Working On Correcting WHITE Paint.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 144
From: Connecticut
Working On Correcting WHITE Paint.
So i've spent a couple hours polishing the rear lip of the bumper on my 89, car has 90k miles and Hasn't been detailed in who knows how long. It's been very hard to get pictures on camera that shows the flaws as it is white paint. I got the best pictures I could, I still have much more to do to the paint but you get the point. The whole top of the rear bumper is done now, still needs a lot more work around the car. You can see that this paint had tons of water marks, scuff marks, and dirt trapped in the paint, with wax over it. I used a simple microfiber pad, and wiped it clean with a microfiber towel then waxed it. To clean up the paint I had to put quite a lot of pressure and it was pretty exhausting, but it's worth it.
The pictures don't really do it justice as it was very hard to pickup on camera, but trust me , there was not half an inch on this bumper that didn't have a darkish black,brown, or orange/redish mark on it. These marks were much darker in person. I used Turtle Wax Polishing Compound and it actually works very well, I would recommend it, cost me under 10 dollars. Waxed with Mothers. I also got rid of this ugly red scuff mark that's been on the car since I purchased it. If you guys have any tips or tricks feel free to chime in
The pictures don't really do it justice as it was very hard to pickup on camera, but trust me , there was not half an inch on this bumper that didn't have a darkish black,brown, or orange/redish mark on it. These marks were much darker in person. I used Turtle Wax Polishing Compound and it actually works very well, I would recommend it, cost me under 10 dollars. Waxed with Mothers. I also got rid of this ugly red scuff mark that's been on the car since I purchased it. If you guys have any tips or tricks feel free to chime in
Last edited by BrandensBeast; Jun 26, 2017 at 11:24 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 169
Likes: 18
From: Milford New Hampshire
Welcome to the Arctic White Club!
Luckily when I got mine it was not too bad but...
There are always issues....
I'm a Macquires man myself... I for some reason dislike Turtle wax... I got the cutting polish from Harbor Freight and used one of their cheapo buffers with accompanying pads.. I then also acquired the same show car polish and wax all in the Tan bottles...
I've been applying the wax with the buffer and then hand removing the wax with micro fiber...
I just went to a Car show in Merrimack NH at a Pro Hot-Rod Building Shop and I was getting massive compliments on the Car. I was rather shocked really...
If I was you though and it's as bad as described... I would do a Chris fix Superwash:
His video does not wash the pictured Vette he does another car... His videos are pretty good and well produced... I did not have everything he had... But I used a lot of his tips... And I gotta say the results are awesome...
Luckily when I got mine it was not too bad but...
There are always issues....
I'm a Macquires man myself... I for some reason dislike Turtle wax... I got the cutting polish from Harbor Freight and used one of their cheapo buffers with accompanying pads.. I then also acquired the same show car polish and wax all in the Tan bottles...
I've been applying the wax with the buffer and then hand removing the wax with micro fiber...
I just went to a Car show in Merrimack NH at a Pro Hot-Rod Building Shop and I was getting massive compliments on the Car. I was rather shocked really...
If I was you though and it's as bad as described... I would do a Chris fix Superwash:
His video does not wash the pictured Vette he does another car... His videos are pretty good and well produced... I did not have everything he had... But I used a lot of his tips... And I gotta say the results are awesome...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut
I have some experience with white cars and have used a number of products through the years to clean them. I use a clay bar for the first and last wash of the year on the Corvette. After claying, I use a natural wax at the beginning of the year and then before it goes in the garage for the last time I use a synthetic. In between these two times I use a good quality foaming car soap and wax as needed.
For my daily driver, I clay bar at the first good cleaning of the year. I then apply a good synthetic wax. In between I usually only have to spray it down and clean with a foaming car soap.
in my experience, a good wax will limit the amount of the spots you were talking about and the clay bar will remove them faster and easier than compound will.
For my daily driver, I clay bar at the first good cleaning of the year. I then apply a good synthetic wax. In between I usually only have to spray it down and clean with a foaming car soap.
in my experience, a good wax will limit the amount of the spots you were talking about and the clay bar will remove them faster and easier than compound will.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 144
From: Connecticut
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 144
From: Connecticut
Welcome to the Arctic White Club!
Luckily when I got mine it was not too bad but...
There are always issues....
I'm a Macquires man myself... I for some reason dislike Turtle wax... I got the cutting polish from Harbor Freight and used one of their cheapo buffers with accompanying pads.. I then also acquired the same show car polish and wax all in the Tan bottles...
I've been applying the wax with the buffer and then hand removing the wax with micro fiber...
I just went to a Car show in Merrimack NH at a Pro Hot-Rod Building Shop and I was getting massive compliments on the Car. I was rather shocked really...
If I was you though and it's as bad as described... I would do a Chris fix Superwash:
His video does not wash the pictured Vette he does another car... His videos are pretty good and well produced... I did not have everything he had... But I used a lot of his tips... And I gotta say the results are awesome...
Luckily when I got mine it was not too bad but...
There are always issues....
I'm a Macquires man myself... I for some reason dislike Turtle wax... I got the cutting polish from Harbor Freight and used one of their cheapo buffers with accompanying pads.. I then also acquired the same show car polish and wax all in the Tan bottles...
I've been applying the wax with the buffer and then hand removing the wax with micro fiber...
I just went to a Car show in Merrimack NH at a Pro Hot-Rod Building Shop and I was getting massive compliments on the Car. I was rather shocked really...
If I was you though and it's as bad as described... I would do a Chris fix Superwash:
His video does not wash the pictured Vette he does another car... His videos are pretty good and well produced... I did not have everything he had... But I used a lot of his tips... And I gotta say the results are awesome...
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 388
Likes: 38
From: Madison CT
I know you work on limited funds and while polishing is certainly possible by hand. It's a lot easier with a good dual action orbital polisher. I have a porter cable, but the harbor freight polisher is a great value...I think around 50 bucks with a coupon or on sale.
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-5...her-69924.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-in-5...her-69924.html
Pro
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 538
Likes: 36
From: Northern Colorado
Wash with Dawn Dish Detergent (use Dawn to strip old wax / polish)
Clay
Wash with Dawn
Compound
Polish
Wax
Enjoy
There are an immeasurable amount of processes and products that accompany each of the general steps above
but these seem to be the standards the pros recommend.
I have all the Meguiar's product and Harbor Freight DA Polisher ready to go as recommended by others... just need the time (and motivation). Every time I think about the time it will take to complete, I go for a drive instead I have read somewhere to disassemble the HF Polisher and re-grease the main drive gear, it helps quiet it down and reduce vibration considerably. Anyone want to swing by for a detail session, beers are always on the house 
Clay
Wash with Dawn
Compound
Polish
Wax
Enjoy
There are an immeasurable amount of processes and products that accompany each of the general steps above
but these seem to be the standards the pros recommend.I have all the Meguiar's product and Harbor Freight DA Polisher ready to go as recommended by others... just need the time (and motivation). Every time I think about the time it will take to complete, I go for a drive instead
I have read somewhere to disassemble the HF Polisher and re-grease the main drive gear, it helps quiet it down and reduce vibration considerably. Anyone want to swing by for a detail session, beers are always on the house
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,644
Likes: 144
From: Connecticut
My uncle let me borrow his Harbor freight DA Polisher and i've been practicing on my dads truck, an old rusty 2002 dodge ram. I plan on buying one for myself in the near future, still need practice before I feel comfortable using it on my Vette.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
You aren't in too much danger of damaging any paint with a DA polisher like the HF or porter cable types unless you drop the tool on the car. Just go for it on your vette unless you want to hook your dad's truck up too.