[shanghaining]

Hey guys, my 91 rex's paint is looking dull. I was wondering what kind of product I should get to make the paint shine again without a new paintjob. Thanks

 

[rexicon]

Hey guys, my 91 rex's paint is looking dull. I was wondering what kind of product I should get to make the paint shine again without a new paintjob. Thanks

Five individual steps:
1 wash
2 clay
3 solvent cleaner
4 polish
5 wax

If you have not clayed the car before, you'll be pulling 15 years of fallout out of the finish. The first time, one bar will NOT do a whole CRX.

Plan on using at least three:
one for the hood, front fenders and bumper cover,
one for the roof, rear bumper cover, and hatch tail, and
one for the left and right door and quarter panels.

The hood, roof, and rear bumper cover will be toughest. Sides, not so bad. Plan so that you are using a fresh bar on the primary surfaces. Below the belt line is generally less critical, where you'll get away with a more used bar there.

Bottom line, be liberal about replacing the bar when it needs to be replaced. You don't want to put thousands of tiny scratches into the finish while you are restoring it! :x

After that, the cleaning, polishing and waxing will be easy, and really give you nice results. I worked my way around the car, completing one panel at a time. A good work light will let you work indoors, at all hours of the night, very closely, for best results.

If that is not to your satisfaction, you will have to consider surfacing and hand compounding the finish (between steps three and four). However, because of even more time and materials investment, you'll want to do your own cost/ benefit analysis.

In any event, as we know these cars look cool in their original form. Take your time and you'll have your finish looking as good as it can!

 

[shanghaining]

I've never heard of clay bar before, do they sell it at autozone or kragen? Or do I have to order online? Any more information on claying cars?

Thanks

 

[Charles]

Zaino Brothers sells great stuff. b

 

[rexicon]

I've never heard of clay bar before, do they sell it at autozone or kragen? Or do I have to order online? Any more information on claying cars?

Thanks

Sure- I think all the major 'car finish' brands produce a clay bar product. You won't have much trouble finding one.

Here's a Maguiars link. Item '4' mentions use of a clay bar.
http://www.meguiars.com/tips/article_vi ... cted_ID=10

the Mothers equivalent:
http://www.detailguide.com/DetailGuideCh7.html

and from Clay Magic:
http://www.claymagic.net/whatisclaymagic.htm

Hope that helps!

 

[Charles]

I've never heard of clay bar before, do they sell it at autozone or kragen? Or do I have to order online? Any more information on claying cars?

Thanks

Look to the bottom shelf of the washing products.

 

[toxiclows]

i want to clay something now...... got me reading all about clay..... woo hoo clay.... gumby would be proud....

I might pick some up and try it on the red crx..... and see what happens...... i am always looking for a better shine. .

 

[shanghaining]

I bought Mother's California Gold clay kit for $18 USD. I'm going to clay my car in the evening when the temperature is cooler. Too bad the kit only came with one claybar. I went to autozne and kragen, they only sell claybar in a kit which is like 18 dollar. If i need more I'll prabably have to order them online.

 

[Jeff]

Clay bar is not designed to bring back shine or remove fall out. Claying is designed to remove surface contaminates suchas as tar, sap, over-spray, etc.
Also, clay bars can be used for up to 10 cars. As the clay gets dirty just fold and knead it until you get a clean surface again.

The best way to truly clean fall out or oxidation is to buff the paint. I would not reccomend any product that is a filler. Fillers look great until the car gets rained on or you wash it. I would be happy to give any further recommendations or suggestions if you e-mail me.

 

[rexicon]

Jeff:

You have a nice website, and I generally don't like to second guess a person's skill level, but I have to differ with you. Please bear with me here:

Clay bar is not designed to bring back shine or remove fall out. Claying is designed to remove surface contaminates suchas as tar, sap, over-spray, etc...

Perhaps this is the case for the beautiful cars pictured on your site. I don't drive any of those cars. I drive a fifteen year old economy car whose finish, albeit not abused, has not been particularly cared for, either. The clay bar(s) did a wonderful job pulling crap out of the finish, after which a conventional cleaner and the rest of the standard procedure was necessary.

...Also, clay bars can be used for up to 10 cars. As the clay gets dirty just fold and knead it until you get a clean surface again...

Again, I would believe this to be true for the cars you show on your site. Not the case for a fifteen year old 'daily driver' the first time around. There's a point when folding and kneading it just isn't enough of a renewal. Moving on to the roof after finishing the nose, I realized it was time for a new bar. I wish I could say otherwise.

No doubt, next time I clay the car will be a completely different story.

...The best way to truly clean fall out or oxidation is to buff the paint...

I'm sure you know, as an autobody professional, that a painted surface has to be prepped with some type of cleaning product, solvent based or otherwise. Compounding a finish that has not been cleaned first risks pushing contaminants into the paint.

...I would be happy to give any further recommendations or suggestions if you e-mail me.

Why not post to the board, so that more people can benefit?

Sincerely,
Nicholas

 

[fireant]

My CRX was turning from Rio Red to Pink. I bought a $12 buffer at SprawlMart, with two extra pads and some Turtle wax buffing compound and some Turtle Wax Red Restorative Wax. Now the car looks new, and I'm happy to say for $20 and one long afternoon I've put off re-painting it for another year.

 

[Jeff]

Rexicon,

Thank you for your feedback. Use whatever method works for you. You are welcome to be extra careful and replace a clay as often as you like. I have experienced great success with using the clay through many cars.

Also, it is not necessary to cleanse the paint before buffing and I certainly would not use a solvent of any kind on a painted surface. Buffing would not force impurities or contaminates into the paint. But, of course, you are welcome to your opinion and I appreciate your comments. If you would like to cleanse the paint before buffing, it certainly would not hurt.

Lastly, I generally do not often post about methods or products because everyone has an opinion and I don't want to always be pushing my opinion and products on this site. That is why I invite those who would like to know more to call me or e-mail me.

Thanks!

 

[dohcya]

Either way, both you guys offered real good advice with cleaning the car. I think you both should do a write up so we could get a sticky. Real good advice guys! Thanks!

 

[Joshs_CRXsi]

Well, This Just Saved Me Another Year Or so On Paint. Thank Yo Both, Jeff, And Rexicon.

I'll Be Claying My Car. And If This Does Not Work. Buffing.

And If All Else Fails, I Take It Back, And I Dont Thank You. lol :biggrin: