Can I put a Clear Coat on Faded paint to make it glossy? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pj67coll · #31 07-22-2020, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogviler

Literally said that in the very first reply, as did others throughout. I've noticed that nobody reads replies before posting around here, however. Based on the OP not saying that it was peeling or anything a clear coat does, rather just saying it looks "flat," if I had $100 I'd bet $80 on it being single stage, also owing to the fact that I believe they only made one metallic blue at the time, with 3 or 4 non-metallics.

There were multiple different blues at the time. At least two and possibly three of them metallic, the rest non. Without more to go on it remains speculation.

- Peter.

tyl604 · #32 07-22-2020, 09:50 AM

Can't she get the color code on the metal tag?

Original poster - read the thread below. My paint code is on my tag and guess yours is also on your tag. Then you can search the forum for the paint code and tell us what it is.

Need help to identify paint code '81 300SD

Mike D · #33 07-22-2020, 11:09 AM

That is of course, if the car has never been re-sprayed.

lindajane · #34 08-19-2020, 11:03 PM

This is an older post..I got waylaid by other problems..
I just want her shiny...so I found the old paint code. It's
312 H Labrador blue. Never repainted original paint from 1983.
I'll just polish as people have suggested. Thanks for all the advice.

pj67coll · #35 08-19-2020, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindajane

This is an older post..I got waylaid by other problems..
I just want her shiny...so I found the old paint code. It's
312 H Labrador blue. Never repainted original paint from 1983.
I'll just polish as people have suggested. Thanks for all the advice.

That's great news. Nice color and if it's single stage rather than base clear you can restore it to factory new with a bit of elbow grease. If you have the ability a pic would be nice. Especially to compare it as a before and after.

- Peter.

pj67coll · #36 08-19-2020, 11:54 PM

Lindajane. There is an old vid on youtube showing a blue Mercedes having it's paint rejuvenated. I don't know if it's Labrador blue but it seems similar. Worth watching to see what can be done to these cars with, as I said, a little bit of elbow grease...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEA8O31lmAI

- Peter.

lindajane · #37 08-20-2020, 12:15 AM

Thanks...I polished one section, tonight. I'll hold off until I get a clay
bar. I'll use that on a wet surface on a little section first, and then proceed..
thanks for the video!

JimFreeh · #38 08-20-2020, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

There were multiple different blues at the time. At least two and possibly three of them metallic, the rest non. Without more to go on it remains speculation.

- Peter.

Just as a data point, our 85 300TD has DB904 non metallic midnight blue original paint and it's definitely a two stage paint, as the clear is lifting off the base coat on the flat surfaces.

Jim

lindajane · #39 08-20-2020, 01:26 AM

hmmm....so How do I know, If based on the tone 312 H. If It is a one or two stage paint? and does it matter. In terms of polishing. It's an 83.

Rogviler · #40 08-20-2020, 05:15 AM

You would definitely know if you had a clear coat, it would look like this:

Single stage paint just looks dull. Also, a super easy test is to spray some WD40 on a rag and wipe it on an area of the paint. If you see the paint color on the rag then you definitely have single stage paint. Or if just in general during your cleaning and polishing you've noticed color coming off.

Clemson88 · #41 08-20-2020, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnbob

So, essentially you just wet sanded the whole car and waxed it, correct? I was actually considering this option too. Although I've never done this with a car, I have done it with a number of guitars.

I have some questions regarding this method. How has it held up? Are you able to maintain the look by periodically waxing and polishing it? Did you get any sand-throughs? Did you take that opportunity to touch up chips and scratches with touch up paint knowing that you were going to wet sand it anyway?

Are you saying this because you think the products he mentioned don't work very well or because they are expensive and the 3M stuff will do just a good of a job for much less money?

Also, can you tell me the specific 3M numbers or product names? I was trying to find them and although I found plenty of 3M products, I wasn't finding the ones that ended in 60, 61 and 62.

Thanks for the advice/input!

3M is more expensive than Meguire. I bought my three bottles in yesteryear so it appears 3M changed the designations.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/3M-Perfect-It-Buffing-and-Polishing-Compound-Kit-06085-06064-06068/110319706?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=15286&&adid=22222222227040333358&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=87883022570&wl4=aud-430887228898:pla-203971103570&wl5=9010603&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=118771014&wl11=online&wl12=110319706&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvvj5BRDkARIsAGD9vlI157sAhbOzZE0o8ZJHnW-FmVDa4qkO2fYkMiCA8flXEmG19YsbsDUaAjn4EALw_wcB

SonnyMorrow · #42 08-20-2020, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

Lindajane. There is an old vid on youtube showing a blue Mercedes having it's paint rejuvenated. I don't know if it's Labrador blue but it seems similar. Worth watching to see what can be done to these cars with, as I said, a little bit of elbow grease...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEA8O31lmAI

- Peter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindajane

Thanks...I polished one section, tonight. I'll hold off until I get a clay
bar. I'll use that on a wet surface on a little section first, and then proceed..
thanks for the video!

That video is exactly what you shouldn't do if you care about your car. While it does show that cutting dead paint off will reveal a shiny finish beneath it, I personally wouldn't do as he does as its a real half-assed job.

If you care about the car and its paint, look no further than:

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/25304-secret-removing-oxidation-restoring-show-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html

(assuming its single stage)

Take a white rag/cloth and wd40 as already suggested or some sort of liquid and rub the car with it in a tiny area. If the cloth is blue afterward then you have single stage. Simple as that.

tyl604 · #43 08-20-2020, 08:29 PM

Rogviler's picture is exactly right. If you have a clear coat, it will look just like this in the bad spots. There can be no doubt. It will be dull where the clear coat has flaked off but relatively shiny where it has not.

lindajane · #44 08-20-2020, 09:26 PM

Thanks Sonny....
I have not had time to read the whole article...but he mentions the
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #7 Show Car Glaze. And I have that product.
I was about to order a fine clay bar, but will hold off and read
this article. And It is a single stage paint job. Thanks!!

tyl604 · #45 08-21-2020, 09:51 AM

If it is a single state paint job, you are in luck. It will probably come back to life like you never imagined.

Did you ever find out how to post a pic? We all would like to see the before pic.