Old Lacquer Paint
 

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I would like to hear some recommendations on how to bring back the shine on an old lacquer finish without harming it...

Thanks

Rich

It's not that recent, but this article has some great info:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ge-paints.html
Also Darrell (cook_dw) and James (firstgenaddict) have posted to share fantastic results of their own preservation techniques and tips.

If metallic paint the Mequiars 7 works well.

If using any aggressive form (power tools or wool pads) be very careful not to burn through, especially on any edge or crown, that will ruin your day quickly.

I use a digital paint guage to ensure how much paint is being removed

You can have outstanding results when restoring lacquer paint. In fact.....So good, that many may think it has had a repaint.
If you do happen to burn through it is acceptable....as it is a way of showing that it is indeed the original paint.

Use excellent lighting and take your time....you cannot rush this process.

Dan

Single stage paint tips
 

My question would be on old single stage paint( black ) that has some orange peel to it.
is there any way to remove some orange peel without resorting to wet sanding,for ex . using a certain type of buffing pad or a more aggressive compound?
Or is wet sanding the only way?
Thanks :)

Short answer is yes on the orange peel. As most already know every time you wax or rub on lacquer you are taking a small amount of the paint off. I would resist the urges of pulling out a buffer or polisher on lacquer paint as you can burn it as mentioned previously.. I personally have had good success with DA polishers and foam pads. Wool and microfiber as well in certain situations. But realize you can overheat the paint even with a DA polisher. Keep the pad hydrated but not saturated and as mentioned previously take your time and be patient as it's a long process. Mequiar's #7 is still my go to choice for single stage paints to help hydrate the older lacquers. There are plenty of folks here that have much more experience than I on this matter but I wanted to give some input on the subject. I'm just about finished with the current project of preservation for someone and will eventually post up photos of it when it is completed. Good luck.

Not to derail this topic but speaking of rubbing thru the paint! When I was young my parents were saving money to buy a car so one morning before my father left for work my mother gave him the money she had saved and told him to get a car on his walk home. She said about the time he was suppose to be home she heard a very loud rumbling coming from the driveway. She walks out there and there was my Father with a black on black hemi cuda with a tunnel ram poking thru the hood and it had one bucket seat! My mother said she was so pissed since there was 4 of us. My mother sat on a plastic milk krate and my brother and I sat on the sheet metal floor. She said he loved that car so much he rubbed thru the paint waxing it so much.
Rant over carry on !

... black hemi Cuda, 1 bucket seat, pissed off wife! That's a funny story!!

That is a STORY!!!!!!!!!! :cool2::cool2::cool2:

A great article on reviving lacquer with Meguiars #7

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-phillips.html