Compound or not?
 

Just bought a '04 in yellow. The paint seems dull, not oxidized but it has that look to it. I was going to clay the paint and then was wondering if I should use ultimate compound, then polish and wax or just polish and wax? I have a porter cable orbital buffer so I shouldn't burn the paint.

Ultimate Compound is some good stuff but dont expect it to do any significant paint correction. It will surely make it shine a bit more, but you wont see mirror-like results. For the best results, use an orange pad, #4 speed on the orbital, and the ultimate compound.

If you want really nice results, Meguiars #105 is my favorite

Thanks. I've got the orange pad so I'll clay tonight and try to use the compound. Then I guess polish and wax tomorrow.

Got the clay and compounding done. Sad that it has more shine after the compound (and before the polishing) than it did when I got it. I think the spoiler needs a respray though - still looks like a different color than the rest of the car.

what kind of wax are you going to use?

I have Meguiars Ultimate Polish and Hi-Tech Wax in the garage. I have some samples of some high end stuff from autogeek (can't remember name) but not enough to do the whole car.

Any suggestions (if they are available locally - don't want to leave car too long without wax on it)?

The high tech wax is a good starter that is available locally. If you really want to get into detailing, you can pick up some Wolfgang Deep Gloss Sealant from AG (that might be the sample you got). It is probably one of my favorite waxes. If you want to get the most protection while sacraficing a bit of shine, Klasse AIO is a brilliant product. Puts a thin layer of an acrylic like compound on the paint to protect it for about 6 months.

As far as the Hi-Tech Wax goes, use a white pad, apply a very thin coat to the car to get a good base. Let dry for 15 mins, wipe off, and apply a 2nd coat a little bit thicker. For best results spray a bit of detailing spray (if you have some) on the pad.

Now that you mention it, I think it is Wolfgang for the sample. Thanks for the tip on the detailing spray (have lots of that around). Hopefully it will help get her looking a lot better.

no problem, good luck!

Here is a pic taken shortly after a wash and a maintenance application (just one thin layer) of the wolfgang

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Yeah the LYs (like mine) will do that. I was lucky when I got mine it only had 19k miles on it and was garage kept so mine is only about half a shade lighter than the rest of the car. Only noticeable when you are really right up on it. GL, interested to see how it turns out.

oh btw make sure to tape off any plastic trim.

The Hi Tech wax is a BITCH to get off. No joke.

Yeah, tell me about it. Quick question - what do you put on the wide black door trim (the panel on the front door)? Mine is pretty faded - I put compound on it but should I just wax it?

My spoiler looks like the clear coat has been roasted off. I'm hoping some polish and wax will give it a little bit of shine/gloss.

This car has 118k and is from Texas. I'm guessing it was parked outside a lot.

What piece are you talking about it. The only door trims I have are the mirror trim and the window trim. I tape off both. If you are talking about the runners underneath the doors that run from wheel to wheel, i dont worry about waxing that since it has a protective layer on it.

The wide black piece between the front door window and the back door window. Mine was splotchy so I actually buffed it.

ohh the pillar.... mine is actually showing no wear, but use Back to Black (you can find it locally) to get it back to its deep black color.

Just dont end up buffing it with anything more abrasive than the ultimate compound or you will scratch it all up.

Okay - thanks for the tips.

I got it finished last night but will probably have to rebuff some parts in regular light today. Ended up using the sample Wolfgang bottle. That went on and off very easily.

Turtle wax compound the liquid in the ketchup looking bottle is good. The paste is a pain to wipe off and gets stuck in seems

Adams. That is all.

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^Dang you guys know how to do it right!

Awesome looking rides, SARX Group

Thanks, the Adams stuff works really well, none of us are pros. We just pitched in on a good polisher and the product.

What product exactly and what polisher? Was the polisher DA? Im too scared to use a rotary...

Adam's 6 Pack | Exterior 6 Pack Kit

And this is the polisher we use.

DeWalt DWP849X 7 & 9 inch Variable Speed Rotary Polisher, rotary buffer, circular polisher, car polisher