Took A LONG Time To Get This Done...*pics*
This was def worth the time...*pics*
Hey everyone, I finished washing the car last week but never got the chance to post some pics...so here goes:
FYI, the steps I took were:
1. Wash car with Dawn and dry
2. Clay entire car with Mothers gold clay bar
3. Wash car again with Meguiars NXT car wash
4. Meguiars Three Step Process (Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner, Polish, and instead of the step 3 carnuba wax I used the gold class clear coat wax).
(Step 4 was done entirely by hand
)
5. Sat back and almost cried after the finished product...
All in all it took me 2 days to do because when I first started it got too dark for me to start the paint treatment, I was only able to wash, clay, and rewash. All time together, it took about 6 hours. Let me know what you guys think...
FYI, the steps I took were:
1. Wash car with Dawn and dry
2. Clay entire car with Mothers gold clay bar
3. Wash car again with Meguiars NXT car wash
4. Meguiars Three Step Process (Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner, Polish, and instead of the step 3 carnuba wax I used the gold class clear coat wax).
(Step 4 was done entirely by hand
)5. Sat back and almost cried after the finished product...
All in all it took me 2 days to do because when I first started it got too dark for me to start the paint treatment, I was only able to wash, clay, and rewash. All time together, it took about 6 hours. Let me know what you guys think...
Originally Posted by Fr33way
like glass, time well spent
are you leaving the pinstripe?
are you leaving the pinstripe?
I wish I could take them off, those pinstripes are actually painted on, so theres no way to do it. I'm guessing maybe the previous owner had it done or something.
Originally Posted by mdsmithers
Looks great, nicely done.
Black car owners, like myself, have to take pictures of their work, since it lasts about 5 minutes before a bird sees that shine, lol
Black car owners, like myself, have to take pictures of their work, since it lasts about 5 minutes before a bird sees that shine, lol
I hate when that happens...the day after i did this it POURED like there was no end. At least I have these pictures.
Originally Posted by Blackwind
how does this work on a really swirled up clear coat?
http://www.cardomain.com/my/ed
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 368
Goodness that is a great shine. I have a silver 04. I started my waxing for the winter already and hope to have a good three coats on it before the winter. I hope my car looks half as good as that. You need to do a video on that car and sell it to some of these detail shops out here keep up the good work.
Originally Posted by Bluesbrekr
Nice job. Looks excellent. Black is a great color, but as stated it takes a lot of maintainence to keep it looking good.
aint that the truth...its soo worth it though 
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,803
From: Manitoba
Originally Posted by jp_cout
I don't think we have clay bar in canada...never saw it anywhere in quebec city..??!! 
2 Maximus 4, that looks amazing! My Dad's Accord is black, but it never looks that good! I've never tried polish on my car...maybe next summer I will.
thanks for the compliments everyone!
i've never put so much time into detailing my car. i used to think a simple wash and wax of the exterior and some protectant on the interior was more than enough, but after discovering the detailing forum here and autopia.org, i really wanted to see what was possible with my paint. i think i've spent at least $200 in supplies (cleaners, clothes, towels, etc) and the outcome of the detail and the compliments i receive are well worth it. now if only the car could stay that way and if only these damn new yorkers would take some appreciation of cars and stop dinging and scratching my car!!!
i've never put so much time into detailing my car. i used to think a simple wash and wax of the exterior and some protectant on the interior was more than enough, but after discovering the detailing forum here and autopia.org, i really wanted to see what was possible with my paint. i think i've spent at least $200 in supplies (cleaners, clothes, towels, etc) and the outcome of the detail and the compliments i receive are well worth it. now if only the car could stay that way and if only these damn new yorkers would take some appreciation of cars and stop dinging and scratching my car!!!
Originally Posted by mdsmithers
Looks great, nicely done.
Black car owners, like myself, have to take pictures of their work, since it lasts about 5 minutes before a bird sees that shine, lol
Black car owners, like myself, have to take pictures of their work, since it lasts about 5 minutes before a bird sees that shine, lol
I recall one time after washing the '02, I found a bird dropping on it the next morning.
Originally Posted by PrinzII
Gray Lustre owners have those issues as well.
I recall one time after washing the '02, I found a bird dropping on it the next morning.
I recall one time after washing the '02, I found a bird dropping on it the next morning.
Originally Posted by 2 MaXiMuS 4
Thanks fr33way.
I wish I could take them off, those pinstripes are actually painted on, so theres no way to do it. I'm guessing maybe the previous owner had it done or something.
I wish I could take them off, those pinstripes are actually painted on, so theres no way to do it. I'm guessing maybe the previous owner had it done or something.
The solution: Eazy Off oven cleaner (the yellow can). It works like a charm and doesn't damage you paint.
So long painted on pinstripes
Originally Posted by VTonmymind
My car had the pinstripes painted on it too, and like you, I thought I could never get them off. Happy to say, that they are long gone and my car looks 10 times better without them.
The solution: Eazy Off oven cleaner (the yellow can). It works like a charm and doesn't damage you paint.
So long painted on pinstripes
The solution: Eazy Off oven cleaner (the yellow can). It works like a charm and doesn't damage you paint.
So long painted on pinstripes
One more question. My car has a couple scratches and swirls here and there..... Would this "Clay Bar" product be able to cover that up for me?
Originally Posted by gto400no1
car came out great man, it has a nice wet look to it. now its time to move up to a porter cable and impress yourself even more! great job!
i'll probably save up and just wait for the spring to get it
Originally Posted by VTonmymind
My car had the pinstripes painted on it too, and like you, I thought I could never get them off. Happy to say, that they are long gone and my car looks 10 times better without them.
The solution: Eazy Off oven cleaner (the yellow can). It works like a charm and doesn't damage you paint.
So long painted on pinstripes
The solution: Eazy Off oven cleaner (the yellow can). It works like a charm and doesn't damage you paint.
So long painted on pinstripes
It is indeed. I was a bit hesitant at first too, having the same clear coat/ roast my paint worries as you, but I tried it on a small section first & it just wiped right off. (thankfully, the stripe is painted on over the clear coat, not underneath it)
After getting the confidence I needed on that small spot first, I rolled through the rest of my car with no worries at all. No damage to my paint or clear coat. (I did have to re-spray some of the thicker sections a few times and let it stand a little longer, say 10 minutes instead of 5, but it still worked like a charm)
If you have any worries, try a small spot first and go from there. By Sunday, you'll be looking at your car with a whole new admiration!
As I, you should wash your car first, take off the stripes, then wash her again to get rid of any over spray just to make sure.
Have fun and enjoy your newly de-stripped max, it's gonna be a beautiful thing!
After getting the confidence I needed on that small spot first, I rolled through the rest of my car with no worries at all. No damage to my paint or clear coat. (I did have to re-spray some of the thicker sections a few times and let it stand a little longer, say 10 minutes instead of 5, but it still worked like a charm)
If you have any worries, try a small spot first and go from there. By Sunday, you'll be looking at your car with a whole new admiration!
As I, you should wash your car first, take off the stripes, then wash her again to get rid of any over spray just to make sure.
Have fun and enjoy your newly de-stripped max, it's gonna be a beautiful thing!
Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 40
Originally Posted by VTonmymind
It is indeed. I was a bit hesitant at first too, having the same clear coat/ roast my paint worries as you, but I tried it on a small section first & it just wiped right off. (thankfully, the stripe is painted on over the clear coat, not underneath it)
After getting the confidence I needed on that small spot first, I rolled through the rest of my car with no worries at all. No damage to my paint or clear coat. (I did have to re-spray some of the thicker sections a few times and let it stand a little longer, say 10 minutes instead of 5, but it still worked like a charm)
If you have any worries, try a small spot first and go from there. By Sunday, you'll be looking at your car with a whole new admiration!
As I, you should wash your car first, take off the stripes, then wash her again to get rid of any over spray just to make sure.
Have fun and enjoy your newly de-stripped max, it's gonna be a beautiful thing!
After getting the confidence I needed on that small spot first, I rolled through the rest of my car with no worries at all. No damage to my paint or clear coat. (I did have to re-spray some of the thicker sections a few times and let it stand a little longer, say 10 minutes instead of 5, but it still worked like a charm)
If you have any worries, try a small spot first and go from there. By Sunday, you'll be looking at your car with a whole new admiration!
As I, you should wash your car first, take off the stripes, then wash her again to get rid of any over spray just to make sure.
Have fun and enjoy your newly de-stripped max, it's gonna be a beautiful thing!
Originally Posted by mdsmithers
Looks great, nicely done.
Black car owners, like myself, have to take pictures of their work, since it lasts about 5 minutes before a bird sees that shine, lol
Black car owners, like myself, have to take pictures of their work, since it lasts about 5 minutes before a bird sees that shine, lol
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 114
Originally Posted by VTonmymind
It is indeed. I was a bit hesitant at first too, having the same clear coat/ roast my paint worries as you, but I tried it on a small section first & it just wiped right off. (thankfully, the stripe is painted on over the clear coat, not underneath it)
After getting the confidence I needed on that small spot first, I rolled through the rest of my car with no worries at all. No damage to my paint or clear coat. (I did have to re-spray some of the thicker sections a few times and let it stand a little longer, say 10 minutes instead of 5, but it still worked like a charm)
If you have any worries, try a small spot first and go from there. By Sunday, you'll be looking at your car with a whole new admiration!
As I, you should wash your car first, take off the stripes, then wash her again to get rid of any over spray just to make sure.
Have fun and enjoy your newly de-stripped max, it's gonna be a beautiful thing!
After getting the confidence I needed on that small spot first, I rolled through the rest of my car with no worries at all. No damage to my paint or clear coat. (I did have to re-spray some of the thicker sections a few times and let it stand a little longer, say 10 minutes instead of 5, but it still worked like a charm)
If you have any worries, try a small spot first and go from there. By Sunday, you'll be looking at your car with a whole new admiration!
As I, you should wash your car first, take off the stripes, then wash her again to get rid of any over spray just to make sure.
Have fun and enjoy your newly de-stripped max, it's gonna be a beautiful thing!
Originally Posted by crotch
It's so true, my last car was black (95 Accord) and it always got **** on before any other of my friends cars 
Originally Posted by PrinzII
My '02 was a frequent target of pigeons as well after I washed it. In fact, I recall one day after I got through detailing I saw a crap stain on the hood.
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Posts: n/a
[. (thankfully, the stripe is painted on over the clear coat, not underneath it)
Good point if you get to a section where a bodyshop has saved the stripe (clear coated over it) then you won't be able to easy off it.you may also have a little swelling of the paint from the enamel (painted) stripe on the urethane clear coat. Other thn that you should be okay. Hey vtonmymind did you have any swelling of the paint under the stripes.
Good point if you get to a section where a bodyshop has saved the stripe (clear coated over it) then you won't be able to easy off it.you may also have a little swelling of the paint from the enamel (painted) stripe on the urethane clear coat. Other thn that you should be okay. Hey vtonmymind did you have any swelling of the paint under the stripes.