My White Cruiser Needs Love

[Lukie]

I just picked up my "new" 1995 80 yesterday. I've been waiting patiently for this one and I jumped on it. Its hard to tell in the picture, but the paint has acquired, through lack of waxing, a matte finish. It almost feels like 800 grit sandpaper. Does anyone have any detailing experience that can give me advice on restoring the paint? I've heard the white 80s don't have clearcoat... is that true?

 

[Bluetribal]

Looks like the paint washed right off onto your bumper. If the wax doesn't clean it up I say line the whole thing with U-Pol.

P.S. I would ditch those nerf steps before you hit the trails because those will probably bend easier than the stock steps.

 

[Lukie]

Looks like the paint washed right off onto your bumper. If the wax doesn't clean it up I say line the whole thing with U-Pol.

P.S. I would ditch those nerf steps before you hit the trails because those will probably bend easier than the stock steps.

I got some good info from a local detail shop. It needs some good polishing compound and then a waxing.

The steps are already off and for sale if anybody wants them.

 

[bmw635]

I pickup my 95 white 80 2 weeks ago and went through the same thing like you. Went through it light handed with 3M Polishing Compound, then 1 coat of 3M Micro Fine Polishing, then carnubau wax. Looks almost like new.

Nice looking rig.

 

[1973Guppie]

go to your local parts store and get a clay bar system to get all the grime out of the paint, they work great. Do the clay bar, then use some type of light buffing wax to get the swirls out, then wax.

Noah

 

[adalnay]

I followed this thread and my results were great:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/414347-80s-lovin-meguiars-style.html

You'd be surprised how much beating your paint job will take.

 

[Brentbba]

I swear by Zaino Bros products. www.zainobros.com No affiliation, just a very satisfied customer.

Start from the clay bar, thru the swirl remover (like a polishing compound) and then thru the all in one and finish products.

Finish on my 16 year old beast is still great looking.

 

[fjc8871]

I have used Adam's products in the past. They use to be in So Cal but now they moved to Colorado.

 

[Lukie]

go to your local parts store and get a clay bar system to get all the grime out of the paint, they work great. Do the clay bar, then use some type of light buffing wax to get the swirls out, then wax.

Noah

The common theme I'm getting is to start with the least invasive product on a small portion of the body. If that doesn't work, bump up the abrasiveness until the oxidation and swirls are removed. Then, decrease the abrasiveness of the products until the desired finish is acquired and then wax to a beautiful shine. I'm going to tackle this project next week. I'll let you all know how it goes, with pictures of course. The interior will be another story

 

[mudking82]

Do any of these suggestions work though if your clear coat is gone? I would say half the clear coat on my 80 is missing, the hood being the worst all the way around. And it is continually flaking off.

 

[1973Guppie]

The common theme I'm getting is to start with the least invasive product on a small portion of the body. If that doesn't work, bump up the abrasiveness until the oxidation and swirls are removed. Then, decrease the abrasiveness of the products until the desired finish is acquired and then wax to a beautiful shine. I'm going to tackle this project next week. I'll let you all know how it goes, with pictures of course. The interior will be another story

YES, but first you need to use a clay bar system to clean the paint and get all of the contanimants out of the paint, then start buffing and waxing

 

[latinoguy]

I've spent some time in a detail section of a bmw forum where detailing pros post up and share.

1. Get a variable speed Porter Cable Random Orbit polisher and a set of pads (can't think of the pad names but they come for different applications.)
2. clay (you can get a clay kit at any wally world etc.)
3. Polish (if you dont want to spend $$ but want something good can't go wrong with Meguiars.)
Meguiars 105 and 205 Combo

1 polisher is coarser, than the other, start with the coarser one first, to remove oxidized paint etc. than the finer polish to remove swirls etc.

4. Seal with your favorite sealant or carnuba wax.

It is a process but you will be amazed how much better the car's paint looks after wards. Repeat after 6 months. (I don't on the cruiser bec it is pointless if you run trails (can't avoid pin striping)

The Porter Cable is the most important tool here if you want to get good results.


EDIT

Interior: Woolite 1 parts woolite 10 parts water....srub anything inside that you want with it.
Leather: Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil nothing else will match its effectiveness at rejuvinating and softening up old leather.

The common theme I'm getting is to start with the least invasive product on a small portion of the body. If that doesn't work, bump up the abrasiveness until the oxidation and swirls are removed. Then, decrease the abrasiveness of the products until the desired finish is acquired and then wax to a beautiful shine. I'm going to tackle this project next week. I'll let you all know how it goes, with pictures of course. The interior will be another story

 

[Lukie]

I've spent some time in a detail section of a bmw forum where detailing pros post up and share.

1. Get a variable speed Porter Cable Random Orbit polisher and a set of pads (can't think of the pad names but they come for different applications.)
2. clay (you can get a clay kit at any wally world etc.)
3. Polish (if you dont want to spend $$ but want something good can't go wrong with Meguiars.)
Meguiars 105 and 205 Combo

1 polisher is coarser, than the other, start with the coarser one first, to remove oxidized paint etc. than the finer polish to remove swirls etc.

4. Seal with your favorite sealant or carnuba wax.

It is a process but you will be amazed how much better the car's paint looks after wards. Repeat after 6 months. (I don't on the cruiser bec it is pointless if you run trails (can't avoid pin striping)

The Porter Cable is the most important tool here if you want to get good results.


EDIT

Interior: Woolite 1 parts woolite 10 parts water....srub anything inside that you want with it.
Leather: Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil nothing else will match its effectiveness at rejuvinating and softening up old leather.

Thanks for all the 'details', get it. Anyway, I really appreciate all of the input. I'm going to tackle this on Sunday. Pictures and results to follow.

 

[Lukie]

The love begins

YES, but first you need to use a clay bar system to clean the paint and get all of the contanimants out of the paint, then start buffing and waxing

Thanks Noah! I clayed one side of it today and used some McGuire's "Scratch X" on the lower rocker where the paint is textured. The clay really smoothed out the paint. I think it is going to take me a couple days to clay the entire body. I also spent some time on the interior. It was like a treasure hunt finding all sorts of items left by the PO.

I know its a 4x4, but my OCD makes me clean, polish, and wax all my rigs. She's going to be beautiful.

Here's the difference the clay made on the rear quarter. The door shows the before hideousness.

Scratch X cleaned up the textured rocker real nice.

 

[Lukie]

I've spent some time in a detail section of a bmw forum where detailing pros post up and share.

1. Get a variable speed Porter Cable Random Orbit polisher and a set of pads (can't think of the pad names but they come for different applications.)
2. clay (you can get a clay kit at any wally world etc.)
3. Polish (if you dont want to spend $$ but want something good can't go wrong with Meguiars.)
Meguiars 105 and 205 Combo

1 polisher is coarser, than the other, start with the coarser one first, to remove oxidized paint etc. than the finer polish to remove swirls etc.

4. Seal with your favorite sealant or carnuba wax.

It is a process but you will be amazed how much better the car's paint looks after wards. Repeat after 6 months. (I don't on the cruiser bec it is pointless if you run trails (can't avoid pin striping)

The Porter Cable is the most important tool here if you want to get good results.


EDIT

Interior: Woolite 1 parts woolite 10 parts water....srub anything inside that you want with it.
Leather: Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil nothing else will match its effectiveness at rejuvinating and softening up old leather.

Thanks James! My neighbor across the street just happens to have a Porter Cable random orbit polisher I'm going to try the Woolite too. I was also thinking of renting a hot water extractor. Do you have any experience with one of those?

 

[latinoguy]

It looks like you are making some progress. no experience with steam/ hot water extractor, but I am sure that will help clean up crusty carpet....

oh, instead of armor all...try
303 Aerospace Protectant

great stuff and truly UV protectant that you can use it pretty much anywhere and leaves a satin finish instead of oily.

Thanks James! My neighbor across the street just happens to have a Porter Cable random orbit polisher I'm going to try the Woolite too. I was also thinking of renting a hot water extractor. Do you have any experience with one of those?