That new car shine

[MattismodderX]

Ok so ive had my alero for around 9 months and i love it to death. any1 that touches it the wrong way has another thing coming. but everytime i wash/wax/detail everything. it still doesnt have that fresh clean look. the rims have been cleaned to the highest degree, 2 coats of wax, washed everything. is the only way to do that is to get a new paint job?

This is my car.


This is the look i want


suggestions??

[[ion] C2]

clay bar it

[FrankTheTank]

or take it to a detailing shop and let them buff it for you. when i was in high school, i worked at a carwash and the owner did detailing on the side. he would get cars that the paint was horrible when they came in, and looked great when they left, and all he did was send the car through the wash then buff it. i dont remember the name of the product he used though.

[cherrington17]

there are a bunch of cleaning products that have multiple stages that you have to use... and from what i know, thats the only way to get that "show car" shine.

[MattismodderX]

any recomendations of products to use? budget is under 100usd. also there are a ton of little scratches all over the car. what is your personal recomendation to getting them out. or- how much for a new paint job?

[cherrington17]

new paint... ~2k.

if you want it done right, i'd say go have it detailed at a bodyshop.

[FrankTheTank]

i'd bet you can find somebody to detail it for you for $100 or so, and it'll save you a lot of work and it will probably look better than if you try it yourself.

where in ohio are you?

[lonnie]

All those that have been asking what stock rims look like painted well now is your chance. I think it would look better with lower profile tires, but that is just me. I'm going to try that clay bar thing here soon, when the weather is consitent.

[SweetNLow]

claybar wont do shit. all it does is remove contaminents from the paint.

if you want to get ride of the small "scratched" which are carwash scratches from running it thru automatic car washes...... you have to have the car BUFFED. if you have never buffed a car befor take it to someone who has..... or you will just be wishing you did in the end.


actually..... where in ohio are you? if your close enuff i could buff the car

[[ion] C2]

Originally Posted by SweetNLow

claybar wont do shit. all it does is remove contaminents from the paint.

Then it does something. You have to ditch the shit on your paint before trying to make it look nice. Guess I should have clarified: Clay bar, wash, wax, buff/polish.

[lonnie]

Originally Posted by SweetNLow

claybar wont do shit. all it does is remove contaminents from the paint.

if you want to get ride of the small "scratched" which are carwash scratches from running it thru automatic car washes...... you have to have the car BUFFED. if you have never buffed a car befor take it to someone who has..... or you will just be wishing you did in the end.


actually..... where in ohio are you? if your close enuff i could buff the car

Are you still doing the vin number look ups?

[MattismodderX]

i live in akron ohio

[alerored04]

I would not trust a $100 detail to be done right.

[misslindseysue]

You won't get it done right for $100. A good detail for a car the size of an Alero will cost $300. Find someone you know who has a Porter Cable Random Orbital buffer and borrow it. Any RO buffer will work, but those are really the easiest/best to work with.
If you have any wax on it, strip it off with a Dawn (yes, dishsoap) wash or alcohol with water. Then claybar it. Either wipe the lube off really well or wash it again after than. Then work out the swirls etc with the buffer and an abrasive compound and pad with some bite. You'll have to follow that with something to smooth it out a little (and a softer pad), then seal it with a good synthetic wax. If you want that super wet, deep look put a layer of carnauba on top. That won't last but a month but looks the best.
I use Zaino and Prima products, Griots are also pro-grade but affordable. Some Mothers or Megs stuff is alright. You get what you pay for with a lot of detailing supplies though.
Also - stick with pure cotton towels with no edges or a good microfiber. I use a lot of stuff from www.detailersparadise.com - the waffle weaves are awesome for drying.

[doubleN0alero]

You can get a good detail for $100, but you have to know the right people to get it done. An ordinary joe off the street can't get a detail at a regular shop for $100, but you can get just the car buffed for that easy...anybody can.
Anywho, you're pretty close to Sweet if he hasn't moved, so hopefully he'll hook you up right.

[shez]

Yeah, I'm thinking of getting my car buffed too actually. Also, those rims don't look to bad. Could be a little shinier but whatever. What paint did you use for your rims?

[Bmorezcmunee]

Originally Posted by [ion] C2

clay bar it

yeah i agree clay bar

[Midgear]

clay bar and buff / wax .. last time I waxed my car i was trying to avoid every little puddle of water on the road and trying to avoid driving behind other people and staying away from dirt that was visible on the road

I miss setting my keys on the hood close to the windshield and watching them slide off..

[misslindseysue]

For $100, if you drive up here, I'll let you use all my stuff and teach you how to do it.

[MattismodderX]

Originally Posted by shez

Yeah, I'm thinking of getting my car buffed too actually. Also, those rims don't look to bad. Could be a little shinier but whatever. What paint did you use for your rims?

with a can of http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

they actually do get pretty damn shiney when theyre really clean and polished, just add a clear coat of the same brand. u can get it at any napa auto parts store.