New to me truck - will the paint polish?

[IT Cowboy]

I purchased a truck yesterday and the paint is a bit shiny but it isn't glossy or super smooth and it has a very slight orange peel to it. I think it is single stage as some suggested as it was re-painted 10 years ago and it looks like they never polished it fully. I am going to try to find a out of the way spot on it to test to see if it will polish. I will probably use Maguires light polish and then put a good sealant over it if it comes out nice.

Any suggestions how to test or approach this or what to do? Edit: I have to RO polishers in different sizes. I am also wondering if I need to wet sand it first with 2k grit?

Link to pic, I cannot post? If you click on it to add the + and go full size you can see the orange peel on it

https://i.ibb.co/8DjrwSKs/yellow-fender.jpg

Hereis a link to a new pic. This ones shows the sun shining on the paint but it isn't reflecting

https://i.ibb.co/BMQRTkM/yellow-sun.jpg

[72c20customcamper]

Hand polishing will only get you so far I would suggest an orbital buffer . I use a Flex brand with great results even on dead paint this is my 68 if your not comfortable doing it you can get a detail shop to do it . You would be amazed at the results a good detailer can get

[IT Cowboy]

I am also wondering if I need to wet sand it with 2k grit first?

I have 2 different size random orbital polishers with all color of pads.

[72c20customcamper]

I would test the paint in an inconspicuous spot as to how the paint reacts to sanding . If it’s a single stage it should take well to color sanding I’m always apprehensive of cutting clear because there’s really no way of telling its thickness . The only reason to cut and buff is to correct defects

[IT Cowboy]

I dont expect a show finish and I think it looks nice as it is but it could be better.

[72c20customcamper]

I would just buff it with a mild abrasive then polish. I really like the Griots ultra polish with a finish pad prior to wax

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I would just buff it with a mild abrasive then polish. I really like the Griots ultra polish with a finish pad prior to wax

I have used and like Griots 2-step compound and polish. I think they make a 3 step now too.

[Classics Fan]

I’ve done paint correction with a dual action polisher on several different vehicles with varying levels of paint condition needing attention. I use Chemical Guys Optical Grade polishes. Before attempting an aggressive action like wet sanding I’d start with their #34 (hybrid compound) to smooth out the orange peel. If that didn’t yield desired results I’d drop down to #32 then move through #34, then #36 (fine polish) and finish it with #38 final polish, then finish with ceramic coat or paint sealant. Your pad density will also play into the effectiveness of the various polishes. From your pictures it looks like you could achieve great results with this approach.

Chemical Guys has good videos on their website for much more detail, tips and guidance.

[IT Cowboy]

Here is a new pic up closer where it shows the texture of the finish in the reflection right where the little spot of light hits it.

[Classics Fan]

Yeah, that’s heavy orange peel. I don’t think compound will touch it. I’d have a professional auto painter look at it and advise how to best address it.

[Jason Banks]

You could probably knock that down to a lower lever or orange peel with some heavy compounding. But, I would start by wetsanding it and then compound, polish and then wax...

I wish I had some good before and after pictures. But, I bought a truck that had been painted by someone probably when it was too hot and the whole truck had the texture of sandpaper. I spent about 40 hours wetsanding and buffing it to a shine. I think I only sanded through in one body line above a wheel. Other than that, there was so much paint there wasn't much risk of sanding through. There were even areas that I didn't take the time to get to the bottom of the orange peel and just buffed what I had, but you could still see some small spots. For what the truck cost, I added lots of value for lots of work.

It was single stage paint and your paint also looks like single stage. You might ask the guys where you are taking the truck to get worked on if they know someone if you don't feel like tackling it yourself.

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

if you don't feel like tackling it yourself.

I would live to tackle this myself but it makes me really nervous and when I see the white dull residue I panic that the shine will not come back. I need to find a place out of thet way that I can try. I will also not sleep until it is complete.

If I take it to someone where they could probably do it quicker and have the nice foam pads for contours.