Best Wax to Restore original Black Paint

[Kelly Burns]

My '47 is mostly original paint, I love the slightly worn look it has in areas, but I want to bring the shine back! I don't want use paste wax and have leave behind any "white" areas, where any scratches or worn areas have a little "texture". And I don't want that ultra shine that guys are getting with the wipe on clears. I just want a good deep shine, especially, if you look at my wheels.

What is everyone using?

[Kube]

Do you recall the vinyl top coatings that appeared to be little more than a giant can of shoe polish? That worked GREAT for masking a lot of imperfections.
I'm not certain what "modern" product may have replaced that but am confident there are colored waxes available.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Kelly Burns

My '47 is mostly original paint, I love the slightly worn look it has in areas, but I want to bring the shine back! I don't want use paste wax and have leave behind any "white" areas, where any scratches or worn areas have a little "texture". And I don't want that ultra shine that guys are getting with the wipe on clears. I just want a good deep shine, especially, if you look at my wheels.

What is everyone using?

[Fritz]

Let Meguiar’s #7 soak for several hours after applying it by hand. Then wipe it off by hand. This puts oils back into the old paint. You’ll see some of the oxidized paint come off on the towel.

Then put on whatever wax you end up with.

[mfirth]

For a wax, I used Meguiar's Carnoba Plus. To maintain a water beading shine later on, I occasionally used Turtle Spray & dry after a car wash. Spray on while wet, wipe dry with a towel.

[Kurt in NJ]

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Add black shoe polish to wax

[Bored&Stroked]

It all comes down to the condition of the paint itself.

Wax does not improve the finish (at least much) - to do that, you'll need to do some level of cutting and buffing to bring the shine back . . . then put on your favorite wax to protect the finish.

[Bored&Stroked]

You might try a polishing formula and a soft buffing pad first (as it doesn't cut into the paint like a coarser pad with compound). It can be done by hand, but it is a LOT of work on the shoulders! LOL

[1952henry]

That is a nice looking original!

[tubman]

If you find something that works,please post it here. I've tried about everything on the 50 year old repaint of my '51 and nothing has worked. I'm a "Shiney Paint Guy", but am currently reduced to wandering around car shows mumbling "patina".

[dean333]

I take every new acquisition to a local detail shop no matter the depth of shine on the car. I tell them do whatever you have to do to bring out the best shine, I’ve never been disappointed.

[RalphG]

For years I have used a product from Turtle wax called rubbing compound which contains a very fine abrasive in the paste. Its a bit of work and time spent but I'm happy with the results. It cleans up most imperfections and gets back to the original paint on the 52 Merc. I've even used it where the paint is down to the red primer on the roof. I know patina is not everybody's "cup of tea" but I'm a big fan of natural patina. After the rubbing compound it gets a coat of Turtle hard shell paste wax. Again more elbow grease applied but the results are worth it to me. Its a driver, not a trailer queen. A piece of rolling family history and I know the story behind most of the little dents and scratches.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by RalphG

For years I have used a product from Turtle wax called rubbing compound which contains a very fine abrasive in the paste. Its a bit of work and time spent but I'm happy with the results. It cleans up most imperfections and gets back to the original paint on the 52 Merc. I've even used it where the paint is down to the red primer on the roof. I know patina is not everybody's "cup of tea" but I'm a big fan of natural patina. After the rubbing compound it gets a coat of Turtle hard shell paste wax. Again more elbow grease applied but the results are worth it to me. Its a driver, not a trailer queen. A piece of rolling family history and I know the story behind most of the little dents and scratches.

[Kelly Burns]

Originally Posted by 1952henry

That is a nice looking original!

Thank you very much! I appreciate that!

[Kelly Burns]

I appreciate everyone’s response.

When I bought it, it had a pretty good shine, and I remember seeing a lot of Chemical Guy products, at the guys garage. He wasn’t very helpful, so asking him isn’t an option. By the was the way the shine has washed off, it reminds me of 3M Finesse It. But I’m concerned about the “white” left behind on the rougher areas. I took some pictures, to help show everyone. I now I could just use whatever and stay off these area, but I think you’d see that I did. I like the black shoe polish idea, that was mentioned.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Kelly Burns

I appreciate everyone’s response.

When I bought it, it had a pretty good shine, and I remember seeing a lot of Chemical Guy products, at the guys garage. He wasn’t very helpful, so asking him isn’t an option. By the was the way the shine has washed off, it reminds me of 3M Finesse It. But I’m concerned about the “white” left behind on the rougher areas. I took some pictures, to help show everyone. I now I could just use whatever and stay off these area, but I think you’d see that I did. I like the black shoe polish idea, that was mentioned.

[50fordcoupeman]

I recommend using a random orbital buffer with Meguiars #105 and #205 buffing compound. It will remove the dead paint and you can make the paint as shiny as you desire.

[Kelly Burns]

Originally Posted by 50fordcoupeman

I recommend using a random orbital buffer with Meguiars #105 and #205 buffing compound. It will remove the dead paint and you can make the paint as shiny as you desire.

I worry, that that will remove more paint than I would like.

[petehoovie]

Stick with the patina...Wipe it down every now and then with GIBBS oil...
This is what I do on the original dashboard of my '34...

Gibbs Brand Lubricant, Penetrant, & Conditioner

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by Kelly Burns

I worry, that that will remove more paint than I would like.

This is why I’d start with a manual application and soak of Meguiars #7 glaze. It’s not abrasive to the old paint. Then if you’re not happy, you can risk cutting through with something that will take paint off.