99 Predator

iTrader: (1)

car is in very good condition for its year, but since i look at it all the time i notice every little imperfection. nothing too serious or deep at all. just curious if a good detail will bring it back to showroom like paint quality. and if so, my car isnt garaged, how long will a good detail last.

NightWindDriftr

iTrader: (4)

A good detail lasts longer if you use durable products and if you keep it out of the elements. An ungaraged DD will take abuse, no matter how good a detail is.

It is very possible to restore "showroom-like" quality to your paint, depending on how well you or previous owners have treated the clear. Being an 8 year old car now, I doubt that you can restore it to perfection, but well-kept clear with a skilled detailer will come very close.

SIK02SS

iTrader: (11)

if you have a DA Polisher you can cut down a lot of your swirls, put a nice polish on, and seal with some wax in less then half the time it takes to do it by hand...and it will bring back the color with the right products and steps

my rec:

megs gold class car wash
clay bar
megs #83 (85 only if your car is seriously scratched up hardcore like)
megs #80 or #26 (#80 is more durable through the weather then 26 is)
NXT tech wax

you'll be drooling at the finish you get!!


by hand without a DA,
wash/clay
Megs Step 1
Megs Step 2 (or #26...both last the same in my use, but 26 looks better and is easier)
NXT Tech wax

you'll be very pleased with this result too


meguiarsonline . com

has all the info you need

Gipraw

iTrader: (10)

couple of issues here ..

- don't use #85 with a DA .. it is a rotary only product, and not for beginners.

- #80 and #26 are not interchangable .. #80 is a swirl remover/glaze that provides no protection, #26 is a pure carnauba wax.

- don't follow a carnauba with a synthetic (ie NXT after #26) carnauba is always last.

- Meg's Step 2 and #26 are not the same .. Step 2 is a pure polish with no protective abilities at all .. and, once again, #26 is a pure carnauba wax. and don't follow #26 with NXT .. it is ok to do NXT then #26, but not the other way around.


NightWindDriftr is correct .. a good detail done by a pro, or an accomplished hobbyist is capable of bringing your car a long way bqck towards showroom, or better condition, depending on the current damage and neglect level.

99 Predator

iTrader: (1)

thanks for the advice