How to protect my original paint?

[shadaboot27]

Does anyone know any good ways to protect original paint? The paintwork and decals on my 1952 Rudge Pathfinder are in great condition and I want to protect it without lacquering it, as that would devalue it. Are there any good oils or waxes or anything else I can use to bring a nice shine to it and protect it at the same time? Something that wont ruin or damage it at all.

Cheers

 

[Drago]

It would devalue it for some buyers, enhance it for others. This idea that restoration or rectification work on old bikes universally devalues them is false.

As for your question, a good application of Auto Balm a few times a year.

 

[shadaboot27]

It would devalue it for some buyers, enhance it for others. This idea that restoration or rectification work on old bikes universally devalues them is false.

As for your question, a good application of Auto Balm a few times a year.

I never said it was universally true lol, I was merely saying that some bikes will definitely be devalued by doing certain things to them. I work on, buy, sell and recondition vintage bikes for a living, have done for the past 4 years. I have to look on ebay and other selling sites constantly everyday to find new stock, I have a pretty good understanding on the values of certain bikes and whats worth what, and generally bikes that have been repainted tend to loose all their value. But thanks for the info on Auto Balm.

 

[scarygerbil]

there is a polish called showroom shine which cleans then polishes which might work as it leaves a film on the paintwork so you can repolish it

 

[midlife]

I use what I did on my Impreza. Swissvax cleaner and Swissvax shield wax
Shaun

 

[Daddybus]

I would imagine any car wax would do... Clean after riding obvs but I suppose the main thing would be good dry storage in between use?

 

[screenman]

SupaGuard or the such like paint sealant, I come across them every day and know they work. Available on a certain auction site very cheaply.

 

[NeilnrLincoln]

Giving it a coating of boiled linseed oil would do the trick, it really seems to brighten & protect the original paint & decals and after a day or two doesn't feel oily at all.

 

[gareth01244]

Meguirs showroom glaze is supposed to work well on old paint as it contains oils that soak into the paint.
There is a tutorial online where an old faded car is treated with it by a car detailer and it looks impressive.
Will try to find it and copy the link

 

[gareth01244]

Found it
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...w-car-finish-antique-single-stage-paints.html

 

[Illaveago]

Meguirs showroom glaze is supposed to work well on old paint as it contains oils that soak into the paint.
There is a tutorial online where an old faded car is treated with it by a car detailer and it looks impressive.
Will try to find it and copy the link

I know that Meguirs metal polish works really well. That is on metal I mean!

 

[steveindenmark]

I use car wax every time I clean my bikes. It works well and is not expensive.

 

[GT60]

To polish and protect any paint work Use Autoglym Super Resin Polish followed by Extra
Gloss Protection
these do the same job as the garbage car dealers try and sell you to protect the paint work on a new car
Super resin cleans and polishes the paint work and the hard gloss put a layer of protect on that repels rain etc.

 

[screenman]

To polish and protect any paint work Use Autoglym Super Resin Polish followed by Extra
Gloss Protection
these do the same job as the garbage car dealers try and sell you to protect the paint work on a new car
Super resin cleans and polishes the paint work and the hard gloss put a layer of protect on that repels rain etc.

Not sure about that Autoglym products are very good, I use them daily but I feel there are better paint sealants on the market.

The like of Supaguard that is often upsold is very good when applied properly and maintained likewise, however dealers pay £35 for a full pack and charge up to £495.

 

[Drago]

Supergard is one of the poorer sealants out there. Dealers pay £35 for a pack, charge up to £495 for it, bit don't tell you that the pack will do 2 or 3 cars but still charge you full whack for it. It's money for little more than nothing, one of the biggest wheezes in the trade.