Got a '90 GXE with the original paint. The color is mist blue and it is clear coated. The clear coat is not flaking anywhere but appears dull. Pictures of the max's on this site show old cars that shine like new and look great. Hard to believe they have the original paint, but maybe so. I clicked on a thread in the FAQ and it described a laborious routine of compounding, polishing, waxing that seemed like a weekend job. I'm hoping someone out there knows of a good product that will "wake-up" my clear coat and make my car gleam.

Thanks,
"Dull in Baltimore"

 

no miracle cure...just hard work. To get your paint back you need to follow those directions. buff with a 3 step compound like 3Ms Perfect-It III (kinda expensive though at around $60 for all 3) or just pay someone around $100 to buff it for you.

You can also use the Meguires 3 step system with good results. I used that on my black 92 GXE and the paint looked like new.

 

yeah you can buy the stuff and do it yourself, the only thing is most companys that sell detailing supplys dont sell small quantitys so it may be hard to find quality stuff, its probably better to find a detailer who will do it for $100-$150, just make sure you find someone good,

 

Meguiar's 3 step could be all you need if you're a DIYer. otherwise pay to have the car detailed. when was the last time the car was REALLY cleaned...


first 3 responses are new paint jobs

 

lol yeah whats up with that?

 

I used the 3 step system too, except I usually clay beforehand.

I'm getting a new paintjob in about two weeks, so 4 for 4 maybe

 

well technically I only have a new paint job in the engine bay but hopefully the rest soon lol.

I got my dad to buy the 3M 3 step for me when I was painting my sisters car but it turned out so good that I didnt even use it. I will use it for my car though since I want it slick as glass with absolutely no orange peal. I did use it to buff out some scratches in a friends bumper and it worked great.


Oh and tucker your arm will be sore in the morning after doing the mequires 3 step for sure. Plan on taking most of the day to do it but it is worth it.

 

why not wet sand it to remove the orange peel, I did that on my white car myself and the paint job looked 200x better.

 

I will wet sand it first then use the compounds to buff it to a beatiful shine.

 

yeah thats what I did,

 

Shine baby!! Shine!! look below

 

I just used the Meguiar's 3 step last week on my car, and I gotta say, it's looking much better now!

 

my blue is shot.color is really dull.. only bright when wet, and my spoiuler is fuc%ed

 

 

thought the car was mint

 

No Chris, his car is blue, not mint

Thanks for the headsup on those cams

 

he doesnt know what he's talking about, the color isnt shot, I told you Izzy just let me buff out the car and Ill get the paint shining, its been sitting under that tree in Mass for months and hasnt been waxed in a while.

your spoiler is faded but Rob can paint that for you.

 

wishes N34 was a good friend of mine..lol

 

tucker - It's hard to come up with a suggestion without seeing the paint in person, but try the 3 step systems by either Mothers or Meguiar's. The Mothers one is less confusing IMO, but directly comparable. 3 Step systems have the 3 usual steps of a traditional detail job: mildly abrasive polish (pre-wax cleaner in this case), glaze, and wax. This makes them good for the weekend enthusiast and are relatively simple to use. However, this also means that they are very mild systems. You may find the Step 1 product too gentle to revive your finish, but try it first. If that doesn't work you can either pay a (reputable) pro to cut polish your car or you can step up to a stronger polish like a fine cut cleaner/compound by Meguiar's/3M which are so-called "professional" level products because you have to use them more carefully and with good technique (hint: keep rubbing!). If you DIY be prepared for a workout and to spend a weekend on it if you're doing this by hand. You might also want to check out the Detailing forum here too. HTH


PS: Hi guys!

 

bman...hows it going? Havent heard from you in a while. You disapeared and then came back only to disapear again lol. You been keeping up with my car any? I am getting close to completing it.

 

yeah...i mean the cams could be fine but who knows what got focked when the timing belt went bye bye. better off just buying new or finding another deal IMO

 

Oh hi! Things are okay, sorry for vanishing all the time. Unfortunately, no, I'm not keeping up with your car in any way, shape or form. My sig says it all, and I still haven't gotten around to installing that darned RSB for several reasons... Part of the reason why I left was because I have more pressing things to fix first, and all the reading I was doing was giving me mod fever - which I couldn't finance! I know going cold turkey isn't the best idea, but it just happened one day...

Once in a while I hear tidbits about you doing things with your car. I just checked out your site and I can see you're getting lots accomplished - terrific work around the front light cluster.