How long should I wait before polishing lacquer?

[Guest]

I just had my car repainted with lacquer and don't know how long to wait before applying polish to it? Also, what polish do you prefer?

[Wayne P.]

Re: How long should I wait before polishing lacque

You can polish anytime. What you don't want to do is wax. Wax could seal volatiles in. If it has been properly compounded you shouldn't need any polish.

[Jim W.]

Re: How long should I wait before polishing lacque

Allen, My '67 got new lacquer about three years ago. Within a few months, I started using Eagle One WET which was recommended by my painter. Now I wouldn't use anything else. It keeps the finish clean and clear. Good luck. Jim - Member #2978

[Jim T.]

Re: How long should I wait before polishing lacque

I did not wait any time period before I used Meguiar's #7 show car glaze on my 68 and 70 after I painted them.

[Joe R.]

Re: Meguiar's #7--Secret Weapon

Jim,

Meguiar's #7 is the secret weapon to keep a Vette slick and sealed. About every six months I use a little #7.

Don't tell anybody our secret. If it got out everybody would have Vettes with a finish as good as ours.

JR

[Lenn Nelsen]

Re: How long should I wait before polishing lacque

Mequiar's #7 is great! But, I found a 3M product that does the same thing with less elbow grease and doesn't leave streaks on dark colors as easily as the #7. It is 3M Imperial hand Glaze (contains no silincone or wax) Part # 051131-05990. I'm sure glad that not too many people are on this site as I'd hate for my secret to get out.

Lenn

[Joe R.]

Re: 3M Foam Polishing

Lenn,

Yeah, don't let anybody know. I use the 3M Foam Polishing Glaze on my slow speed buffer with a foam pad. Made for dark paints with no silicone or wax.
Love it! Keep it under you hat!

JR

[Joe L.]

Re: Meguiar's #7--Secret Weapon

JR-----

I've been using Meguiars #7 for about 25+ years. My "formula": an application of #7 followed by an application of the OLD Blue Coral Preservative Sealer. I ALWAYS used the #7 in place of the Blue Coral polish; I never liked their polish.

I don't have to worry too much about anyone duplicating my "formula", though; others can get the Meguiars #7; the Blue Coral Preservative Sealer, NOT so easy to get. I have enough of it in the GM cans to last me FAR longer than I'm ever going to need it [NONE for sale]. The Blue Coral Preservative Sealer is my "secret weapon". This is one case where OLD TECHNOLOGY is superior to ANYTHING that NEW TECHNOLOGY has come up with. Absolutely. Positively. Period.

[Dick W.]

Re: 3M Foam Polishing

Lenn, I have found that waxes tend to "hide" the quality of a good paint job. For a show only "trailer queen" you will have a better appearing paint job with polish only. For a car that is driven and spends time outside wax unfortunately is a must. The polish wax combos are not the way to go. No sweat, no gain

[Danny Pantuso]

Re: 3M Foam Polishing

Hi Dick, On my 63 dark blue Lacque, after wet sanding at 2000 paper then it was buffed out,some small missing area that was missed, in "heavy lighting only" notice small scatches rebuffing should remove those scatches. Thanks Danny

[Gene M.]

Re: Meguiar's #5, 7, and 9--Secret Weapon

Number 7 is good but for continued use try number 9 it is even less abrasive and wipes off easy. They have a new number 5 for small problem areas that is easier to remove than number 7 and about same weight.

[Larry Clain]

Re: How long should I wait before polishing lacque

Allen
It appears that nobody will explain Lacquer to you. My experence with it is that you must not do anything to it for at least 30 days. This will let the volitale thinners escape through the surface. If you don't you run the risk of bubbles or delamination of the color from the primer. This is a rare thing to happen. Usually you will only see the finish dull out as the thinner escapes through the surface.

When I ran my body shop back in the past I would let them set 60 days before color sanding. Then I would let it set another month before buffing it out. I would get a mirror reflection in the paint that you could comb your hair in when I did it that way. I don't recomend any polish or wax for at least 120 days because if you do then that seals the thinners in and that is a bad thing. It will breathe for the first 6 months or more.

Above all Try to keep it clean and use dishwashing soap and rinse quick if you must drive it before you do the finish work.

Good luck

[Guest]

Re: How long should I wait before polishing lacque

Larry,

Thanks for the direct and informative answer to my question.

Also, thanks to everyone else for all their responses on products to use to polish lacquer.

Allen