Newbie questions

[Clean90GT]

Hello , I've got a bright cherry red 1990 mustang gt. I'm looking for a product that will give me a rich deep shine with that wet look. I just recently bought the car , for 23 years old the paint is in really good shape. I doubt the car has ever had a clay bar taken to it , I'm guessing it could use it lol. I've never used a bar and need advise witch to get. Not that big of a deal but any suggestions on a tire dressing aswell?

[Evan.J]

All gloss and depth starts with a smooth finish.

ARe you working by had or machine?

Here are some great kits you can buy:
Griot’s Garage & Meguiar’s Paint Perfection Kit NEW 3rd Generation! (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-paint-perfection-kit.html)
Griot’s Garage Random Orbital Wolfgang Duo (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-wolfgang-kit.html)

Once you wash you car using the 2 bucket method you will want to do the baggie test as shown here:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/56813-baggie-test-tip-paul-aka-2old2change.html

Next after determining the condition of the paint you will want to clay. Any clay bar will do so you might as well get a combo kit like this:
Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest clay composition available today. (http://www.autogeek.net/piulpoclkit.html)
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfxAesk4Po4&feature=player_embedded]Part 1 - How to use detailing clay - YouTube[/video]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opfK408uIxM&feature=player_embedded]Part 2 - How to use detailing clay - YouTube[/video]

Now that you will have your paint back to a smooth finish is time to do a test spot on the paint
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

You always want to start with the least aggressive method first. SO if you go with the M105 and M205 package the you would want to start of with M205 on you test spot and check your results. If you find that M205 isn't removing all the swirls and defects after 6-8 sections passes then you will want to try M105 and repeat the test spot procedure.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/19994-2008-lexus-250-pinnacle-detail.html

If you do have to go with M105 then you will want to follow that up with M205 the finally a paint sealant or wax. Sealants will give you a longer protection that a carnuba wax.

[thebamboo23]

Search function and google are your friends :)


Wash, clay, compound, polish, glaze, sealant, wax

There are tons of companies and products. A quick search will yield thousand of threads

[poweraid]

welcome , do you plan to machine polish after claying ? you could and prob will induce some marring from claying . however the mothers or meguires clay bar kits you can get at local auto parts store/Walmart ... , avail here also. there is nothing wrong with these brands , they work and do what they are supposed to do . they will come with a quick detailer spray to use as your clay lube . as far as tire dressings . there are so many and I don't use any that are avail otc , so no help there from me .
good luck and shine that baby up !

[Clean90GT]

TheBamboo , you are correct... Thousands... But I only need one and as I'm plaining to order from the site I thought it best to ask the forum , as those are the most likely to use the products found on the site. Going of reviews on google doesn't target any specific group , products or site :).

I do intend to do it all by hand , I seem to do a better job and get better results.

[Evan.J]

TheBamboo , you are correct... Thousands... But I only need one and as I'm plaining to order from the site I thought it best to ask the forum , as those are the most likely to use the products found on the site. Going of reviews on google doesn't target any specific group , products or site :).

I do intend to do it all by hand , I seem to do a better job and get better results.

Well M105 and M205 both a good for hand application.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-tools-accessories/32004-foam-applicator-pads-autogeek-net.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36178-priming-your-pad-when-working-hand.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/31475-removing-scratches-hand.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/20573-1-step-vs-3-step-process-hand.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/faq/20257-man-versus-machine.html

There are some articles on hand application.

Now do you want to do a mulit step process like compound , polish, and wax/sealant or would you like to keep it easier on you and do a polish and wax for the shine? You could even take it down to an All In One like Meguiars Paint reconditioning creme. XMT 360 All-in-one, Klasse all in one polish, and others. Those will do everything in one for you.
:props:

[Clean90GT]

In the past I've used a all in one. I know that as time goes on , things evolve. I'm open to anything. My car is extremely clean especially when you take in to consideration that it's 23 years old and factory pain (aside from the front bumper. I'm just not convinced I'm bringing out the full depth and shine of the paint. I do great on a Metallic looking paint. This is really the first car I've wanted to shine to its full abilities that doesn't have Some sort of flake in it. It's evenly shiny across the whole car , has a good coat of something on it now as water instantly beads up and runs off. I just think it could be better. Adding to the fact that this has always been one of my favorite cars I want to do it justice.

[Evan.J]

In the past I've used a all in one. I know that as time goes on , things evolve. I'm open to anything. My car is extremely clean especially when you take in to consideration that it's 23 years old and factory pain (aside from the front bumper. I'm just not convinced I'm bringing out the full depth and shine of the paint. I do great on a Metallic looking paint. This is really the first car I've wanted to shine to its full abilities that doesn't have Some sort of flake in it. It's evenly shiny across the whole car , has a good coat of something on it now as water instantly beads up and runs off. I just think it could be better. Adding to the fact that this has always been one of my favorite cars I want to do it justice.

Well start off by doing the baggie test to check for above surface contaminants. More than likely it will be rough and need clayed. After they claying you can just get a polish like M205, Blackfire scratch resistant finishing polish, Wolfgang swirl remover 3.0, Poorboys swirl remover, and others.

If you paints not bad then you can loo at something like Chemical Guys Blacklight. This really brings out depth and pop to the paint that many have had great success with. I recently used it on one of my vehicles for the first time and I was very impressed.

To give yourself protection you can look to waxes and or sealants. Like I have said before sealants will give you a longer protection than a pure Carnuba wax. you can look at Blackfire Wet Diamond paint sealant, Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint sealant, Chemical Guys Jetseal 109, Detailer's Poli-Seal,ect.

[Clean90GT]

Thanks Thor & poweraid , that gave me a solid starting point.

[Evan.J]

Thanks Thor & poweraid , that gave me a solid starting point.

Sure thing!