Get Ten Years Of Tree Residue Off Car Paint

[Scott Douglas]

Thanks. He really did himself proud on that job. In an odd way it kind of ruined the car enjoyment for me since I had to worry about it after he'd polished it. Prior to that I didn't have to worry about parking it anywhere as it looked like an old Porsche that needed some work. It did become a great photographic object though with all the great reflections in the paint.

[jyl]

Can I start at 600 since I have to remove significant areas of damaged paint, or need to start at 1000? I don’t know if the paint damage goes through the clearcoat. I’m willing to rattle-can with clear and wet-sand that if needed.

Linear or circular motion?

Hard sanding block, foam block, or bare hand?

What does Scott-son recommend? He’s my new hero.

[jyl]

Pic of the car in question. My son and I spent all Saturday cleaning it, and other than the paint it really has cleaned up nicely. Was a mossy stinking lump when first towed from under that tree. Still spraying it with Lysol. Want to get the headlight wipe/wash working.

Tariff content: needs new tires obvs, want Vredestein Quatrac all-seasons, Tire Rack prices them at almost half the local price, but out of stock with next shipment expected end of month. I ordered them for delivery 4/30 - want to get them bought before prices start rising. In fact, I may re-tire a couple more cars in the coming week or two.

Waiting on some Cerakote to restore exterior trim. It’s the best stuff I’ve used. Plastic stays glossy black for up to 2 years.

I drive old cars. By my standards, this is a very drivable car.

[Scott Douglas]

I'd ask him if he were around, but he's in Europe on a business trip right now.
I gave him the job and told him to research how to do it, I'd supply any tools needed. He settled on using an old fashioned orbital with wool pads. You can start with 600, just be aware that that will mean more sanding to the get the scratches out that the 600 makes/leaves behind.
When he finished he said it was the dirtiest three days he'd ever spent in the garage.
Here's some of what he used:

This was what he started with: