Polishing a 1972 original finish
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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2002 C320 Wagon
Polishing a 1972 original finish
I am about to become a privileged owner of a 1972 220D white sedan. The car has always been garaged, and as such the original paint finish is still in fabulous shape. The trunk has quite a few fine scratches. Curious if there are specialty polish products out there for a car this age, or if using Zymol is acceptable. Any other advice is appreciated, of course 
Thanks
Thanks
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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none
I am about to become a privileged owner of a 1972 220D white sedan. The car has always been garaged, and as such the original paint finish is still in fabulous shape. The trunk has quite a few fine scratches. Curious if there are specialty polish products out there for a car this age, or if using Zymol is acceptable. Any other advice is appreciated, of course
Thanks
Thanks
You say the paint looks good now and your only concern is some fine scratches in the trunk.
Without seeing the type of scratches on your trunk any advice you get will be in general.
Which means that the solution proposed is non specific to you.
Your specific problem may or may not require polish.
Claying a car won't have any effect on scratches in the paint.
30 year old white paint is unforgiving. You start rubbing and buffing on it and it could change shades on you and force you to do the entire car.
If the paint is in as good a shape as you say, abrasives are the last thing you want to use on a garaged kept white car that's over three decades old.
Non abrasive options, wax, conditioner and glaze all work well protecting and or preserving the paint while hiding or filling fine scratches in the paint.
Heavier scratches would need buffing and polishing for removal.
The question is how bad are the scratches
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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2002 C320 Wagon
I believe that most of the scratches on the trunk will be less obvious once a wax is applied. I concur about polishing compound not being used on the finish, probably will use that lightly on chrome trim. Thanks for the responses. Car will be washed, gently clayed, then waxed. Images forthcoming 
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Not compound
Polish big difference.
Compound abrades polish burnishes.
Menzerna polish will restore the shine to jewel like condition the seal and wax will protect it.
Compound abrades polish burnishes.
Menzerna polish will restore the shine to jewel like condition the seal and wax will protect it.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 270
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From: Overland Park, Kansas
SOLD both: 1987 560SL 2003 ML320
Look forward to seeing photos. Even without clear coat, MB white paint is pretty tough. The pigment is titanium dioxide, which is hard stuff. I used Meguiar's 105/205 polishes, followed with Show Car Glaze #7 and then topped with NXT 2.0 sealant...then #26 wax on top.
Good luck - it'll turn out great!
Good luck - it'll turn out great!
