Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

[xckid62]

Hi folks,

I'm David. I'm 17 and have inherited a 1998 Saturn SL2 as my first car. I've had it for a while and it's been a great experience so far. I love owning a car and taking care of it. I've learned alot from tinkering around with it and fixing it up. The appearance of it though, is horrendous. It's astoundingly repulsive, for an auto-appearance enthusiast that is. Owning the saturn made me realize how much I like to make cars look real nice.

Like alot of new people to this, I want to restore the finish with all the right tools, products, and methods, but don't know what's right for the job. The pics of the car are below. Look at my gallery for more pictures of it. For you experienced Meguiars users, how would you tackle this piece of work?

[quikzilver]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

XCKID62,

Welcome to the forum. I suggest you spend some time reading the wagonload of information available on the forum. It also depends on how much you want to spend on detailing your car (eg. do you plan to detail your car using a rotary/DA polisher) and what you expect of the result (eg. do you have plans to display your car on car shows)

From the pictures I can tell you up front, you are definetely gone need some (ahem) Scratch X to get rid of all those swirls.

[gb387]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

This is a must read to get you started on the right foot:
Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Assuming you are working by hand.... Now it might take a little work but you can get you car looking great by hand. Here are a couple links that might help you out:
How To Remove Swirls By Hand
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX
What it Means to Remove a Scratch

This one is good to read if you are interested in getting a PC and the results that come from a PC:
Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line
Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Some additional reading:
What are the Differences Between Meguiar's Waxes
Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car
Why Meguiar's Recommends Polishing Paint

Let us know if that helps!

[gb387]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

xckid62.... one more thing, do you have any Meguiars products in your collection now?

[gorin002]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

welcome to mol

[stealth]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

Welcome to MOL! IMHO the pix show some little white specs on the hood which usually indicates clear coat failure. Just from the pix I would try Meguiars Colorx first then reevaluate those specs to verify or deny clear coat failure. Good luck w/your ride & happy new year!

[Murr1525]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

I like Stealth's idea.

To work by hand, which I assume you will be, will take quite a lot of effort and time by hand with ScratchX. You can get fantastaic results, but you will probably want to focus on a panel or two a day, over a couple weekends. Trying to do too much will get you distracted, and you wont get the best results.

Doing a quick wash, clay, and ColorX on the whole car to shine it up would be a great start, then go panel by panel with the ScratchX, polish, wax as time permits.

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

You can also clay the glass, and then use some Nxt Glass Cleaner on it.

You might want to read this thread to get a little info on washing, and other car care stuff.

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

[xckid62]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

Thanks everybody, the suggestions are appreciated. I've found so much useful info after browsing these threads for the past couple days. I have a rotary buffer so I'll see what I can do with that. The links provided by gb387 are great. The car has more potential than I thought it would. Right now I have the Deep Crystal Car wash, Hot Rims all wheel cleaner, ScratchX, and PlastX. I'll definately get some more products and start the 5-step regimen, and get crackin' on the saturn. I'll fill you guys in with updates and pics as I get around to this. Hopefully the el nino will cook up some nice 70 degree saturdays this winter

[jezroj]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

Remember to learn from your/our mistakes and most important enjoy what you are doing. Looking forward to seeing some of your progress.

Enjoy your New Years!

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

David,

I just instructed a friend how to restore a black 2000 chevy truck with similar paint, he neglected it and washed it about once a year (with dish soap a lot of times!). After doing this, it made a night and day difference, you'd be suprised.

First- Use scratch x precisely as this thread describes...

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7011

You'll need to use a LOT of muscle and go over each area about 3X.

Then polish with Deep crystal #3, and finish with a coat of NXT.

Good luck!

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

In regards to my last reply a min ago, I meant polish with Deep Crystal #2, not #3, sorry!

[ronniejay]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

I have a rotary buffer so I'll see what I can do with that.

IF your paint CAN be saved with the right tools and techniques, incorrect use of a rotary, instead of an orbital PC or G100, can easily cause damage that can only be fixed by repainting.

Your first experience with the rotary should be on practice doors, hoods, etc. from a body shop (free?).

[Murr1525]

Re: Hi, I'm a new kid, and my car needs help!(pics)

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer