Advice please

[RFredR32]

Have just bought a second hand car to keep myself going. On the surface it looked tidy enough when i bought it, however after closer inspection and a weekend of TLC i have noticed a few marks.

Is there any way of repairing marks in the laqueur of the paint from what looks like has been dried in birdshit. Being a black car you can only notice it when its sparkling but i know that they are there thats the worst about it.

Is there any way of removing, improving, or taking the bad look off it.

Thanks in advance

[steelwind101]

Hi!

If the paintwork is etched then you really you can only wet sand it and polish it back. Bird crap is pretty lethal when its left to sit on an unprotected car.

Certantly a few steps you can take are to make the whole car look, brining back a nice surface to the whole car will make a difference. Id get some clay and clay the car. Then spot treat the bird etchings with a mild abrassive, something like scratchX. Few applications and work it really well.

Some of the staining can occur b/c paintwork is pours so ensure that what every other products you use one has some chemical cleaning action. This well help clean under paintwork and keep the pours clear and will remove some staining.

If the car is black and marks are grey/white consider getting a glaze that darkens paintwork. CG EZ-Glaze is great at this, as your car is not metalic (?) you wont suffer any pop-loss of the metalic flake.

Then pop on a nice wax or sealant. Reflective looks will work the best, wet or deep looks will draw the eye further in to the paintwork and make the marks more visible.

However, you live or park somewhere that birds crap alot on cars get a Nuba wax instead of sealant as they stand up better to the acid in the bugs and birds crap.

Any of the cheaper waxes will major in relfection and lack depth Collinite would be a good a start as its very strong and easy to maintain!

Geoff

[ahaydock]

I agree with Geoff. I had some bird etching and a goes with Scratch-X followed by some Auto Glym Super Resin Polish and it was hardly noticeable.

I would recommend a good wash in a strong solution, then clay the car followed by Scratch-X or SRP. Then a layer of CG EZ Creme Glaze followed by a decent wax. A couple of layers of Collinite should see you good for the winter months. The just wash weekly (using the 2 bucket method etc) to keep that finish up!

[steelwind101]

Oh yeah forgot to say! Check out Wonder detail if you want a sealant he has the Shine-on package i test late last year.

Its very very reflective and gives immense brightness and vividness to your paintwork. Like no other product i have seen or tested. Im not sure how well it would work out on black.

Geoff

[drpellypo]

I can second the recommendation for the shine on (and that's not just cos I sell it!) It's truly stunning! I'll do the Passat with it on Friday and post some pics.

[ahaydock]

Look forward to the Passat pics Paul - used Zaino Z2 Pro/ZFX on my A3 today - amazing results!

[RFredR32]

Cheers guys thats good advice, is it Meguiars that makes the scratch x. Also will the shine on package work on black Paul?

I have AG SRP and Collingnite protection wax so at least i have a few things also what is CG EZ Creme Glaze and where is best to get it, sorry not up on all the abbreviations yet i will get there.

The car is BMW metallic black, sapphire black i think if it is any help.

Few extra questions, Is sonus clay the best clay. What are the best applicators to use for polish, without the risk of sounding like a girl i find the small foam applicator pads make my hands cramp up after doing a few cars and a few coats please advise.

Sorry guys last one, i am looking through stuff on Elite what is the best leather care dont like the stuff that makes leather all shinny I prefer the natural look.

Thanks in Advance

[ahaydock]

Yep Megs make Scratch X.

Chemical Guys EZ Creme is a Glaze like Megs 7 and will add a wetness to your paint before you wax/seal. It also contain light fillers to help mask swirls. However if using SRP, you may find Megs 7 is better on your colour car.

IMO their isn't much in it between clays unless you get different types, i.e. mild, fine, abrasive etc. One single Japanese Company owns the Patent as far as I know. I personally prefer the Sonus Fine (Green), as you can buy re-fills and use it with Megs LT so works out cheaper than a kit.

Try a German Applicator or Sonus SFX Pro if you find the Megs ones too small - use the black side.

Clean Your Car sell both these applicators and the Glaze along with other traders such as Clean and Shiny, and Car Wash N Wax. Don't think Elite stock Chemical Guys, but do stock the Megs 7.

Regarding Leather I use the Auto Glym Cleaner and Conditioner Combo and find that very good and does not leave a shinny finish at all. Gliptone is another rated product but I have never used it...

HTHs

[steelwind101]

With regard "Shine On" package, it will work on black. it was just breath taking about vibrant colour on the my 9 yr old solid green P106! Its a two step process, and best results come after 24 hrs as it seals your paintwork with Nano technology. If you are using the glaze topper you can apply the 1st product, wait 20-30 mins you dont need to buff before applying the final glaze step.

Ahaydock: You can use EZ-Glaze between Zaino!

Gliptone is great, you cant go wrong. To be honest, its well worth getting a "magic eraser" for a £1 and giving your leather a go with that. Then use the cleaner and then the conditioner. Prior to the Gliptone i used the Megs "Aloe" stuff, was really nice too.

Gepff

[drpellypo]

Re the shine on ^^ what he said

I've had a cancellation for Friday as my clients car hasn't arrived at the dealers yet (a dealer not living up to their promises; who would have thought?!) so I'll take some pics of the application and results on the Passat. It's very very dark brown - looks black in some lights, so will show you what can be achieved.