Soonerkid:
I like it as well. I'm one for the Do what YOU want things. The tail lights dont look bad, specially with painted bezzels, nice touch. My 99 is a work in progress also, as are most of our cars on here, and will probably never be done 100%, but I like what you have done so far.
By the way, your car is REALLY clean from the look of the pics. Any tips on getting it that clean, other then taking forever, cuz I already take 2 hours to just wash and dry my ride.
By the way, your car is REALLY clean from the look of the pics. Any tips on getting it that clean, other then taking forever, cuz I already take 2 hours to just wash and dry my ride.
take a good half the day to really wax and polish it good.....then when you wash it there on out...it will look glossy and easier to clean for a 2-3 months. and get a good tire cleaner like the tire wax...not the foam or liquid spray. the wax bonds better and lasts longer.
By the way, your car is REALLY clean from the look of the pics. Any tips on getting it that clean, other then taking forever, cuz I already take 2 hours to just wash and dry my ride.
KITT has some good points. the way my car looks is the result of religious cleanings and waxings since I bought the car new in 1998. I never got lazy and never slcaked off. it's ALWAYS waxed. here are some tips:
1. again, always keep a good quality wax coat on it. not crappy turtle wax either ...use Meguaier's or another good quality wax. And put it on with a buffer.
2. Never use abrasive cloth when you wash. 100% cotton is the way to go.
3. Don't use sprays that are considered "in between" detailers. If your car is to dusty ...wash it. If you use those sprays, your grinding dirt into your paint and causing "swirly" marks.
4. Don't use high pressure car washes. Nothing about those things are good for your car. Their "wax" is worthless and I have seen the high pressure water take off paint. Plus, if you have ever noticed, if you don't wipe with a cloth, it doesn't even really clean your car. The brushes in most high pressure car washes WILL cause swirly marks. Stay away! If you use the car washes, your basically just throwing money away to hurt your car.
5. Try to wash, dry and wax in the shade ...even if it's shade from a tree or if you have to go over to a friends house. Hard water spots will waste a good paint job quick. If you absolutely HAVE to wash it in the sun, do whatever you have to do to bust up the water drops as quickly as possible. Even if you're not completely getting the car dry ...keep the water moving until it IS dry. Remember, the water DOES NOT have to be completely dried by the sun to leave a water spot. The drop WILL leave a water spot while it's still wet.
6. You only have to use paste/cream wax about once every two or three months. Use "Wax-as-you-dry" between waxings. It will save you a lot of time, energy and will keep UV off your ride. Don't just stay in one spot until it's dry. Keep moving around your car quckly, several times, to keep the water moving. It will become dry by the time you get around it a couple of times and it really only takes about 30 minutes (maybe).
7. After you think your done ...drive the car around the block and see how much water comes out of the cracks and creavasses. Wipe that crap off cause they cause hard water "runs" and not just spots.
8. KITT is right about the thick foamy crap folks put on thier tires. Your tires don't look better when they are "wet" looking. They look better when they are clean, black and shiny. Most folks make thier tires look "wet" to take the attention off of thier crappy paint jobs. Most tire foams and thick sprays cake on dirt when you drive and, when it's fresh, will splatter everywhere. Again, go to the tire wax or use Meguaier's tire spray. Don't spray directly on the tire cause it gets all over. Spray on the rag and wipe evenly across the tire. You can use a spray to coat your wheel wells if you like to make them more black but if you do that take care not to get it on your tire tread and dont forget to take a brush and clean under there once in a while.
9. NEVER TAKE YOUR CAR THROUGH AUTOMATED, DRIVE THROUGH CAR WASHES!!! NUFF SAID!
I know it sounds like a lot but I only spend about 1 hour twice a week keeping my ride clean. The cream wax days (once every other month) I'll take a half a day cleaning everything including under the hood and under the deck lid.
I can not stress enough how important it is to keep your car waxed. UV rays from the sun will eat clean through your clear coat and destroy your paint
Slick looking car, Im not the biggets fan of the euro lights and such, but I think when they are done right or on the right car, they can compliment it nicely, and I'd say they look pretty good on yours. Looks good all around.
I have a question I thought you might be able to help me with.
I bought my car brand new in '03 and i have tried (emphasis on tried) to keep it looking its best. However I am having a hard time eliminating the swirl marks that have evolved from a few mistakes I have made in washing/drying. What can I can I do to get rid of them? Ill wax my car with the mothers carnuba wax and either I will hide some of the swirls or they will reappear in a matter of a week or two. I want them gone for good! I have a buffer, but Im afraid to use it because I dont want to burn through my clearcoat and I dont really know what pads to use for what steps of the process. You seem to know your stuff, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Slick looking car, Im not the biggets fan of the euro lights and such, but I think when they are done right or on the right car, they can compliment it nicely, and I'd say they look pretty good on yours. Looks good all around.
I have a question I thought you might be able to help me with.
I bought my car brand new in '03 and i have tried (emphasis on tried) to keep it looking its best. However I am having a hard time eliminating the swirl marks that have evolved from a few mistakes I have made in washing/drying. What can I can I do to get rid of them? Ill wax my car with the mothers carnuba wax and either I will hide some of the swirls or they will reappear in a matter of a week or two. I want them gone for good! I have a buffer, but Im afraid to use it because I dont want to burn through my clearcoat and I dont really know what pads to use for what steps of the process. You seem to know your stuff, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
First off, thanks for the kind words. I understand how folks feel about the clear tails but it came out the way I wanted it to and I'm happy with it.
Next, the only way your going to get out heavy swirl marks (short of taking it to a body shop) is to use a high quality liquid rubbing compound. 3-M makes a good one. One of my kids drew 2 smiley faces in my driver side door with a rock when she was 3 years old and rubbing compound is how I got those marks out. Turned out smooth as glass and you can't tell they were ever even there.
Now, if it's a HUGE area, You might want to think about having a body shop refinish that panel for you. But if it's a few inches up to even a couple of feet in size you might be able to finish it yourself to the point where it's at least acceptable to you.
As far as your buffer ...for applying your wax, use a clear coat safe sponge bonnet or 100% cotton terry cloth ...for excess wax removal, stick with the cotton terry cloth ...for polishing, use a sheep skin or a clear coat safe terry cloth bonnet made from 100% cotton. Make sure you change out the bonnet a couple of times during each process. The wax will build up on your bonnet after a while and start becoming rough ...especially while taking off the excess wax. Wash those bonnets when your done so they are not dirty next time you do wax.