in the summer, never see rain, always garage kept, etc so I don't see the need of a sealant like #21 which I'll usually use more on my daily driver because it lasts longer