need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

[96TTtrqmnstr]

Restoring may not be the best choice of words...but I think it may be close. The car I'm working on is a 96' that has only been driven about 100 miles in the last 7 years or so. Over that time period the car has been stored under a high quality car cover in an open driveway. It was washed a waxed probably once a year (very quick job). I moved about 1 year ago here to Delaware where the car has NOT been covered and sitting in a car-port. Now, after sitting the car is THICK with pollen (tons it seems), dirt, dust, etc. This is by far the dirtiest the car has ever been and it has been neglected over the years.
The paint has the normal minor swirl marks etc.. but shines pretty well when cleaned. The car is coming out of 7yr hibernation in 2 weeks and I'd like to have somebody point me in the right direction and lay out a good product selection for each step that I should use to bring it back alive. I will be doing all the work by hand.....no buffer etc.. - I have a DA, but don't trust myself.
Thanks! Mark

P.S. I would take some pics to help, but its 11pm right now. Let me know if pics would help and I can try to get some posted.

[CieraSL]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

What kind of car is it? Any oxidation or clearcoat failure? What kind of products and tools do you have to work with? Any pics, per chance?

[Murr1525]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

Pics are always great, but here's the plan:

1. Wash - Gold Class Wash, 2 buckets, good quality towels/sponges.

2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit, maybe buy an extra bottle of QD.

3. Clean - SwirlX will be the first product to try, and the one you will want for future details. Pick a test spot, and work some in. It might be enough, might not be. If it doesnt seem strong enough, pick up the Ultimate Compound (or buy both at the same time), and repeat the the spot.

4. Polish - Optional, but for best looks, a coat of apure polish would be next. And esp for single stage paints. Deep Crystal Polish is a good, easy to use choice.

5. Wax - Nxt 2.0 is hard to beat

6. Wax - 2 thin coats are best.

7. Maintain - Ultimate Quick Wax is great after future washes.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Lessons from White Paint

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

[Tuck91]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with workig by hand, but the D.A such as the G110 will produce faster and most likely better results than by hand.

If you want to do this by hand then pick up some SMAT products such as ScratchX 2.0 or SwirlX to remove those minor swirl marks. You may not need Ultimate Compound. Also be sure to stock up on foam applicator pads. Make sure to do a test spot as well with whatever products you use.

So heres a process you could do:

Wash: Gold Class or NXT are good choices.

Clay( if needed); Smooth Surface Clay kit

Clean/Polish: SwirlX, use the least aggressive product to remove the swirls, so start with SwirlX.

Wax: I like NXT 2.0 or Gold Class.

Maintain: You could also pick up a bottle of Ultimate Quik Wax to use after you wash the car each time after that.

Or if your looking to remove daily dust, then Ultimate Quik Detailer or Last Touch are good for that.

have fun and good luck!

[Tuck91]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

you beat me to it Murr.

[96TTtrqmnstr]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

Ciera- no, there is no clear coat failure or oxidation. I can try to get a picture tmrw, but I'm afraid it will only show dust, pollen, dirt until I wash it I'd have to take a look through my pile of stuff I've acquired, but I can/will buy whatever you guys recommend with experience.

Murr - What is QD? Also, I've never used clay bar before ...any tips?

Tuck - How do I know if clay is needed?

Also, what is ColorX recommended for? That is one thing I know for sure that I already have and I haven't seen it talked about very much.

thanks for all the help guys!

[Bounty]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

[CieraSL]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

Ciera- no, there is no clear coat failure or oxidation. I can try to get a picture tmrw, but I'm afraid it will only show dust, pollen, dirt until I wash it I'd have to take a look through my pile of stuff I've acquired, but I can/will buy whatever you guys recommend with experience.

Murr - What is QD? Also, I've never used clay bar before ...any tips?

Tuck - How do I know if clay is needed?

Also, what is ColorX recommended for? That is one thing I know for sure that I already have and I haven't seen it talked about very much.

thanks for all the help guys!

On claying, watch this video: How to Clay Bar and read this thread: Is claying as simple as it looks?

Trust me, if the car sits outside at all, it will need to be clayed. Don't skip over claying - you'll be amazed at the difference, guaranteed! Regarding ColorX, it is pretty much a cleaner wax, just a little stronger than the Cleaner Wax in the maroon bottle. Cleaner waxes remove light swirls and scratches and lay down a light protection of wax. Hope this helps!

[Jokeman]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

If you have a DA put it to use. It is very hard to do damage with it unless you use a small aggressive pad. If you do some reading on the forum you will find a DA is very easy to use and can produce some VERY impressive results! Buy yourself some pads and polish and go to town on your daily driver. Once you feel comfortable enough with it go to town on your 96.

[rgcurtis]

Re: need help creating a plan for "restoring" this car

96, Tuck & Mur are spot on with their process. I will tell you that claying is by far one of the best things you can do to your car. What type of DA do you have? If it is the G110 don't be afraid to use it. Just look through MOL and you will find a gajillion thread on how to use one. The best advice I could give is do a test spot with whatever products (ColorX, ScratchX, M105, etc.) and don't bounce around the car doing test spots with different products. Use the same test spot for everything. Finally, the only other product not mentioned was UC or Ultimate Compound. THis is good and can help you out. Oh, remember start with the least aggressive and move to the most aggressive. Good luck. Yes, post pics.