Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

[kna4977]

Hi I have a 20 year old car with original black lacquer single stage paint. It looks good overall, but has a good deal of swirl marks and fine scratches that I would like to improve. Gives it a hazy/swirly appearance if the light shines just right. Looks good in dim light. Is there anything I can do to improve it? Any help/tips would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

Welcome to MOL!!!!


Do you know anything about the history of this paint - how many times it may have been rotary buffed, was it ever wet sanded, etc? These actions can lead to seriously diminished paint film thickness which might cause problems when trying to correct these defects. If you look the vehicle over very, very carefully and see any tell tale little bits of white/light gray primer showing through on a sharp crease in a body line that's a sure sign the paint has been buffed through.

Are you working by hand or with a machine, and if so, what kind of machine? Either application process can be done with great results using our M80 Speed Glaze from our Mirror Glaze Pro line. You'll have to go to a body shop supply store to source it, but single stage paints just love M80. It contains a mild diminishing abrasive that can very effectively remove the swirls, fine scratches and oxidation while at the same time introducing polishing oils to the paint that will deepen and richen the color. Keep in mind, however, that you will likely need several applicators regardless of your process as you will pull color when correcting these defects, no matter how minor. This "pulling color" is literally the transfer of some paint onto your applicator and is common to all defect correction processes, regardless whether you're dealing with single stage paint or a base coat/clear coat system. The difference with clear coat is the paint is clear so you can't see it on your applicator.

You will need to follow up this M80 process with a wax, and for that step you can use something as "old school" (but still fantastic!) as M26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax, or something as modern as NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. Regardless, you will need to apply a wax.

[kna4977]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

Welcome to MOL!!!!


Do you know anything about the history of this paint - how many times it may have been rotary buffed, was it ever wet sanded, etc? These actions can lead to seriously diminished paint film thickness which might cause problems when trying to correct these defects. If you look the vehicle over very, very carefully and see any tell tale little bits of white/light gray primer showing through on a sharp crease in a body line that's a sure sign the paint has been buffed through.

Are you working by hand or with a machine, and if so, what kind of machine? Either application process can be done with great results using our M80 Speed Glaze from our Mirror Glaze Pro line. You'll have to go to a body shop supply store to source it, but single stage paints just love M80. It contains a mild diminishing abrasive that can very effectively remove the swirls, fine scratches and oxidation while at the same time introducing polishing oils to the paint that will deepen and richen the color. Keep in mind, however, that you will likely need several applicators regardless of your process as you will pull color when correcting these defects, no matter how minor. This "pulling color" is literally the transfer of some paint onto your applicator and is common to all defect correction processes, regardless whether you're dealing with single stage paint or a base coat/clear coat system. The difference with clear coat is the paint is clear so you can't see it on your applicator.

You will need to follow up this M80 process with a wax, and for that step you can use something as "old school" (but still fantastic!) as M26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax, or something as modern as NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. Regardless, you will need to apply a wax.

Thanks, I don't know much about the history of the paint. It still looks rather thick has a good deal of orange peel and I don't see any primer showing through. I would venture to guess that it's never been wet sanded. I can tell it's been rotary buffed though. I will be working by hand.

[Murr1525]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

Yeah, start off with a wash and clay, then try the #80 first on a test area. You could go with a stronger product if needed, but best to do a test spot/panel with something milder first.

[kna4977]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

What kind of applicators should I use? Microfiber, cloth, etc.?

[Murr1525]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

I would go with a smooth foam applicator in general. Doenst sound like you need anything too agressive starting off.

[Justin A]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

I just bought an '86 with black SS paint, same deal - swirled something awful and faded all around.

I used #9 on a W6006 pad to remove about 95% of the swirls.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

I most certainly isn't factory paint if it is lacquer on a 22 year old car so proceed with caution.

[kna4977]

Re: Need Help With 22 y.o. Black Lacquer Original Paint

I most certainly isn't factory paint if it is lacquer on a 22 year old car so proceed with caution.

Car has very low original mileage and still wears its 100% factory original lacquer. Paint is nice and glossy but has some fine scratches and swirls likely from polishing with inappropriate materials over the years that I would like to eliminate if possible to make something nice that much nicer.