Restoring neglected paint

[FRS]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

Why everyone repeats this all the time:

If it falls on the ground, DO NOT use it again on the paint.

[akimel]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

Maybe we should have a contest: How many times have you dropped the claybar on the ground?

During the past two years, I would estimate that I have dropped the claybar I was using maybe four times. Always on vertical panels. It's a slippery little bugger.

[cdavid1013]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

Couple other questions. Can I wash the entire car, dry it, then proceed to clay, clean and wax one section at a time, or should I, section wise, clay the whole car, then, again section wise, clean the whole car, then wax it? or can I clay, clean, and wax say, the hood, for example, then move on?

Other thing: I realized after I placed the order that I have MF pads, as opposed to Foam. Will that be an issue?

I'm not exactly working in a garage, so I'm bound to run into some debris finding its way into the paint...suggestions, comments?


Thanks to all

[Murr1525]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

1. I would wash and clay the whole thing. Now, I suppose how much you can clean/polish/wax at once depends on how much is in the air. A little dust wont hurt anything, and can always QD if needed. If it was real bad, yeah, you may want to SwirlX then wax all at once, but it would be a lot of jumping back and forth.

2. The MF pads will work. They arent my favorite, but nothing wrong with them.

[cdavid1013]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

I'm doing research and reading. Will SwirlX really work on oxidation, as opposed to UC or some other type of compound...? I realize I should have gotten you guys pics, but, as I am very meticulous and pay excruciating attention to detail, I can tell you this. There are sections of the car that have dulled such that they will no longer reflect a clear image of the sun. Will I have trouble with SwirlX?

I've heard stories about UC, and I don't want to mess anything up if I have to wind up using it...

[Murr1525]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

You can always pick up a bottle of UC to have on hand, but you would want to do a test spot with the SwirlX first. The bad areas would be a good test spot area.

And you could of course UC the bad areas if needed, and then SwirlX everything.

A lot of the UC problems are from people using their fingertips to apply instead of the palm/face of the fingers. Or using terry cloth (very agressive) with UC ( very aggressive) and so leaving marks behind.

[akimel]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

I'm doing research and reading. Will SwirlX really work on oxidation, as opposed to UC or some other type of compound...? I realize I should have gotten you guys pics, but, as I am very meticulous and pay excruciating attention to detail, I can tell you this. There are sections of the car that have dulled such that they will no longer reflect a clear image of the sun. Will I have trouble with SwirlX?

I've heard stories about UC, and I don't want to mess anything up if I have to wind up using it...

David, nobody can give you an absolute answer to your question, because every paint system is different; but SwirlX should be able to remove all oxidation on your car. There's only one way to find out for sure, but just remember: First do a TEST SPOT. If it's not effective after a couple of tries, then you can always move up to Ultimate Compound.

Don't be afraid of Ultimate Compound. I have found it to be user-friendly. But use a foam applicator and always do a test spot first. The test spot allows you to refine your technique before tackling the entire vehicle. You may discover that you will need to follow-up UC with SwirlX, just in case it leaves any micro-marring. Ultimate Compound is, after all, a compound. But many folks find that on their particular vehicles it leaves the finish LSP-ready. There's no way to know in advance.

[cdavid1013]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

Guys, I can't thank you enough for all your help. My supplies are coming in tomorrow, and I'll probably do the job sometime next week.

I screwed up the first wax job I ever did because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing. This time is going to be far different


Thank you to everyone who helped me out. If I notice any problems during the process, I'll be sure to post and get some second opinions.

[cdavid1013]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

Hey guys, I have my supplies, and I'm probably going to do the work tomorrow, though I'm not sure. I need to know a few critically important last minute things before I start.

1. Can I wash the entire car, clay sections of it, then clean and wax those sections, and pause and resume at a later time?

2. Can I clay a section and leave it as is to clean and seal later, or is sealing critical?

3. Due to how dirty the paint is, I may run out of clay, QD, or most likely both. Once I start, do I have to complete the entire vehicle?


thanks

[mpwr]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

1. YES
2. YES
3. NO

There's nothing to stop you doing the car piecemeal, but it's going to take longer, and you may use more product, especially if you're inclined to wait a few days between sessions, and wash the (entire) car each time you start.

[Murr1525]

Re: Restoring neglected paint

Extra QD is always good.

After a good wash, I dont know that a few year old car would burn through that much clay. However, if it is really really bad, and you are using up the pieces of clay quickly, you can Wash, UC quickly, Clay, and then proceed with proper cleaning/polishing/waxing.

1. I would wash and clay everything at once, and then proceed from there as time allowed.

As mentioned, UC/SwirlXing everything, and then waxing everything is going to be most efficient. However, if it is that bad, and there are lots of defects to fix, focusing on a panel a day is a good approach. Removing swirls by hand is exhausting, so dont try to do too much and have your work suffer.