My guess would be the clear coat protects the paint from the elements and not having that is why the single stage weathers do badly. I would think if you applied a sealant religiously that might simulate a clear coat.
Restoring the "Natural White" Paint on my 2006 4Runner
- Thread starter luke87gt
- Start date
That's exa try what happened to me. Except I let it go for about 3-4 years. Hence the effort to restore
Former Collinite 845 and 476 man here.
I've switched over to Optimum's Opti-seal? It's their wipe on, walk away sealant, so double check on that name.
Easier to apply than 845, lasts just as long (in my case, longer), with less work.
Sure, double the price, but that's what I've moved onto. Wipe on, and in 5 minutes, come back to wipe off areas that you applied too thick. Once you get used to it, it's only around where panels end and overlaps. That's to say that you are reducing your "buff off" time by 90%.
Nashvillerunner
New member
I believe it is Opti Seal. I have never used it but I have some ONR and that stuff is amazing! You can use it as a wash or use it as a clay lube to claybar and it is very inexpensive and goes a long way. Optimum has quality products.
There's the whole new family of ceramic coatings, but I don't see where it makes sense for someone like us, who already know how to do all of the prep.
That $30 bottle will last me 4+ years over 3 cars.
Nashvillerunner
New member
I totally agree with you. In the long run $30 is worth it over that time period. Have you also see the spray on coating? McKees37 has a spray on sealant called Hydro Blue SI02 coating. You basically spray it on then hit it with a real heavy stream of water and it protects and is very hydrophobic. I am going to try some of that and see how it works.
Googling it now, looks cool.
Do you know if it works best if there is already sealant/wax under, or as a standalone?
How long will it last as a standalone?
Nashvillerunner
New member
To be honest I am not sure. You could always email McKees37 and ask them. I saw a video on youtube and I believe it would last anywhere from 4-6 months?
This looks pretty awesome. I've got the same color that needs some attention. What's a good time for me to drop it off? :roll:
luke87gt
New member
Haha, I would think about doing it for $1000 (maybe).
For the amount of work, elbow grease, sweating, cursing, it's not something I want to repeat again. I love working on cars but paint restoration is absolutely not on the list of things I enjoy
You could probably find a pro to do what I did with better results for $400-500.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
Finally got a change to "correct" the paint. I hit each area about 4 times. Didn't get a "mirror" finish, but it certain alot better than before. The roof was especially faded, but required lots of elbow grease. I only worked on her for 4 hours, but do plan on hitting it again by the end of the year or next year. In the meantime, the paint is ALOT better and actually shines and reflects well. Again, not a MIRROR finish, but I'm happy. Maybe I should another product? I used Meguiars 105, 205 and finished it off with Ultimate wax (wow, very easy to use).
Finally got to use my Porter Cable.
So who else looks back at their rig with pride when they finish detailing it? LOL
Difficult to see, but the shine is back.
Finally got to use my Porter Cable.
So who else looks back at their rig with pride when they finish detailing it? LOL
Difficult to see, but the shine is back.
That shine is not difficult to see at all. I used to have a natural white 05 SR5 so I know how bad it probably was when you started. IMHO I would use a good sealant to keep the "haze" from coming back and protect your hard work. I personally like Klasse AIO but there are lots of good sealants out there. Waxes look great but doesn't protect long. Maybe 1-2 monthes vs. 6 monthes with a sealant. Looks great!Finally got a change to "correct" the paint. I hit each area about 4 times. Didn't get a "mirror" finish, but it certain alot better than before. The roof was especially faded, but required lots of elbow grease. I only worked on her for 4 hours, but do plan on hitting it again by the end of the year or next year. In the meantime, the paint is ALOT better and actually shines and reflects well. Again, not a MIRROR finish, but I'm happy. Maybe I should another product? I used Meguiars 105, 205 and finished it off with Ultimate wax (wow, very easy to use).
Finally got to use my Porter Cable.
So who else looks back at their rig with pride when they finish detailing it? LOL
Difficult to see, but the shine is back.
Btw, nice mods(hood, headlights, side mirrors).
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CookieRoe
Senior Member
Klasse AIO, huh? I'll check it out, thanks!
Thanks for the compliments. Lots of mods not visible here. I gotta get a "build" thread going. It won't be popular as I I have no lift kits, big tires, etc, LOL.
Klasse is a little expensive but you use such a small amount that it lasts for years.
Yeah, I'd like to see a build thread, I miss my white 4runner. I got rid of it due to the V6 HG issue and regret it.
Nashvillerunner
New member
Great job Cookie! White is one of the hardest to notice a nice deep reflection but you can tell it in the pics. My wife has a 2011 Sienna White van and it is very faded with heavy oxidation. I am going to be trying the Griot's Garage BOSS (Best of Show System). It has the fast correcting cream, correcting cream, perfecting cream and finishing sealant. So it is basically a 3 step process and should yield wonderful results.
Make sure you put a nice sealant all over the vehicle for the winter. it will work wonders! How did you like the PC polisher?
Make sure you put a nice sealant all over the vehicle for the winter. it will work wonders! How did you like the PC polisher?
The PC is the staple of consumer dual action buffers.
Old, reliable, not the quickest, but one of the easiest one to learn on. All a non-professional will need until you get into the correction of super deep scratches that require more heat from a rotary or a stronger motor.
Wear earplugs, limit the jewelry and jeans with buttons, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. I learned on it, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Though the Flex polishers, if you can afford them, are stronger and will cut your buffing time by 2-3x due to the further throw from the larger orbit. I would have bought one used if I had to do it all again.
Dexter Morgan
New member
Second that emotion on the PC 7424, it's my workhorse PC and is now 14 years old and still going strong - its ol' reliable to me. I am so comfortable using it and know its limitations and strengths 2nd nature. I looked at those Rupes and Flex polishers and just can't spring the $300 or so - really not worth it. For an amateur detailer, even one who does a few friends/neighbors cars each year, you cannot beat a 7424.
CookieRoe
Senior Member
Good luck with the Griots Garage product! I figure you can't go wrong with anything out there, especially if it's name brand. Griots is more known for the "non-professional"/amateur enthusiast crowd. Ask a layman and they look at you funny. Meguiars makes good products and I have yet see a complaint about them. I've been using their products for eons and my cars have looked fantastic. I'm willing to try GG if it's not too expensive.
I'm currently seeing which sealant to use before it gets cold out.
AS the youtuber "JunkMan" said, " there is no way you are going to damage your paint using a Porter Cable.........". I'm sure I can handle a professional polisher, but I'd rather piece of mind knowing I can't screw it up, LOL.
I have the PC 7424XP, I love it. (even though I only used it once). Realize I used to use an orbital buffer (back in the 90s...... those large ones one could buy at Walmart for $30) so using the PC was a HUGE step up.
NEXT: I used the 105, 205 then Ultimate Wax. For now (few weeks) I should be ok. Now that I got most of the oxidation off, I might just hit my paint with the 205, then a quality sealant (not the Ultimate wax) and sit tight until next year (May-June of 2018).
