Clouds/Oxidation on the original 1981 paint
 

Has anyone figured out how to keep the oxidation away on the original single stage enamel? My car still has the original coat of Orient Red on it, I'm having it cut next week.

Has anyone found any kind of sealer that will keep it from clouding back up? And yes, the car lives outside.

I can use a harsh wax every 8 weeks and the car looks good, but I want this old girl to SHINE for the car show I've entered it on Fathers day.

Thanks

What do you mean having it "cut"? ( buffing compound? ) And what is "harsh wax" ? If you end up with red on any rags you are waxing with, that is paint coming off.

You can only grind paint so many times before it has all been rubbed off so don't blame the buffing person if some primer spots start to show.

Single stage paint has a fair amount of clear in it to give shine ( metallic colors have even more ) , as the clear deteriorates, it turns white / cloudy. At that point the paint is worn out and needs replaced.

Cutting the paint is a step below color sanding, high speed barrel buffer with at diamond pad is probably what the guy is going to use. The right front fender shows where someone started to buff it out and got into the paint to deep so we'll leave that fender pretty much alone. The paint is nice and completely intact, just a bit cloudy. Being single stage you can be sure color comes off as there is no clear coat.

As it stands it'll wax up nice for about 2 months, I'm just hoping someone found a sealer that works for these old paint jobs.

I have a '81 300SD with the original dark blue paint. You will for sure get color on your cloth when you wax the car; has always happened to me. I have tried Mother's and Meguir's sealer both without a lot of satisfaction.

When the rain dries on the hood it leaves white splotches which are very difficult to get out. I do not compound them out because I do not want to eat through the paint. That said, the white splotches never come completely out with polish and can always be seen. After a while the entire hood takes on the same cloudy color and it is time to polish it out again. Hood and trunk, not the sides which are perfect. Gave up on the top a long time ago; it is completely clouded and is therefore not too noticeable.

I just live with it.

How about some pics.

The clouds in mine probably wouldn't show up in the pics, they're not that bad. I'm just looking for something that will last longer than the meguiars does. Meguiars is a good product, it's just not getting it done here.

koooop:

Do your 240D a real favor. Read the following link and use this method.

The Secret to Removing Oxidation and Restoring a Show Car Finish to Antique Single Stage Paints

I did an abbreviated method of the above on my cars single stage paint. It looks like new. Wash your car and then clay it. Wash it again and dry it. Then apply Meguairs #7 on a small section of a panel at a time. Use lots of #7. Use a 100% cotton terry or microfiber cloth folded into four to apply the #7. After doing the whole car let the #7 sit on the paint so it can rejuvenate the color by replenishing the oils into the paint. Repeat process as necessary to obtain the depth and gloss in color you desire.

I ended up using about half of the #7 bottle on my W108. I did the same thing last spring and also used about half of the bottle.

Then apply a good wax or polymer sealant. I prefer sealants since the last longer.