A little advice on getting my mk1 cabby's hood oxidation.

[Swagger76]

I bought an 86 cabriolet in terrific shape about 3 months ago and have been putting some time into the paint of this car. The one thing I can't seem to get to shine is the hood. When I first got the car, the hood was very dull. I tried to put a coat of polish on it but it did nothing of course. Then I got some medium grade rubbing compound called Chroma and gave that a shot. It worked pretty well, and after a lot of rubbing got it to shine. I thought I was out of the woods, so I gave the car a wash then applied a coat of Zanio all in one polish. The hood got all smeary and it kind of dulled again. Then it rained on my car, and I couldn't get the rainspots off the dang thing!! I tried the rubbing compound again which removed the majority of the rainspots. Repeated with the zanio, it rained, and spots again!! What am I doing wrong guys? Is there a polishing/rubbing compound I should use to get the paint on the good looking as good as the rest of the car? Maybe a heavier duty one? And why does the hood spot so easily? The rest of the car's paint does not do this btw, just the hood. Sorry for the long winded post, I'm just getting frustrated and I figured I'd ask the experts!! Thanks!!

[Jesstzn]

Oxidization is tough to deal with , you need to remove the dead paint and refeed the oils etc that are missing. Some will never come up.

Doing this by hand is tough ... don't go heavier as your cutting away more than needed .. your going to need more of a chemical cleaner wax like Meguiars ColorX and then it might be some work.

The reason the Zanio AIO is doing that is the cleaners in it are picking up some remaining dead paint and contaminating itself. The AIO is meant for clear coat not single stage.

In the last 2 weeks I have done 3 single stage cars .. one a 56 Pontiac barn find and badly oxidized. It took a PC and 4 medium cut pads and a compound to do the hood/roof/ trunk alone.

In the end I found the best look was with Meguiars #26 wax as its a heavy paste and fed the paint some.

[Swagger76]

Thanks for the reply! Hmm, is was told that my car was clearcoat not single stage. Should i use the same Meguire's product u suggested in your previous post if it is clearcoat?

[Jesstzn]

Thanks for the reply! Hmm, is was told that my car was clearcoat not single stage. Should i use the same Meguire's product u suggested in your previous post if it is clearcoat?

Yeep ... but if its cleared it shouldn.t fade like that .. do you get color on your cloth when waxing?

[Swagger76]

Nope. No paint on cloth when waxing. And I've done the rubbing/polishing compound a couple times.

[Swagger76]

I'll try to take a couple pics of the hood tonight. This pic is from
Before the rubbing compound, right when i got the car. Notice the difference of shine of hood and side of car. After the rubbing compound, it gets a good shine but won't seem to last through a wash.

[Jesstzn]

I'd say that was a repaint of some sorts .. I have seen early Maaco jobs go ike that ... don't know what to say ...

[Swagger76]

I bet u are right! Anyway, I bought some Meguire's ultimate compound (couldn't find the color x u suggested) and tested it out on a small portion of the hood, and it worked great! I'll get some before and after pics when done. If it is a cheapy maco spray, what kind of non clearcoat wax or polish I can get to protect the paint after the oxidation is removed?

[Jesstzn]

Go to carquest and ask for Duragloss #105 ... if they don't have it on the shelf they can bring it in from central .. its $10 .. and will do the job ... use it on the rest of the car too ..

one hint .. prior to using it wipe the car down with a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol & water to prep the surface.

[Swagger76]

Great!! Thank u so much for the help. I appreciate it!!

[Swagger76]

So, I took the Meguiar's Ultimate Compound to the entire hood, and it took care of all the water spots and oxidation. I did also confirm that it is a single stage respray on the hood only (got the car's paint color in a dark rag with the compound). Anyway, u suggested duragloss 105 for the hood as well as the entire car. Problem is they only sell it in as kit at carquest and won't get it for me individually. Is there any other products u recommend that I can pick up at autozone or Walmart for the single stage paint on the hood. U mentioned Meguiars #26 wax? Will that protect it well?

[Jesstzn]

Anyway, u suggested duragloss 105 for the hood as well as the entire car. Problem is they only sell it in as kit at carquest and won't get it for me individually. Is there any other products u recommend that I can pick up at autozone or Walmart for the single stage paint on the hood. U mentioned Meguiars #26 wax? Will that protect it well?

Go back to Carquest and ask them to bring a bottle in from thier central warehouse. They are just trying to sell the kit because its on the shelf.

#26 gave old dead paint the best look but not lasting protection.

[Swagger76]

Will do! Could I put a coat of #26 on first, then when I get the duragloss, put that on over it? Thanks man!

[Jesstzn]

Will do! Could I put a coat of #26 on first, then when I get the duragloss, put that on over it? Thanks man!

Nope ... a sealant needs a clean surface to bond to ..

[Swagger76]

Cool. I'm just going to go with the duragloss then. And that is good for clearcoat and non clearcoat correct?

[Jesstzn]

Cool. I'm just going to go with the duragloss then. And that is good for clearcoat and non clearcoat correct?

yes