Inspired

[azkaz]

Hi, trawling through the many threads has shown me how poorly I have been caring for my cars paint work. If I want to bring my cars paintwork up to a good standard for me to continue to maintain, what products would you suggest I use. The car is 11 years old, white but there are no deep scratches, just surface marks and small scuffs. Its not very shiny either, I would guess that the gloss has worn or been worn off. I am in Australia and have not been able to track down the products many of you have been using.

Thanks.

[Ganesa]

Re: Inspired

I assume this link will guide you for the best start in the detailing world :]...
and if you cant find the professional products line, just use the consumer line, they are fail safe to use as long as you read the instructions first.. hehe (I still stick with the consumer line of products - until i get my DA polisher! ;])

FAQ- New To Detailing & Care Care


good luck..

[azkaz]

Re: Inspired

Brilliant, thanks mate!!!!!!

[Murr1525]

Re: Inspired

You might just have to go to a couple auto stores, and see what is on the shelves, write them down, and come back and ask here. I am sure we can piece something together for you.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Inspired

Sounds like you'll want to wash clay and clean the paint for sure, do like Matt said and visit your local auto parts stores and see what you can find for paint cleaners, that would be,

ScratchX
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner

or

ColorX


These all have good cleaning ability and after you wash and clay the paint you're going to want to rub the paint out using a product like one of the above to deep clean the paint, removing any oxidation, dullness and light swirls and scratches.

See this thread,

The words Clean and Cleaning as defined by Meguiar's terminology



Be sure to check out many of the articles in these two forums,

Hot Topics
How To Articles

[azkaz]

Re: Inspired

That article on the 5 step program was excellent. Just one question. Would you clay, then cleaner polish, then wax or cleaner polish, clay, then wax?

[Murr1525]

Re: Inspired

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean
4. Polish
5. Wax
6. Wax

Now, there are some all-in-one type products, or products that combine steps. So for instance:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Cleaner/Wax
4. Wax

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Cleaner/Polish
4. Wax
5. Wax

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Inspired

In most case, you wash and dry, and the clay before anything else.

Claying removes the bonded contaminants off the surface and this clear the way for our paint cleaners to go to work without anything in the way.

The exception would be personal preference if you're working on a severely oxidized single stage paint. For cars like this, using some type of compound or paint cleaner first will remove all the dead, oxidized paint so you don't load your clay up with this dead paint.

Then after the majority of dead paint has been removed you can clay and from my personal experience, yes I have always seen clay removed bonded contaminants that the cleaning step didn't remover.

[azkaz]

Re: Inspired

Thanks so much for all the advice so far. Going to a local auto store tomorrow to see what I can find. I think its going to be a fairly expensive project to get set up with everything. A product for each of those five areas, microfiber cleaning cloths etc. Worth it in the end though!!!! How many clay bars do you think I will need to clay all of the horizontal surfaces of my magna? It has never been done and I think it will take a bit of work to restore?

Thanks!

[Murr1525]

Re: Inspired

I doubt more than one clay bar, but buy an extra QD bottle. And you will want to clay everything, tops, sides, and glass.

If you find the steps pricey, something like ColorX ( a cleaner/wax, as shown in the process above) can cut out a couple products for now, to save you a few bucks at the moment.

Or see what cleaner you can find, and jump right in.

[Ganesa]

Re: Inspired

yea an extra bottle of QD would be great, and dont forget the microfibre towel also, so that you can keep it in your car, in case anything happens with your car (bird poo etc)

and a bottle of UQD or UQW would also be great to keep in storage at home and use after every wash or once a week or whatever ...

[azkaz]

Re: Inspired

Alright found a Meguires wash, cleaner, clay bar kit, polish, and wax product at my local auto shop! That should get me started! Cheers!

[Murr1525]

Re: Inspired

Wash
Clay
Clean
Polish
Wax
Wax - 2 thin coats is best

[Ganesa]

Re: Inspired

nice.. whats the names of the products you got?

good luck