The Official Car Care Thread

[Karim Khan]

Good to hear man!!

[aidan]

Does anyone know how to get rid off the oxidation on moudlings like this:



I tried mothers back to black, but it didn't do a very good job.

[Dragular]

What you guys think of this process:

Color: Obsidian Black
Wash Car then Clay with Meguiars Clay and quick detailer.
Then use farecla G3 liquid compound with a Dual Action Polisher.
next step- polish with Meguiars ultimate Polish (D/A polisher).
Finish with Meguiars Deep Crystal Carnauba wax (D/A polisher).

Please chime in to let me know if this process is acceptable

[Karim Khan]

Does anyone know how to get rid off the oxidation on moudlings like this:



I tried mothers back to black, but it didn't do a very good job.

To late the moldings are already gone. Preventative maintenance is the key.

But still use the back to black very often and see if you get any improvement over time

[DSM_05]

What you guys think of this process:

Color: Obsidian Black
Wash Car then Clay with Meguiars Clay and quick detailer.
Then use farecla G3 liquid compound with a Dual Action Polisher.
next step- polish with Meguiars ultimate Polish (D/A polisher).
Finish with Meguiars Deep Crystal Carnauba wax (D/A polisher).

Please chime in to let me know if this process is acceptable

I would test the G3 on a spot first to determine if it's too aggressive. From the paint colour, I'm guessing it's a Subaru. Those paints can be quite soft.

Consider using a milder polish...try Swirl X at least first...before moving up. You could even see the effects of Ultimate Polish alone.

I would swap the DC C-Wax for Ultimate Wax if you have it. If not, DC Wax is fine.

[Karim Khan]

What you guys think of this process:

Color: Obsidian Black
Wash Car then Clay with Meguiars Clay and quick detailer.
Then use farecla G3 liquid compound with a Dual Action Polisher.
next step- polish with Meguiars ultimate Polish (D/A polisher).
Finish with Meguiars Deep Crystal Carnauba wax (D/A polisher).

Please chime in to let me know if this process is acceptable

Assuming the paint on the vehicle you are working on is not thin and you want to remove swirls, oxidation and random surface scratches i would recommend you replace the G3 with the Meguiars Ultimate Compound. The G3 was not intended to be used with a D/A polisher and if you dont have any experience with the G3 and the D/A you many end up in problems.

The above steps you listed once used properly with a good technique will give you great results.

[aidan]

Does anyone know how to get rid off the oxidation on moudlings like this:



I tried mothers back to black, but it didn't do a very good job.

To late the moldings are already gone. Preventative maintenance is the key.

But still use the back to black very often and see if you get any improvement over time

Damn. Thanks for the info. Guess the previous owner of the car didn't use to care that much.

Where stocks a wide range of Meguiars products? I'm looking for Scratch X 2.0 and Headlight and Clear Plastic Restoration Kit (or just Plast X)

[Dragular]

where to buy Meguiars Ultimate Compound???

[Karim Khan]

I import my products

[r3iXmann]

Does anyone know how to get rid off the oxidation on moudlings like this:



I tried mothers back to black, but it didn't do a very good job.

To late the moldings are already gone. Preventative maintenance is the key.

But still use the back to black very often and see if you get any improvement over time

Damn. Thanks for the info. Guess the previous owner of the car didn't use to care that much.

Where stocks a wide range of Meguiars products? I'm looking for Scratch X 2.0 and Headlight and Clear Plastic Restoration Kit (or just Plast X)

i tried using a claybar on it which helped it a little but i guess the solution is to just replace and call it a day

[DSM_05]

reixmann, you referring to rubber trim? Clay might not help that.

Might want to try something like Griots Rubber Prep or Rubber cleaner.

[eurotuner]

I have a really good question, as i couldn't find a remedy for it online
i got clear coat on my side mirrors and back glass, so now its all spotty, TINY little dots,
how does one go about taking that off?

[silent_riot]

Does anyone know how to get rid off the oxidation on moudlings like this:



I tried mothers back to black, but it didn't do a very good job.

To late the moldings are already gone. Preventative maintenance is the key.

But still use the back to black very often and see if you get any improvement over time

Damn. Thanks for the info. Guess the previous owner of the car didn't use to care that much.

Where stocks a wide range of Meguiars products? I'm looking for Scratch X 2.0 and Headlight and Clear Plastic Restoration Kit (or just Plast X)

i tried using a claybar on it which helped it a little but i guess the solution is to just replace and call it a day

I cleaned the rubber trim (below where his finger points) with Autoglym Glass polish. It makes a difference, but it still doesn't look completely new.

[Karim Khan]

Does anyone know how to get rid off the oxidation on moudlings like this:



I tried mothers back to black, but it didn't do a very good job.

To late the moldings are already gone. Preventative maintenance is the key.

But still use the back to black very often and see if you get any improvement over time

Damn. Thanks for the info. Guess the previous owner of the car didn't use to care that much.

Where stocks a wide range of Meguiars products? I'm looking for Scratch X 2.0 and Headlight and Clear Plastic Restoration Kit (or just Plast X)

i tried using a claybar on it which helped it a little but i guess the solution is to just replace and call it a day

I cleaned the rubber trim (below where his finger points) with Autoglym Glass polish. It makes a difference, but it still doesn't look completely new.

If you dont want to replace it. Get someone to paint it for you

[Karim Khan]

What you think!

Before



After



Clay Bar before



Clay Bar After

[aidan]

^nice. you have any close up pics of the paint before and after the clay bar? i like to see the difference.

Anyone here used or uses smart wax? i see it advertising in a banner ad up top, and 2 people recommended it to me.

[Karim Khan]

^^^ I have paint shots, but due to the colour of the paint you would not notice the difference. You will only be able to judge the improvement by feeling it.

The particles that is stuck on to the clay bar is actual iron dust that was embedded in the paint of over a year. Luckily i was able to removed the contaminants before it stated to adversely affect the paint.

I enjoyed working on this vehicle even though it took over 8 hours to finish. Like most my clients the owners of the vehicle were very hospitable and down to earth.

[DSM_05]

nice. you have any close up pics of the paint before and after the clay bar? i like to see the difference

As KK said, there would be little VISIBLE difference. The benefit to using the clay bar is that you get the particulates out of your paint. That way, the polish can do it's job better, and the wax adheres to the paint better as well.


On another note, Karim, ever worked on a single stage paint? I did some hand detailing on one once - you wouldn't believe me...but some of those new Suzuki's actually use a single stage paint! The 2008 Swifts do.

How'd I know? Applying a mild polish led to some of the paint colour coming off in my (white) applicator (and believe me, I am very forgiving in how I apply my polishes by hand).

Polish was applied using either a Meguiars foam applicator (X3070 w/ zero cut) or a Griots Terry Cloth hand applicator pad.

Confirmed with a singaporean detailer that these cars use a single stage finish (glossy..but not like with a clear).

How would you handle a finish like this? I used SRP, then followed with a pure sealant (Wolfgang Deep Gloss).

Any thoughts on applying something like OptiCoat 2.0 on this?

[Karim Khan]

Yes I have worked on alot of single stage paint. Nearly all white and red vehicles from the factory are single stage. I normally use my paint thickness gauge to judge this. If you don’t have a paint thickness gauge you can used the polish and applicator method.

SRP will work on all paint types. If you want long term protection try to get the AG Extra Gloss Protection. The SRP and EGP is a great combination if you are looking for a great shine and superior protection.

The Opticoat is good but I prefer the nano coating. The nano is really great and you get excellent hydrophobic protection. I use the Nano coating.

When using the Nano and the Opticoat you need to carefully prep the surface by removing all contaminants and paint defects before you apply any of the above products .

[DSM_05]

^^Sounds good. The steps I used were:

Wash -> Clay -> Quickdetail -> Polish with SRP -> Apply Sealant -> Apply Mothers Top Coat after 2 hours.

[shogun]

What's your opinion of this Karim?



been using it for a few years and it has kept the headlights from turning yellow, but no luck in removing some of the fine scratches....any suggestions on a better product?

[DSM_05]

^try using that with the mothers powerball for headlights....instead of by hand.

[Karim Khan]

the Plastic polish is a great product, IMO there are all kind of different brands of plastic polish on the market I like the Meguiar's and to a lesser extent the Mothers ( Its just my preference ). Its a nice temporary fix for faded headlights.

The only way to get a long term protection is to restore the Headlight by resurfacing the lens with a UV coating. I provide this service.

Let me know if you are interested

[De Dragon]

I personally saw the before and after condition of that Evo.The work on that Evo was really top notch. Impressive job Karim, highly recommend this for anyone with lots of fallout on their car.

[rrotsmannick]

Do they still have this around,

I would like to get one just to remember the ole days

Tru Valu Grocery at Trincity Mall has it. I saw it there up to last week. Real old school thing.

[shogun]

^try using that with the mothers powerball for headlights....instead of by hand.

thought that was only necessary for deeper scratches...will try that, thanks.

the Plastic polish is a great product, IMO there are all kind of different brands of plastic polish on the market I like the Meguiar's and to a lesser extent the Mothers ( Its just my preference ). Its a nice temporary fix for faded headlights.

The only way to get a long term protection is to restore the Headlight by resurfacing the lens with a UV coating. I provide this service.

Let me know if you are interested

Thinking of re-painting the entire vehicle. Once that's done, gonna give you a call, to do an engine detailing and lens resurfacing.

[Karim Khan]

Years ago around the age of 8 as a obsessive rule on each Sunday morning after cartoons i use to line of my 150 plus corgi, hotwheels and match box cars in the gallery and detail each of them with my brothers Rally Wax and Amor All. I had the shiniest set of cars on my street. My mom use to tell me that I will rub off the paint from them, but that never happen. I still have all my cars, by now its over 200 pieces, its in a box some where in the warehouse. One day i will pull them out and give all of them a nice coat of wax.!

I think this is where my passion for detailing started.

[gfbl]

fantastic story, you my friend have a world of patience

[Karim Khan]

fantastic story, you my friend have a world of patience

Thank you and you are right, you need alot of patience when you are detailing a vehicle. Its all about passion !

[dok_tec]

this thread makes me feel guilty about just 'washing' my car

the guilt really got to me.... im gonna meguiars those beetches weekend
(polish is meguiars also)