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.
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4342/imgdbu6u0alrpow4q2cgfzbji5.jpg

This is the look i want
http://www.fastautosales.com/images/models/oldsmobile_alero.jpg

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. :lol:

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]

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]

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 (http://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]

C2;378545']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 :lol:

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]

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/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SHW%2DHWP104&N=700+115&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.

[lonnie]

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

[MattismodderX]

Spicey...LOL:jk:

ahahahahaaaa... anything over half hour away costs too much in gas. im broke at the moment (paycheck doesnt come in for another week) and i have a little less then half a tank. and when i have money a full tank will last maybe a week if im lucky. usually like 5 days :Rage:

[misslindseysue]

Well if you're that broke get some Scratch-X and get rubbin. That will get out a lot of scratches and swirls, you just really have to work it. Do your car a favor and buy some good synthetic wax, though. I personally love Zaino, especially if you're doing it by hand. Z-PC is like Scratch-X but gentler, will get out the finer stuff. Then Z-5 to fill what's left and Z-2 to seal it and get the most shine. Get some QD (Z-6) for quick touchup and in between coats, too.

Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover $12.95
ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive $19.95
Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes $14.95
Z-5 PRO Show Car Polish for Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches $16.95
Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray $9.95
Total: $74.75

[[ion] C2]

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

Lol, I might have to take you up on that though, my car could use a detail, and you'd only be like a half hour away.

[shiny alero]

it needs to be buffed with a foam pad and glazed

[Vinalero]

Well to get that second pic look on your car, I would first change Camera :lol:

THEN if its not better, I'd clay and buff it.

[misslindseysue]

C2;378871']Nice.. :scpimp:

Lol, I might have to take you up on that though, my car could use a detail, and you'd only be like a half hour away.

All my supplies are in my boyfriend's garage in Brighton. I don't have real good stuff for bad swirls/scratches, but I'm going to order some this week (my car isn't too bad, but I need it for mom's).

[shiny alero]

if you have never used a buffer DO NOT start learning on a black car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MattismodderX]

Well to get that second pic look on your car, I would first change Camera :lol:

THEN if its not better, I'd clay and buff it.

yea haha that is my cell phones camera. i have an ancient samsung camera that is extremley beat up:icon_rolleyes:

[misslindseysue]

if you have never used a buffer DO NOT start learning on a black car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Orbital, no, but RO, you're fine, can't hurt it.

[14alero]

Hey man were in Ohio you located Im in Columbus i have a detailing Business on the side

[14alero]

Nevermind i saw it akron

[TheEdgeofSanity]

All my supplies are in my boyfriend's garage in Brighton. I don't have real good stuff for bad swirls/scratches, but I'm going to order some this week (my car isn't too bad, but I need it for mom's).

so i guess it's a party at lindsey's? lol! count me in!

[[ion] C2]

lol BigDaddyD, you, me, itsbmw, etc. partayy

[undecided02]

get mcguires high grade car wash and paint restorer. its the best on the market.

[Midgear]

get mcguires high grade car wash and paint restorer. its the best on the market.

is that suppose to remove the fine scratches and swirl marks?

[itsbmw]

All I use is armor all soap in really hot water. http://www.armorall.com/products/view_product.php?product_id=20&main_group=0&category_index=wash_wax

Washed it a few days ago:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c89/itsbmw/P_081108_001.jpg

My neighbors cars are in almost all of my pictures lol :'(

C2;378955']lol BigDaddyD, you, me, itsbmw, etc. partayy

Heck yeah. too bad I can't drive my car without someone over 21 in the passenger seat. I hate having my car without my license lol.

[coolgrinder33]

honestly dude,i think if you got new rims...it would make the overalls car apperence look alot newer and less cheap

[undecided02]

honestly if fine scratches become a major issue I would say just get your clearcoat redone.

[DansGen1Alero]

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

Damn girl go on wit ur bad self!

[DansGen1Alero]

if you dont wanna buff, id say wax, maybe some fine rubbing compound, maguiers, (sp) mothers they are good brands, I would just go to a auto store and look in the isle with all that and read some stuff, then do some research or ask one of us. Im sure with all the combined trial and error someone has come across some stupid product.

[-Alero-]

yeah i usually just wash with gold class meguires, clay bar, zymol cleaner wax, sometimes follow up with meguires cleaner wax, then i use NuFinish for polish, then i use NXT tech wax 2.0.....all applied with a orbital buffer all removed with microfiber towels

sidenote- i do not always reuse the same micro fiber towels, probably use them 3 times or so and get rid of them, as micro fiber gets older and the more it goes through the wash it looses its softer properties, i have seen microfiber rags scratch cars, and since then i replace mine regularly as well ad my pads

i just washed my car and did all this and it looks fantasticif i had a nice digital camera i would take pics of my car but all i have is my 2 meg camera phone.

zymol is impressive and smells like cotton candy!

[mfuller]

Wash, clay, polish, wax. In that order.

[jayson_waltz]

wash and clay it then take it somewhere good and have them buff it. then a really good wax and you should be good to go.

[misslindseysue]

sidenote- i do not always reuse the same micro fiber towels, probably use them 3 times or so and get rid of them, as micro fiber gets older and the more it goes through the wash it looses its softer properties, i have seen microfiber rags scratch cars, and since then i replace mine regularly as well ad my pads


All my good towels came with directions to only wash microfiber with microfiber. Reason being it picks up lint from everything else, even cotton, which will scratch your car. Don't use powdered soap or any fabric softener, either.

[-Alero-]

All my good towels came with directions to only wash microfiber with microfiber. Reason being it picks up lint from everything else, even cotton, which will scratch your car. Don't use powdered soap or any fabric softener, either.


that is true its just i still dont trust the microfiber for a long time so i end up replacing it

[DansGen1Alero]

I live in MD, anybody wanna come detail my cars ill pay top dollar :)

[-Alero-]

ill do it but i dont have a buffer

[DansGen1Alero]

I got an orbital, how much you charge, I have 2 cars, the lex and alero

[-Alero-]

where are you?

[DansGen1Alero]

in Abingdon, right next to Bel Air (Harford County)
77B off 95

[-Alero-]

uhhhhhh i have no idea where that is

[DansGen1Alero]

NORTH, lol

sorry, where part of B-more are u in?

[-Alero-]

uh kinda more towards frederick

[MattismodderX]

bump.

shiney car... is this overkill??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___Mitsubishi-Evolution-IX-AMS-built-2-3-850R-703awhp_W0QQitemZ280268119005QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Tr ucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280268119005 &_trkparms=72%3A727%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1308 &_trksid=p4506.c0.m245