Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

[clickclack123]

Hello everyone. This is my first post so bare with me. I'm new to car detailing and have only waxed my car once in my many years of owning a car. That experience alone stopped me from any further detailing activities to my newer cars since it didnt turn out so well.

The car I detailed was a 1991 Honda Accord LX. I cant even remember the year I tried waxing, but i jumped right into it and used a product by Meguiars called "Cleaner Wax" which came in a tub. It tried it and I'm not sure if i damaged the paint. The hood still looks very shiny, but the roof, and the two rear door look cloudy and doesn't really give a nice reflection anymore.

Below are some pictures. Did i do damage to the paint/clear coat or is this just oxidization? Is this salvageable? How do i go about restoring the finish to my car? thanks.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

That looks to just be oxidation.

Do you know if some of the car or panels were repainted at some point in their lifetime? Kind of weird for some panels to fade and not others.

Ryan

[Tuck91]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

the rear drivers side of the car except the drivers door looks like it is fairly oxidized

[Carfire]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

To my Eyes it looks like oxidation.

[tguil]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

It appears that several panels have been repainted. You can't hurt much of anything with the Cleaner/Wax.

Tom

[Murr1525]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

So you cleaner/waxed the car several years ago, and now this is showing up?

[clickclack123]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

Do you know if some of the car or panels were repainted at some point in their lifetime? Kind of weird for some panels to fade and not others.

Only the left fender has been repainted. Everything else is original paint.

[clickclack123]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

So you cleaner/waxed the car several years ago, and now this is showing up?

I'm not saying this just happened. It just the first time I'm trying to remedy it. I used that cleaner wax on the whole car and it is weird how the back end and top of the car has oxidized.

[clickclack123]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

Well now that we have determined it is oxidation, what's the best way to go about it?

I will be doing everything by hand only so can I just use the wash->colorx->NXT2 method?

Or do I have to clay it before colorX?

thanks for the responses.

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

if I were you I'd get some terry cloths and give it good rubbing with the new ultimate compound, then follow up with the new swirl-x with a foam applicator pad to refine the shine and top with a good wax like NXT

[CAShine]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

I will be doing everything by hand only so can I just use the wash->colorx->NXT2 method?

Or do I have to clay it before colorX?

You should clay especially if you dont want to instill scratches.

[Murr1525]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

I would certainly clay after washing.

The ColorX is stronger than the cleaner/wax you used, which can help. Although as mentioned, you may need a stronger product like the Ultimate Compound.

But it would still be good to have ColorX on your shelf if you intend to detail the car more frequently now.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Here are some general care links:

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

Here some links for how to work in a product to remove swirls/scratches/oxidation:

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

And here is one for ColorX:

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

[clickclack123]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

Claying and Ultimate Compound belong in the same step right (step 2: clean)?

If so which method is more "idiot proof" (no disrespect intended, its just that im a newbie)

so for each step what product do you recommend? (I know we are in the Meguiars forum, but if you use other brands please state them)

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash: ?
Step 2 Clean: ?
Step 3 Polish: ?
Step 4 Protect: ?
Step 5 Maintain: ?

[Murr1525]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

"Claying" and a "Paint Cleaner" are both in the cleaning step (step 2), but they both do different things, so you would want to do both. Claying is easy, and the Ultimate Compound just needs worked into the paint with a foam applicator pad. Then buffed off. Neither is really that bad.

Meguiars products would easily cover all the steps... my choices would be:

1. Wash - Gold Class or Nxt Wash, 2 buckets, good quality towels ,etc.

2. Clean - Clay with the Smooth Surface Clay kit, then use the Ultimate Compound. A milder cleaner or cleaner/wax could be used in the future then.

3. Polish - Deep Crystal System Polish is a good easy choice.

4. Wax - 2 thin coats of Nxt 2.0 is about the best you can do.

5. Maintain - I would use the Ultimate Quick Detailer or the Ultimate Quick Wax after future washes.

[tguil]

Re: Is this Oxidation? or Did i ruin my clear coat?

Your car is 18 years old and apparently has not been waxed all that much. I suggest that you go to a good detail shop or body shop and ask for an opinion or two from the "pros". I think that some sections of you car have faded -- for whatever reason. It doesn't look like oxidation to me. Your car may not even be clearcoated. It may have a single stage paint.

Tom