The simple lack of knowledge here....

[05 X-R]

regarding proper paint care is un-real to me. Here are some examples of what can be done with the right tools and know how. Ill post more info tomorrow...

My 90 F-150s abused paint job

My Civics trunk lid after lots of work

No before/afters here

Fine example of what a full polish will do

My 96 Explorer

98 Mustang I did

My X-Runners hood, not even close to good either

 

[5H4D0WD347H]

 

[05 X-R]

Exactly DS. The paint on my 3 Fords and Civic arent perfect but they are also 14+ years old also.

 

[5H4D0WD347H]

right there with u in the on going effort to keep **** clean brother

 

[05Xrunner]

what was proved here? that you used some polishing compound and a little buffing on some oxidization and some little scratches and spider web cracks?:dontknow: Dont see how this little here makes it seem like you know more then anyone on this site like you have titled in your thread.

That full polish S2000 pic has its contrast jacked way up and saturated a good bit..even dirty that would look clean with those settings pushed up in the pic like that.

 

[TitanRattler813]

I don't think it's the lack of knowledge here... I'd personally attribute it more to not having the means and willingness to do so :dontknow:

I greatly admire DS's paint care regimen, but it won't ever be me. I like my s**t to be clean and well-maintained, but I'm not that anal about my paint... or anything else for that matter. I live in an apartment complex so i don't have the luxury of stepping out into the driveway with my two-buckets and turning on a water hose. Or backing into my shaded garage/carport and plugging in my electric d/a waxer/polisher/buffer. The coin wash does well enough and I hand clay/polish/wax in the garage every few months. That's paint care enough for me :smile: Besides... none of that ish does any good against rocks. We don't have grass here in the desert :laugh:

haha, I said anal... and DS :biggrin:

 

[05 X-R]

what was proved here? that you used some polishing compound and a little buffing on some oxidization and some little scratches and spider web cracks?:dontknow: Dont see how this little here makes it seem like you know more then anyone on this site like you have titled in your thread.

That full polish S2000 pic has its contrast jacked way up and saturated a good bit..even dirty that would look clean with those settings pushed up in the pic like that.

The explorer was not some "little scratches" but whatever. Im not even going to get started on this rant. Its best if I leave it alone now.

 

[Hi_On_X]

VEry NIce D......:rock:

 

[TitanRattler813]

There is a whole forum dedicated to that type of information in a constructive form:

http://www.xr-underground.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=64

There are also how-tos on Washing/Drying and Clay Bar

http://www.xr-underground.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=182
http://www.xr-underground.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=10546

 

[trd_sport]

fill us in on what you mean by lack of knowledge though. You posted some pics of some good clean paint, but what did you differently than most people?

 

[rich017]

What polishes/ etc... did you use to remove those swirls.

I just ordered a UDM from Porter Cable and I'm not sure which product to use. I am a clean freak and wash my truck once a week and wax every month. clay bar, polish and wax every 3.

 

[Deviant]

Instead of stating lack of knowledge, post up what you did. For example...

---

6/2/07 & 6/16/07 Detail: Extreme Makeover
This was the hardest detail I've had to do to date. This White Honda Accord was badly oxidized considering it's only a 200? model. It was bought second hand from a local dealer and supposedly looked good upon initial inspection from the owner. Though after they took it through the dealer car wash they noticed the heavy oxidation over the entire car. I'm guessing the dealer used a heavy glaze just to cover it up and make it less noticeable, and then charge people for extensive detailing to correct the problem. Anyways, heres the rundown

Day 1:
Wash w/ Optimum Car Wash
Clay w/ Zaino Z18 Clay Bar
Hi Temp APC 5:1 for wheels and tires
Hi Temp APC 5:1 for red dirt removal along door trims
50/50 mix of HTEC/OP w/ Wool Pad @ 1400 RPM's
Zaino Z12 Glass Polish w/ Green Pad @ 1400 RPM's
Zaino Z16 Tire Gloss x1
Clearkote RMG w/ Black Pad @ 1000 RPM's

Day 2:
Wash w/ Optimum Car Wash
Zaino ZPC w/ Orange Pad @ 1400 RPM's
Zaino ZAIO by hand x1
Zaino Z2 Pro w/ ZFX x2 by hand (Megs #34 Wipe down between each coat)
Zaino Z16 Tire Gloss x1
Meg's Glass Cleaner for exterior and interior windows
303 AP on all exterior plastic trim

And now for the pictures, I didn't take a whole lot of befores since time was an issue, and essentially the whole car looked like these 2 pictures

And now the afters...

---

Sorry for all the pictures, It was just a copy and paste. Granted most people won't know what a lot of the acronyms are for, but at least it gives a bit more validity to what you did, and lets others know the steps you took to achieve the results you got. Then people can learn

 

[05 X-R]

^ Was going to post that today, didnt feel like typing it all up last night after my computer crashed posting the pics. A comment that was made before I got the chance to made me feel it would be a waste of my time.

 

[Deviant]

^ Was going to post that today, didnt feel like typing it all up last night after my computer crashed posting the pics. A comment that was made before I got the chance to made me feel it would be a waste of my time.

Eh, you know how it goes. Can't please everyone in the world. Post it up anyway, I'm curious to know what you did/used :top:

 

[46&2_X]

You know there's only a small section of the forum dedicated to keeping our X's clean lol.

It's like this website www.autopia.org most of the guys that frequent the site are pros...

I just ordered up the Meguiar's Buffer/Polisher kit from http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/ along with some other little deatailing items.

If you like Meguiar's that's the place to get it. They have everything and stuff I've never heard of!

I have never used a Buffer before. I was raised to think that Hand Polishing was best. After I saw the results from Machine Polishing I was sold. I ordered up the DVD too lol. I'm sure there's lots of things I'll need to know.

I'll admit there's a TON of things I never knew about deatailing. There's also tons of misconceptions. Like Waxes vs. Sealants.

I applaud the people that love their Cars/Trucks so much that they Wax every month and Clay every 6 months. But in reality that's overkill.

Anyways, I digress.

Coming here and simply stating "Wow you guys don't know Jack" and walking away certainly isn't going to help anyone. If you know so much, share! Nobody will fault you for sharing what you know.

Of course some people don't worry as much about their paint as others lol. Some just don't want to spend the money.

So don't worry so much and have a good time here! :driver:

 

[Yotaman]

what was proved here? that you used some polishing compound and a little buffing on some oxidization and some little scratches and spider web cracks?:dontknow: Dont see how this title here makes it seem like you know more then anyone on this site like you have titled in your thread.

Agreed....the title is a little hostile. There are plenty of people that know alot of detail and maybe more than you, ie StevenRedX and MY68ur8TRD just to name a few. :top: The only thing I dont know how to do is use a buffer, other than that I think I do a pretty good job af caring for BB.


We all know that DS's X is always shiney clean! :adore: