Paint Restoration DIY

[Ramrod]

Here’s a quick overview of my paint restoration project.

I decided to give my truck a 10 yr anniversary present, and give its paint some much needed attention. And because it’s black, it shows everything.

Supplies:
Mothers California Gold Clay Bar
Meguiars Scratch-X
Meguiars Showcar Glaze
Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax

Step 1: Mothers California Gold Clay Bar
This stuff is amazing. It was my first experience with a clay bar after reading good things. It’s literally a wad of soft clay that you rub over the paint with a supplied detailer for lubricant. The finish felt gritty before and glass smooth after. You can see the stuff come off and be trapped in the clay. No hard rubbing, and it isn’t abrasive to the paint, it just pulls the impurities out of it. It went from sweaty nut sack, to your girlfriend's butt smooth.

Step 2: Meguiars Scratch-X
I’ve used the fine cut cleaner before, this is a step better. The abrasive breaks down as you rub, so you don’t have worry about getting too aggressive. It made all the little surface scratches in the clear coat much less noticeable. It also took off all the oxidation, and that made the biggest difference of all.

Step 3: Meguiars Showcar Glaze
This stuff is a little annoying to work with. It goes from wet to stubborn, really quick. It takes a bit to dial in how much area to do at once. But it did help bring out the shine.

Step 4: Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax
I’ve used this stuff before, it’s great to work with and has given me results similar to 100% Carnauba. Goes on easy and doesn’t leave a lot of powder. I’d highly recommend it. After the glaze I wasn’t expecting to see much of difference after the wax, but it stepped it up another level.

I’m really happy with the way it turned out. I’ve seen better professional results with a buffer, but I don’t want to pay someone else to have my fun.

[Roadhog]

nice! clay bars pwn I hear. Where did you get yours?

But theres a DIY forum you nub.

[Ramrod]

I knew I saw a DIY area somewhere, but I couldn't find it for some reason. Ah well, mods can move it if they want. I don't really see the difference between the two, but who cares.

I got the clay bar at Checker, kits are about $18. I've seen the liquid clay bar advertised, but in researching it, I only found skepticism. After using the real thing, I don't see how a liquid could do the same thing, nor how it could make it easier.

[Mikewire]

This thread is useless without pictures...

kidding of course, but a before/after would be cool to see.

And yes I will move this to the DIY category - great job!

[Mill3niumThr33]

I have a buffer and several polish/grit stages if anyone wants to use it. Along with several types of wax. You like your meguiars products! I havent really tested many of their products. I use zymol, griots garage, and automagic mostly. I used some meguiars paste wax once and had good results

[Ramrod]

While I'm posing pictures today, here's before/after.

Before


After