Birdman

I'll start off by admitting that I'm not a "waxer" type..I drive my car, will stable it wet and dirty, and will even go days at a time without washing it even though it clearly needs it. I feel bad, and I'd love to have it minty clean 24/7, but too lazy or busy or both to keep it at that level all the time, especially as a DD.

Anyways, I was looking at the paint close today when attempting to wax it for the first time (Bought it last Christmas) with Armor All Ultra Shine: Butter Smooth Wax..worked GREAT on my gf's Black '08 Tahoe Z71.

When you run your hand over the surface of the car, (I did this on the roof, but could guess it's the same everywhere else), it felt like fine sandpaper, was rough, and definitely NOT smooth feeling.

So I tried applying the wax, as instructed, and it had little to no effect on the feel or look of the surface, so I deducted that what I was seeing and feeling was a lack of either clear coat, or very scratched paint, etc.

Here's a pic of the roof, on the left, you can see the hazed and very finely scratched paint that is dull and abrasive, and on the right, near the weatherstripping, you can see the original smooth paint that hasn't been affected by neglect or whatever.



What all do I need to do to try and get it looking like the part on the right, which is smooth, shiny, and without defects? My knowledge and skill is limited, though I've heard of clay bars and think it's relatively simple to use it..

I'm open ears!

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

Wash -- clay -- polish (w/ machine) -- then protect

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

Birdman

Thanks.

tlc0706

The clay job should take care of the roughness and machine polishing will bring back the shine.......All except that roof.. Looks like someone ran under a low limb and touched it up with a paintbrush.. or it's clear coat failure........That area may require a paint shop.....GL

GoFast908Z

Those look like DA sand scratches from a body shop after a repaint. You need a professional for that.

Stan MI

Almost looks like a raised ridge just back of the trim. Could that be some 3M clear film applied to the panel ????