How do I restore the paintjob on my 4x4?

Question

It is factory black and it always looks like it needs a wash!
Have you any tips on what will make it look pristine again?
It is in good condition all over just looks a bit dull? Thanks :o)

Answer 1

Most likely the clearcoat (shiny outer layer of paint) is dead. Either get the truck re-cleared or do (with modern technology) what people did in the 1970's before clear coat:

1. Clean it really good. (handwash with dish soap, it strips wax and dirt and should only be used before restoration or rewaxing)
2. Dry it with towels in a well lit shed or garage.
3. Use a light clear coat polishing compound on it just like car wax, except wiping it off before it dries.
4. Wax it (thin coats) with a good quality paste wax (in the can), it doesn't have to be too expensive, Carnauba wax is natural and great. Let it dry good before taking it off (shouldn't be a bit tacky).
5. Repeat step 4 with about 8 hours in between coats until your arms are dang sore (3 times would be great).
6. Repeat wax (1 coat) about every 3 months.

Now you truck will turn heads. Many layers of wax (with extended drying times between coats) are a key to that deep shine.

Answer 2

I would recommend that you save you arm muscles--which will be extremely tired after 30 minutes of rubbing. Go to a body shop and ask for a compound and waxing. they use a buffer that does the work of 10 people working all day long. they can have the job done in a few hours and it will be bright and shiny for years to come--a real good investment. the buffer takes experience--so don't think YOU can do it--you'll burn the paint off the truck. The body shop has really prime compound not bought at Auto Zone stores--it is SPECIALLY for body shops. Your truck can be a beauty for 150 dollars. By the time you buy the towels and the wax and the buffer and the GATORADE, and the buffer machine and the pads and the aspirin for sore muscles--you will spend over 150. ..and it will take you a week.

Answer 3

Take it to Fact-O-Bake.
Or try to wax it with a car polish called "Liquid Glass".
It comes in a can like the ones that come in lighter fluid for charcoal grills. It is the absolute best out there and if it wont make your paint look good, then nothing will, short of a new clearcoat.

Answer 4

Sounds like the paint is sun faded, you need to try and get the car "Mopped" this is were you use cutting compound with an electric mop machine and lots of water. The cutting compound removes the top layer of burnt paint to reveal the nice shiny paint below.
This can be a DIY job but it may be better to take it to your local (Back street) body shop to do it for you as its very time consuming and messy.

Answer 5

Sounds like it needs more than just a wash and wax. Wash, clay bar, good machine polish to revive the tired looking paint and eliminate those swirls, nice glaze and a good wax will bring it up probably better than a dealer 'valet'.

Answer 6

If it is still decent but the shine is just faded you can buff the shine back in. Use a buffer made for buffing paint jobs they aren't too expensive. Use fine grit rubbing compound until they shine comes back. Then use a good polymer wax. Try this link for more instructions. http://www.automedia.com/channel/restoration/Paint/Body

Answer 7

if its factory black it depends what year and if its a single or a two or three stage paint ask gerry in the us [e-mail] no money or anything just a regular email trying to help someone thats all