big ed

just inherited 1990 Maxima. Low mileage---good shape. Paint finish is polishing up nice. many "stains". Sap. tar, burd ****, whatever, that was never properly cleaned. What should I try? "Carnuba cleaner polish" or "Sap remover" don't seem aggressive enough. Finish is a dark red. Is this "clear coat finish"? or was this pre-clear coat? What about rubbing compound? Can that get me in trouble if my experience is limited? Any advice?

newmaxguy

Meguiars makes some cleaning clay stuff for that very thing. Only use meguiars. They rock.

m

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

If it doesn't have any/many scratches or swirl marks you need to get out, I would suggest just using a cleaner/wax on it and be done.

Yes, the car is a clear coat finish.
Be VERY careful on the rear wing, as the paint is usually very thin- if it's still got any clearcoat on it at all. (FYI, if you rub through the red on the wing, Krylon makes a color in their $3 spray can line that is VERY close. I repainted my wing with it and no one can tell unless they know I did it).

If you've got some mars or scratches that need buffed, you can use rubbing compound, but usually polishing compound and wax will do the job well enough.
for a show car quality finish, you'll want to completely rub it down with a clay bar or some other cleaner, then polish it with a good liquid polish. meguiar's and 3M both make excellent products for this. I use either 3M's "finesse it II", "Mirror Glaze", or Meguiar's polish- forget the name.. you'll need a couple good buffing pads and a power buffer for this.

once that's done I use Meguiar's Gold Class liquid wax. goes on easily, then wait an hour and buff off, using several clean towels. get ready for sore shoulders and a long day in the driveway!