Appearance & Detailing Interior & Exterior Appearance Modifications

best to get paint to really shine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 8, 2005 | 06:44 PM
  #1  
superfreakws6's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Default best to get paint to really shine

My cars paint is not in the best of condition, has a few nicks and what not. It is parked outside all day everyday, in the sun, not driven a week at a time. What is a good product for me to get my paint to sharpen up and clean up, but also protect. Pics in the sig are from a week ago.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2005 | 07:00 PM
  #2  
jammon46's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma
Default

I dont see any pics in your sig but what I would do is wash it, clay bar it, Put a couple coats of color back on it, and then Z1 it, Z5 it, Z2 it, and then buy a car cover. If you don't want to use the zaino, just get some McGuires NXT wax, that stuff is second only to zaino.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2005 | 08:39 PM
  #3  
ZaneO's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Texas
Default

Nothing will make your paint shine like proper prep work. You first need a good paint polish (Menzerna, Poorboy's, Einszett, etc.). Polishing your paint reduces swirls, scratches, and marring and allows for better depth, wetness, and shine. Then you need to apply a good sealant for long lasting protection (Zaino or Klasse for greatest durability) or a less-lasting carnauba wax.

Your routine should go something like this:

Wash
Claybar
Wash
Polish paint
Seal/wax paint

This website contains some great tips for every aspect of detailing your car: www.bettercarcare.com I would suggest that you spend a little time reading up to optimize your outcome

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2005 | 09:36 PM
  #4  
Lithium's Avatar
SSU's Drunk Typing Whore
iTrader: (47)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,608
Likes: 0
Default

First thing that I would do is buy a car cover, especially if its sitting for week or so outside in Texas heat. Then do everything ZaneO says.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2005 | 11:04 PM
  #5  
6']['9's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Tx
Default

techically speaking you dont need a car cover but its kinda convenient to have one. I live down a dirt road and my ta was on blocks for 2 months while i did a clutch install & had the trans worked on . By the end of the 2nd month the vehicle was dusty even after several days of rain. regardless of the water sheeting off the car when i was done fixing it the first thing i did was wash it and the finish was still slick to the touch and there were NO SWIRLS. To get to the point proper prep work is the key to making your vehicle no matter where it sits (not under a tree) take your time to do things right and your finish will never let you down.
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2005 | 12:08 AM
  #6  
jammon46's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma
Default

Man, a dirt road must suck. Do you stop once you are on a pavement road and dust it down? That would drive me insane!
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2005 | 10:28 AM
  #7  
6']['9's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Tx
Default

no i wash it about every week or so and it never really gets dirty just dusty. but if i stay in the city w/my GF then itll stay pretty clean for about 2 weeks then i just spray it down w/ some waterless wash and use the NXT booster wax.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:57 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE