1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I've tried them all, and for REALLY bad pigment, here's what I do.
I tend to work the roof, then hood and hatch/trunk, then to the belt line, then finally the sides for each part of the process. And as stated elsewhere, this is not a process of covering the entire car in spackling then taking it off. Also prepare for an ALL DAY AFFAIR if the surface is in really bad shape. Take your time, and you will be rewarded.
Also, DO NOT do this in direct sunlight. ESPECIALLY if you have a dark pigment. The waxes and pollishes will bake right into the paint, and if you think getting it off of cool paint is difficult, try after sitting in the sun! Find youself a nice shade tree (one that doesn't drip sap, fer gosh sakes!), a carport or garage. If nothing else, do it on an overcast day.
Here's the process:
1. If really bad, rubbing compound. This abrasive is more agressive than most, but will take the bad, oxidized paint layer off. Pick a 2' x 2' section at a time. Apply it, let it haze over, then buff out. Proceed to the next 2'x 2' section.
2. Pollish. If the pigment isn't as bad as in step 1, then this process could be considered the first. A pollish is much finer than a rubbing compound and will smooth up the surface considerably. As before, pick a 2' x 2' section at a time, apply, let it haze, then buff out.
2. Detail clay -- either Mequiars or Mother's work quite well. You'd be surprised at how smooth the finish will be after running a clay bar across the paint. This picks up any contaminants and captures it in the clay. Do one 2'x 2' section at a time... Clay will leave little sworls, but this is not in the paint itself, its just some of the clay remaining. This will get buffed out in the next process.
3. Carnauba wax -- Zymol, Meguiars, Mothers -- all are quite good, but some are much more involved and take longer than others (Zymol...). Once again, apply to a 2' section, let haze, buff out.
Some notes: Black is particularly difficult in getting the shine, and NOT leaving sworls. Just be prepared to buff, buff, and buff some more... Lottsa work
Unless you're REALLY good with an electric buffer (I suck at it...) I would avoid it. Leaves sworls that you're likely not going to get out. Elbow grease for me. YMMV
And finally, Black, Red and Silver are pariticularly bad for oxidation. Of the 6 Saabs I've owned, One was orange, two are black, and one was red. I find that I waxed these much more frequently than the others (sort of a mid-blue, and white) just to keep the shine going.
Hope that helps.
Jim M.
posted by 152.163.20...
, Sat, 29 Dec 2001 21:13:13
, Fri, 28 Dec 2001 23:54:54
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