camaro detailing...

[mammoth713]

my camaro has a bunch of ruff spots that i was wondering if you guys could give me advice on how to fix them..... clay bars/touchup paint/wet sanding... etc.... these pics were after i washed the car...

some of the problems include like....
*little chips in the paint on the hood all over
*scratches under the handles (from rings on your hand i guess?)
*gas cap dangling against the body cuz theres nothing to hold it while fillling up..
*random scratches
*foggy headlights
*behind the front tires looks worse in the photo than it is... it just seems to not have a sheen basically..

i waxed the whole car a couple weeks ago with normal turtle wax...


thanks



http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839539.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839511.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839492.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839464.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839432.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839398.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839374.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839350.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839334.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839323.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839310.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839301.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839287.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839251.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839201.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839170.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839127.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839664.jpghttp://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839617.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839589.jpghttp://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839101.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/370839050.jpg

[gwilo]

First thing I would do would be the headlights.

Headlight Lens Care: Polish out scratches & haze to restore clear plastic headlight lens covers. Wolfgang, Meguiars, Plexus, lens cleaning system, (http://www.autogeek.net/headlight-lens.html)

They will make the car look 100 times better.

Then do the full treatment

Claybar

Swirl remover

Polish (Try Poorboy's Black Hole .... I have just ordered some)

Sealant or wax (both would help) (Poorboy Natty's Paste Wax BLUE is good for dark coloured cars)

And think about spending 6 to 8 hours of work (loving your car :) )

A PC would help speed thing up and give your car a nice look

[BlueBlur]

Nice Z28...I was always partial to the 3rd generation, but I wouldn't mind a 4th gen SS vert.

You can certainly pick up Meg's clay bar kit and clay the car...only going to help and remove any bonded contaminents.

The little chips in the paint if through the clear and into the paint, then a little touch-up paint will serve you well.

Scratches under the door handles and around the gas cap, you can try ScratchX 2.0 available at your FLAPS for $10. Pick up some each terry cloth or foam applicators too and some quality microfiber to buff the 2.0 off. You can also use this on the random scratches.

The foggy headlights, probably the Meguiars headlight restoration kit would be up your alley, again available at your FLAPS.

I'm not really sure about the areas behind your wheels. It maybe just too shot and would require a respray if you want it black again. Others may chime in though with alternatives.

[23jam]

For the headlights, besides Meg's headlight restore kit. I have seen a lot of people get great results using Meg's #105. Then you could tackle the car with it also,after a good wash and claying. Then finish it up with Meg's 205 and you will be all set for your lsp.

[mammoth713]

whats the difference between a sealant and a wax??

also i currently have the plain jane turtle wax wax.... should i get the carnauba wax?

lastly, is any of the Nu-Finish line of products good...? my dad always used that Nu-Finish "once a year polish" or whatever but he doesnt know much about cars.... and is the stuff really a polish?

[08StangGT]

At the risk of helping the enemy (Mustang here!), here goes. I was where you are now a year or two ago. You can learn a lot by reading and searching in the Auto Detailing forum and the Product Review Forum here. With that being said, first off give the Turtle Wax to a neighbor you don't like much! (Unless it is the Platinum series). There are loads of waxes and sealants that only cost a little more and are MUCH easier to use that give much better results. I have not used Nu Finish in 20 years, but I guess it is good when you rescue a car from the junk yard like in the old commercials. (sarcasm alert.)

Since you are just starting out, I'll recommend some items that you can get over the counter at local stores that will help you see what is out there before you enter the rewarding, but addictive, world of online products.

First get a clay bar system. I use Mother's clay bar, but Mequiars gets good reviews here, too. If you have never used clay, you will find yourself touching your paint for days afterwards because it is so smooth when you finish.

Sealants are a manmade product for paint protection whereas carnauba wax is a natural product. In practice, "waxes" are modified to by adding additional products to make them more usable, durable, etc. You will often see a recommendations of a sealant (for durability) followed by a coat of wax (for appearance) but that is personal taste.

Polish and glaze seem to be two terms within the detailing world that every company uses differently. Read product reviews to see which ones do what you want them to do for your paint.

For your headlights, I would recommend trying some Mequiars PlastX by hand. It takes some work (about as much as using Turtle Wax! LOL), but has given decent results on headlights like yours which are not as bad as many and it will tide you over until you are ready to spend more money on a polisher and the more expensive polishes.

Please feel free to send me a private message through my profile here if you want more suggestions from a weekend warrior...

[mammoth713]

ok well thanks for the advice... read your pm. anyway... has anyone used turtle wax's "ice" line of products for polish and that clay bar kit of theirs.... i use their car wash and i really am pleased with it

but then again i may not know any better....

so could i have some insight on this line i guess?

[civichatch97]

When I cleaned my stepdad's Expedition he gave me turtle wax ice paste to use on it. He told me to put it on trim and everything. I was hesistant because every other wax I've ever used turned the rough texture plastics white. He told me he did it before and it worked, so I did it and it turned out ok. I can't say it is the best wax to use, but it did an ok job. I applied and removed everything by hand. The shine was decent and it was quick since I used it on all the trim.

[civichatch97]

As far as your headlights go, here are the steps I used on mine (courtesy of clubrsx.com)

Materials you will need:

- 400 Grit Sandpaper
- 800 Grit Sandpaper
- 1000 Grit Sandpaper
- 1500 Grit Sandpaper
- 2000 Grit Sandpaper
- 3000 Grit Sandpaper (if you can find it)
- Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner
- Meguairs Plastx
- Meguairs Fine Cut Cleaner
- Meguairs NXT Wax
- Bucket of Water
- Microfiber Towels
- Buffer (orbital or highspeed if you have it, if not use microfiber towels)

**Make sure to apply tape around the hood, fender, bumper and etc, whereever its possible to accidently scratch the paint.

When you first start using the 400grit sandpaper, the headlight is going to look like crap, but don't worry...it will clear up as you progress.

- *Soak the sandpaper overnight* in the bucket of water and start sanding. Make sure the surface is always wet.

-For each grit, sand until the surface is completely smooth and apply even pressure. (ie. sanding block) I took about 7-10mins for each grit.
(would really help if you had a high speed polisher but if not it will just take longer by hand.)

- Apply 3 coats of Meguiar's Plast-X with an applicator, wipe off with the microfiber towels

- Now use the Meguiar's Fine Cut Cleaner to remove the fine scratches, use as many coats until you're happy with the results. Wipe off with microfiber towel.

- Apply 2 coats of Meguiar's NXT Wax, to provide the long lasting protection on the headlights. Wipe off with microfiber towel.

**I would recommend applying Meguiar's Plast-X once a month to prevent the headlights from hazing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I followed this, but instead of the Meguiar's Plastic-X I used 3m cleaner and polish for plastics. Mine looked like yours before, here's the finished product. To use this process and get the desired results you WILL NEED A BUFFER. I used the PC 7424.
http://i522.photobucket.com/albums/w345/slow06tc/Various069.jpg

[mammoth713]

yeah... hmmm i dont see mothers or meg selling just a polisher.... i tried autozone and advanced auto and neither stores carry the product (meg deep crystal polish, mothers step 2 polish and glaze).... however, meguiars does sell ULTIMATE COMPOUND, scratch remover 2.0 and swirl remover.... are they all polishers..... how are they used???

[Superdutytd]

Okay just out of curiosity unless you are getting rid of MAJOR scratches in your headlights why are you starting at 400 gritt? I mean they would have to be SEVERELY oxidized for me to even start with 800.

[Shinystang]

I agree with those who encourage you to read through the forum. You'll see pics and tips of how experienced detailers have dealt with multiple paint related problems.

If you are still thinking of detailing beyond a basic "wash and wax", you'll probably find that Autozone, Pepboys and the rest won't carry what you need. From my experience, the buffers and products they stock are VERY low quality.

If you are willing to spend a good amount of time on your vehicle, do yourself a favor and use quality products. You'll be glad you did everytime you look at your car, even more when OTHERS notice the work you did.

The people who post on this forum are fantastic resources, not to mention Meghan and the gang. Nothing beats experience and good support.

Best of luck.

[mammoth713]

ok well in spring i will most likely buy professional products and a power tool to help...

but for now i need "by-hand" alternatives....

so heres what i am thinking....

*wash
*clay (mothers or meg's)
*meg's ULTIMATE COMPOUND and/or meg's scratch 2.0 based on how bad the scratch is.... **ultimate compound is grittier than the scratch remover right?**
*meg's swirl remover
*poorboy's polish and sealant
*meg's plastx for headlights
*meg's "gold class trim detailer"
*meg's hot shine tire shine
*wash again?
*LSP like dp max wax or whatever it was

and for the headlights... i'll try that plastx stuff that meg's has by hand for now because i was really interested in just geting HALO style ones anyway so i'm not too concerned

[DLB]

According to Mike Phillips, the Meguiar's Consumer Product line is as such - Most to Least Aggressive:
M105
Ultimate Compound
ScratchX 2.0
SwirlX
M83
M205/M80
Original ScratchX

I recently tried the Ultimate Compound, and must say, with proper working time, it gives a pretty good result.

DLB

[mammoth713]

heres the headlights 90% fixed with Meg's PlastX, a couple paper towels, patience, and a half hour.....

Before:
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/371918538.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/371918562.jpg
After:
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/371918658.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/371918640.jpg
Other side After(forgot to take a before for the other side):
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/371918603.jpg
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL927/4262176/22354980/371918622.jpg