Makeover tips/questions

[Megafast13]

I am working on an old car that has oxidation, stains, etc.

I'll post a few pics, but ignore the paint. I am getting it repainted next week.

1. Can I restore Chrome Trim around tail lights, bumpers, etc. What product do you guys think I should use?

2. There is also some oxidation or build up that I haven't been able to get off, do you guys know of any stronger products that might work?

3. Windows! I have tried using Windex, Professional Cleaner, etc. I have never been successful with windows. Does Meguiar's make the best Glass Cleaner?

4. The car also has chrome like hubcaps. What product do you recommend on them.

5. I have tried Plastx By hand w/ a microfiber applicator by hand. I have gotten the actual light clear but there is oxidation around the edges/sides of the headlight that is reflecting into the light to give it a yellow look. I am just going to be replacing the headlights with new ones.

I can get professional products, consumer, etc...
Pics are below:

[Megafast13]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

These are all before pictures...I have improved them, but they still aren't good. Remember to ignore the paint

[roushstage2]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

I am working on an old car that has oxidation, stains, etc.

I'll post a few pics, but ignore the paint. I am getting it repainted next week.

1. Can I restore Chrome Trim around tail lights, bumpers, etc. What product do you guys think I should use?

2. There is also some oxidation or build up that I haven't been able to get off, do you guys know of any stronger products that might work?

3. Windows! I have tried using Windex, Professional Cleaner, etc. I have never been successful with windows. Does Meguiar's make the best Glass Cleaner?

4. The car also has chrome like hubcaps. What product do you recommend on them.

5. I have tried Plastx By hand w/ a microfiber applicator by hand. I have gotten the actual light clear but there is oxidation around the edges/sides of the headlight that is reflecting into the light to give it a yellow look. I am just going to be replacing the headlights with new ones.

I can get professional products, consumer, etc...
Pics are below:

1. I used NXT Polysh on my chrome trim on my Neon. It took all of the waterspots off of the trim along with some set-in dirt.

2. Where is the oxidation exactly and what have you used?

3. Getting them streak free? It is a skill for sure. One thing I find that helps is to just use a light amount of cleaner with one clean MF towel and then come back later with another clean MF towel with no cleaner and rewipe the windows. I find this removes any haze and or streaks that remain. It is really strange. I have to do this on my Neon. My Mustang is almost always a one-shot deal. No idea why, lol.

4. I'd again use the NXT Polysh.

5. You can try wetsanding them. Couldn't hurt if you are planning on replacing them...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

This is just a guess based upon your very good close-up shot, but it looks like this wood trim has a coating that has deteriorated?





Again, just going by the picture it looks like real wood and if that's the case that's a surprise because most newer cars from the 80's forward just used some kind of fake plastic and not real wood. If it is real wood then it likely has lacquer or some kind of clear paint on it and that's the upper portion that looks like it's missing. If that's the case then you can improve what's left but not the deteriorated portion.

If it's real wood and if it's really important to you then maybe you could tape-off the wood or remove it and then sand it down and refinish it?

Crown Vicky huh?

[Megafast13]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

Thanks for all of the suggestions...

I don't think the trim is real would, but it's always a possibility. It is just one piece of dash trim that I can take off, so I will have the Paint Shop spray them down and put clear coat on them.

Do you guys have your own personal shampooer or Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner?
If so what do you guys have/recommend.

I did the entire paint with ScratchX and NXT2.0. I Went around the clear coat damage, and looks good lol.

I am going to get it painted Dark Gray Metallic/Sparkly Slate Color w/ lots of clear coat

(This is my Dad's Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, in the later pics you will see the lights)

[MDetail]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

1. Can I restore Chrome Trim around tail lights, bumpers, etc. What product do you guys think I should use?
You can try NXT Metal Polish or one of the metal Polishes meguiars offers. If the metal areas are clear coated it wont give you that same shine you are looking for.

2. There is also some oxidation or build up that I haven't been able to get off, do you guys know of any stronger products that might work?
What have you been using? are you working by hand or da?

3. Windows! I have tried using Windex, Professional Cleaner, etc. I have never been successful with windows. Does Meguiar's make the best Glass Cleaner?
I found that can sprays work better for me than spray bottles. And if the windows are really dirty, make sure you are constantly using a clean towel.

4. The car also has chrome like hubcaps. What product do you recommend on them.
After you have cleaned them you can clay them and then use your wax of choice.

5. I have tried Plastx By hand w/ a microfiber applicator by hand. I have gotten the actual light clear but there is oxidation around the edges/sides of the headlight that is reflecting into the light to give it a yellow look. I am just going to be replacing the headlights with new ones.
If you can, try removing the headlights and cleaning them, that way you can get to all of these areas. It will save you a good amount of money compared to new headlights.


Good luck!

[Megafast13]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

I just dropped it off to get repainted. I am getting Black, the best color there is.

It is a new paint that has the clear coat and paint mixed together. Is it safe to uses the polishing compounds and DA on it?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

It is a new paint that has the clear coat and paint mixed together.

Is it safe to uses the polishing compounds and DA on it?

As long as you're using body shop safe product you'll be okay.

Have you talked to the body shop about how they're going to sand and buff the new paint?

Are they going to sand and buff the new paint?

This is usually where things go bad...

[Megafast13]

Re: Makeover tips/questions

I will have to ask them those questions.

He said he would have to do some "work" on the areas where the clearcoat failed.