Cascade Crew

QwkTrip

I need to make the '01 Camaro shine as much as possible. It already looks pretty good, but the hood is covered with bug splats that did not come off when washing. What products should I use to make it gleam? No ten step processes. Make it simple.

chevymad · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject:

Clay bar then wax. it.

IROCDave · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:58 pm Post subject:

Try the clay bar, if it doesnt work bust out the 1500 grit paper and water. Be careful, only need a couple of swipes, then hit it with 2K grit and lots of water. Follow up with 3M cutting compound, 3M swirl remover, then a two step wax system from the company of your choice. I would suggest using the 2 - 4th steps on the whole hood to blend the repair.

91camaro_rs · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2010 9:38 pm Post subject:

They actually have a clay bar kit that is made specifically for black cars, hit that up and wax it afterwards

QwkTrip · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 4:45 am Post subject:

Thanks! I'll try the clay bar first and see how it goes.

I've never used a clay bar before. It is pretty dummy proof? Or can I end up doing damage?

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 4:47 am Post subject:

It's pretty dummy proof. I've used one. hahha

Whiskeychick · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 9:37 am Post subject:

I agree, clay bar (you can just use water with a little bit of dish soap, as it will help break down the bugs, cheaper too)
Then a good waxing, with good wax no cheap stuff.

Then you can go with a glaze of Farecla Black top hand polish its made for black cars and really does make a diffence. Kinda pricey though. But any glaze will fill any light swirls etc, then eventually wash off. Makes it look fantastic in the meantime.

QwkTrip · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 3:07 pm Post subject:

Alright, I bought some goodies tonight. We'll see what happens. Wink

IROCDave · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 5:28 pm Post subject:

Clay bar is dummy proof as long as it doesnt hit the ground.

Turtle wax used to sell colored wax, pick up some black wax, then go over that with a good Carnuba wax not from Turtle.

IROC-stangs · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 9:50 am Post subject:

Get these things, meguiars ultimate compound, meguiars scratchx 2.0, meguiars swirlx, meguiars clay bar, meguiars deep crystal polish, meguiars nxt gen 2.0 for just the paint, and make sure to pick up an crap load of fairly plush microfiber towels and an few terry cloth's. Plus an smaller 6in craftman buffer and a 10 in crafsman buffer, i have the 10in and it worked good for me on the camaro.

Your first want to wash her with an crap load of dawn soap, then clay it, if its bad maybe go over with the clay bar an second time, wash again then dry. Brake out the buffer with plenty of ultimate compound do the whole car, then go over with the swirlx, if thers still some bad spots use the scratchx, then go over her with the polish, then finally 2 coats of nxt gen 2.0

The paint should look remarkable after that, but before you do anything go to adams detailing forums and check out junkman's videos, or he's also on camaro5, good luck.

Also for regular washing make sure to use an nice thick microfiber or sheepskin wash mit and for soap use meguiars ultimate wash or meguiars gold class wash, also you will want to dry with an cheap leaf blower and an thick large microfiber towel.

IROCDave · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:36 pm Post subject:

QwkTrip · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject:

I can just repaint the hood for the same amount all that stuff would cost. Rolling Eyes

In fact, I am going to repaint the hood. Upon closer inspection all the marks and bug spots are actually clear coat missing. For some reason the hood looks like crap and the rest of the car is nice. I know a guy with a paint booth in his shop and he will do it for $300 - $400. Done! The car will gain more than that in value.

IROC-stangs · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2010 10:50 pm Post subject:

dont shoot the messenger.

Fine then just do an quick polish with deep crystal and an wax with nxt gen 2.0 and a cheap little buffer.

I also suspect you may be questioned why the hood itself had to be repainted, i would suspect rust if i was the buyer...

plus it'll probaly just look out of place but up to you.

QwkTrip · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:24 am Post subject:

Did I just get reprimanded by a 13 year old kid? Quiet down little cricket. Laughing

Dewey316 · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:08 am Post subject:

QwkTrip · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 8:52 am Post subject:

I keep forgetting that with the Crew anything is possible. Very Happy

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:10 am Post subject:

I thought you want to apply the glaze to the paint before the wax, as the glaze puts oils and minerals back into the paint. Then wax over to protect it...

Whiskeychick · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:35 am Post subject:

The wax is the good protectant step. The only real purpose of a glaze is a quick fix. It fills in little swirls and hazing, but will eventually wash off. You want the wax to be the undercoat, as it lasts much longer.

Actually its like the "paint sealant" they sell at the dealerships, the product really does nothing other then piss off painters lol.
But honestly its just a silicone based sealant, that will wash off eventually and honestly does nothing to help your paint but does hide things well.

chevymad · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:06 am Post subject:

Ah, thanks for the info whiskey. Seems I've always done things backwards and glazed first. I know most painters here will tell you not to even wax a new paint job. They say just glaze it. Some even say never wax.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2010 2:17 pm Post subject:

Hmmm I went back and looked at the Meguiars glaze I've got an it says to put it on first?

I guess there's another method for everything?!