paint transfer

Xec

New member
Situation:



---Paint 1985 300SD Mercedes Benz, Midnight Blue. (I believe 1 stage paint)



---Lots of swirls, oxidation



---Problem: Paint transfer when I use a polish on the vehicle.





I want to use the PC but is this too much for the paint? Also If the PC is good to use, would the paint transfer ruin the pads?



Detailing this vehicle here in the next few weeks, so I have time. I would like to invest in some SSR 1 & 2 for the job, but again, not sure if the paint can handle it.



All Opinions welcomed, educate me.



Thanks, Xec
 
If I recall correctly, that color *was* still ss in '85 (MB first used b/c with their metallics, starting in the early/mid 1980's). While I'm working from memory, this isn't a wild guess; I'm recalling what the factory info said (I had Benzes of that vintage).



Whether or not the paint can take it is a matter of how much paint has been removed previously. Benz used a nice thick paintjob, so unless it's already been polished a lot (or repainted) you should certainly be able to use a PC on it. I myself would probably use more aggressive measures than you're considering, and I'm fairly conservative about this stuff.



Remember that the horizontal surfaces usually take a real beating and the paint might be thinner on them. Pick a "test area" and try to get it as good as you want (all polishing steps but no LSP) before doing the whole car.



If it's *really* oxidized,/dried out, I'd "pre treat" with something like Meg's #7. Apply it pretty thick and let it sit for a day or so. *Then* start your polishing. This has worked well for me with neglected ss (I got the idea from Mike Phillips).



While the paint will *stain* the pads, I've never had any functional problems from it. I've used *very* stained/discolored pads on white cars, for instance, with no problems.
 
Accumulator,



I was hoping you would chime in. I love the work you do to those cars. Thank you for the advise, car is my fathers and I want to present him a new look to a classic car. The car has always been in the garage, but not polished muched. I polished the vehicle at most 3 times with some Malco rejuvenator product. (To scared to go aggressive). Oxidation is there but the paint is not dried out, sounds like im in good shape.



Thank you for the opinion, I needed to get some confidence to not worry to much about the paint transfer. Sounds like Im going to be able to detail the vehicle after all!!!!



Xec
 
I think Accumulator is right on... The PC may not get all the scratches, but it work well for the 'dead' paint, and the swirls.



Good Luck! Oh, we like pictures!



Jim
 
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