Ok so i have an '89 SSE, she'* 15 years old, and doesn't show it a bit, untill you look at the paint. I really don't know how to explain it, it has HUGE scratches in it, that are lurking with black, and it feels like I am rubbing my hands on sand paper in some of the areas, and I can't afford a new paint job, since its not number 1 on my list right now. But what can I do to restore the paint to good condition.

Also I have very few and small areas like on the door jam and in small corners with a little bit of rust and chipping paint on top. What should I do to these areas because left alone they will only get larger and more difficult to repair.


-justin

The rusty spots you're kinda screwed. The only way to deal with them is to sand and re-paint, and sice rust acts like cancer, you can't even be 100% sure that'll fix it.

But, the rough looking paint can usually be dealt with by using a good 3 or 4 step system like Meguiars. If it'* not totally shot, a good cleaner, polish, wax system can do wonders.

Check out www.meguiars.com for their stuff.

If you like receiving coupons and stuff, go directly to http://www.meguiars.com/carrx.cfm
I did this a while ago, and have not been bombarded with Spam or junkmail, but I do get some decent coupons. Just got some saturday for their new NXT stuff...

I took a few pics of the crappy paint and a small rust spot, since the doors where locked and my keys where inside i just took one on the outside of the car. after breakfast i'm going to post them up on here, hoping you guys can help.

Also my mom made a comment to tell you guys its a Florida car, and now resides in Michigan for the past 4 years.


-justin

Hope you guys have broadband, this 'll take some time. Whatever weird stuff you see like shine, dirt, or leaves, water drops, its all because it was early morning, and it rained last night. The surface is dull, the lumps you see on the rust spot pic are water droplets, the black spot you see on the hook is part of a leaf.

Ok, it seems that I have made my conclution on what I should do, from this forum and meguiars.com. Here is what I am going to do, please correct me if any of this is wrong.

1) Going to give my car a good wash with some blue coral wash
2) Wash again with some original dawn
3) Use the blue clay bar system thingy
4) Wash car again with Meguiars Deep Crystal Wash
5) Wax the car with some Meguiars Gold Class Liquid wax.
6) Step back, and hopefully a difference will be seen.

If that doesn't work, I'll probably have to head on over to sears and pick up a polisher (I already own a dual action random orbit one, but that won't do). pick up some like 2000 grit wet sandpaper, wet sand the trouble spots ( still will look like crap, probably ) Even if the results don't turn out the way I am hoping for, i'll still pick up some Zaino polish her up to the most lusturous shine she'll have ever seen, and hope nobody notices the crappy paint on the trunk, roof, and hood. lol


-justin

i'd go a little different route.

1. wash with regular car soap
2. clay bar
3. some kind of machine applied cleaner. something like the #83 cleaner/polisher from the meguiars professional line.
4. possibly some swirl remover, like megs #82 i believe
5. protect with a good wax like nxt, gold class, #26 yellow wax.


(as you see i'm pretty inpartial to megs stuff!

good luck

Yep, dont forget the polish. EVen though my paint'* in pretty good shape, I still see a difference when I use it.

#83 is a dual action cleaner/polisher.........but now that i think about it, a stronger cleaner might be necessary

1. Get some 400 and 500 sandpaper and wet sand the scratches .

2. Get a buffer and buffing compound/ wax and buff out!

3. Shoot a new clear over the paint and will be like new finish!

4. If not satisfied you need a new paint job.

My dad just done our 95 Tahoe and it looks like Brand new. (there were so many small scratches) Now nothing! Cost only $80

reshooting the clear, do I have to use a compressed air gun, or can I use spray paint clear (i'm very very cheap, and I'll do anything to save money). Also is there a chance i'll ruin the paint by using 500 grit wet sandpaper and maybe sand down below the paint? or as long as I take it easy and watch how much I take off. Because if I ruin the paint i'm stuck with it for quite a few years, and I don't want that.


-justin