Questions before i start (with pics)

[maluminas]

Hi all,

A few weeks ago i bought the detailing stuff i needed, and when i received it i had time to try an ONR wash and take some before pics of my car, a Kia Forte 2010. Unfortunately since then its been raining almost non-stop, some areas in Quebec are getting flooded even. So i figured i should ask some questions while i wait for the rain to stop...

After the ONR wash i found some problem areas on the paint that will require special attention. The following pics will be accompanied with the relevant question.

As you will see it's a beautiful red color with a massive amount of flake, i cant wait to get to work on it!

First i noticed this giant chunk of missing paint at the bottom of the car under the driver door, probably from a rock slung by the tire. It's about half an inch wide so its very deep. It pulled off a lot more than just paint... What would be the best way to fill it up? I have the dealer paint pen which has a color end and a clear end.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1767.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31982)
Also the dealer drilled my front bumper to install a freakin' plate holder. Id like to remove it and fill the holes.

Similar problem here, but caused by parking over one of those concrete parking bars while it was hidden under snow. You can see a bit of yellow paint transfer.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1816.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/32007)

Here i have clear stickers of unknown purpose at the bottom of my rear doors. Is it a good idea to remove them? Whats the easiest way to do so?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1810.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/32004)

Here are some swirl shots. It's pretty bad for a one year old car. It looks like its from all the snow sweeping, and the paint looks pretty soft. I will try WG Total Swirl Remover, WG Finishing Glaze and top it off with WG DGPS.
Hood
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1776.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31987)
Mirror
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1784.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31993)
Close-up
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1813.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/32006)

Some swirls on glass. I'll try DP High Performance Glass Restorer but i have a feeling it will need more than that eventually.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1779.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31989)

Some scratches on plastic chrome trim. Would WG TSR+FG be too aggressive for that?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1780.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31990)

And here are a few shots of the interior. I feel ashamed i let it get so bad... But at least i'll fix it.
Door scuffs (i have big feet...)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1798.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/32001)
Muddy pedals
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1792.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31998)
Major salt crusts (bonus pet hair)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1790.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31996)
Dry leaves lol
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1789.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31995)

Here's an overall exterior shot. Please disregard the winter wheels...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1775.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31986)
And the beautifully flaky dealer badge, which i will remove.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1783.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/31992)

Lots of work to do! Thanks for looking!

[slickooz]

Looks like its going be a 10+ hour job. As for the chips and deep scratches I would just use touch up paint. Or you can order Dr. Color chip for your chips.

The swirls should be taken cared of with those products you listed.

For scuffs, not much you can do. You can try applying trim and plastic restorer to make it less noticeable.

And for mats, I would vacuum as much as you can. Then use a brush with a rotary and use APC and brush out it out.

GL with this project. :xyxthumbs:

[maluminas]

I looked at Dr ColorChip but from what i gather from reviews its not very good on large chips. The big one is not just a chip, its a chunk, 2-3mm deep, and i'm wondering if it would need some kind of filler material before i apply the touch up paint.

For the carpets i was thinking of trying to use an extractor on the cheap by using a shop-vac. I want the salt crusts out, so i guess actually dissolving them and extracting the water is the best way to go.

I'm reserving at least 3 days for this lol... Since its my first detail, and not an easy one, i expect it will take more than 10 hours. Thanks for the suggestions!

[maluminas]

Looking around I found Bondo Body Filler for 10 bucks, would this be good to fill the missing chunk?

[Y2KSVT]

I don't think I'd use a body filler unless you plan to sand it smooth and then prime, paint, and clear over the top of it. You could always fill any areas and sand them, and have a body shop repaint those pieces. You'd save on the labor of getting the pieces "paint-ready." If you're looking for a good body filler, look for RAGE Gold. It's much more forgiving and easier to work with than Bondo.

As for those clear stickers, they're probably there to protect from rock chips. It's most likely a form of clear bra, or something similar. If they aren't noticeable, I'd leave them where they are as they're probably less of an eye sore than a big rock chip would be. I'm thinking they're in an area that's prone to getting rocks flung up at.

Mark

[maluminas]

I don't think I'd use a body filler unless you plan to sand it smooth and then prime, paint, and clear over the top of it. You could always fill any areas and sand them, and have a body shop repaint those pieces. You'd save on the labor of getting the pieces "paint-ready." If you're looking for a good body filler, look for RAGE Gold. It's much more forgiving and easier to work with than Bondo.

As for those clear stickers, they're probably there to protect from rock chips. It's most likely a form of clear bra, or something similar. If they aren't noticeable, I'd leave them where they are as they're probably less of an eye sore than a big rock chip would be. I'm thinking they're in an area that's prone to getting rocks flung up at.

Mark

Its true that since the chunk is in an almost hidden spot, i could simply apply touch-up paint on the inside of it. I was more worried about the long-term integrity of the surrounding area. A missing chunk would make the area more vulnerable to additional damage from the elements, such as salty water infiltration?

edit: I'll remove the front plate holder and have a look at the holes left behind. I'd really like to remove it, it's an eye-sore, but i dont want to leave gaping holes behind if i'm not going to try some filling-up. I'll post a pic later.

And good point about the stickers, i'll leave them on and buff around them.

Thanks :xyxthumbs:

[maluminas]

:mad:

Wow... how many holes do you need to hold a freaking plate?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1838.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/32081)

Answer: SIX! And you have to screw them so hard that the plastic gets pulled out, duh!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/DSC_1841.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/32082)

Not happy. That picture is after a quick QD wipe. I had no choice but to put it back on. What can be done about this?

Next time i buy a car, if they show me one with a front plate holder i'm not buying it. This car was moved from Ontario to Quebec for me, because there was not a single red one in my province. I waited over 4 weeks for it. Next time they show me a car with a plate holder i'm not buying it. Find me another one. Import it from Korea if you have to. Go on, i'll wait...

PS: i cleaned the bird bomb after i took the pics lol.