dark spots in paint

[chavist93]

Hey guys, looking for some help with a little problem. I purchased a low mileage, all original paint 94 F150 last year. It took me forever to find an all original low mileage truck. I love the truck, but would like to help the paint a little.

I think the truck sat a lot and someone tried to detail it right before the owner put it up for sale, but did more harm than good. The copper color has scratches everywhere that are very visible up close, and the gold color has dark spots that I cannot seem to remove. I'll post the pictures and let you guys be the judge.

Looks good from a distance
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/IMG_0355.jpg[/URL (http://[URL]http://s2.photobucket.com/user/chavist93/media/IMG_0355.jpg.html)]
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/20140913_132217.jpg[/URL (http://[URL]http://s2.photobucket.com/user/chavist93/media/20140913_132217.jpg.html)]
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/20140913_132236.jpg[/URL (http://[URL]http://s2.photobucket.com/user/chavist93/media/20140913_132236.jpg.html)]
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/20140913_132327.jpg[/URL (http://[URL]http://s2.photobucket.com/user/chavist93/media/20140913_132327.jpg.html)]
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/chavist93/20140913_132500.jpg[/URL (http://[URL]http://s2.photobucket.com/user/chavist93/media/20140913_132500.jpg.html)]

[jamesboyy]

Welcome to autogeek, hopefully a she...is a fine a beauty however it seems as if you have some serious water spotting(could be cause she sat on that lot in all kinds of weather unprotected) therefore I would iron-x, and clay bar the paintwork then do a few a test spots with a regular polishing pads and or microfiber cutting pads with products like menzerna fg400 and sf4500(paint readings would be a very big help too) as for the scratches if they don't catch your nail then more than likely they will become less notable after compound and polishing, thought if nail catches then fill it in with with just the body color if single stage or body color and clear if clear coated paintwork( you will know if its single stage from when you polish you will see paint transfer on polishing pad)lastly don't forget to protect the paint with a good sealant also.

[allenk4]

Welcome to autogeek, hopefully a she...is a fine a beauty however it seems as if you have some serious water spotting(could be cause she sat on that lot in all kinds of weather unprotected) therefore I would iron-x, and clay bar the paintwork then do a few a test spots with a regular polishing pads and or microfiber cutting pads with products like menzerna fg400 and sf4500(paint readings would be a very big help too) as for the scratches if they don't catch your nail then more than likely they will become less notable after compound and polishing, thought if nail catches then fill it in with with just the body color if single stage or body color and clear if clear coated paintwork( you will know if its single stage from when you polish you will see paint transfer on polishing pad)lastly don't forget to protect the paint with a good sealant also.


What products and machines do you have now?

Do you have experience doing paint correction with a DA or Rotary polisher?

Do you want to use OTC products of order online from AGO?

What is your budget?



I agree, that paint is in dire need of decontamination




Menzerna sf4500 has virtually zero cut and is basically a "Jeweling Polish" IMO. Your truck would likely be better served with sf4000 after FG400, IF, you have DA haze AND your Test Spot shows that the additional step will be an improvement



I would not attempt filling scratches on this truck with touch-up paint

The chances of matching 20 year old paint are not good

[chavist93]

I have a porter cable 7424xp, and various pads. I've only used it to apply wax on our other vehicles, never tried to do any paint correction with it. I did pick up some meguiars ultimate compound today to experiment with, but I don't mind ordering whatever I need. I don't expect miracles, just want to help it out a little.

[jamesboyy]

Allenk4 you got some great pointers though snice you got ultimate compound you could try that but ill like to add once corrected you will want to look into waterless/rinseless washing to lessen down on the potential rust

[DaveT435]

You are going to want to iron x and clay as someone mentioned, before you start compounding and/or polishing.