14 year old paint with 126k miles... never looked this good new

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/2505000-2505999/2505134_3.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/2505000-2505999/2505134_2.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/2505000-2505999/2505134_1.jpg http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/2505000-2505999/2505134_5.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/9/web/2505000-2505999/2505134_4.jpg



i washed with p21s total auto wash
then dryed and used a mothers clay bar
followed with some 3m rubbing compound
then 3m hand glaze
followed with p21s paintwork cleanser
lastly waxed with p21s wax
used mothers back to black on all the black plastic trim
and perfect glass on the windows
eagle f1 tire shine

i have an m3 front bumper on its way...its on the boat and should be here shortly =D

unfortunately a better camera is not in the cards but i think these pictures especially the two of the hood really do show the depth of the pain and shine


whatdya think?

Looks great!! Nice job on making a 14 year old paint look new again! :)

First and foremost, the car looks great in the pics. But I'm a little concerned that you went from the rubbing compind to a glaze. You should have used a milder polish in between as the compound undoubtedly left some hazing which will be visible once the glaze washes away.

thats what a glaze is from my understanding a finer polish...for fine swirl marks... and i used the paintwork cleanser next which is an even finer polish before the wax... its been raining here non stop since sunday and it still looks like a million bucks... unfortunately where i work is the dustiest place on earth and i need to wash it nearly once a week... doin all that work makes a wash and wax so much easier tho

looks great!

you did all this by hand?

-mike

yessiree

thats what a glaze is from my understanding a finer polish...for fine swirl marks... and i used the paintwork cleanser next which is an even finer polish before the wax... its been raining here non stop since sunday and it still looks like a million bucks... unfortunately where i work is the dustiest place on earth and i need to wash it nearly once a week... doin all that work makes a wash and wax so much easier tho
Actually a glaze and polish are different. Glazes are purely cosmetic. They fill in swirls but will wash/evaporate away. Polishes have varying levels of abrasives that will actually remove swirls and restore gloss.

Either way, I'm glad your car still looks great. It looks great in the pics! :)

thanks any reccomendations on another lighter polish? does 3m make one?

thanks any reccomendations on another lighter polish? does 3m make one?
Yeah, 3M makes a swirl mark remover, but I don't like it. It doesn't work too well. If you only want to buy locally, look for Mothers power polish. If you want to buy online, then Zaino ZPC or Menzerna Final Polish are good pre wax/sealant polishes.

what did you use to clean the engine bay?

Yeah, 3M makes a swirl mark remover, but I don't like it. It doesn't work too well. If you only want to buy locally, look for Mothers power polish. If you want to buy online, then Zaino ZPC or Menzerna Final Polish are good pre wax/sealant polishes.

Menzeran FPII is not very effective by hand, IMO. ZPC is pretty good.

By hand you could use Meguiars #80 (its oils will enhance the shine you get, espically with PS21 or any carnuba), Mothers power, 3m swirl remover or 3m machine polish (which is fine by hand), or even Meguiars ScratchX.

Menzeran FPII is not very effective by hand, IMO. ZPC is pretty good.

By hand you could use Meguiars #80 (its oils will enhance the shine you get, espically with PS21 or any carnuba), Mothers power, 3m swirl remover or 3m machine polish (which is fine by hand), or even Meguiars ScratchX.
I assumed he was working by machine, not by hand.