Best approach to polish original paint - 1972 Camaro

[Hrothgar]

Good Morning everyone,

I recently acquired a 1972 Camaro still with it's original paint. For 50 years old, the paint has held up okay, but is clearly very thin in some areas, the roof in particular. These were all single stage painted if memory serves. I'm slightly above amateur status with compounds/polishes, but I'm detail-oriented and generally pretty patient, so I've gotten good results in the past on my cars even if it takes much longer then it would a professional, but I'm thinking anything seriously abrasive will only do damage at this point to this paint. Is there any approach (compounding/polish) you guys would recommend that help maximize the appearance of the paint or should just give it a gentle wash/dry and leave well enough alone?

 

[bodymanbill]

If it’s a metallic color you have to be really careful using anything aggressive on it like compound and a wool pad since it probably has no clear to protect it. If u try to buff it it will end up being really blotchy. I have an original Lemans blue survivor 68 Vette that what I did was use a light polish with a foam pad. Even if it’s a solid color u risk burning thru to the primer so i really wouldn’t risk it with anything aggressive.

 

[hubedobeedo]

Good Morning everyone,

I recently acquired a 1972 Camaro still with it's original paint. For 50 years old, the paint has held up okay, but is clearly very thin in some areas, the roof in particular. These were all single stage painted if memory serves. I'm slightly above amateur status with compounds/polishes, but I'm detail-oriented and generally pretty patient, so I've gotten good results in the past on my cars even if it takes much longer then it would a professional, but I'm thinking anything seriously abrasive will only do damage at this point to this paint. Is there any approach (compounding/polish) you guys would recommend that help maximize the appearance of the paint or should just give it a gentle wash/dry and leave well enough alone?

congratulations on your "new" car. i would clay bar it and use good quality wax after that. they are single stage lacquer from factory. usually only 3 coats of paint, so yes, it is thin.

 

[oldman14ss]

clay bar wow. neat idea ill have to remember that

 

[Hrothgar]

congratulations on your "new" car. i would clay bar it and use good quality wax after that. they are single stage lacquer from factory. usually only 3 coats of paint, so yes, it is thin.

Thank you very much, and thanks to everyone who responded. I was watching this video and was thinking I might try this technique, since it's all done by hand and the product used is fairly mild. There certainly is some light oxidation on the panels (which all appear to be original), so I was going to apply this technique and see if it took. The roof is the greatest concern for me, but I think part of the chalkyness I feel is the oxidation, and that can get worked out gently.



By the way, my buddy (a C2 corvette guy) came over and we took her out today for a quick spin, even if only briefly. Even his discriminating tastes were satisfied with the sound and performance of the car. Man that LT-1 is a magical engine. Love it.

 

[TIP-T0P]

I've been using clay bars since the 80s before it was really known and understood. Hands down "Clay Magic" the best clay bar on the market! I'd first simplify this before even thinking about having a machine near that thin paint, clay it then use very good cleaner polish. Again imo "Klasse" red bottle all in one polish the best ever!

 

[TIP-T0P]

I've been using clay bars since the 80s before it was really known and understood. Hands down "Clay Magic" the best clay bar on the market! I'd first simplify this before even thinking about having a machine near that thin paint, clay it then use very good cleaner polish. Again imo "Klasse" red bottle all in one polish the best ever!

Forgot to ask what color the car was. Any photos?

 

[Hrothgar]

Forgot to ask what color the car was. Any photos?

Cranberry Red. I'll take a couple of pics in the morning and upload.

 

[TIP-T0P]

Imo...Keep in mind the number one problem color to decades of weather exposure especially sun is reds, second is silver. The pigment in red if not protected will blotch away faster than any other color, in silvers the metallic in the paint actually can act as billions of mirrors reflecting sun on itself breaking down the paint layers unevenly. Hopefully is was garaged kept and treated with protection.

 

[Bills69]

I used meguiars ultimate compound with a foam pad lightly on my original paint