What now?

M

Mobilejay

Active member
Okay so not too long ago I purchased a 1969 Karmann Ghia(sweet car, I love it). I am waiting to put an alternator in it so while its sitting in the garage I figured I would see how bad the paint was. Mind you its a 40 year old paint job...I think. I don't know if it has been repainted or anything. In the pictures hopefully you can see what I am talking about. I clayed and began to polish(you wouldn't believe the amount of crap came off while claying I don't think this car has ever been clayed) and noticed that some of the swirls or scratches I don't know what you would call them wouldn't come out. I am waiting to order some green LC pads cause all I have now is cutting and light polishing to see if that can do it. I took pictures because whats left are scratches that look like indentions in the paint or metal. Its weird, I have never seen something like it and I don't know if I have to have a rotary to take them out or wet sand, or if the green pads will take them out. I'm polishing with the 3401. Here are the pics, some of the pics you have to look to see it but its there.



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I don't know if the pics are going to be big enough to where you can see what I am talking about, I hope so cause I am stuck. It isn't the biggest deal in the world cause its a lot better but I would like to get them out. Thanks guys. If there is a way to post a pic the original size(pretty big though) you would be able to see exactly what I am talking about. Is there a way to do that on here?
 
Those are great cars. I want one, but I'll have to wait.

From that old VW paint I have experienced, there is a lot of dirt to get through before you actually start doing anything to the paint. Especially if the cars has been sitting somewhere for years. I was working on an old Cougar with a cutting pad and compound and still was doing nothing but taking off more dirt and lessening the dull of the paint after buffing for two hours on the hood. If I started that over, I would go straight to wet sanding.



If it is that original single stage paint, you have a thick layer to get through so those scratches you see are still in the paint.
 
todd@bsaw said:
If it is that original single stage paint, you have a thick layer to get through so those scratches you see are still in the paint.
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So what you're saying is that I'm going to have to wet sand or take up rotary? Theres no way the flex is going to get that out. Atleast I don't think it will. Do you know if there is a way to put the pictures on here that are bigger?
 
You can find a different web host that doesn't resize the images, but I would be courteous to the other members by only posting a link and not the full image.



And, yes. My quick judgment without seeing it in person is that you are going to need a lot more than just the flex.
 
If it's original paint I'd *absolutely* not wetsand/rotary it. Better imperfect original paint than a need for a repaint. I'd live with the marring and use glazes/caranauba. I'm a bit of a fanatic about marring, but my older cars are imperfect *but original*.



Most I'd use on it is Meg's #80. Then one of their "pure polishes" then wax.

It's only original once ;)



Even if it's an old ss repaint, is it lacquer or enamel :think: Some older ss enamels don't respond well to abrasive polishing; once you cut the topmost surface of the build-film they just never come back quite right. A *long* time ago, guitarman posted some good info on this subject, and my experiences back in the days of ss confirmed his info.
 
Well there are parts that are going to need to be repainted. The pass fender needs to be replaced, I could get it fixed but it would cost less to replace it and paint it. I just have to bring the paint back as much as possible so when it gets repainted it can some what match.
 
Accumulator said:
If it's original paint I'd *absolutely* not wetsand/rotary it. Better imperfect original paint than a need for a repaint. I'd live with the marring and use glazes/caranauba. I'm a bit of a fanatic about marring, but my older cars are imperfect *but original*... It's only original once ;)
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This is just a difference in opinion, but I would rather have perfect paint. Unless the car is a museum piece or I am keeping the car as an investment, original paint is not that much of a priority to me. I work on cars for enjoyment and satisfaction and it would be more satisfying and enjoyable to see if I can get that perfect original paint.



Accumulator said:
Even if it's an old ss repaint, is it lacquer or enamel :think: Some older ss enamels don't respond well to abrasive polishing; once you cut the topmost surface of the build-film they just never come back quite right. A *long* time ago, guitarman posted some good info on this subject, and my experiences back in the days of ss confirmed his info.
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If it is similar to a '68 Beetle I worked on, I believe it is enamel.
 
todd@bsaw said:
If it is similar to a '68 Beetle I worked on, I believe it is enamel.
Click to expand...



So how do I take care of this? I have never worked on enamel paint. Never mind I don't want to make this a 60 page thread. I will use the search function. Thanks
 
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