I have a polish question.

[Tsunami]

I have a 1989 Dodge D50 that has some different parts of the same color. The parts that came from a different truck are.. I'm not quite sure how to describe it... dull? I have a picture of my truck, I'm not sure if this is a good one, it'll be the weekend before i can get some better ones. My question is, what Meguiar's product will help restore the color and shine so that my truck looks all one color, as well as make it look somewhat new? Or does anyone have any other tips/methods for restoring color/shine?

Here's the only picture I have at the moment...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: I have a polish question.

Do you know if this is single stage paint or clear coated? Single stage paint will transfer color onto your applicator when using a paint cleaner like Ultimate Compound or even just a cleaner wax. Do this test: wash and dry the vehicle and try applying one of these products to just a small area and then look at your pad. If the pad is red you've got single stage paint, if not you've got a clear coat.

Now, there is the possibility that you've got a clear coat paint job but some the clear is failing in some areas. If so you'll get color transfer from some areas but not others. This would be a very bad situation as the only way to correct it is to repaint the vehicle. In a clear coat paint system the underlying color coat is not designed to hold gloss on its own - it needs the clear coat for the whole paint system to shine. A clear coat paint system is not merely a single stage paint with clear over it.

Given the age of this vehicle and the color, it is quite possible that it's single stage. While most cars were being clear coated by the mid to late '80s it was the reds, blacks and whites that were among the last colors to fully transition to clear.

Having said that, the process for working on the paint is basically the same whether it's clear coat or single stage (assuming you do NOT have clear coat failure, but it's impossible to tell for sure from that one image). The biggest difference will be that you'll go through a bunch of applicators with a single stage finish because they'll all be turning red on you! Ultimate Compound would be an excellent choice for this project, whether you're working by hand or with a D/A polisher.

Do that test as described above and let us know what you're working on. Then also let us know how you plan on attacking this - 100% by hand or do you have a buffer of some sort? What is your experience level with this sort of thing? What are your real expectations here (the paint is, after all, 21 years old!)?

[Murr1525]

Re: I have a polish question.

Oh that is going to be fun. Well, at least from that pic. Get some close ups of the dull parts esp, to check for clear coat failure. No product will help with that.

Assuming it can be fixed: Definatley pick up some Ultimate Compound, maybe some SwirlX as well, clay, Gold Class Wash.

If it were me, and that truck has never been detailed, I would consider:
1. Wash
2. UC
3. Clay
4. SwirlX
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0

If you find the paint is single stage, using something like DC Polish before the wax could help a lot also.

[Shawn T.]

Re: I have a polish question.

Are you sure about that order? Wouldn't you want to clay and then UC? Just looks like you reversed 2 and 3.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I have a polish question.

Are you sure about that order? Wouldn't you want to clay and then UC? Just looks like you reversed 2 and 3.

I was wondering the same thing.

Good luck. Keep us updated on your progress.

[Murr1525]

Re: I have a polish question.

Well... if it hasnt been detailed in 21 years, and been outside the whole time.... might burn through a lot of clay. The UC could remove some of the gunk/dead paint (esp if SS paint), and should still fix swirls fine.

Then clay and SwirlX after should really finish it off nicely.

[Tsunami]

Re: I have a polish question.

Wow, I really appreciate everyone's responses and advice. Like I mentioned before, it will be Friday or Saturday before I can take any new pictures or experiment with any procedures. As for Michael Stoop's question about the single-stage or clear cloat: I believe it is a single-stage, because this is the original color, the vehicle has never been repainted. Also, I have no experience at all with paint repair/restoration. I'm not looking to restore this paintjob, so to speak, as much as I am trying to make the truck's overall appearance more appealing. I polish my rims with (believe it or not) a purple degreaser solution. It doesn't do much for the rust, but the shine is brilliant. A dull paint with shiny rims doesn't really look all that impressive. I will post more pictures and results when I get the chance. I will be working more on the truck Friday, because that's the day my new piston rings come in. Again, thanks all for the help.

[Tsunami]

Re: I have a polish question.

Well, it took longer than I thought, but I got some pics finally. The sun was a bit of a nuisance, but I managed. Here are some closer pictures...

[Tsunami]

Re: I have a polish question.

Like I said, I don't exactly wish to restore this vehicle, and by no means is it a classic, but it's my primary transportation, and I'd just like it to look decent.

[Scoobie]

Re: I have a polish question.


It'll buff out.

[Murr1525]

Re: I have a polish question.

Yup.. get some UC, and see how red your pad/terry cloth turns on each section. See if they are all single stage paint.

[Shawn T.]

Re: I have a polish question.

It looks to be single stage from the discoloration but make sure by testing a spot with a product with some cleaning ability.

[Tsunami]

Re: I have a polish question.

The UC worked wonders for my paint job. It must've been a single stage, because there was red paint on the buffer AND my terry cloth towels. The sections of my fender, tailgate, and hood that were a faded whitish red, are now part of the somewhat shiny uniform red that covers the rest of the truck.

P.S. The truck's engine is complete as well, and it runs great.

Thanks for all of your help guys!

[Murr1525]

Re: I have a polish question.

Need pics....

[Tsunami]

Re: I have a polish question.

Thought I posted them already, but I'll see where they went.