Need Opinions: Used Car Value w/Full Detail

**VR8** · 02-19-2017, 08:26 AM

A simple wax or All-in-one cleaner wax would be the way to go. The majority of buyers wouldn't notice or care about all of your time spent claying and correcting the swirls. Looks great so far!

**PurpleTowel** · 02-19-2017, 08:37 AM

Thanks guys, I think you're right. I wanted to be able to justify the work I would be doing to get the car to at least acceptable paint finish. I do have a 6" Griot's orbital choked down to 5" Meguiar's DA pads. I'll finish claying the hood this morning, then run a test of 105/205 on it to see how it looks and feels. I'll leave the glass, headlights and roof for the next owner to work out. I'm going to see how much I can get done while it's nice this weekend, then list it above what I'd like to get for it next week and see where she goes.

I'll keep you posted on the results.

doug

**GSKR** · 02-19-2017, 08:38 AM

At least remove overspray,the nano mitt or nano disc will be effectively quick then spritz it down with some spray wax or even better sonax brilliant shine.

**PurpleTowel** · 02-19-2017, 09:04 AM

I have never used a Nano pad before, so I went and read the listing here in the store. It mentioned removing paint overspray and rail dust. UGH! That's it. The guy that I bought the car from who has owned it for the last 6 years now owns a BMW service shop, no less than 100 feet from a 2-trail freight line. It could honestly be either paint overspray or rail dust, but I'm going to land on rail dust. The really bad scratches in the paint would fall in line with someone using a towel to wipe the ferrous dust off of the car on a regular basis.

Yuck.

**vobro** · 02-19-2017, 10:23 AM

If it's rail dust hit it with Iron-X, it'll help the claying process.

**PurpleTowel** · 02-19-2017, 07:07 PM

After today, I'm sure it's rail dust. I used a razor blade to scrape the windows clean, and it's definitely ferrous. After a few hours working the hood, it's beyond help. I polished it up as good as I can, but it looks like there are deep sanding marks in the clear coat. I didn't push it any further than I was comfortable, but it's way better than it was. At this point, the car looks 1000% better than when I bought it, so I'm content to leave it where it's at for now.

I did order a Nano disc and the lube from Amazon, so if the weather stays friendly I will wash and decontaminate it and then give it a quick once-over with a good cleaner/wax and be done with it. I'd rather spend more time on the next car that I will keep for a much longer period of time.

**shadwell** · 02-19-2017, 07:21 PM

Hit it with iron X.. Before you use the nano disc.. for a spray on rub in step its gonna take a lot of work off the disc.. also dissolves the ferrous sunk into the clear. where as the claying only shaves the top off by in large..
Its a no brainer step..

**PurpleTowel** · 02-19-2017, 11:54 PM

I picked up 500ml of Iron-X, too. I just can't sell the car in the state that it's in right now. I can at least learn something in this process.

**UTdetailing** · 02-20-2017, 12:37 AM

I may be chiming in a bit late but....

When it comes to a detail increasing the sale price of a used vehicle, there is a reason used car lots either have an onsite detailer or a few in their back pocket. Clean cars = cared for cars to most.

**oldmodman** · 02-20-2017, 05:09 AM

Yes it's worth it.
You may not be able to demand thousands more, but a beautiful, clean vehicle will get a faster sale with much less chance of low balling.

Too bad you are not local. I love wagons and would probably buy it myself. Especially after you put a nice ceramic coating on the perfected paint.