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Need to bring back the shine!

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  • #1

    Need to bring back the shine!

    Hey guys new here and love the detail work you all do! I got on here last year cause I needed to find some info on bringing back the gel coat on my boat and now I have a new project. I just bought a 99 Subaru 2.5 LGT that is black w/ pearl in it. I have bad swirl marks, two small rust spots, scratches and scuffs! Where do I start? Do I wet sand first? What grit? Any info will be great! Thanks. TJ





    After I wash it I will give detailed pics!
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  • #2
    Re: Need to bring back the shine!

    Yeah, definately give a godo wash first, so you can see what you are working with.

    The rust spots will need sanded and touched up so they dont get worse. How fancy you want to get with that is up to you.

    As far as the swirls and scuffs and genera ldirt, all you need to do is the regular wash/clay/clean/polish/wax process. Cant try SwirlX, but may need Ultimate Compound at first.

    Will you be working by hand?
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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    • #3
      Re: Need to bring back the shine!

      Love the avatar! Steelers fan here too! Neways, I am trying to do anything I can with a rotary buffer, but I have no problem doing it by hand. I will get some real good pics this weekend showing what I am working with. I have a spot on one side about the size of a softball that has rust (as you will see) and I want to sand it, prime and touch it up. I would like it to look as good as possible since I am sinking a lot of work in it.

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      • #4
        Re: Need to bring back the shine!

        Can't really comment on removing swirl marks without seeing them. You could need ScratchX, you could need Ultimate Compound. No way to recommend without seeing the problem.

        I'm no expert but if you wet sand (and I doubt you need to) you will probably need a rotary to buff out the scratches it will add.

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        • #5
          Re: Need to bring back the shine!

          Nice car. You will not need to do any wetsanding for swirls.

          How experienced are you with your rotary? If you're not familiar with it,then do the work by hand.

          Follow the guidelines that Murr1525 has suggested,wash/dry and clay and you will get a good picture of what's needing done.

          You're rusted area sounds quite large. It's a bit more than a touch up. When you put up some pics,we'll get a better idea. Where precisely is it? Was there paint missing and there is surface rust or is it due to bad weather,salt on the roads etc,down near the bottom wheel arches? If it's the later,it could involve quite a bit of work.


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          • #6
            Re: Need to bring back the shine!

            If the weather holds out I will start the wash/dry/clay. Then I will wait for the next step according to you pros! What clay bar do you recomend?

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            • #7
              Re: Need to bring back the shine!

              Well, the Smooth Surface Clay is most basic.

              The Detailer Line Mild bue clay is a tad stronger and may be bettter for an older car, but wont go wrong either way.
              2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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              • #8
                Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                So right after I dry I should clay bar? Sorry for all the questions, but you guys know your stuff!
                Last edited by Michael Stoops; Sep 21, 2009, 09:40 AM. Reason: family friendly language

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                • #9
                  Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                  Thanks!

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                  • #10
                    Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                    Yeah, clay after washing.
                    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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                    • #11
                      Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                      Alright guys I washed, rinsed, washed, rinsed, dried, and clayed the whole car. The clay kit was a Meguiars complete kit. The car looks great, but there are more scratches than I thought. I hope I can fill them since they are not deep. Also there are swirls on the whole paint job. I guess the old owner did not give a ****! I think I can bring the paint job back, but it is going to take a whole lot of work. Pics are going to come as soon as the sun comes out. TJ

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                      • #12
                        Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                        Yeah.. the dirt hides swirls/scratches better than you'd think.
                        2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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                        • #13
                          Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                          Here are the pics of the car after the clay. The scratches are not as bad as I thought, but there are a lot of them.








                          The wheels are starting to rust. Need to sand and repaint them.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                            Those scratches certainly look like they can be improved.
                            2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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                            • #15
                              Re: Need to bring back the shine!

                              Good to know! Any suggestions on what to start off with? I can work by hand or with a buffer just let me know what will work the best. How about around the sun roof? Those are some weird marks there!

                              I know the rust spot is not as bad as I thought it was, but it looks horrible to me. What grit paper do I sand it with or do I use a wire wheel? Last, but not least, should I sand the wheels and spray the whole wheel myself or is powdercoating better for them? Thanks for your help and what a crappy game on sunday huh? TJ

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