ColorX Results

[jeepcollector]

Hi,

I have 1999 Pickup that was suffering from oxidation. After reading several posts including the 1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover, I decided to give ColorX a try.

I am working by hand at this point and using applicator pads. I decided to test a spot on the tailgate. I am quite happy with the results but have a few questions before I move on to the entire vehicle. After searching the forums for answers and re-reading the same posts, I decided it was time to make my first post.

The ColorX removed the oxidation that was irritating me. This is a ten year old vehicle and sometime in the last few years, it was de-badged. Now that I can see the paint, the paint looks much darker where the badges were removed. I believe that the paint faded over several years and the areas once protected by the badges did not fade since they were protected from sunlight/UV exposure.

I'm trying to get the process right before I move on to the entire vehicle.

Is it possible using this product to bring the paint back to the original color? Should I try a terry cloth as mentioned in the Bronco restoration and work more aggressively?

The instructions state that I must let the ColorX dry before removing. What is the best way to determine when it is ready to remove?

What is the best way to clean and dry my applicator pads?

Thanks in advance!

[Nappers]

Re: ColorX Results

.....Is it possible using this product to bring the paint back to the original color? Should I try a terry cloth as mentioned in the Bronco restoration and work more aggressively?

ColorX is a mild All In One (AIO) that is a great product for light swirls and very light oxidization. Mike did a great job on that Bronco that you are referring to. It is most possible to bring the paint back, but you may need to step up in aggressiveness if needed. If your test spot is what you like then continue on.....

A terry cloth will move you up in aggressivness as far as application goes, my advise is to try in a test spot and see how it goes. If it removes the oxidization and swirls but leaves the finish hazy, then step down to a foam applicator to clean that up. Be sure to do this in a test spot so you don't do your whole car and not like the results.

The instructions state that I must let the ColorX dry before removing. What is the best way to determine when it is ready to remove?

There is a great write up that involves the:

Swipe Test

Give that thread a look over .

What is the best way to clean and dry my applicator pads?

In my experience, you can either throw your applicator pads in with your microfiber towels and wash them or what I do is fill your sink up with soapy water (dawn soap) and squish them around to get the wax out, then rinse them out by squishing them around and wring them out and set them out to dry or throw them in the dryer with your microfiber towels. Works for me at least.

Thanks in advance!

Hope it helps.

I should add that the new Ultimate Compound and SwirlX are great products to use by hand if you need to move up the scale to get the results you want.

Also, you should clay your car to remove any bonded contaminants from the paint and you can top off ColorX with another coat of your favorite wax, unless you like ColorX and the finish it leaves. I like it and use it once in a while .

I like M26/NXT 2.0 and M16 with a little M21 and Gold Class thrown in there for giggles.

[jeepcollector]

Re: ColorX Results

Thanks for the quick response!

The wash, dry, clay and waxing seem straight forward to me. However, I wanted to get the clean/polish steps correct before moving on.

If it removes the oxidization and swirls but leaves the finish hazy, then step down to a foam applicator to clean that up.

Does this mean apply using terry cloth, remove, apply with foam applicator and remove?

I'll do another test with the ColorX and then go from there. I was trying to start with the least aggressive and go from there. I realize SwirlX would be next and then Ultimate Compound in order of aggressiveness. Would it be a mistake to jump from ColorX to Ultimate Compound?

If I didn't have the original paint color to compare to, I would be very happy with my current results.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ColorX Results

Just to double check...


Does your truck have a clear coat or is it a single stage paint?

When you rub the ColorX over the paint do you see the color of the paint coming off onto your applicator pad?


The Bronco detail you referenced was a single stage paint, if the paint on your 1999 truck is a clear coat then it could be possible what you're calling oxidation is clear coat failure?

Check out this thread, be sure to read the text at the top of the thread...

The Clearcoat Failure Photo Archive

[jeepcollector]

Re: ColorX Results

Being a 1999, I expected it to have a clear coat but when I applied ColorX to the test area, my applicator turned red, the color of the vehicle so I concluded that it is a single stage paint.

Just to be clear, my results with ColorX were fantastic. The oxidation (dullness/cloudiness/white film) is gone. However, it is just a slight shade off from where the decals once lived.

I'm not seeing anything as severe as those who experienced clear coat failure.

A picture is worth a thousand words. I wish I had one to post at this time.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: ColorX Results

Being a 1999, I expected it to have a clear coat but when I applied ColorX to the test area, my applicator turned red, the color of the vehicle so I concluded that it is a single stage paint.

Just wanted to confirm. ColorX is a great one-step cleaner wax.

[jeepcollector]

Re: ColorX Results

Thanks to a friend with a camera phone, I have a few photos. If you look above the blinker or below the blinker, you can see what I started with. I'm just trying to get results that I like on the tailgate before moving on. On the tailgate, you will see that the bad oxidation has been removed with ColorX. However, you will also see the darker paint where the logo once lived. This is a factory single stage paint. I was able to confirm this with the manufacturer using my paint code. Any suggestions as to what I should do next?

I do have some scratches but I'm not too worried about them as most are pretty deep. This is a truck after all.

Thanks again!

[Murr1525]

Re: ColorX Results

The problem is where the decals were is closeer to orignal, unfaded paint. You really cant 'unfade' the rest of the paint, just get it all detailed and looking good, and hopefully that makes if match.

As mentioned, SwirlX would be a little stronger than ColorX if you wanted to go a little stronger, make sure all the oxidation is gone. Then 2 coats of Nxt over it.

[jeepcollector]

Re: ColorX Results

I'm leaning towards the swirlx/NXT route but since this is a single stage paint, I feel a need to polish. I'm guessing that #7 Show car glaze would be a good choice? This may be my next test.

wash/dry
clay
swirlx
#7 Show car glaze
NXT

[Nappers]

Re: ColorX Results

M07 is excellent on Single Stage paint! My boy has his '67 Dodge pickup we need to finish but the test spot on the hood with M07 and M16 was Mavelous.

Keep us posted and put some pix up when your done.

I started off detailing my cars by hand and it's hard, rewarding work. Keep it up.

[jeepcollector]

Re: ColorX Results

Keep us posted and put some pix up when your done.

Here a few photos.

I did the following.
Wash/Dry
Clay Bar
Swirlx
MO7
Nxt (x2)

These photos were taken after the first coat of wax. I didn't take photos after the second coat as it started to rain when I was 3/4 finished with the second coat.

[Murr1525]

Re: ColorX Results

Looks sharp. How did you like the results?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: ColorX Results

Looks very good. How does the tailgate look after you were all done?

[jeepcollector]

Re: ColorX Results

Looks sharp. How did you like the results?

I've very happy. I'd like to thank everyone who contributes to this forum. The forum is one more reason to purchase Meguiar's products.

[jeepcollector]

Re: ColorX Results

Looks very good. How does the tailgate look after you were all done?

The tailgate looks great. The color is very very close to the original. If you look at the two photos that I posted, emblems were removed from just below the mirror. As you can see, it's hard to tell that they ever existed.