Paint preservation - weigh in

notjustair · Mar 31, 2017

When I was at a family farm sale a week ago I bought the 1954 Chevy 6400 that I remember driving in high school (in traditional red with no resprays). Runs great, not a single dent, tires good, etc. Nothing wrong with it and a very good deal.

The paint on it is quite worn through on the hood and fenders but sound everywhere else. It was shredded every night if it's life so there is no surface rust or rust through of any kind. I'm going to use it periodically during harvest to keep it limbered up but want to preserve it. Should I clearcoat the original paint or put boiled linseed oil on it?

Did I mention it's a five window? It wasn't something I went to buy but it went too cheap not to get it. Too many memories to let her pass by!

MT RON · Apr 1, 2017

I put linseed oil on my old Studebaker,looked good for awhile but not for long,waste of time in my book.Ron

rusty6 · Apr 1, 2017

If the paint is as good as you say, just clean it up with some rubbing compound, then a good coat of wax every year and it will look great for as long as you want it. I had to get a little more aggressive cleaning up what was left of the paint on my Merc. Some parts of it are down to primer and bare metal. I used steel wool and diesel fuel in places. Its not everybody's choice but I wanted to keep it all original. As they say "they are only original once" and that seems to be the latest style.

Rex in Australia · Apr 1, 2017

Penetrol.
Paint it on with a brush, dries off and seems to hold up ok.
Did my old 434 IH for the same reasons.
Rex

Stephen Newell · Apr 1, 2017

I wouldn't clear coat it. Todays clear coats are urethane and the car was probably painted with lacquer and may not bond very good. I think I would just buff it with rubbing compound and wax it.

JD Seller · Apr 1, 2017

I will second/third just buffing/polishing with a good was that has a light rubbing compound in it. Post down on the paint and body work forum. Glennster recommended a good liquid one to me last year. I do not remember the name. It works well on enamel paint. You can just polish it lightly by hand where the paint is thin. If he does not respond I will look at the shop today and post the name.

SweetFeet · Apr 1, 2017

I don't know... but a picture of that old critter would be fun to see.

Goose · Apr 1, 2017

"Shredded" every night?

pete black · Apr 1, 2017

jd and stephen got it right; however it does require whole lot of work and time. rubbing compounds removes paint so be careful. the wear areas on top of fenders and hood is typical and worth preserving. i pulled a 52 chevy 1/2 ton out of a barn 21 years ago similar to what you are describing. it too has been shedded or barned all of its life, i am the second owner. i went over the truck with a very fine rubbing compound and then untold numbers of wax, all hand applied, no buffer, all to protect the original paint. attached are photos, one in front of house is from 1996 and the one in the field is 20 years later. zooming in one can see the wear patterns. would love to see pictures.

Crazy Horse · Apr 1, 2017

Pete, I would say that you did the correct thing ...... all the other magic solutions might work to some extent but fine rubbing compound and a good quality car wax is the best ..... a lot of work but the real deal.

RandyB(MI) · Apr 1, 2017

If it is already worn through on hood and fenders then stay away from any abrasive rubbing compounds as it will only make it worse. You do not want to take any more off. Just get on it with some of the later tech poly sealants out there today and keep it out of the sun as far as setting for days a a time go. Sun is hell on any old red paint because the pigments were marginal back then and no UV protection.

showcrop · Apr 2, 2017

The given current condition seem to rule out any product with polishing capability. A few years ago I decided to use some real Carnuba wax that had been sitting around for years. Was that ever a job to rub out!!! I sold the truck a year later, I bet that the rain water is still beading up on it to this day.

Paint preservation - weigh in

notjustair

Well-known Member

MT RON

Member

rusty6

Well-known Member

Rex in Australia

Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

JD Seller

Well-known Member

SweetFeet

Well-known Member

Goose

Well-known Member

pete black

Well-known Member

Crazy Horse

Well-known Member

RandyB(MI)

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

Similar threads