Clear coating over patina: anybody done it?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
6,970
Reaction score
12,220
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
True. I have no idea how it was done, though a buddy of mine knows of the shop that did it. I suppose I could contact them to ask, not that it really matters at this point
Figured you may not know and you’re correct, doesn’t matter now. Moreso just general information. New paint (or clear) doesn’t bond to smooth surfaces like it should.
It may stick “good enough”, for a “while.”
 

Oldbear42

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2024
Posts
196
Reaction score
506
Location
Linden, Alberta, Canada
First Name
Shaine
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C20 LWB Scottsdale
Engine Size
350
Now I want to go home and polish my truck but is it worth the time to polish "3 different" trucks? It is more put together now as I got the lights and tailgate in a few nights ago - following the box swap on the weekend.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9258.JPG
    IMG_9258.JPG
    213.8 KB · Views: 35

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
11,250
Reaction score
17,174
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
Now I want to go home and polish my truck but is it worth the time to polish "3 different" trucks? It is more put together now as I got the lights and tailgate in a few nights ago - following the box swap on the weekend.
Polishing 3 different trucks you'd have to be very motivated. But if you're talking about your multi-truck truck, yes, shine 'er up
 

Fat 454

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Posts
107
Reaction score
184
Location
Australia
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C20 Suburban
Engine Size
454
NO NO NO NO !!!!... DO NOT clear coat. As the previous posters have shown it is the absolute best way to B*ll*x what mother mother nature has spent 40 - 50 years creating for you. Shine is for prepped and painted rigs, to protect the paint ( ! ) . If you are into "patina", and understand what it really is ( ie. v. fake .. but thats a WHOLE other post ), trying to coat and / or "shine it up" is like "restoring" an original Shelby cobra. You are destroying the very provenance of the truck's look and its history.
You truck looks awesome just the way it is, and stands out because of its history. Don't mess with that.
My sub has a similar "finish", and I have been thinking about using a product called Anchor Wax to protect the paint, but I will not use it if it creates a long term "shine". The roof on mine was so much ( rusty ) bare metal however, that I had to bite the bullet and re-paint it to prevent rust through. we have a lot of wet and damp weather, so leaving it Bare metal was not an option.
If its dry where you are, just wash, dry, enjoy...
 

Strick

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Posts
1,354
Reaction score
3,315
Location
Dunn, NC
First Name
Harold
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Crew
Engine Size
350
I see a lot of "shine-ola" & "pimp juice" products being used as well as matte clears. I do not use any of that stuff because it makes for much more work later on when you're actually fixing the rust-bucket. Folks rub a bunch of silicone & oil based products on it's almost impossible to remove all of it; it reappears when you go to bodyworking. What frustration! When you clear over all the stainless & other brightwork you're causing more work again as we'll. Many times they'll be a few of these pieces that are salvageable & I guarantee they're better than the re-pop stuff offered aftermarket. I don't want oil or clearcoat on these pieces that'll have to be removed later. Degreaser and water is best.

HS
 

Fat 454

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2012
Posts
107
Reaction score
184
Location
Australia
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
C20 Suburban
Engine Size
454
Oh yeah and I was just remembering when used car yards used to "clear coat " the engine bay to shine it up too - anyone remember that !!! Ugh..
 

CheemsK1500

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2022
Posts
831
Reaction score
1,471
Location
Texas
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
K1500
Engine Size
305
Oh yeah and I was just remembering when used car yards used to "clear coat " the engine bay to shine it up too - anyone remember that !!! Ugh..
Punch a hole in the power steering feed hose and the engine bay will shine itself up. Lol

One day on my ‘85 C10 I noticed it took every thing I had to back to get out of my parking spot. When I opened the hood, the power steering pump was dry but the engine bay looked the freshest it had been in years with its “self-applied protective coating.”
 
Last edited:

DrvnDrvr

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2022
Posts
170
Reaction score
506
Location
Central Oregon
First Name
Al
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet them down
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,438
Reaction score
28,342
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet them down

In a manual trans you mean? The same can be done in a rear axle. Bananas are supposed to work well too, lol.
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
6,970
Reaction score
12,220
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
Now I want to go home and polish my truck but is it worth the time to polish "3 different" trucks? It is more put together now as I got the lights and tailgate in a few nights ago - following the box swap on the weekend.
Unless you don’t plan on re-painting it, I’d spend the polishing time with a sander and sandpaper. Get er prepped for a shot coat of primer.

Then a quick masking job and a warm day out in the driveway, you can make it all one color. You can even get primers in basic colors like red or blue etc if you don’t wanna go typical white, gray or black. JMO.
It’ll look like a matte paint job and be more presentable for cruizin this summer!

And the patchwork pony will be one step closer to being refinished!
 

Jimbarry

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2021
Posts
154
Reaction score
382
Location
California
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
C30
Engine Size
454
Putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet them down
Bought a 50 ford for $75 back in the early 60's. ran ok but rear end howled a bit. I dropped the drive shaft to check and found out they had packed the damn thing with raw hamburger. stunk so bad I threw up.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,157
Posts
950,596
Members
36,272
Latest member
armchair
Top