Need help bringing back the finish

[Pumpkinfish]

I need some help on what to do to get my car looking great. I used it as a commuter for three years and I know I can do little with all the road rash (at least I have a commuter car now). I cleaned my Mustang and waxed it this weekend, but it doesn't feel slippery smooth if that makes sense. It feels slightly better than before. What course of action should I take? Clay bar, buff, etc? My dad has a buffer I can use at his shop. I know as a kid my Dad would compound, buff and wax his cars at least once a year. I always remember his car's looking great and feeling so smooth. From reading posts it doesn't seem like people do this so what should I do to restore the finish and maintain at this point? I am going to start saving for the eventual respray I will need, but until then, I want to make this look as good as possible.

For the record, I have a Satin Silver 05.

 

[thecarter13]

Washing and waxing is a great way of maintaining that finish where as doing a full on correction (compounding/polishing) will restore the finish.

I would look to grabbing a clay bar and going to town with that first. Clay barring is probably one of the best things you can do to your car to keep a good clean finish, removes all those contaminants you can't get washing. To tell if you need to clay slide your hang in a sandwich baggie and slide your fingers over the paint. This magnifies the feel of the contaminants present in the paint. Quick question when was the last time you clay barred, and also what wax did you use?

Now that will help achieve a better looking finish and make the paint feel much smoother but doesn't do much in way of correcting and removing the scratches, swirls, rids and what not. If your looking to get to this step your going to need some compounds and polishes. If you don't feel like going through the long hours of perfecting the paint then maybe clay barring and going to a pre wax cleaner is the route to go.

Hope that gives you some direction

 

[Pumpkinfish]

To answer questions. I never clay barred becuase it was a commuter and I figured what was the sense. Second, I used some Eagle1 nano-wax in my garage. All I had at the time. What products do you recommend?

 

[_M_]

damn John...wish i was still in Philly. I have everything we need to get your car looking showroom new. Couldve helped ya. It will probably take at least 10 hours to get your car in shape.

I could send you a list of what you need, or you could just pay a guy to come and do a full correction. The price difference wouldnt be that much between buying and doing it yourself or hiring someone since you dont have some of the equipment you need (or maybe you do have a DA polisher or rotary).

Let me know and I'll post it up or if you want a name, I can get that too.

 

[Pumpkinfish]

Mike, pm the details. I appreciate it!

 

[Ken04]

Mike, pm the details. I appreciate it!

I spent $100 per car and had them professionally buffed. What a huge difference it made in the paint being slippery smooth, removing swirl marks and just bringing back that gleaming finish. I'd start with a fresh, clean surface, then care for it from there.

 

[_M_]

John...this kit http://www.autogeek.net/pc7424-menzerna-ceramic-kit.html has everything you need but a last step protection (LSP). i would recommend zaino z5 for that with some z6 and z8 to keep it fresh.

a really good full detail, i mean from engine to carpet will run you around 150-200. Im looking for the guy now