How to fix and restore paint from 1938?

Mike Phillips · 05-11-2017, 11:19 AM

How to fix and restore paint from 1938?

Anytime I get questions via e-mail, a PM or a FB message I prefer to invest my typing time where

A: It's easier for me to share links, pictures and videos.

B: More people can read and thus benefit from the information. (no just one set of eyeballs

So I get an e-mail asking,

Mike, please see the attached photo. This is original 1938 paint and it appears to have little scratches all in the paint. It has not been maintained over the years.

Should I attempt to condition with #7 or just leave it alone?

Concerned that the cloth might snag or the #7 might cause the paint to release from the metal surface.

Thank you.

And

Mike, I had one more question on this old '38 paint.

Decades ago, way before I owned the bike, it looks like some house paint was splattered on the rear fender -- see attached photo. I'm not sure what kind of paint it is....oil, latex, lead based, etc.

Any suggestions on trying to remove these specks of paint?

Thank you again!!

Hi Scott,

Thank you for reaching out to me about restoring the antique paint on your Indian motorcycle.

As to your questions...

YES! - Get some Meguiar's #7

Then gently rub this antique single stage paint down and I'm going to state right now you're going to be AMAZED at what it will do to the dull, oxidized and lifeless original paint on this antique motorcycle.

When working around any paint chips that are lifting - Just be SUPER careful not to rub the wrong way (against them) and lift the paint off. If you're careful you can rub around them and create a uniform appearance.

As for removing the paint splatter?

That's tricky. First I'd try rubbing on the splatter with just the #7 as that is the safest approach. If that and your fingernail isn't working then here's a possible solution, (no pun intended).

There's a line of products called Motsenbocker's Lift Off which is now owned by Stoners.

http://liftoffinc.com/

We carry Stoners products but to my knowledge, we have yet to bring in the Motsenbocker line of products. You can find Motsenbocker's at places like Lowe's and Home Depot in the house paint section, usually around solvents like Paint Thinner, etc.

They have a number of products including Latex Paint Remover and Graffiti Remover and one of these may work and work safely as they are designed to remove secondary paint without removing the primary or original paint.

Mike Phillips · 05-11-2017, 11:35 AM

Just to note, I have a practice I call,

Writing for the future...

By this I mean, I know hundreds and thousands and maybe even tens of thousands of people will find and read this thread over time. Knowing this, I'm going to include this link for these future people.

All Mike Phillips #7 Show Car Glaze Articles in one place

And of course, we carry Meguiar's #7 on the AG Store

On Autogeek.com

Meguiar's #7 Show Car Glaze

We also carry a lot of nice microfiber applicator pads and specialty towels for applying and removing the #7

For application - these are real nice due to the pocket on the back. I show these a lot on our TV show...

SONAX Microfiber Applicator Pad

These are real simple pads but I use them for all types of things, tire dressings, applying leather and vinyl protectants, and for some applications where I need to be delicate, #7

Microfiber Applicator Pads

For initial removal

These towels are like a softer version of terrycloth the nap or loop is still stout and for this reason they work well for removing #7

Griot's Garage Pure Freakin' Magic Wax Removal Towels

Hope that helps...

**JustJesus** · 05-11-2017, 12:08 PM

WOW.... what a neat project!

I'm always keeping an eye out for old, dull, oxidized single stage paint. I want to offer up my services.

I used Megs #7, based off the threads from Mike Phillips, with success. Brought back some life to a dull finish. Some day. For real. Some day, I'll get around to posting that thread. (There's hundreds of pics to sort through....on just that one car!)