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Joined: Sun Feb 25th, 2018
Location: USA
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I had originally budgeted for paint work and had planned to spend a good amount of time sanding and prepping. After some research, visiting several body shops, and a ton of YouTube videos I decided to first try to save to old paint via a cut and polish. The body shops just thought I was crazy and wondered why I wanted to restore a Ranger. I thought saving the 'petina' would be cool but instead opted for a clay bar kit followed by McGuire's 105 ultra cut compound with an orange pad and then McGuire's 205 ultra finishing polish with a blue pad.
The best part of the clay bar kit was the Showtime detailing spray...I used it liberally and had at least 2/3 of a bottle left. The clay bar was easy to use and did what it was intended...smooth as silk with a couple of passes over the entire truck. Time spent on this step pays off huge dividends and it's not hard. Just follow the directions on the box.
After the cut and polish with a variable speed polisher the results speak for themselves.
Saving the original paint is probably the best part of this entire restoration.