Rep Power: 334

Just like the title says. These pictures were taken on December 2004. My car just doesn't shine like that anymore. The last one is a more recent pic, from about ~1.5-2 months ago, for comparisson. Give me a list of things to do to get it to shine like this again. (DIY, no shops). Thanks.











Recent one:

 
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What do you do to clean it?

 
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get a buffer..... i did my cuzins car..... OMG looked nice.... he washes his car like once a year and shiiii

 
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wash with maeguirs soap or your choice, clay bar , wash again, wax.. thats a start

 
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wash, meguiar's #7 show car glaze, turtle wax ultra gloss wax.

 
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if worst comes worst use a buffer, not hard at all.
the detail shop will charge like $100 to glaze the whole car.
I used to keep mine looking nice and shiny when I was doing detailing on the side. No more though..

 
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Quote:

Originally Posted by blackBDMcivicLX

What do you do to clean it?

I've been using Mr. Clean's AutoDry system (original) for awhile and I liked it a bit, but I don't see it working anymore (like on the first pics), plus it's getting really uncomfortable to use it cuz it's real bulky and heavy. Last time I washed it, I used the Armor All Wash gel things, the blue bottle... didn't convince me either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djrabbi

get a buffer..... i did my cuzins car..... OMG looked nice.... he washes his car like once a year and shiiii

Can't wash my car once a year like his, though. Here it rains about 50% of days. You have to wash cars like every week or two weeks to keep it clean.
Will take these into consideration for the next time I'm washing the car. Thanks.
What's a buffer? lol
I seriously don't know.

 
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man did i hate that mr clean autowash thing, never got any dirt off, was only able to get pollen and light crap off, threw it in the garbage after like the second use. Now i know what will work, put soap on your girlfriends bewbies and tell her to start jumping

 
Rep Power: 321

For one quit using that Mr Clean BS, that crap sucks. You need to set up a plan. What you are trying to accomplish and how much money you have. You need to keep up on the car too, in order to keep it looking good, red seems to get cloudy.

You'll need good supplies, thats where it all starts. You buy shitty stuff, and thats what it will turn your cars paint to.

You need to really pick up a buffer in order to get the best results. PC7424 is what alot of people recommend. Get a pad kit while your at it, it will make life alot easier.

I would completely do the car no matter if you've waxed or not. Just to make sure you do it all and know its on there.

You need to Wash your car, then Clay, then wash it again getting off the residue.

You can use an AIO (All-in-One) to polish off the old stuff, or you can use Meguiars Paint Cleaner and Polish (Step 1 and 2) of there 3 step process.

Next your gonna want to get out all the swirls, this is where i recommend Pooyboys SSR products to remove and also this is where the buffer helps a ton. Start out with Poorboys SSR2.5 and the orange pad to get out the major swirls and work it in at about 5-6 or so. Then go down to the SSR1 and the green pad to get out all the fine swirls and the rest.

Next you want to use a sealant glaze with the blue pad, i use Klasse SG which works really well, you can add as many coats as you want. But i would recommend 2 in order to make sure you haven't missed any spots, leave it sit for 12 hours then wipe and do another coat. You can do as many as you like, i do 3-4, but the results become less and less after 2.

Now this is where you want to get a good wax, wax will seal all this stuff in and protect your paint. Use 2 coats of wax to make sure just like the SG you cover well. Don't cake it on too much, nice even thin coats will do.

You can hit this afterwards with Speed Detailer in between washes.

Don't forget to do your tires, and i would recommend the 2 bucket method for washing.


Shew, Rep for this!



Oh yea, heres a list of what i use. You can buy it or look around for something similiar. But don't cheap out on products man, thats what hurts ya the most, besides not doing it right and not having a buffer.

Klasse AIO
Klasse Sealant Glaze
Meguiars NXT Car Wash
Meguiars Clay Bar
Pinnacle Souveran Carnauba Wax ($70) But Meguiars NXT paste wax will work or S100
Porter Cable 7336
Autopia Pad Kit
Meguiars Show Car Glaze #5
Poorboys SSR2.5
Poorboys SSR1

 
Rep Power: 334

Whew! Damn Drew! Your help is quiiiiiite appreciated!!! I love how your car always looks all clean and shiny! I'm gonna start working on getting those things you mentioned (the rotating thing with the pads lol) and, well... the other stuff, too!

Btw, questions...

Where can I get a that buffer thing, the PC7424?

What do you use for your tires? Explain the 2 bucket method, please. I've always used only one bucket (and understand why it's not good!!!... but don't know how to use two buckets. My mind isn't helping me that much today! )
Why do I have to let it sit 12 hours? Wipe? So that will leave like a coat of residue? Do I have to wipe off the other coats or do I leave it there with there with the wax?

What's a "Porter Cable 7336"?

That's what I've started noticing with the wash. It just doesn't cut it. Weeeee! Now that gave my brain a ride! "Oh, honey! When are we going to wash our cars together?"

 
Rep Power: 321

I use Meguiars NXT Insane Tire Shine for my tires.

2 Bucket method is 1 bucket with water in it and the other with the soap, you dip the wash mitt into the bucket with soap and wash off the car, then when you need to reuse it you dip it and shake it off in the rinse bucket to get rid of the dirt and grit and stuff, I would get a grid guard too, then go back into the wash bucket.

Porter Cable 7336 is almost the same as the 7424 but has different weighting in it.

With the SG you put it on and leave it for around 10 hours or so, then wipe it off, then apply the next coat, thats if you have time. Then wipe that off and put the coat of wax on after you wipe of the SG. Then wait about 24 hours or so and put on another coat of wax.

 
Rep Power: 334

Whaa, more wax?
Ok, I'll try doing that when I got all those items. Will buffering the car restore it's original shine?

 
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I use Meguiars NXT Insane Tire Shine for my tires.

I do too lol good stuff

oh yea and the glaze should be left on for 30-60 mins for the oils to nourish the paint haha

 
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I like the Sealant Glaze to be kept on for about 10 hours so it cures before i apply another coat.

 
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while you have some great suggestions on car care products, i'm going to have to disagree with you on the time you leave ANY wax or sealant on a car for 10 hours before buffing. even in the extreme weather conditions, you shouldn't have to leave it on for more than 2 hours. in fact... i remember seeing a thread on a detaling forum (i tried to find it and will post if i can) where they left SG overnight, and then next morning when the tried to remove it.. it was practically like peanut brittle on the finish as it cracked when trying to remove it...

p.s. while this experience has worked for you (keep doing it if it works), i don't think it should be recommended for everyone.

 
Rep Power: 334

Hmmm... good point. You have to remember I live in a place where the temperature is around 80ºF practically all year, too. So leaving it for like... two hours is good?

 
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idk professional detailers have told me 30 minutes is plenty. i just do the whole car front to back, then when i'm done start taking it off from the front again. usually about 30 mins to sit there. wax you dont even let sit at all.

 
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Oh, Ok, I see. So, dumb question: What does wax do?

 
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Wax seals all your hard work up and protects it from, Rain, Sun, Dirt, etc. Also adds a bit of a shine or gloss.

 
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I have an awesome product I'd like to suggest for you. I use Autoglym brand. I just found out the this is the stuff they use in the honda dealership here.

I use Super Resin Polish to polish my car and also to remove light scratches. Then after that I use Extra Gloss Protection to seal that shine from polishing.
Believe me man this stuff really works great and I recommend it to anyone.

During winter I clean my car with soft brush because its cold so for sure it will have light scratches on the paint. But everytime I detail my car again with Autoglym stuff all those light scratches will be gone and it looks like I just got it from the dealership again.

Here's a sample of what I did yesterday

 
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Woo, that looks so good.

 
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Well, DDragon7 said enough. Thanks for that, Pitch_Black.

Question that I had in mind for quite a while. When waxing, polishing, buffing or whatevering my car, I do the lights the same way I do the body, right? Do I treat the clear plastic in the same way I treat the ABS plastic and metal?

 
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I actually try not to polish or wax my lights but once in a while I accidentally over wipe polish and wax on lights. If you do quickly wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth. It doesn't say on the instruction that you're suppose to use polish and wax for clear plastic. There's a specific polish or cleaner for your vinyl, plastic & rubber trims.

 
Rep Power: 334

I see. Thanks.