Paint restoration on a badly faded Guards Red 911- First Attempt

[Ferrariguyma]

I purchased a very faded 1 owner 85 Cab this summer. Work has been (thankfully) so busy I have driven it twice. The car has it's original paint and is very, very faded. Over the summer I bought a Harbor Freight DA oribital polisher and found some Surf City Beyond Clay polish in the clearance pile at Walmart. I learned thru one of the car detailing forums that the HF DA is the same one as Griot's sells for $300. I bought mine with a 25% off online Coupon for $35,00 One warning I learned about online was the backing plate provided with the HF DA is really, really poorly made and can fall apart/damage the car and operator. So I bought a very high quality Mequiars backing place and bought some high quality foam pads in three grit levels. My detailing experience up to this point was washing the car and drying it. I decided to tape off half of the rear fender to be able to gauge the results. Boy was that easy!

[Craig_D]

Nice!!

[yazhound]

Wow. Thanks for sharing. Surf's up indeed.

[warlock]

Really nice, did the 85 have clear coat ?

Good tip on the HF polisher, is this the one you used
6" Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher

[Ferrariguyma]

Originally Posted by warlock

Really nice, did the 85 have clear coat ?

Good tip on the HF polisher, is this the one you used
6" Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher

YEs that is the HF DA I used. Google HF 25% off coupon, they have a new one up every month. I print a couple each month before I head to the store.

I bought a 1000 watt standing Halogen light set for $24. to have on hand for this detailing project.

Also note I used all of the products mentioned in this YouTube Video, except the chrome polish.

Beyond Clay van Surf City Garage - YouTube

[Canada Kev]

Really nice, did the 85 have clear coat ?

I'm pretty sure ALL factory guards red cars are not clear coated until the mid 90s or so.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by warlock

Really nice, did the 85 have clear coat ?

Good tip on the HF polisher, is this the one you used
6" Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher

Solid colors were single stage and metallic were clear coat. Not sure when they shifted to all colors being clear coated.

Nice. Doing the math with the $25 discount, it probably is the OP's model. I want one.

On his car I would use the orbital function as much as possible but the DA units switch to direct drive, right, for heavier cutting needs? That is sweet.

I have a HF electric one direction (Var speed) buffer that I have done a few cars with without problems. The threads on the drive unit are standard so you can put any head on them you choose. 7" Variable Speed Polisher/Sander

This one is pretty cool for headlights and tight spots, although not electric. I use it for headlights frequently using meguire's PlastX compound. 3 in. Pneumatic Polisher Kit

[Bob Kontak]

Just bought one of the HF DA sanders like the OP.

Seems to work very well but I am thinking these are best for already shiny paint that just needs a nice little kiss.

I grew weary of the lack of pop after a while and pulled out the high speed buffer with a wool pad and used the same Meguires Compound Cleaner (80) and now I'm smiling.

Anybody know what I should be doing differently with the dual action unit to get the same shine? The paint on the car is silver and in fine shape. Just untended to. Not chalky, just not shiny. 2000 Mitsubishi.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

Seems to work very well but I am thinking these are best for already shiny paint that just needs a nice little kiss.

After I posted this I went back to the new DA unit after busting the haze with the high speed buffer and used Mirror Glaze Ultra Finishing Polish (205) with a 3M foam polishing pad.

Absolutely perfect.

If I can figure out how to effectively compound with this I got a new best friend.