oxidation removal on a black truck...

[93-L05/L31]

I'm gonna be working on a buddy's 454SS tomorrow. The truck sits a lot outside his house and the paint on the hood and roof is somewhat oxidized. What do you guys recommend for making the most of what's still there? (He's trying to sell the truck... got in credit card trouble)

BTW... anyone looking for a low-mileage 454SS ('90), email me.

[95Tahoe]

Try either a clay bar, or a cleaner waxer with a da buffer. works wonders, and a lot better then by hand. you don't have to worry about burning through the paint cuz you're not using a heavy abrasive. but try that. if you're still not happy, try using a polish with light abrasive, start with hand polishing, then use a da for the bad spots.

[ZaneO]

Claybar it and then use a good paint polish on it. You should be able to find some 3M polishes locally. An orbital buffer would also be of great assistance.

[Toolman]

Word on the clay bar. You should note that there are different grades of clay bar. You should get the fine cutting for a black vehicle. Others might leave scratches.

[93-L05/L31]

OK, tried clay bar, finish is nice and smooth, however, the oxidation is still there. I'm pretty sure this is a clearcoated vehicle, unsure if this changes how I should tackle it.

I tried the 3M fine-cut polish (can't remember the exact name on the bottle) with a little 6" orbital/directional buffer. Didn't put a dent in it. The unoxidized areas are nice and shiny, and silky smooth, but the oxidation is still there. What would be the recommended next step?

I appreciate the input, guys!

[Toolman]

My next step would be to wet sand it. Be sure to use a block. If you have not done this before be sure that you understand the process. You can mess up your paint fast if done wrong.

The issue that you are having might be that the panel has been repainted before.

[jared1217]

I have a similiar problem with my truck so this may help me. Im not in the market to paint the truck. Keep the comments and suggestion comming. PICS TOO!

[panelbeater]

it sounds to me like the clearcoat has gone dead, if it has a white haze to it, it probably wont come back. i would use a compound on it and then polish and wax.

[melncal]

.....with a little 6" orbital/directional buffer. Didn't put a dent in it.

How long did you work it in for?

Do you have any pictures? That would help. If it's oxidation then a good medium polish something like Meguiars Dual action cleaner polish, Poorboy's SSR2.5 or even Klasse AIO and Poorboys Pro Polish will cut through it.

I don't think an orbital has enough power to do the job...unless it's a Porter Cable or DeWalt D/A. I've had good success removing oxidization with Poorboys Pro Polish by hand and PC...it takes some elbow grease by hand but it does work.

Here is an oxidized hood before and after using Pro Polish by hand:

it sounds to me like the clearcoat has gone dead, if it has a white haze to it, it probably wont come back. i would use a compound on it and then polish and wax.

If it's a 90 then it's most likely single stage paint and doesn't have a clearcoat, so it's oxidation and not clearcoat failure...unless it was repainted.

If using a polish and black paint is on the pad then it not clearcoated. If no paint is on the pad then it is clearcoated and like panelbeater said, nothing other then repainting will fix it.

[panelbeater]

if its the 90 new style it should be clearcoated.

[melncal]

if its the 90 new style it should be clearcoated.

If that is the case, then it's clearcoat failure and nothing less then repaint will fix it.