Waxes and Polishes for Lacquer

[Michael Jones]

[Bill W.]

Re: Waxes and Polishes for Lacquer

Try some 3m liquid hand glaze on the light scratches then what ever wax you like. you might need to use wax with a cleaner until you get the scratches out.

Bill

[Duke W.]

Re: Waxes and Polishes for Lacquer

I'd suggest you use a (wax free) mild polishing compound, which should take out the scratches by removing a fraction of a mil of paint. If the lacquer was applied at least as thick as the factory paint, you should have about three to four mils of paint film, enough for a good polish every five years or so (I'm assuming that you only drive it occassionally.)

Years ago I used to use white DuPont polishing compound, but lately I've used Meguiars #2 Fine-Cut Cleaner.

Between polishings you can just wax it, but eventually toweling and dust take their toll and you end up with those very fine microscratches, so it becomes time for a another polish.

After polishing you can give it a coat of wax or glaze of your choice.

BTW, I always do it by hand. A power polisher will make the job quicker, but it's a lot easier to burn the paint along shape edges like they did at the factory.

I'm not sure if the modern systems designed for clear coats are effective for lacquer. The lacquer is softer than the modern clear coats, but the clear coats are only a mil or two thick, so the clear coat polishes have to be aggressive enough to take out the scratches without taking too much of the film off.

Since so few of use still have lacquer, the industry doesn't cater to lacquer finishes anymore, so we have to do our own experimenting.

Duke

[Wayne K.]

Re: Waxes and Polishes for Lacquer

I said I never would use a power puffer to do this job but I am sold on the Porter Cable random orbital polisher. I purchased the sander unit and bought the hook & loop attachment and use the Megiuar polish pad for polishing and the finishing pad for waxing. If the scratches are from washing and rubbing of fine dirt on the finish I would use 3M imperial glaze to polish and any good pure carnuba wax to finish. My personal favorite is Harly Paste Wax. As the polisher ran me about $170 you might want to see if you can borrow one or maybe even they are available as a rental. The one that Griot's Garage offers is the same thing but if you shop around you should be able to do better. With using the machine all material should still be removed with 100% ctton towels. Car Care Specialties is a good source for any of the products you might need. Good luck.

http://www.carcareonline.com

[Mark Ring]

Re: Waxes and Polishes for Lacquer

I can't help with anything to actualy remove scratches but if you get most of them out, try maguires #7 show car glaze. I do not know if it is still available as my bottle is several years old. It has no protection or staying power if washed or rained on but it makes the paint look nice and wet for shows and covers light scratches. It also does not contaminate the finish in case you need to have touch up work done. Since I do not drive my laquer finished car much, it is all I use on it. Not slippery like you get from wax. The shop that painted my car advised me to use it exclusively given how I use the car.
-Mark.

[John H.]

Re: Waxes and Polishes for Lacquer

Everyone has their favorite system, and there are many that will do the job; the only one I have experience with is 3M "Finesse-It", which we use exclusively for polishing every square inch of every Viper before it leaves the plant - it's particularly effective for removing swirl marks on dark-colored cars.

[Jim T.]

Re: Waxes and Polishes for Lacquer

Mark the Maguires you mentioned was available at Auto Zone the last time I bought some not to long ago.

[Chas Kingston]