Strip 'n Polish Project Thread (lots of great tips and links)

[cp1977]

I've just started my strip/polish on my 77 safari. For stripping I am getting good success with the enviro friendly exterior stripper. I brush it on then cover with light plastic sheeting (comes in rolls for drop sheets), leave it on on overnight then scrape it off with a plastic scraper and wash with clean water. It strips easy. I have spot tested Nuvite C grade but it will not remove heavy oxidation, at least not without a lot of time. I am now going to try F9 nuvite, at least for the bad spots. I'm hoping the majority of my shell which still has the clearcoat will polish up fairly easily with only C grade. trouble is once you start to polish, you can't just touch it up the bad spots. My trailer has the low lustre finish from the clear coat and any polishing brings up a higher lustre. I don't think I'm up for going over the whole thing with Bon Ami later so will just live with the finish I get from C. Not a mirror finish but significantly shinier than the original.
YMMV - Lorry

[Silverflames]

I tried some G6 with the cylco for second cut. Came out pretty good, took the swirls out, reflective finish but not a perfect mirror.

[Gregsch]

Originally Posted by Silverflames

I tried some G6 with the cylco for second cut. Came out pretty good, took the swirls out, reflective finish but not a perfect mirror.

You have come this far. don't stop now. I think when you go to the nuvite 'C' the shine will really pop.

[Silverflames]

For the C, should I use the wool pads on the cylco?

[Gregsch]

With the C you are going to use a terry cloth pad covered with a cotton cloth that looks like sweat shirt material. You can probably use any kind of soft cotton rag to experiment and see how it works but, I would suggest you get the fleece wraps from Perfect Polish. http://www.perfectpolish.com/cloth.html They are just the right size and come with a clamp that is really handy to hold the fabric in place. Remenber just use a dab of C (like the size of a pencil eraser and always use fresh cloth for each section.

[Silverflames]

I noticed that G 6 leaves removes the swirls, but leaves a faint cloudiness, will the C remove that?

[Gregsch]

There is some controversy about what do after you polish with the wool pad and G6 or F7. I used 'C' on the 7" rotary polisher with the wool pad then 'Airbrite' (supposed to be the equivalent of Nuvite 'S') with the Cyclo. If you already did the Cyclo with G6 I would be inclined to try going straight to Nuvite 'S'. Maybe buy a small container of each and see how you like the results.
You have me a little confused. When you used 'G6' with the Cyclo what kind of pads did you have on the Cyclo?
It ain't easy but nothing worthwhile ever is....

[Silverflames]

The wool pads.

[Gregsch]

OK, I would definitely go to Nuvite 'S' or the Airbrite from VTS. Use foam pads with the terry cloth booties and the fleece wrap mentioned in the link above.

[Silverflames]

Great! Now just to find the time for the next cut....

[thehandyman]

Did some spring cleaning and shining today. One side done will tackle other side tomorrow if time and weather permit.

[Silverflames]

Has anyone ever tried the white pads on the cyclo with nuvite s, instead of the terry cloth?

[Jimipat]

Hi I have a cyclo dual head polisher like New used one trip around a Bambi .. sold trailer don't need polisher .. does a great job for the mirror finish .. $275. 850-598-6300

[squareweave]

What bonnet are most using with Nuvite "C" on a rotary polisher? Wool or foam?

[youngpeck]

Wool. I buy them at Harbor Freight. Same ones as are sold at high-end automotive paint stores, around here at least.

[Swillv8]

Originally Posted by pond

Sorry to hear about your husband. Some articles say there are 200 hours of work from stripping to a beautiful shine, plus some specialized equipment like polishers.*


This thread is long but has a lot of info. The weather has to be *in the 60s or higher for the non toxic strippers to work.*


I had prices in LI NY from $10,000.- down to around $2,000.- if I stripped it and they would come and polish.*


Mike

I have phoned around also for prices and quite frankly the only honest way would be an extremely experienced company or hourly.

With contracts it's human nature to get the job done as quick as possible. A 200 hr job becomes a 140 hr.

[JRF0st3r]

Except for completion of polishing, our 50 year old Safari is customized and mostly complete. One year ago I had the front end cap looking great and have just finished the rear end cap. Before starting on the middle sections I looked over the front again and was surprised to see spots on the upper portion. It appeared as if something impacted or deposited tiny spots that grew into hazy circles around each. Or maybe Chickenpox?

So far I've gone over it a couple of times with a vertical polisher using the Jestco 8" soft buffs and grey bar as well as Nuvite F9. Looks like I could use a more aggressive approach, have more patience or just consider the current finish the "patina of antiquity"

Suggestions?
Jim

[ttbikes]

Originally Posted by JRF0st3r

Except for completion of polishing, our 50 year old Safari is customized and mostly complete. One year ago I had the front end cap looking great and have just finished the rear end cap. Before starting on the middle sections I looked over the front again and was surprised to see spots on the upper portion. It appeared as if something impacted or deposited tiny spots that grew into hazy circles around each. Or maybe Chickenpox?

So far I've gone over it a couple of times with a vertical polisher using the Jestco 8" soft buffs and grey bar as well as Nuvite F9. Looks like I could use a more aggressive approach, have more patience or just consider the current finish the "patina of antiquity"

Suggestions?
Jim

Patience. First time I did mine I did 14 cuts. I think 4 with F9.

[JRF0st3r]

thanks ttbikes.
close up view attached.

[ttbikes]

I should also tell you some spots I never got out but people are still amazed at the shine. I have spots like that but it IS not what people see._DSC4767.pdf