Author Topic: Restoring faded paint - help (Read 6834 times)

AlpineRob · « **on:** August 01, 2011, 07:53:37 PM »

Just picked up a 91 318is coupe..

its in very good condition, 100% rust free..

However..the paint it faded, scratched..needs love.

I have been detailing cars for a very long time on my own cars..But i havent had to face a challenge like this.. It is not 100% faded yet or heavily oxidized..

I know for sure that regular off the shelf products from autozone just plain suck.. but i did come across, in the body repair section, McGuire's 105 ultimate compound..roughly 32$ for the bottle.. Anyone have experience with this?

I have a high speed, direct spin buffer..Not Orbital..those arent very useful often

Does anyone have a valuable thread they can point me to or tell me what particular products have the best result without spending a fortune..? And also trick of the trade techniques to using wool pads..?

Thanks Guys!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** August 01, 2011, 08:17:21 PM »

I used some Turtle Wax "Ice" "Clay Bar" liquid that worked pretty well. I'd recommend it but I'm no detailing expert. It was easy to put on, easy to take off if I was generous with it. I think it's a polymer with a really fine abrasive. It's a light grey muddy liquid with the consistency of Pepto-Bismol.

It really did the trick on my original paint, with the exception of my mirrors. Nothing but a re-spray will bring them back. I did it by hand with a lint-free cotton rag but had to go back over my work to even out the finish. They suggested microfiber, I'd agree with that. Took me a few days...and I was so sore afterwards. Your power buffer would make short work of it, I'll bet.

harvey2 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:11:48 PM »

If you have time to do some reading, this forum might be useful:

http://forum.roadfly.com/forums/22-Detailing-Forum

deansweet · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2011, 11:10:12 AM »

M105 is a staple on my shelf for paint repair. I usually end up buying it at amazon.com though. M205 is for heavily oxidized paint and with a standard orbital I would not recommend it. Since you have been detailing your own cars you know to wash with dish soap or some sort of cleaning car wash, then clay, then use the M105 on aprrox 35-40% speed, 3 pea sized spots of M105 on the pad and spin over a approx 2' square section never stopping until the wax is completely dissipated.

Mine was a bit faded and had been sitting under a pine tree for months and was littered with pine tree sap.

nice URL with all sorts of information for beginers and pro's alike;
http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/

once you have read up on it and want to check out some of the work these guys do go to forum for 'pro details before after after' and for beginners 'click and brag' sections.

Need any more info? PM me.

AlpineRob · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2011, 08:12:36 PM »

awesome - thanks!

lbreevesii · « **Reply #5 on:** September 05, 2011, 02:47:35 PM »

My car was in similar shape. I spent a bit of time hand polishing(I don't have a buffer) but the clearcoat was thin and it had a lot of scratches, so it got a respray anyway). Still, just a bit of cheap polish worked some major wonders on it. Note: I was using meguiars, not the as seen on tv stuff in the pic.

For testing I wet sanded then compounded and polished a bit on the top. Giggidy

deansweet · « **Reply #6 on:** September 06, 2011, 07:14:27 PM »

Hey AlpineRob.
Any progress? Pics?

-Dean

AlpineRob · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2011, 09:25:55 PM »

there has been some progress - havent loaded any pictures yet but they're coming - got plenty of shine restored but i swear there are scratched under the clear coat.. the car spent most of its life out in CA...so i think the sun did a number on it

Geoff · « **Reply #8 on:** September 29, 2011, 01:00:07 PM »

I have the required totally faded red 91 318is that we all know and love. Mine had gotten to the point where it was called the Pink Panther..rightfully so I might add. I found a product called PS21 color enhancing compound, which is used like any other compound, but really did bring the red back. I put this on & off by hand. Then I hand waxed it with 100% carnauba wax, its called Blitzwax. I used an orbital buffer to take off the blitzwax, and this process left me with a much better looking, and more importantly, red, car. Then, I used that stuff you get a pep boys to make tires shiney. do I put it on my tires? :eek: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
You put it on the mirrors, valences, and bumpers, to bring up the shine factor on the plastic. When all is said and done, you still really need a paintjob, but your car looks 100% better till you can get it done. BTW, its now known as the Red Baron..see, it works!!;)
Geoff

1991 318i · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2012, 07:25:42 PM »

Quote from: Geoff;107053

I have the required totally faded red 91 318is that we all know and love. Mine had gotten to the point where it was called the Pink Panther..rightfully so I might add. I found a product called PS21 color enhancing compound, which is used like any other compound, but really did bring the red back. I put this on & off by hand. Then I hand waxed it with 100% carnauba wax, its called Blitzwax. I used an orbital buffer to take off the blitzwax, and this process left me with a much better looking, and more importantly, red, car. Then, I used that stuff you get a pep boys to make tires shiney. do I put it on my tires? :eek: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
You put it on the mirrors, valences, and bumpers, to bring up the shine factor on the plastic. When all is said and done, you still really need a paintjob, but your car looks 100% better till you can get it done. BTW, its now known as the Red Baron..see, it works!!;)
Geoff

Sorry to bump an old thread, but found it via search. I too have a faded red 91, and am looking for something to try before having the paint wet sanded. Where did you find the PS21 color enhancing compound? I've searched on the internet, and can't find this product. Thanks for your help!

ETA - I saw Meguiars Ultimate Compound today http://www.autobarn.net/meguiar-s-ultimate-compound.html, and thought about trying it, but wanted to do some research first. Has anyone tried this for faded paint?

Geoff · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2012, 09:17:17 AM »

I am pretty sure I got the PS21 from Eastwood. the only other place I could have gotten it would probably be Griots Garage. but my (funny money) is on Eastwood
Geoff

1991 318i · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2012, 07:42:39 AM »

Thank you Geoff. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the PS21 on those sites, but will keep looking for it online.