Do you ever wash your car and...
lol i had that problem with my rs, but i guess my wrx is a bit luckier. one of the chicks at our barnes and noble meet has the bird **** problem. she washed her car and then the trunk looked like a teradactyl projectile shat on it, but i guess thats just the way it goes
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 801
From: Bay Area
Car Info: for the Car Acrobatic Team
Originally Posted by fd777
To my knowledge, clay bars do NOT remove scratches. Clay bars remove surface contamination. (Which is why the surface feels smooth once you're done). If not used properly, clay bars can introduce new scratches. That is why you always use a lubricant with a clay bar; the clay isn't supposed to actually touch the paint, it glides over it.
Many waxes will fill in light scratches, but it'll return as the wax wears off. To permanently remove scratches, you'll need a quality polish. (Actually, the proper application is more important than the proper product...) Polishes intentionally remove a thin layer of clear coat.
For scratches that go beyond the clear coat and into the actual paint - i.e. when someone keys your car - you're kinda screwed
At this point, you'll need some professional help.
Any decent bodyshop will charge you a lot because they need to repaint the entire section. It doesn't really make a difference if you have 1 or 10 scratches in the same area because it's the same amount of work.
Please correct me if I'm wrong on anything here.
Many waxes will fill in light scratches, but it'll return as the wax wears off. To permanently remove scratches, you'll need a quality polish. (Actually, the proper application is more important than the proper product...) Polishes intentionally remove a thin layer of clear coat.
For scratches that go beyond the clear coat and into the actual paint - i.e. when someone keys your car - you're kinda screwed
At this point, you'll need some professional help.
Any decent bodyshop will charge you a lot because they need to repaint the entire section. It doesn't really make a difference if you have 1 or 10 scratches in the same area because it's the same amount of work.
Please correct me if I'm wrong on anything here.
fd777 got it right. This is what you should do:
1. Detergent wash (dish soap is fine). This will strip all the old wax off.
2. Clay bar. Gets the "fall out" that's embedded in your paint out.
3. Detergent wash again
4. Polish
5. Wax. This seals the deal.
This will take all day, but in the end it's worth it. Your car will look and feel awesome, and you will be protecting your paint for the long term. Remember, it's not a race...take your time.
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iTrader: (9)
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,330
From: EBAIC Pleasanton :)
Car Info: 06 STi
Originally Posted by Tele-Viper
+1
fd777 got it right. This is what you should do:
1. Detergent wash (dish soap is fine). This will strip all the old wax off.
2. Clay bar. Gets the "fall out" that's embedded in your paint out.
3. Detergent wash again
4. Polish
5. Wax. This seals the deal.
This will take all day, but in the end it's worth it. Your car will look and feel awesome, and you will be protecting your paint for the long term. Remember, it's not a race...take your time.
fd777 got it right. This is what you should do:
1. Detergent wash (dish soap is fine). This will strip all the old wax off.
2. Clay bar. Gets the "fall out" that's embedded in your paint out.
3. Detergent wash again
4. Polish
5. Wax. This seals the deal.
This will take all day, but in the end it's worth it. Your car will look and feel awesome, and you will be protecting your paint for the long term. Remember, it's not a race...take your time.
Thank you, For the break down. I also have clay bared a car before and we used Meguirs quick detail sprays as we did it. Came out real smooth. When I get a free day. I may try this out. Anyone want to back up his advice? Sounds about right to me. A bit scared to use detergent wash, I used to use it regularly on my truck, and the clearcoat went bye bye. I am sure only one time wont hurt, or 2.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 96
From: Bay Area, CA
Car Info: 2007 NBP FA5 Si
Originally Posted by Tele-Viper
+1
fd777 got it right. This is what you should do:
1. Detergent wash (dish soap is fine). This will strip all the old wax off.
2. Clay bar. Gets the "fall out" that's embedded in your paint out.
3. Detergent wash again
4. Polish
5. Wax. This seals the deal.
This will take all day, but in the end it's worth it. Your car will look and feel awesome, and you will be protecting your paint for the long term. Remember, it's not a race...take your time.
fd777 got it right. This is what you should do:
1. Detergent wash (dish soap is fine). This will strip all the old wax off.
2. Clay bar. Gets the "fall out" that's embedded in your paint out.
3. Detergent wash again
4. Polish
5. Wax. This seals the deal.
This will take all day, but in the end it's worth it. Your car will look and feel awesome, and you will be protecting your paint for the long term. Remember, it's not a race...take your time.
But you forgot steps 6 thru 15...Wax and wax and wax......................................
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 801
From: Bay Area
Car Info: for the Car Acrobatic Team
Originally Posted by jeff2417
Sounds like someone's been paying attention!
But you forgot steps 6 thru 15...Wax and wax and wax......................................
But you forgot steps 6 thru 15...Wax and wax and wax......................................