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Restoring neglected paint

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  • #1

    Restoring neglected paint

    Hi all. This may seem off the wall, a non-driver asking detailing questions, but...here goes. To tell the community something about myself, I'm Carmine from NYC.I don't drive due to a visual impairment from birth. My girlfriend's mom bought a used 2007 Camry in white. I've been charged with the detailing and washing/waxing of the car. Due to my being a full time student at school, the washing has been rather neglected. In addition, my vision makes detailing a bit difficult, with the paint being white. To begin with, sections were oxidized. However, due to the rarity with which the car was washed, there is now spots and stains that will not come out at all. I'm wondering if due to the length of time the dirt's sat on the paint, it's become 'bonded' to the paint, such that the only way to restore it would be with clay. I can't put up pics, but I can give any amount of detail and answers that would be required to figure this out. I've tried using wash directly on the paint, no luck. I have yet to try wax, because I don't want to have to wax the whole car, as I'm not sure how that would work with dirt... If I need something other than clay and cleaner, I'd appreciate the heads up, as well as any other advice.

    Thanks!
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  • #2
    Re: Restoring neglected paint

    I would want to wash the car well with some Gold Class or Nxt Wash.

    Then Clay with the Smooth Surface Clay kit. You may want an extra Quick Detailer bottle. And be sure to break the clay bar in half, and even work over cardboard so you dont drop it on the ground and waste it.

    Then try cleaning a panel with SwirlX, and see what you get. Use a smooth foam applicator like the Hi-Tec Applicators (round yellow discs) and work it in with some passion before removing.

    If the panel looks good, you can wax it. If it still looks bad, from dirt or swirls, we would go from there.
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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    • #3
      Re: Restoring neglected paint

      Follow the above advice.

      Also be sure to pick up some Ultimate Compound in case the Swirlx is not cutting it (no pun intended). I would recommend either NXT 2.0 Tech Wax or Gold Class Plus Carnauba as your wax. I am a fan of the Gold Class wax and use it on all of my family's cars and the few side jobs I do.
      Tedrow's Detailing
      845-642-1698
      Treat Yourself to that New Car Feeling

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      • #4
        Re: Restoring neglected paint

        Yep, go ahead and get the smooth surface clay kit. It comes with 2 bars. You only need to use 1 bar at a time. Make sure to knead it when it gets dirty, and like Murr said, you may want another bottle of Quik Detailer. Clay until it feels smooth as glass.

        If the paint is very neglected, you may want to use Ultimate Compound, but try using Swirl X like Murr had said. Do a Test Spot with Swirl X first, then see if you need to go more aggressive.

        Let us know how it comes along!

        I once put swirls in my paint just to see what it looked like.
        I don't always detail cars, but when I do, I prefer Meguiar's.
        Remove swirls my friends.

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        • #5
          Re: Restoring neglected paint

          wouldn't I be better off using something like the Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner? My primary issue with this car is oxidation and paint contaminants, not so much swirling. I had looked at UC, but I'm very nervous about doing severe damage to the finish, I've read horror stories and seen pictures. I'm confident I could work with UC, but I want to try clay and a paint cleaner first. Suggestions, changes, other ideas?


          You guys are awesome, thanks for the help!

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          • #6
            Re: Restoring neglected paint

            DC Paint cleaner is very mild.

            It can be used, but wont be as strong at removing grime, etc as SwirlX.
            2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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            • #7
              Re: Restoring neglected paint

              Okay. So...I should start with a wash. Is there any distinct advantage to using, say, Gold Class over NXT, and if so, what would it be? Then I need to clay, then possibly clean with SwirlX. If that doesn't work, do I then immediately step up to UC? After all that, do I need to apply polish, or can I just wax?

              One other thing I need/want to clarify, is that I'm not a detailer in any right, the reason I'm doing this is because the paint looks pretty bad, and I want to bring it back. I don't want to become a slave to the car, any ideas on how to keep it up once I have the result I want, without having to constantly work on it?


              Thanks!

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              • #8
                Re: Restoring neglected paint

                Gold Class and Nxt are both good.

                1. Wash - Gold Class is a bit gentler I feel, while Nxt seems to clean a bit better. And gentler seems to equal nicer looking. Be sure to use two buckets, one for soap, one for rinse water. And good quality sponges, towels ,etc.

                2. Clay

                3. Clean - You can do a test panel with SwirlX on the worst areas, and see what happens. If it is just dirty looking, and not swirls/scratches you care about, SwirlX should do well based on your description.

                4. Polish - This would be optional after SwirlX. Deep Crystal Polish is easy to use, but thats up to you if you want to worry about it.

                5. Wax - 2 thin coats of wax is best.

                ------

                As far as in the future, there are two different things you can do.

                A. After future washes, you can use Ultimate Quick Wax for a quick touch-up, and keep things looking nice.

                B. When it is time for a bit more of a detail, this is a quick and easy detail:

                1. Wash
                2. Clay if needed
                3. ColorX
                4. Wax
                2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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                • #9
                  Re: Restoring neglected paint

                  I use an Absorber brand chamois-like dryer. I'm sure you've heard of it. Is that okay to dry the paint, as it says it's not harmful to painted surfaces, or should i use a true towel? I use The Absorber because it's very convenient, ring it out and you're good to go...


                  Thanks again

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                  • #10
                    Re: Restoring neglected paint

                    Have not used an Absorber myself, but I believe many people here do, so must be ok.
                    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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                    • #11
                      Re: Restoring neglected paint

                      I use the absorber all the time. Works very well.
                      quality creates its own demand

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                      • #12
                        Re: Restoring neglected paint

                        Lowes has megs QD for much cheaper than Advance Auto's NORMAL price.
                        1997 Chevy Camaro Z28 Black..

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                        • #13
                          Re: Restoring neglected paint

                          Off the wall, but I just realized something. Having just placed my supplies order with Amazon.com (for a 18. oz bottle of NXT wash, Smooth Surface Clay Kit, SwirlX, NXT Tech Wax 2.0 liquid, Microfiber applicators(2), and Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels(3)), I realized that, with how bad this paint looks, 100g of clay and a single bottle of QD may not do the trick. I'm working on an 07 Camry, pretty big car, with some pretty dirty paint...do auto shops stock the Clay Kit?


                          Thanks guys. Thoughts/feedback greatly appreciated, as this is my first time doing this

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                          • #14
                            Re: Restoring neglected paint

                            The clay should be enough. You may want an extra QD bottle though, which most stores, even Lowes, or grocery stores may have.

                            Just remeber to break the clay bar in half, and even consider working over carboard, or a sheet, etc. Dont want to drop the clay on the ground and have to throw it out.
                            2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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                            • #15
                              Re: Restoring neglected paint

                              As Mat says, the claybar kit will be fine. Just be sure to break the bar in two. You'll be surprised how easy it pops out of one's hand, especially when one is working on vertical panels. If it falls on the ground, DO NOT use it again on the paint.

                              Check out this video on claying the car:
                              Swirls hide in the black molecular depths, only waiting for the right time to emerge and destroy your sanity.
                              --Al Kimel

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