Wax, rubbing compound suggestions

[ichthos]

I have been venturing further and further with the Bugeye. I picked up some road tar and other crud and had to use some rubbing compound to get it off. Got the tar off, but now the paint finish is dull. Can you give me some suggestions on what wax and rubbing compounds to use to make my car shine like new? I am going to enter my first car show in a month, and I would especially like it to look nice for it.
Kevin

 

[jlaird]

Should not use rubbing compound to get tar off. Use a tar remover, it is a liquid and desolves the tar without harm to the paint.

Mothers Or Meguiars quality products or equal

Clay bar for removing grime in the paint.

Liquid wax for top coat.

Quick Detailer for preshow care.

Wash wheel wells and wheels with soap and water.

Use tire black at show.

What ever is needed for underhood, might start with gunk if bad and proceed from their.

If you are serious about the show Stoner makes an excellent product called Invisible Glass Wipes or Spray that really works. Much better that the household product.

Lots of good stuff on the market, Chrome polish is a must as well prior to wax.

Also vinal cleaner and polisher.

Clean clean clean

 

[jlaird]

And even cleaner.

 

[jlaird]

And then.

 

[jlaird]

Hehe, don't panic. The main thing is to go and have fun. Meet folks and talk cars.

It don't get much better than this.

Enjoy.

 

[JPSmit]

you might want to get the paint buffed there - I am terrified to do this myself - but, you've likely scratched the paint so that polish alone won't likely do it.

 

[jlaird]

Ahhh Hmmm Back in the day we rubbed em out by hand, two or three differenct grits of polish and a swirll remover for finish. Should work just fine on a small area. Careful

 

[mightymidget]

3-M hand glaze and a lot of rubbing, it is about 18 bucks but it will be used over and over. Its a painters friend

 

[Pythias]

Griot's Garage has quality products and free shipping until July 4th. Since we live in Washington we have to pay sales tax, but you would if you went in to their store in Tacoma anyway. If you're in the Sea-Tac area, and haven't been it's worth a look.

I used to use Meguire's Wax, Detailer, etc, but have changed to Griots. I think that if you use a full line of products from any one maker, you will get great results, I'm just partial to Griot's as of now.

If you want it to shine like new or wet, start with CLAY. You'll need detailing spray as a lubricant, but you'll want that anyway later in the process... Next up is POLISH, either by hand or with an orbital machine polisher. That should bring the shine back where you used the rubbing compound. The next step, if you see swirl marks and scratches is PAINT GLAZE, to fill in the low spots. After that hit it with WAX. The Griot's stuff (BEST OF SHOW WAX) can be applied (if you are a fanatic) in layers, without removing the previous one. WAX, allow for it to dry at least 8 hours, apply another layer, wait again, apply one more layer, wait, then buff out. JEEPERS what a glow!... Go over the car again with spray detailer to add that still wet look once you arrive at the show.

My paint is over 15 years old, and I had people asking me if I just painted the car.

NFI.

 

[jlaird]

Hay Bill, you got it.

 

[Scott_Hower]

I'm a big-fan of 3M Finesse-It. You really need a machine (Porter Cable D/A workd great) to get the best results.

If you have more serious defects, start with 3M Perfect-It (5973) with a slightly more agressive cutting pad. Then polish as above.

Finish with wax of your chosing. I've used them all (including Griots, Classe, Mequiars and pretty much everything else). IMO, Zaino cannot be beat for both shine and durability.