Restoring the Cardinal Red paint, 96

[cjf_351]

Hello, professional detailer here. I am SO envious of your cardinal red runner! I was looking for that color when I bought mine, but I couldn't find a good condition one with four wheel drive and a manual transmission so I settled on a black one.

My previous Toyota was an 89' pickup in a very similar color. It had serious oxidation issues too. I brought it back, but because it was a single stage paint, it required constant waxing.

I would like to offer a bit of advice if I may. You are definitely on the right path to bringing back your paint. I love that you taped off your runner and have already purchased a decent D/A buffer. However you need to go deeper. I would recommend a three stage process. First, a more aggressive buffing pad and heavier compound will take off a lot more oxidation. Then move to a polishing pad and a lighter compound or the Meg's polish you used here. One more pass with a glaze and a polishing pad will deepen the shine. Then move onto a waxing pad and your favorite wax.

Here is a link to a company that I have used in the past. They have some great how-to videos on paint restoration and are a great source for materials and knowledge. We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store
Keep us posted with LOTS of pics!

 

[Arn24]

Thanks!
I still need to buy a DA, I only have the rotary right now, but once I get one my plan is pretty much exactly what you recommended.

I'll do some testing, but I'll be using the DA with either Megs 105, 205, or UC. Then I'll hit it with the Megs #7 again, unless I need to remove any defects from the compounds first. Then more wax.

I'll check out that link, thanks!

 

[vincer77]

I think you will need to use something like ultimate compound with the da to get the oxidation off. The oils from the #7 is a great start. I suggest using the UT, then more #7 then a good sealer like NXT 2.0 or better yet Wolfgaangs paint sealer.

 

[Arn24]

Do you apply wax over the sealer? I've seen the Wolfgangs on Autogeek. I've heard good things about Klaase and Menzerna products as well. I've got some time to make a decision.

Thanks!

 

[ALBPM]

I got to help a friend polish his Red Runner back in 2003. We used 3M Fine Cut Rubbing compound and then Zainos, Z5 and Z2. The Zainos held up for over 2 years before he reapplied the Z5 and Z2.

4Runner Polishing Convention - YotaTech Forums

Sorry, most of the photos are gone now.

Lots of Old timers in that thread - Gadget, Bob 98SR5

Since you are in Colorado and at a high elevation you should be using a good polymer based polish with good UV protection properties.

 

[Arn24]

That red looked fantastic! Appreciate the advise!

Thanks!

 

[Arn24]

Update: Round 2!

Finally got a DA polisher, and finally had some time to work on the Runner. I used the DA with Meg's UC, then hand applied #7, then Meg's #26 wax. The wax went on much easier this time. I know I'll have to do it again, it faded pretty good just since the last time.
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arn24/media/4runner/2013-06-23181158-Copy-Copy_zps254702a1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/arn24/4runner/2013-06-23181158-Copy-Copy_zps254702a1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-06-23181158-Copy-Copy_zps254702a1.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arn24/media/4runner/2013-06-23181015-Copy_zps0cb8cbed.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/arn24/4runner/2013-06-23181015-Copy_zps0cb8cbed.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-06-23181015-Copy_zps0cb8cbed.jpg"/></a>
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arn24/media/4runner/2013-06-23181140-Copy-Copy_zps9808e154.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/arn24/4runner/2013-06-23181140-Copy-Copy_zps9808e154.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-06-23181140-Copy-Copy_zps9808e154.jpg"/></a>

I also picked up some new wheels today. They look pretty nasty here, but they already look 10 times better after just cleaning. They'll look good polished, and I only paid $90 for all 4. 16"x8". They're not what I want ultimately, but they're better than the stock ones.
<a href="http://s658.photobucket.com/user/arn24/media/4runner/2013-06-28180250-Copy-Copy_zps917d895c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu310/arn24/4runner/2013-06-28180250-Copy-Copy_zps917d895c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2013-06-28180250-Copy-Copy_zps917d895c.jpg"/></a>

Thanks for looking!

 

[T4R2014]

Looking great. What DA polisher did you get? I'm thinking of getting the one they have at Harbor Freight and a bunch of foam pads. Btw, what do you think of Meg's #26? I'm thinking of getting that when I run out of Meg's NXT.

 

[fightman80]

Nice work man! Looks great!

 

[Arn24]

Thanks! I got the one from Harbor Freight and used their blue pad. No complaints. I've used Meg's 26 for years, however I may look for something else with this ss paint. It didn't seem to protect that well.

 

[T4R2014]

Thanks! I got the one from Harbor Freight and used their blue pad. No complaints. I've used Meg's 26 for years, however I may look for something else with this ss paint. It didn't seem to protect that well.

Is yours the Chicago Electric Platinum one that they sell? And as for the wax, try Meguiar's NXT 2.0, I've been using it a couple years and it lasts pretty well and it looks really nice. I might give their new Ultimate Wax a try.

 

[Arn24]

That's the one! $60 or so with coupons. I may try that wax next.

 

[ALBPM]

Done! for now...
There is still oxidation in the paint, but I'm not gonna try to rub it all out by hand. I'm out of ibuprofen. Once I get a DA (like the Porter Cable shown above, thanks!) I'll attack it again. Overall, for $20 and a day's worth of work, I'm happy with the results.

Aaron

I used my "Porter Cable" with a yellow cutting pad and 3M Fine Cut Rubbing compound to prep it for the polish. It was the first time I tried the Fine Cut and it worked great!!! It took out the oxidation, swirls and some of the smaller scratches with ease.
We then wiped his Runner down with the Z-1 Precleaner and then mixed up an ounce of Z-2 Polish with the ZFX and 1/2 ounce of Z-5 with the ZFX for the hood. While Loosehead applied the Z-2 to the sides and top I did the hood with the Z-5 to cover the remaining swirl marks.
In all we put 3 coats of Z-2 on the sides and top. The hood got 2 coats of Z-5 followed by 3 coats of Z-2. We wiped it down with the Z-6 between coats and after the final coat of Z-2. I used PakShak Microfiber towels for wiping off the polish and the Z-6 applications.

Here's the results:

Looshead did not need to reapply the Zainos for 2 years after the first treatment.

You need to get away from the Carnuba based waxes with the red paint.

Get a good polymer Polish with UV protection.....

Zaino Store

Get some Z2,Z5,Z6 and the ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive for multiple coats. The Zainos products are good for Plastic and don't leave any residue on black plastic or rubber trim. Easiest Polish I've ever used.

Also, the "3M Fine Cut Rubbing compound" has no oils or wax in it so you just wipe it off and apply the Polish. NAPA carries the 3M Products

 

[Arn24]

Thanks for the advise. I'll check out the Zainos stuff.

 

[ALBPM]

It's worth it....I fought with the Cardinal Red on a T-100 my wife had for 9 years.

I tried Nu-Finnish, Meguires all the good over the counter brands and none would hold up. Found Zainos the last year we had the truck...damit!!!...LOL

 

[T4R2014]

[MENTION=92781]Arn24[/MENTION] How is your cardinal red holding up? The oxidation is a never ending fight for me. I'm thinking of trying a ceramic coating.

 

[beefsix]

[MENTION=92781]Arn24[/MENTION] How is your cardinal red holding up? The oxidation is a never ending fight for me. I'm thinking of trying a ceramic coating.

Mine is a Cardinal Red too and it's all cracked and faded. Glad you bumped this thread or I would never have found it! I am gonna fix the paint up one of these days, probably after the engine

 

[Arn24]

Pretty well, actually. I still ‘moisturize’ once a year with Meguiars #7, DA polish with either Ultimate Compound or similar, then wax with Ultimate wax. It definitely fades between, water spots are a constant problem. As soon as I figure out a Photobucket replacement, I’ll post some pics from the last polish.