Verdict on Medieval Car Restoration

A month ago i did an experiment of using boiled linseed oil to fight rust and bring back some shine. And the verdict is in:

DON'T DO IT!

The linseed oil took way too long to fully dry. Well over a week after I applied it I mowed the grass. This is what what happened to my oiled fender.

Not a good look. Even the Beverly Hillbillies would disapprove.

So yesterday, I gave the car a good scrubbing:

Better, but I could not get all the grass off. Oh well.

And just for reference, here are some of the dull areas that I didn't coat with linseed oil after the scrub.

Towards the end of the day after the water had dried and things had cooled off, I coated the bad paint with Minwax Spar Urethane.

The After Pics

Here is what things look like today after the dew had evaporated:

Like some kind of miracle paint restoration product on late night TV, but easier to apply.

Alas, last time I did this, the varnish started peeling off after a couple of months. But last time I did this in May. I hope it will last longer with cooler weather and less sun.

Tags: car