Please Help - Not sure what to use or where to use it

[jswelburn]

Thanks for your patience as I am new to the detailing business. I would have posted these pictures in the gallery except its down today

I recently acquired a collectible 84 mustang SVO which had some minor problems. My original plans were to fix the mechanical problems and sell it. However, I think investing in a little detailing would greatly help my profits.

Overall, the car is in OKAY condition. However, some streaks and fading have occured that I'd like to get rid of.

Here is the first example. These are runs from excess Armor All that was used on the moldings. To add to this, I ended up using a Car cleaner that I thought was paint safe but ended up containing harmful acids.

http://www.geocities.com/jeremy_welburn/MVC-011F.JPG

You can see the fading and sags right under the quarter window. This follows all along the pass. side. Here are some more photos.

http://www.geocities.com/jeremy_welburn/MVC-015F.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/jeremy_welburn/MVC-002F.JPG

Other areas of wear have similar looks. This is what the front of the hood looks like (sorry, but the photo is upside down!)

http://www.geocities.com/jeremy_welburn/MVC-018F.JPG

I've been reading up in the forums for a while, but haven't come to any conclusions on what should be used on this problem. I saw Mike's article on the older Bronco he refinished with Color X, and wasn't sure whether that would work alone or if I need to use other products in complement to it.

I also have some spots on the roof and hood of the car. There's been some argument whether they are water spots or problems with the clear coat, but from reading Mike's FAQ, they look to me like Type II water spots. Would Scratch X work well in removing/diminishing these spots?

http://www.geocities.com/jeremy_welburn/MVC-005F.JPG

What do you guys recommend for this car? I don't have access to a machine buffer (nor the money to buy one), so everything would have to be done by hand. Time isn't a problem there. But I do have a limited supply of money and effort to put into this car (since i'll be selling it anyways). Overall, I'm just doing this for some experience in detailing that might apply to my own cars later down the road.


I appreciate all of your help and am very thankful for the Meguiars forums!

-Jeremy

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Jeremy,

I looked at all of the pictures and some of the paint problems look pretty serious. Since you are limited to working by hand, and you're going to sell this car, I think you should look at getting the best results you can out of using our ColorX with a piece of terry cloth towel like I used on the Bronco.

Below is how to use ColorX for this detail, if you think you want to try a multiple step process, then you could go with ScratchX, Deep Crystal Polish followed by a wax of your choice.

First, you're going to want to wash the car incredibly well first, then work small sections at a time, working panel by panel. You're going to really want to put some passion behind your applicator toweling as the ColorX is a strong cleaner/wax, but it's good results are going to come from ColorX and you.

Remember, after one application of ColorX, you can always come back and apply a second, well worked-in application of ColorX which should build on the results for the first application.

In normal situations, you would always clay after washing and then go to either your paint cleaner or your cleaner/wax, in this case I think I would clean first, and they clay as the paint has deteriorated badly and claying first is will more than likely remove a lot of dead paint that you could use ColorX for removing. After your first application of ColorX, then after wiping the car down really well go a head and clay the car and apply the ColorX again to the worst areas, or to the entire car.

Whatever you get out of the above procedures will probably be as good as she'll get without a dual action polisher or a rotary buffer.

Another option would be to use some ScratchX for the worst areas, and then switch over the the ColorX, however I think ColorX by hand with the human elements of care and passion will get you to a satisfactory level.

Best of luck...