Help me make my car shiney again.

[95Vert]

My paint is dull. I waxed my car yesterday with the 3 step Meguiar's thing but it didn't do too much. I've read of guys whom wet sand and buff and all that good stuff. What do you guys use? What grit of sand paper? What buffer do you recommend? I saw a $35 buffer at Wal-Mart, are they any good? Any tips to get this done right will be appreciated.

 

[wytstang]

Sounds like the paint is oxidized, Some Klasse All-in-one will rid you of your oxidation
http://www.autogeek.net/klasalpolsea.html

 

[wytstang]

As far as the buffer those are not strong enough to remove any scratches/marring they are only good for a paper weight or speading up application/removal of products. A quality buffer and quality pads is not cheap on average the buffer will run you $120 (porter cable 7424) and pads run $10.xx each. If your will to spend that type of coin the link above as what you need.

 

[95Vert]

Doh, that's a lot of cash. I knew it wasn't cheap but damn. Thanks, maybe I'll just buy that wax and borrow a buffer. What about wet sanding? What's the procedure for that?

 

[wytstang]

I would rather pay a pro to do it one wrong move and right through the clear coat.

 

[95Vert]

So then with the Klass 1 I'll be fine? Just wipe on and off, I really don't need to buff it off?

 

[wytstang]

Wipe on wipe of it's that simple, you don't need it to dry/haze as it's a chemical cleaner with a small amount of Acrylic protection (not enough to last on it's own). Here's was Klasse AIO did for a sn95forum.com members boat that he couldn't fix using OTC products
http://www.sn95forums.com/forum/index.php?topic=2704.0
Good luck.....

 

[95Vert]

Thanks Wyt. Very helpful.

 

[urban96]

not a good idea to wetsand stock paint, its pretty thin. better off just buffing

 

[wytstang]

 

[68torinogt]

the three step stuff from meguires and mohters is great but a local body shop can buff it for you. but you risk burning thru the clear and then you have to respray those parts.

 

[Therian]

mmm wetsanding...I'll be doing this soon to my new paintjob...hopefully it turns out as good as stprollas did...I imagine you use 1500-2000 grit for finishing...I have no experience with the clear on factory paint...I just know it dulls pretty fast even with 600

 

[Car Nut]

I do the Meguiars thing and I usually end up doing the Step 1 twice. That always gets the car super clean and rid of contaminants. After doing the final 2 steps one time only, the car looks great. I toss a clean towel across the hood at that point and it slide right off the car with very little effort.

After the process, I usually let my car sit for a day or two in the garage and it seems to last a bit longer. I also clean the garage floor first and do all 3 steps in the garage and out of the sun. I go through several new pads and new delicate towels.

Sounds like you may need some buffing. Ask around and find a good pro in your area.