Car Makeover: Recommended Shopping List (BEFORE PICS)

[texasbob]

So I'm looking to revive my commuter car, a black 2001 VW Jetta. This car has been my grocery-getter & 40-mile-TO and 40-mile-FROM daily commuter. Since I've recently overhauled & tuned her up, I thought it was time for a wash. Looking at my Jetta's condition, it's going to need much more than that.

I've been lurking & reading as much as I could to learn about detailing my car. My problem is that I have some MAJOR oxidation. This Jetta sits outside 24/7.

Here's what the hood looks like:


The oxidation is mainly on the hood, roof and trunk.






Based on the pictures you see above, what products can you recommend. Note that I have a new Advanced Tool Design (Model ATD-10511) 7" Polisher.



I also have a Titan 22610 Random Orbital Polisher/Buffer



I would buy the Meguiar's Dual Action Polisher (g110v2) if I am convinced the tools I have at hand are not going to cut it.

I think I'm gonna need the M105 with the W7000 to start. I just don't know where to go from there. Any help is appreciated.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Car Makeover: Recommended Shopping List (BEFORE PICS)

Kind of hard to say from those pictures but you may be seeing the start of clear coat failure here. Take a look through this thread and see if any the images match what you're seeing on your car. If it is clear coat failure then nothing short of a repaint will fix it.

If it is not clear coat failure, then it looks like you've got your work cut out for you. The 7" buffer you have is the better tool for the task at hand, but you really need to know how to use it as it can quickly cause damage in the hands of a novice. We would suggest starting with a W8207 Soft Buff 2.0 polishing pad and some Ultimate Compound in a test spot and see where that gets you.

The orbital is probably not going to be up to this task as you've got some serious issues here. It may make it look a bit better, but we have serious doubts it will take the paint to the level that can be reached with a G110v2 or a rotary.

If you're not confident in your ability with the 7" rotary, then a G110v2 may be in your future. If you are skilled with the rotary, then go for it!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Car Makeover: Recommended Shopping List (BEFORE PICS)

That was my first impression. Clear coat failure.

[sontakke]

Re: Car Makeover: Recommended Shopping List (BEFORE PICS)

Why don't you try a 1ft x 1ft section by hand using your favorite product such as M105 or UC? If that gives you acceptable results, then you start looking to automate that process. If I were in your shoes, and if manual results were good enough, I would use the tools that I already have and see if they work. I have personally used the equivalent ghetto buffer from HF (there are few others who have done the same) with the same bonnet which comes with the buffer and it made a tremendous difference in finish of the paint. All my cars are at least decade old, so I have lot more leeway.

If you do not have M105, that is the one you need to order first.

- Vikas