Polish and wax

ted55ford

ted55ford

Member
Good Morning,
Can anybody suggest a good polish and wax for a faded paint job on a 55 Fairlane.
Rather than drop a bundle on a new paint job, I want to bring back the classic look.
Is a buffer the way to go or old fashion elbow grease?
Thanks in advance...
 
If original paint, it will be single stage enamel and may require a gentle go-over with rubbing compound to cut the chalk.

Using a buffer requires skill as it doesn't take much to burn the paint.

I prefer MOTHERS for polishing.
 
I never developed the skill to use a large wool pad on a real buffer. I had 2 friends who did, and they could do miracles. I mostly burned edges and got mottled panels. But this Griot company is local to me and a big player with the high dollar sports car guys. Both showing and vintage racing, etc. He’s got some pretty fool proof products and a line of buffers.

Originally he sold a Porter Cable variable speed unit. I bought one rebuilt from the local PC store (1/3 the $). I and my less talented friends have used it for 20 years on lots of old and some new paint jobs. Mostly we just bought the foam pads, sometimes we’ve used his polish products. He used to have a lot of instructional videos and I think they’re still somewhere on the web site. It’s worth a free read. Sit down before you open the site, maybe get the oxygen handy too. But you might learn something useful. I do have to admit we never damaged an old paint job, or a new one.

https://www.griotsgarage.com/buffers-pads/

https://www.griotsgarage.com/polish-wax/
 
Ceramic wax's are fairly new on the market for car waxes. The shine lasts.
Most ceramic waxes come in a spray bottle. Below is Turtle ceramic paste wax.

Check it out on Amazon...
Turtle Wax 53737 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Patent-Pending Graphene Paste Wax (5.5 oz) , Black.





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If using a buffer, STAY AWAY FROM EDGES AND CREASES. You might burn through them if you don't have experience. Experts know how to negotiate those surfaces, but everyone else should be very cautious, particularly on old paint jobs.
 
I use a Griott's Garage random orbital buffer and foam pads and Meguiars polish and wax. I use their #100 and #200 as directed. Results are amazing. The learning curve is easy if you follow their instructions.
 
I cut and polished our '60 Ford. first time doing it. I thought it was fairly easy. bought a variable speed 8" buffer from H/F and 2 wool pads. blocked sanded panels with 1000 and moved to 2000 grit with a lot of water. Buffer was light and easy to use. started with an easy horizonal panel to get the drift of it. started on slow speed and pick up to generate some heat. With edges, i always went from panel towards the edge so as to burn. If not the results you want the first time you can always rebuff
 
50, tell us which of Griots foam pads you used, and which Megulars polish on each one. We all need to learn something here. i.e. I’m cheap and could use the advice.
 
Thank you 50....Here in Canada we have a popular Auto chain called Canadian Tire....dozens of wax and polish products to choose from!
 
if your looking for quick nu finish is a good restorer leaves a nice shine and removes the chalk i used it on my black 84 ranger left no streaks like other cleaner/polish smells like kerosene but works
 
Haven't done anything in years but McGuires back when, many can be used with no problems if doing repaint later. Foam pad by hand or machine slow. Many grades. Body shop suppliers had all the numbers around here. No objectional smell to opposite sexes if that matters. Cotton/wool pads for pros, foam pads very forgiving for less learned. Slow and easy.
 
This guy's not a professional, but he knows about about old cars and has an amazing collection of pristine low mileage American cars from the 1960's to the 1980's. These videos aren't a tutorial, but they give you an idea of what you can accomplish if you work prudently and use the right products. They also show what the previous owner of this very low mileage Ford did wrong with regards to buffing. GOOD LUCK!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT3Q1DzclWM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OZqlAcgHPA
 
miker98038 said:
50, tell us which of Griots foam pads you used, and which Megulars polish on each one. We all need to learn something here. i.e. I’m cheap and could use the advice.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike............for a finish that has lots of water spots, swirls, halos and light scratches in it, I first use Meguiars "Ultra-Cut Compound" also labeled as 105. After that I use their "Ultra Finishing Polish" also labeled as 205. Sometimes if you aren't satisfied just go over it again. Meguiars reps that I have talked say go easy and use the 205 first to see if it will remove the defects.

Foam pads come in different "cutting" abilities. I order them from either Griotts or Meguiars and their info is pretty good describing which pads to use but basically stiff hard pads for cutting and their softer pads for polishing. PM me for further info.

I have been using this method for several years and am very very satisfied.
 
Thanks 50. We’re pretty well tuned in on the Griots pads, but sometimes his products aren’t as available, not to mention pricey. Every little bit of knowledge helps.
 
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