Lead Based Paint - Detailing Tips?

[98LowRanger]

A potential customer approached me about about detailing his 1981 Corvette. He informed me that it has lead based paint and can not be washed with regular soap because it will "fade the paint" quickly. He also told me that it has only been "dry washed", which I am assuming he means waterless washed. Is there any truth to any of this? If I do end up detailing his car, is there anything different about washing/polishing a lead based paint as opposed to todays non lead based paints?

 

[Sizzle Chest]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...tions/27124-there-lead-automotive-paints.html

 

[FUNX650]

•Don't know for sure if Waterless Washes
(dry washes?) were even around when the
last Corvette...that was painted with OEM
factory applied lacquer paint...left the St. Louis
assembly plant on August 1, 1981.
(Note:After that facility closed, the new Bowling Green
plant started using enamels topped with clearcoats.)

-So, with that in mind:
I think it'd be interesting to find out what all
has been used to wash this vehicle since ~1981.


•Now...
If you really want this guy as a customer:

-I'd reassure him that if/when you are not
using WWs/RWs to wash vehicles (especially
ones considered older or "Special Interest");

- that you use car-wash shampoos...
not soap(s)...to wash vehicles.

Also:
•When polishing older SS, lead-laced paints:
-I would first gorge the paint with
Meguiar's M07
-I would then use the proper PPE that would
include, at the very least: particulate-filter mask,
gloves, long-sleeved shirt, etc.


Bob

 

[swanicyouth]

Don't eat the paint chips.

 

[98LowRanger]

•Don't know for sure if Waterless Washes
(dry washes?) were even around when the
last Corvette...that was painted with OEM
factory applied lacquer paint...left the St. Louis
assembly plant on August 1, 1981.
(Note:After that facility closed, the new Bowling Green
plant started using enamels topped with clearcoats.)

-So, with that in mind:
I think it'd be interesting to find out what all
has been used to wash this vehicle since ~1981.


•Now...
If you really want this guy as a customer:

-I'd reassure him that if/when you are not
using WWs/RWs to wash vehicles (especially
ones considered older or "Special Interest");

- that you use car-wash shampoos...
not soap(s)...to wash vehicles.

Also:
•When polishing older SS, lead-laced paints:
-I would first gorge the paint with
Meguiar's M07
-I would then use the proper PPE that would
include, at the very least: particulate-filter mask,
gloves, long-sleeved shirt, etc.


Bob

Bob, first off, thanks for your reply! I'm not sure he even knows what has been used on the Corvette because he had another detailer detailing it. He got rid of him when he found him cleaning the engine bays with cold water while they were running. Not something I would do personally, but probably fairly safe (no I didn't tell him that).

So is there any truth that aggressive soaps will actually fade a lead based paint like the owner believes or is this just a myth? Also great info on the precautions to use if I end up polishing it.

 

[WaxMaster1]

A potential customer approached me about about detailing his 1981 Corvette. He informed me that it has lead based paint and can not be washed with regular soap because it will "fade the paint" quickly. He also told me that it has only been "dry washed", which I am assuming he means waterless washed. Is there any truth to any of this? If I do end up detailing his car, is there anything different about washing/polishing a lead based paint as opposed to todays non lead based paints?

Potential is the key word. I'd pass.

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT7vLcaqx9s[/video]

 

[BillyJack]

Leaded or unleaded is irrelevant here. His 'Vette is simply old-school single-stage acrylic lacquer paint, which GM used well into the late 80's. In the early 80's, GM reduced the solvent content of the paint process, which made it less resilient, but it's still acrylic lacquer.

Normal car wash soaps or rinseless solutions won't hurt it, nor will typical polishing products and procedures. There's no clearcoat over the color, so expect to see color transfer on your pads.

It's thinner and not as tough as modern urethane paints, so you can't be as aggressive.

Mike P. has written a bunch or articles on single-stage paint restoration, including this very comprehensive one, which was my bible for restoring the OEM finish on my '87 El Camino, the same paint as your customer's 'Vette:


The Secret to Removing Oxidation and Restoring a Show Car Finish to Antique Single Stage Paints

Read up on Mike's articles and you'll have everything you need to know.
I've been using typical car wash products sold here, including rinseless and waterless, as well as the waxes and polishes. While my Camino's paint is thin from being over-polished and suffers from the typical checking and crazing that affected paints of that era, I can still make it shine well enough to grab a trophy every now and then.

Bill

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Leaded or unleaded is irrelevant here.

His 'Vette is simply old-school single-stage acrylic lacquer paint, which GM used well into the late 80's.

I agree with Bill.

Whether there's lead in the paint or not is irrelevant.

What you or the owner wants to do is to avoid detergent washes as they will dry out old single stage paints.

Do polish and maintain with #7 and seal the paint with a wax or synthetic paint sealant.

Also be careful as old single stage paint like this will be thin on and around high point, raised body lines, horizontal surfaces.


Here's the short version of the very long original article I wrote on restoring single stage paint.


4 Steps to restore single paint paint - 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE



I would encourage you to share the link to this article with the owner of the Corvette. Let him read it, soak in the information and the go from there as to how he wants to take care of the paint on his old 2-door Chevy.



The Secret to Removing Oxidation and Restoring a Show Car Finish to Antique Single Stage Paints





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