Best way to remove staining in paint

[ourv12]

I badly need to wash and wax my poor 84 Carrera. Its been neglected for some time. I do have stains that wont come out with normal car washing. Whats the best method to remove stubborn stains without harming the original paint? The clay bar method? Whats the best wax to use to protect it after removing all the nasty stains? Thanks.

[juan ruiz]

The detail clay will remove embedded brake dust and fallout that penetrates the clear coat or paint as well as over spray.

Clay Bars are a great tool, however although a lot of people think that a clay bar is a clay bar and that all of them are the same they are not, you must be aware that there's different types of Clay bars which differ in color and density but what is most important the type and amount of abrasive particles they contain. All clay bars will be labeled from "mild" to "strong" abrasive quality, it depends on the manufacturer. Also good to know is that, If the clay bar is dropped it must be discarded otherwise some serious damage will happen to your automobile surface and I know that for fact.

Now if you have road grime, light oxidization and tar.

The Pre Wax Cleanser will be your product, A pre wax is just as the name implies, to get the surface ready for wax to be applied. Tar spots, some tree saps and various other surface contaminates are usually not taken off by a product that is termed wax only. Your better precleaners have a small amount of abrasive in them, and a lot of the wax/cleaners on the market have a very high content of solvents in them. The wax/cleaners with high solvent content in them need to be avoided, as they will eventually deteriorate the surface to which they are applied.

followed by a good wax. the steps should be

Wash
Clay as needed
Pre Wax Cleanser
Wax

If that don't work you may have to get into the Porter Cable territory with foam pads

If your paint looks like this then for sure Porter Cable will be needed











Sorry but theres no thing as the "Best Wax" Like anything else in the marketplace, all products seek their own level of justification based on the cost of producing the product and the quality of the ingredients in the product.

I hope that helps

[Oh Haha]

Juan certainly gets fantastic results.

I have found that a variable speed buffing wheel along with 3M compounds gets the best results for me. I always use 3M hand glaze as the last product before I wax.

My wax varies as I have several different brands on the shelf but what I like the best is Zymol. Others don't care for it and that's cool. It's given me the bst results.

Simple car washing rules will help make your car easier to maintain as well.

Wash in a cool area, use only car wash soap, use a hose sprayer that will allow the water to "sheet" off the car instead of puddling or beading.

Use dedicated wash mitts for each car. Extreme?Maybe, but I certainly don't want crap from our minivan to contaminate the 911 paint(road tar, sand, etc.)

My #1 rule--ALWAYS wash/polish/claybar in straight lines, applying AND removing products. Obviously, a buffing wheel will create swirls but by using the straight line method you can eliminate them.

A good book I puchased many years ago helped me with paint maintenance. Motorbooks Workshop-Ultimate Auto Detailing Projects It's similar to Wayne's 101 Projects book.

Sorry, got on a roll there. You get the idea, I hope.

[ourv12]

Thanks, that helped alot. Any pre wax cleanser you recommend? Walmart carry this stuff? Autozone?

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by ourv12

Thanks, that helped alot. Any pre wax cleanser you recommend? Walmart carry this stuff? Autozone?

Yes, those stores carry products but I have a better idea for you.

Go to a parts store that sells auto paint. (Napa, CarQuest,Finishmaster, etc.) Ask the counter guy who there knows about painting and products. Have that guy get you the right product for YOUR issue. If you have the car with you, he can evaluate how much bad it is.
'
The guys are the chain stores like Autozone are pretty good but the guys that work with paint REALLY know what to do.

Good luck and post before and after pics if you can.

[ourv12]

Hmmm, maybe I'll just go to a body/paint shop?

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by ourv12

Hmmm, maybe I'll just go to a body/paint shop?

If you aren't comfortable doing it yourself, then that's a great idea.

Look for a shop that works on hot rods/classics as well as accident damage.