Need Advice For Detailing Paint Finish

[craigv]

I am getting ready to take possession of a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. I want to get your opinions on what products to use to detail the paint finish. I am a DIY but have detailed my vehicles for decades. I have random orbital polishers of different types(Flex/Griots/Porter Cable). I have never owned a car that will be only driven to Cars & Coffee events and car shows in my area. A toy only driven occasionally. Protecting the finish is important but I feel the shine/depth of color/ and warm glow should take precedence since it is all about the paint finish to show. Here are some details......

the color is OEM "Matador Red". An orange red hue.

it is a two stage base coat/ clear coat.

The paint is at least 15 years old..

the olny defects are some minor "spider webbing".

I will of course decontaminate the paint and prepare it for some type of correction and then protection. This is where you give me your advice on products and pads to use to finish the process.

Thanks for your help!

Craig

[Rsurfer]

2 door, motor, trans, pic?

[Paul A.]

Depends on the hard/soft characteristic of the paint as to which abrasive and pad to use.

What products do you have? What pads also?

[craigv]

Have not taken possession of the vehicle yet so can't really do an in depth analysis of the paint. Let't just call it a soft paint.

I am willing to consider any product or pad that people recommend. Just trying to get other people's opinions on what they would use.

[Setec Astronomy]

There are so many good products today...sounds like you are pretty well versed with your machines...what kind of polishes do you typically use?

[craigv]

General compounds......polishes......finishing polishes.....finishing sealants. Nothing high end or ultra expensive.

So walk me through the products and pads you would use to detail the vehicle description in the original post.

[Setec Astronomy]

The choice of compound vs. polish vs. finishing polish is going to depend on the depth of the defects and the hardness of your paint, and there needs to be a complimentary pad choice.

Your question is so broad it's hard to answer, hard to find a bad product in the Autogeek store these days, I think you could have success with almost any line. Menzerna or Jescar polishes certainly have a good reputation.

Something like this on a white polishing pad would probably be great: Menzerna Nano Polish PO 106 FA, Menzerna Final Polish, Nano abrasives, finishing polish, professional polish

[craigv]

Okay. Good. Thanks for the suggestions. I like the way you are thinking. You are right when you say there are so many choices in the Auto Geek store. Can get confusing and you lose your focus on what you might need to do the work.

Thanks again.