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Maximizing then maintaining OE black single stg paint/'86 Monte Carlo
Paint is in (IMO) good condition for a 28 yr old car, great shine, body has no major dents, dings, or scratches. There are minor scuffs, a few white smudges on the bumper edges (not sure how I got them) that don't feel like they are below the surface of the paint. After I applied Meguiars Cleaner Wax yesterday, I discovered quite a few, yet very tiny, white chips/craters that do feel below the surface on the trunk lid and a few on the roof. There is one pea sized "blister" on the hood that doesn't look like it's started to spread out yet. I'm still working on photographing these.
Yesterday, after I applied the Cleaner Wax, the surface was very smooth, the polishing cloth did glide over the surface well. Doing a finger test I could still feel (and they are visible) a lot of surface imperfections. I have the same imperfections on my Impala and I'd venture to say the majority of it is specks of tree sap. There are a few light scratches (neighbors cats got in my garage and used the car as a playground) and one scuff (visible below) probably from someone leaning over the fender to look into the engine bay.
I think this photo captures the condition of my car best (taken a few months back, clouds have obscured any good photos post-Cleaner Wax car):
Here is a close up of the scuff and the swirl marks. The scuff is actually not very visible until it's viewed at the right angle and light setting:
I received great info in my intro post, and am looking to build on that based on any other information I can provide. The most intensive work I've done so far was to apply the Cleaner Wax product, it worked great. After a few hours on the road I garaged the car and it had picked up a nice coating of real fine dust that was easily brushed off.
I have a 10", 1/2 hp Wen brand orbital waxer that I can utilize if needed. I'm not looking at going too intense or obsessive with the paint, but I welcome all advice since I'm dealing with 28 year old factory paint. I'm reading the previous thread "Detailing a black car" but I am a newbie so some things will have to be repeated to me for me to understand. My main concern is the single stage paint, I don't want to rough it up too much, so I'd like to do as much research as possible before digging into any major detailing steps.
Thanks in advance.
Yesterday, after I applied the Cleaner Wax, the surface was very smooth, the polishing cloth did glide over the surface well. Doing a finger test I could still feel (and they are visible) a lot of surface imperfections. I have the same imperfections on my Impala and I'd venture to say the majority of it is specks of tree sap. There are a few light scratches (neighbors cats got in my garage and used the car as a playground) and one scuff (visible below) probably from someone leaning over the fender to look into the engine bay.
I think this photo captures the condition of my car best (taken a few months back, clouds have obscured any good photos post-Cleaner Wax car):
Here is a close up of the scuff and the swirl marks. The scuff is actually not very visible until it's viewed at the right angle and light setting:
I received great info in my intro post, and am looking to build on that based on any other information I can provide. The most intensive work I've done so far was to apply the Cleaner Wax product, it worked great. After a few hours on the road I garaged the car and it had picked up a nice coating of real fine dust that was easily brushed off.
I have a 10", 1/2 hp Wen brand orbital waxer that I can utilize if needed. I'm not looking at going too intense or obsessive with the paint, but I welcome all advice since I'm dealing with 28 year old factory paint. I'm reading the previous thread "Detailing a black car" but I am a newbie so some things will have to be repeated to me for me to understand. My main concern is the single stage paint, I don't want to rough it up too much, so I'd like to do as much research as possible before digging into any major detailing steps.
Thanks in advance.
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