Should I polish it?

[DrummerDad]

I had my car painted last year, and its starting to dull down a bit. I talked to the guy who helped me paint it, and asked about wax. He said you dont wax it, you polish it. I have no clue what clear, or after paint prep went into it. I helped prep the body, and disassemble the car. When it was time to paint it, they stayed and hooked me up. So, Ive heard alot of good things about meguiars (sp?) and it is a daily driver, so Im only looking for a "10 foot" paintjob. But what would you guys do? He said hand polish it. And Im sure hes right, but he usually sprays helicopters, with a different type of paint. And Im not sure it even has a clear coat. I am not a body/paint guy. Im an airframe mechanic/sheetmetal fabricator.

Ive got alot of little details to take care of, like some overspray in the fenderwells, and on some of the window rubber. And I still have to get a run buffed out of the mirror. We got busy, and I havent had time to take care of it.

[Bigblockhatch]

It really depends on whats on the car.If its dying down i would say it dont have clear.Maybe a cheap single stage.You can polish it with a orbital buffer if you like or by hand.You will never get the look by hand that you can with a buffer.

Is the car a solid color or is it mica, met.

[DrummerDad]

Its the factory two stage paint. Color is Ultra blue metallic. Its not bad, but it doesnt have the shine it had right after it was sprayed. I just dont want it to get bad. Give me a minute, and Ill post a picture of what it used to look like. I cant upload for some reason, right now.

[DrummerDad]

When I first got it:

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c351/drummerdad/DSCF0332.jpg

After tires and Paint:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c351/drummerdad/DSC00057.jpg

Not bad, and yes the picture sucks. I just want it to stay looking good. And I loved it when I first got it back, and it was really bright.

[Todescengel]

Bigblock can correct me if i'm wrong, but if it's single stage metallic you can't sand and buff it like you would a Basecoat/Clearcoat. It'll make the metallic look different. But like I said, let bigblock confirm. Single stage was before my time.

[92GreenGT]

I honestly always thought your car was a teal color based on your avatar picture.:shrug: Whoops, haha.

[DrummerDad]

The avatar picture was taken the morning I got it back from paint. It didnt even have the mirrors, wing, or cowl on it. And the picture above was taken late at night, with a new camera. Im still learning to use it. :banghead:

[Hump-Free]

This is the wax i use.

angles best wax (http://www.yougotrickrolled.com/)

[4DoorHarley]

I would take the time to clay bar it, then use some 3-M polish for dark colors on it.
http://www.autogeek.net/3mperswirmar.html
You can get that at a local automotive paint store. As for the overspray in the wheel wells, I would just use some cheapo falt black spray paint to touch them up.

[Bigblockhatch]

So the car has clear coat on it for sure correct????
You didnt wax the car as soon as you got it back did you???
The clay bar might not help since i doubt the car has in thing in the paint.You shouldn't clay bar single stage metallic.it will make the color look streaked.
You cant cut and buff SS metallic it will look like ass.You can just remove the dirt speaks and buff them out.
Find out for sure what paint he put on it.If its cleared something has to be wrong for it to be losing its shine this quick.Hell most new clears are lifetime clears(which means they should look the same for at least 10-15 years) with regular wax and cleanings

[DrummerDad]

I havent waxed it yet. And I think it has clear. At least it does on the mirrors where the run is.

I may just have to wait till I can make one of the meets, and have one of you guys look at it.

Ive been told clay bar before, though. I might have to look into one of those.

[Bigblockhatch]

If you like one day when you and i both are free i can come and look at it.

[DrummerDad]

If you like one day when you and i both are free i can come and look at it.



That would be cool. Im going to try and make it to a few meets in the future. Work is picking up, so time will be limited.

[Bigblockhatch]

Where do you work

[DrummerDad]

Where do you work


At the airport, sort of. Ill PM the name of the company. The interweb is full of crazies. Cant be too safe. :fear: