1960 Impala #7 soak

6

6shootr

New member
Oct 18, 2022
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Minnesota
Well, after reading and reading and reading and listening to those with more knowledge than me here is a progress report. I've learned a ton from you guys in a very short time.

After digging her out
Pressure washer blasting 45 years of accumulation off
Washing what remained
SOS pad washed

Then found this site and read articles on single stage paint

Now
Good soapy wash
Clay bar treatment
#7 soak

Currently getting ready for a second round of soaking. Boy she sure soaked that up and I can't believe how rich she looks. Some of the scratches and imperfections already look so much better.

My plan is to hit it with some #26 before she goes away for the winter. Before that should I give it a shot with some Scratchx or Ultimate for whats remaining or just stick with #7, #26 and call it good?
 
Looks good so far!

When you say, "go away for the winter", will it be in a garage or outside? If it's going to be stored indoors there's really no need for the #26.

Additionally, before you jump in and apply the #26 to the entire car, I'd try a small spot first. Many times, on old paint such as this, applying a wax will make it look worse. The old paint is very porous, as evidenced by the way it sucked up the #7. When you apply a wax, rather than sitting "on" the paint like it is designed to do, it will absorb into the porous paint and as the wax dries it will turn the surface cloudy or chalky looking.

As far as polishing goes with the ScratchX or Ultimate (or whatever polish you use), it will probably improve the finish somewhat, but again, doing a small test spot before just going wild on the whole car is prudent.

Whenever you are working on something like this, some experimentation is usually required, and the experiments you perform should be tried and validated (on small test spots) before proceeding.
 
noorth said:
What a turn around!

May i ask what a #7 soak is?
Click to expand...

I had no idea myself what it was until I found this forum. Its a process for old single stage paints. You use Meguiar's #7 mirror glaze and you put it on heavy/wet. Then instead of waiting a couple of minutes to remove, you leave it soak in for hours. In my case I left my first coat on for around 18 hours and the second coat on for about 22. The product was invented in the early 1900's and has oils in it designed for older paints and it actually soaks into the paint. Really brings it back to life. Some will say that it is really hard to remove when you leave it on that long but I had no real issues. But, maybe its me and really liking to rub and getting to study my cars surfaces.

My car was sitting in the harsh Minnesota woods since 1977. She isn't perfect paint but is night and day better than what it was.
 
2black1s said:
Looks good so far!

When you say, "go away for the winter", will it be in a garage or outside? If it's going to be stored indoors there's really no need for the #26.

Additionally, before you jump in and apply the #26 to the entire car, I'd try a small spot first. Many times, on old paint such as this, applying a wax will make it look worse. The old paint is very porous, as evidenced by the way it sucked up the #7. When you apply a wax, rather than sitting "on" the paint like it is designed to do, it will absorb into the porous paint and as the wax dries it will turn the surface cloudy or chalky looking.

As far as polishing goes with the ScratchX or Ultimate (or whatever polish you use), it will probably improve the finish somewhat, but again, doing a small test spot before just going wild on the whole car is prudent.

Whenever you are working on something like this, some experimentation is usually required, and the experiments you perform should be tried and validated (on small test spots) before proceeding.
Click to expand...



Unfortunately it will have to sit outside one more winter. With me bringing 4 of my wife's family cars home I only have room for 3 of them in the shed along with my truck. I need to find an engine for the Impala where the other 3 are complete. That's why I want to get some protection on her. Not sure what I'll do as far as covering. Tarp, standup temp garage, not sure.
 
6shootr said:
I had no idea myself what it was until I found this forum. Its a process for old single stage paints. You use Meguiar's #7 mirror glaze and you put it on heavy/wet. Then instead of waiting a couple of minutes to remove, you leave it soak in for hours. In my case I left my first coat on for around 18 hours and the second coat on for about 22. The product was invented in the early 1900's and has oils in it designed for older paints and it actually soaks into the paint. Really brings it back to life. Some will say that it is really hard to remove when you leave it on that long but I had no real issues. But, maybe its me and really liking to rub and getting to study my cars surfaces.

My car was sitting in the harsh Minnesota woods since 1977. She isn't perfect paint but is night and day better than what it was.
Click to expand...

Very nice turn around. Gotta love forums! Thanks Autogeek!
 
6shootr said:
Well, after reading and reading and reading and listening to those with more knowledge than me here is a progress report. I've learned a ton from you guys in a very short time.

After digging her out
Pressure washer blasting 45 years of accumulation off
Washing what remained
SOS pad washed

Then found this site and read articles on single stage paint

Now
Good soapy wash
Clay bar treatment
#7 soak

Currently getting ready for a second round of soaking. Boy she sure soaked that up and I can't believe how rich she looks. Some of the scratches and imperfections already look so much better.

My plan is to hit it with some #26 before she goes away for the winter. Before that should I give it a shot with some Scratchx or Ultimate for whats remaining or just stick with #7, #26 and call it good?
Click to expand...

Great improvement!! Keep soaking it until it won't absorb anymore #7 is my recommendation, then as already said by someone else, test test test. I did a black 1983 corvette that soaked up 3 bottles of #7 over a 3 day period. It became so pliable and polishable afterward, where it was dry and brittle before. 3 different detail shops refused to touch the car, saying that it needed painted. after soaking up the 3 bottles of #7 I wet sanded the entire car with 3000 grit and buffed it with Meguiar's M-105 and a DA Microfiber setup and it turned out incredible!! No one could believe it was the same car!!
 
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