restoring old paint

[red71ford]

The shine is pretty much gone by now on the old 71. What's the best way to bring it back?

[AZf100]

I'm not a paint and body guy but Pictures will help to know exactly what your dealing with.

[tac]

Original paint? Rubbing and/or polishing compound to cut the oxidized paint off of the surface.

[rwilly]

True or not, I don't know..but I was told that the paint on the old vehicles being Lacquer can be kept shiny by using a little bit of kerosene on it.

[tac]

Only GM used Lacquer then. Ford and Chrysler used Acrylic Enamel. Spray oil or kerosene on anything will make it shiny temporarily until dust hits it. Was trick used car lot would use to make a engine compartment look new. Never heard of it being used on the outside I personally wouldn't do it. It will smell like kerosene.

[jzjames]

Try cleaning the paint with laquer thinner. Dont be scared.

[M-100]

If the paint is just oxidized you can use a buffer and compound and get great results. You will needa real buffer not an orbital and be careful on the edges of panels and body lines you will see primer if you stay on edges to long so keep moving and don't force things. Do not do this in direct sun on a hot day. Then if the shine comes back give it a good coat of wax. I have seen a few factory ford paint jods come back .