Restoring old paint - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

2ndGenRR · 12-12-2012, 01:12 PM

Hey Everybody - somebody on here a couple of years ago was talking about using CLR or something like that to take a truck with original or very old paint and clean it up. From what I recall, the sun faded spots still show around the edges, but it cleaned up and brought back a lot of the original paint.

I'm considering buying a truck with a nice patina to it, but would like to clean it up and bring back as much of the original paint as possible.

Thanks,
Pat
aka 2ndgenrr

**mr48chev** · 12-12-2012, 01:18 PM

Usually they do that when there is surface rust showing but plenty of old paint left. If the paint is fairly good with no rust the CLR should take off the surface scum like the what hard water leaves on it so you could rub it out and try to bring the paint back.

NEWFISHER · 12-12-2012, 01:49 PM

I have used both CLR and Soft Scrub with great results. Here's the last truck I did the CLR treatment with. I used it uncut, with a red scotchbright and it was a completely different truck. On the milder "Patina" rigs, I have used a softer grey scotchbrite or a mild plastic kitchen sponge with Soft Scrub

2ndGenRR · 12-12-2012, 01:52 PM

That's exactly the info I am looking for. Thanks for your responses!

Russell Ashley · 12-12-2012, 02:49 PM

If the paint is just faded and dead but there is no surface rust on it you can just use Comet or Ajax cleanser on a rag or 3-M pad, with water. It won't do anything with surface rust like CLR but is cheap and works good.

meter swinger · 12-12-2012, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

I have used both CLR and Soft Scrub with great results. Here's the last truck I did the CLR treatment with. I used it uncut, with a red scotchbright and it was a completely different truck. On the milder "Patina" rigs, I have used a softer grey scotchbrite or a mild plastic kitchen sponge with Soft Scrub

X2. I did this on my 88 crew cab when I got it since it had irragation water baked on it from the desert sun.
For safety, wear good quality rubber gloves and eye protection when using CLR.
Posted via Mobile Device

Coach529 · 12-14-2012, 12:30 PM

I had pretty good luck with full strength CLR and a bunch of green scotchbrite pads.

**jayoldschool** · 12-14-2012, 08:57 PM

If you just want to bring back as much as the original paint as possible, use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.

_Ogre · 12-15-2012, 01:43 PM

if the body isn't rusty any buffing compound will remove oxidation
you can do it by hand with a rag or with a buffer
if the body is rusty, clr will get the rust out
pretty amazing results for newfisher and coach

2ndGenRR · 12-16-2012, 03:25 PM

Agree with Ogre...results are amazing. I would say that the truck I'm looking at is somewhere in between the two in condition. I'm in Michigan so it definitely has rust, but not bad....

RINC · 12-17-2012, 05:15 PM

Scotchbrite !

Before

After ...... with clearcoat

Coach529 · 12-17-2012, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINC

Scotchbrite !

Before

After ...... with clearcoat

What did you use for clear?

NEWFISHER · 12-17-2012, 07:11 PM

I thought that was Coach's truck!

RINC · 12-18-2012, 04:25 PM

Come on Coach ! Dont ask me hard questions

A buddy of mine did it at his shop ....... I cant tell you what clear he used.

Coach529 · 12-18-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINC

Come on Coach ! Dont ask me hard questions

A buddy of mine did it at his shop ....... I cant tell you what clear he used.

It turned out great....but a litle too shiny for me. Looking for a more satin finish if I was to do mine!!

**Dan in Pasadena** · 12-18-2012, 05:47 PM

Maybe it only looks THAT shiny because its inside a paint shop, directly under overhead lighting they might use when cutting and final polishing cars post-painting?

I think it looks great though I'd throw a new set of original hubcaps on it.
Posted via Mobile Device

_Ogre · 12-18-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndGenRR

Agree with Ogre...results are amazing. I would say that the truck I'm looking at is somewhere in between the two in condition. I'm in Michigan so it definitely has rust, but not bad....

you might be in michigan but the truck your looking at better have not be from michigan
or it will be real rusty, as in no usable parts

RINC · 12-21-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Maybe it only looks THAT shiny because its inside a paint shop, directly under overhead lighting they might use when cutting and final polishing cars post-painting?

I think it looks great though I'd throw a new set of original hubcaps on it.
Posted via Mobile Device

Outside pic for reference. To me it looks Creamy.

NEWFISHER · 12-21-2012, 05:58 PM

Send it to Oregon, I'll drive it around and knock the shine down for ya

RINC · 12-21-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Send it to Oregon, I'll drive it around and knock the shine down for ya

Sold !

I just want a ride in your 'burb !

2ndGenRR · 12-23-2012, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Ogre

you might be in michigan but the truck your looking at better have not be from michigan
or it will be real rusty, as in no usable parts

No, it's not a Michigan truck or your are right, there wouldn't be anything left. Engine & trans have been rebuilt and it runs and drives great...thought it would be nice just to clean up the outside a bit, recover the seat and putt around in a stock truck while I'm working on the non-stock trucks.

Thanks again to all who replied with your results...very helpful.

12-12-2012, 01:12 PM	#1
2ndGenRR Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lowell, Michigan Posts: 159	Restoring old paint Hey Everybody - somebody on here a couple of years ago was talking about using CLR or something like that to take a truck with original or very old paint and clean it up. From what I recall, the sun faded spots still show around the edges, but it cleaned up and brought back a lot of the original paint. I'm considering buying a truck with a nice patina to it, but would like to clean it up and bring back as much of the original paint as possible. Thanks, Pat aka 2ndgenrr __________________ The Stable: 1952 GMC 1/2 ton, 5-window...Owned since age 16...that was awhile ago! Torn apart and waiting for my boys to get old enough to help me. 1990 Chevy K5, 5.3L, 4L60E, slowly going back together as my dune truck. 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton, 3-window...building to sell. Daily Drivers: 1998 3/4 ton Burb with a 6.5 Turbo Diesel and 1994 1/2 ton Silverado. I grew up in Flint, Michigan so I can't help but to bleed Chevy!

12-12-2012, 01:18 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Restoring old paint Usually they do that when there is surface rust showing but plenty of old paint left. If the paint is fairly good with no rust the CLR should take off the surface scum like the what hard water leaves on it so you could rub it out and try to bring the paint back. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-12-2012, 01:49 PM	#3
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Restoring old paint I have used both CLR and Soft Scrub with great results. Here's the last truck I did the CLR treatment with. I used it uncut, with a red scotchbright and it was a completely different truck. On the milder "Patina" rigs, I have used a softer grey scotchbrite or a mild plastic kitchen sponge with Soft Scrub

12-12-2012, 01:52 PM	#4
2ndGenRR Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lowell, Michigan Posts: 159	Re: Restoring old paint That's exactly the info I am looking for. Thanks for your responses! __________________ The Stable: 1952 GMC 1/2 ton, 5-window...Owned since age 16...that was awhile ago! Torn apart and waiting for my boys to get old enough to help me. 1990 Chevy K5, 5.3L, 4L60E, slowly going back together as my dune truck. 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton, 3-window...building to sell. Daily Drivers: 1998 3/4 ton Burb with a 6.5 Turbo Diesel and 1994 1/2 ton Silverado. I grew up in Flint, Michigan so I can't help but to bleed Chevy!

12-12-2012, 02:49 PM	#5
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	Re: Restoring old paint If the paint is just faded and dead but there is no surface rust on it you can just use Comet or Ajax cleanser on a rag or 3-M pad, with water. It won't do anything with surface rust like CLR but is cheap and works good.

12-14-2012, 12:30 PM	#7
Coach529 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Post Falls, Idaho Posts: 1,757	Re: Restoring old paint I had pretty good luck with full strength CLR and a bunch of green scotchbrite pads. __________________ 1949 Chevy 3600 "Adventures of Henry" http://smu.gs/QOlhWY

12-14-2012, 08:57 PM	#8
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Restoring old paint If you just want to bring back as much as the original paint as possible, use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.

12-15-2012, 01:43 PM	#9
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Restoring old paint if the body isn't rusty any buffing compound will remove oxidation you can do it by hand with a rag or with a buffer if the body is rusty, clr will get the rust out pretty amazing results for newfisher and coach __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

12-16-2012, 03:25 PM	#10
2ndGenRR Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lowell, Michigan Posts: 159	Re: Restoring old paint Agree with Ogre...results are amazing. I would say that the truck I'm looking at is somewhere in between the two in condition. I'm in Michigan so it definitely has rust, but not bad.... __________________ The Stable: 1952 GMC 1/2 ton, 5-window...Owned since age 16...that was awhile ago! Torn apart and waiting for my boys to get old enough to help me. 1990 Chevy K5, 5.3L, 4L60E, slowly going back together as my dune truck. 1951 Chevy 1/2 ton, 3-window...building to sell. Daily Drivers: 1998 3/4 ton Burb with a 6.5 Turbo Diesel and 1994 1/2 ton Silverado. I grew up in Flint, Michigan so I can't help but to bleed Chevy!

12-17-2012, 05:15 PM	#11
RINC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: A Sunny Place For Shady People Posts: 468	Re: Restoring old paint Scotchbrite ! Before After ...... with clearcoat __________________ Chris '69 C-20 '04 Jeep TJ

12-17-2012, 07:11 PM	#13
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Restoring old paint I thought that was Coach's truck!

12-18-2012, 04:25 PM	#14
RINC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: A Sunny Place For Shady People Posts: 468	Re: Restoring old paint Come on Coach ! Dont ask me hard questions A buddy of mine did it at his shop ....... I cant tell you what clear he used. __________________ Chris '69 C-20 '04 Jeep TJ

12-18-2012, 05:47 PM	#16
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,344	Re: Restoring old paint Maybe it only looks THAT shiny because its inside a paint shop, directly under overhead lighting they might use when cutting and final polishing cars post-painting? I think it looks great though I'd throw a new set of original hubcaps on it. Posted via Mobile Device

12-21-2012, 05:58 PM	#19
NEWFISHER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,303	Re: Restoring old paint Send it to Oregon, I'll drive it around and knock the shine down for ya



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