1935Packard Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Thanks for the update, Joe. I hope you'll post more pictures as you get the car and can work on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danleblanc Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 A dual action polisher is the only one I will use. It's pretty benign, actually. Eliminates whoopses. Slightly more aggressive than hand polishing depending on speed setting, but FAR less aggressive than a rotary. I don't trust myself with a rotary on anything even though I own one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 I used this by hand on my 1952 Plymouth and it made a dramatic difference in how it looked. https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-ultimate-compound-16oz.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 I have two DA Polishers. The key is that the mop does not spin in action (may spin if free), instead it shakes. I generally use with a terrycloth towel but am not good at "pretty". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 1, 2018 Author Share Posted August 1, 2018 Here are a few more pics. Too bad about those 2 "dings" in the grille as those are the only damage to the car. The one picture of the hood looks like spots on it but it is only dust. I tried my best to take some underneath shots, too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Zimmermann Posted August 1, 2018 Share Posted August 1, 2018 Don't be mad: there are much junger cars which may have more damages! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1935Packard Posted August 2, 2018 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Looks pretty solid and all correct. It should clean up nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted August 2, 2018 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Mostly by people who cold not afford one. What I remember most was the bit clear tubes in the rear window for the AC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxops Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 Looks like a really solid car! Congratulations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 I have a method of cleaning such cars right in the garage. First blow off dust with compressed air. Then wet down the surface using a spray bottle of water with a little car wash soap. Finally wipe off with a soft terry towel soaked in warm water. I use a 5 gallon pail of water, fold the towel to about a foot square, rinse and turn the towel frequently. This gets the car clean without scratching. On a car that size you may go thru 2 or 3 towels and a couple of pails of water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted August 4, 2018 Share Posted August 4, 2018 You haven't bought it yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share Posted August 4, 2018 1 hour ago, 61polara said: You haven't bought it yet? Absolutely!!!! I have given a hefty deposit on it so it is my car. I wasn't going to let this one get away. I am still trying to make room for it and the owner is nice enough to allow me to keep it there until I can get it indoors. Hopefully that will be in a week or two. Thanks for all the advice about cleaning it up. I NEVER EVER wash a car like this, or any of my other "old" cars, with a bucket and a hose. After getting it cleaned up I am going to try that # 7 Glaze that was suggested by another Forum member. Of course I will try it on a section of the car that is not so easy to see - JUST IN CASE......... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 4, 2018 Author Share Posted August 4, 2018 14 hours ago, jaxops said: Looks like a really solid car! Congratulations!! Thanks. Can't wait to get it home and start to tinker with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 9, 2018 Author Share Posted August 9, 2018 Looks like The Caddy is coming to its new home tomorrow. I will post more on it when I get it here. Thanks Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 Real thrilled along with you, Joe ! Start looking for that R.H. Fog light lens, and whatever trim is also missing on it. May be hard to find. - CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 10, 2018 Author Share Posted August 10, 2018 3 hours ago, C Carl said: Real thrilled along with you, Joe ! Start looking for that R.H. Fog light lens, and whatever trim is also missing on it. May be hard to find. - CC Thanks for sharing in my excitement. As far as the lens goes there is a replacement in the car. Also, there is no trim missing. Will update ASAP. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 11, 2018 Author Share Posted August 11, 2018 Got the 49 Caddy home on Friday. I wanted to take some pics of the car outside before I rolled it into the garage but I needed help and my friend stopped over to help me and he had to leave so I didn't get any. Shame on me... Anyway, I started washing off the 4 1/2 year old dust from the car and it is looking good. I didn't even use any soap or cleaner. Just water. I took a few pics but I did not get them off my camera yet but as soon as I do I will post them. I started to clean up some of the chrome, too, and it looks nice. The only issue is the hubcaps which have some heavier rust. What would be a good suggestion to try and remove it? These Sombreros are very expensive and I want to clean these up as best as I can. While cleaning the roof on the drivers side I got a bit of a surprise - and not a good one. Under all the dust, and which was not visible until it was cleaned off, I came across a couple of small dings in the roof - one above the drivers door and a couple smaller ones above the drivers side rear door. It looks like something may have fallen against the car and made the dings. I was a little bummed out about it at first but then I need to realize that I am looking at a 70 year old car and given that fact the car is in amazing condition - with a few minor things but I suppose they could be worse and I have to accept the fact that these things happen. Joe 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylormade Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 I’m not sure if this would work, due to the metal thickness and type of paint on these old cars, but I’d have a “paint-less dent remover” technician take a look at the problem and see if he could work them out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Zimmermann Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 55 minutes ago, Taylormade said: I’m not sure if this would work, due to the metal thickness and type of paint on these old cars, but I’d have a “paint-less dent remover” technician take a look at the problem and see if he could work them out. I would try that too. If the dent did not damage the paint, chance is good to do the operation in reverse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 For the hubcaps, try 0000 steel wool and Vaseline. 000 if you need to be more aggressive. - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 11, 2018 Author Share Posted August 11, 2018 Here are a few pics of the car as it sits in my garage. Some prior to washing off some of the dust and some after. Mind you I have not even polished or waxed the car yet. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 11, 2018 Author Share Posted August 11, 2018 A couple more 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A. Ballard 35R Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Looks great - almost as though you drove it in there ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 6 hours ago, A. Ballard 35R said: Looks great - almost as though you drove it in there ! I sat in it and steered it into the garage as it rolled down my driveway So you could say I "drove" it into the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 Just a few more pics of the trunk lid and hood after using Show Car Glaze #7 Polish. Still no wax yet just the polish 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 That big car looks great. For the rust I use 0000 steel wool and any car polish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Zimmermann Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 To me, it's amazing to find such a car in that good condition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laughing Coyote Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 1 minute ago, Roger Zimmermann said: To me, it's amazing to find such a car in that good condition! ^^^^^^^^^ What he said. Nice find.^^^^^^^^^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Joe, incase you don't know, that transmission will lock for parking even though there is not a Park position on the quadrant. You turn the engine off and then shift into Reverse and it locks the transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 My third Cadillac was one of those. A late '49, a 62 with the fog lights like yours. A dark green one. But it's been a while, now. High school days. Pushing 60 years ago. And speaking of pushing : I have distinct memories of push-starting the dozen or so year old used car to start it. Get it going in neutral, and drop it into low. I seem to remember that it was considered a harmless procedure back then. I would guess it still is. I bought it from a doctor. $150. But of course that might be something like a couple of grand these days. Could you buy a 12 year old Cadillac for $2000 these days ? Yeah, but it would be a real beater. Mine wasn't. Find a mint, loaded, low mileage (and I mean not much more than 20 thou', even less still comes up from time to time), 2007 DTS, or STS and take VERY good care of it. Take your pick of colors if you like. They are fantastic cars. And at current prices, well worth doing all maintenance, including whatever major surgery it may require. Move quickly with cash when you find one. Oh, and don't try to push start it. - Cadillac Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 1 hour ago, 61polara said: Joe, incase you don't know, that transmission will lock for parking even though there is not a Park position on the quadrant. You turn the engine off and then shift into Reverse and it locks the transmission. Thanks. The owner told me that, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 6 hours ago, Roger Zimmermann said: To me, it's amazing to find such a car in that good condition! Thanks. It has a couple of dings here and there but I guess at almost 70 years old it could be a lot worse. The interior is so nice, too. Like I said it has always been garaged and it shows. I intend to do the mechanical work in the fall when it gets cooler. Just too hot now. I am only cleaning and polishing and I feel the heat. Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 Some updated pics of the cleaning process. Next step is the waxing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnseeker Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 (edited) Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish in the little white can works spectacular on chrome if you get around to really polishing up the chrome. I have used it on everything from perfect NOS chrome to Freshly replated parts, to old tired stuff. I don't care what any one else pitches I will put a 5.99 can up against anything they drag up for 20.00 or more a tube. Been using it for 30 years since I was in my early teens polishing my dad's 18 wheeler. Yes it says not for chrome on the can, but that's meant that eventually you will wear through the chrome. With any polishing job, the only way to truly polish is by removing the dead top layer and contaminents held in it. That's what I used on that Caddy, except I used it for everything on the whole car including paint. I'm wet sanding my 40 Ford coupe Acrylic enamel paint job out right now with 600 grit on a long block, because it's so messed up and after a follow up with 1000 and 1500, I'm hand polishing it out with mothers. In fact I just bought a new can to be sure I don't run out. Friends can't believe the finish it leaves. For follow up I then use the # 7 Show car glaze. Edited August 13, 2018 by auburnseeker (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 On 8/13/2018 at 7:22 PM, auburnseeker said: Mother's Mag and Aluminum polish in the little white can works spectacular on chrome if you get around to really polishing up the chrome. I have used it on everything from perfect NOS chrome to Freshly replated parts, to old tired stuff. I don't care what any one else pitches I will put a 5.99 can up against anything they drag up for 20.00 or more a tube. Been using it for 30 years since I was in my early teens polishing my dad's 18 wheeler. Yes it says not for chrome on the can, but that's meant that eventually you will wear through the chrome. With any polishing job, the only way to truly polish is by removing the dead top layer and contaminents held in it. That's what I used on that Caddy, except I used it for everything on the whole car including paint. I'm wet sanding my 40 Ford coupe Acrylic enamel paint job out right now with 600 grit on a long block, because it's so messed up and after a follow up with 1000 and 1500, I'm hand polishing it out with mothers. In fact I just bought a new can to be sure I don't run out. Friends can't believe the finish it leaves. For follow up I then use the # 7 Show car glaze. I do use the Mag & Alum polish. I have not tried it on paint but maybe I will Thanks, Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1935Packard Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 On 8/12/2018 at 8:25 PM, Joe Cocuzza said: Thanks. The owner told me that, too. It's in the owner's manual, too. If I recall correctly, it says that you turn off the car in neutral, wait a few seconds, and then shift the transmission to reverse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danleblanc Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Yes, the operation of this generation of Hydramatic uses fluid pressure to retract the parking pawl. When the engine is turned off, this loss of fluid pressure engages the parking pawl when the transmission is shifted into reverse when the car is off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PONTIAC1953 Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 On 8/2/2018 at 10:31 AM, padgett said: Mostly by people who cold not afford one. What I remember most was the bit clear tubes in the rear window for the AC. that wouldn't happen until the 1953 model year for cadillac, buick, and oldsmobile. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 Got it home. Just a few updated pics as I go along cleaning the 49 Caddy. It is looking even better since the last pics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95Cardinal Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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