D-an-W

iTrader: (1)

Hi folks, had the Blue MY05 WRX for almost two months now and finally the weather is getting good enough to do a little more than a quick wash and leather...

My question is, what should I be using to best disguise the few stone chips on the bonnet and a couple of small scratches the car has picked up (Before it was in my loving tender care )?

I have used Colour Magic on our black Clio before without much success (Had black hands for days to prove it!), so would any of these Clay bars and other wonderful products available help me in any way?

I should add I also want the paint in general to look its best and feel I should be doing my best to strip off whatever has been put on there in the past (If anything!) and starting from...Scratch (!?!) if you would excuse them term...

It would also be good if the products could be used on the Clio too...

Thanks for any advice offered...D-an-W

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

If the chips are through to the primer you have two options. The first is to buy some paint and touch in the chips, wet sanding the finish to level the new paint before machine polishing to remove the haze and restore gloss. The second is to visit a bodyshop and get them professionally done. In my experience anything else never leaves a good finish. If you fancy trying the first course of action sign up on www.detailingworld.co.uk and you'll find an amazing guide to chip repair/wetsanding in the guides section.

To get your paint back to perfect condition you will need to clay it, then polish it and finally protect it. Note that polishing by hand is hard work, and you will not be able to remove scratches very easily - if you have bad scratches it may be worth getting the car professionally machine polished, and then concentrate on keeping it looking good. There are numerous guides on my webbie to all of these steps, have a read and go from there. If you decide you want to go down the pro route I may be able to find a detailer for you in your area - I have a pretty good network of contacts around the UK.

Products wise, hard to say until we know more about the above, but as a general guide here's some ideas... (it is a long list, and not designed to create a big order, more to give you an idea of the types of products you might want to consider getting over time in order to get your car looking tip top).

Wash (ideally every 1-2 weeks)

Poorboy's Slick n Suds shampoo
Meguiars Lambswool wash mitt (for bodywork)
Meguiars Microfibre wash mitt (for wheels and inside the arches)
Poorboy's Waffle Weave Drying Towel

Clay (most cars need claying every 6 months, and your's will certainly need doing if it hasn't been done ever before)

Clearkote Clay Bar (comes with free bottle of lubricant)
Poorboy's Waffle Weave Drying Towel

Polish/Protect (assuming all work done by hand)

For a shiny and reflective look...

Menzerna Intensive Polish (for use on specific scratches)
Menzerna Final Polish II
Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze
Menzerna FMJ sealant (comes with decent buffing towel)
2 x Meguiars Foam Applicator Pads (twin packs)
2 x Poorboy's Super Thick n Plush Towels

Or, for a wet and glossy look...

Menzerna Intensive Polish (for use on specific scratches)
Menzerna Final Polish II
Clearkote Vanilla Moose Hand Glaze
Clearkote Carnuba Moose Wax
2 x Poorboy's Super Thick n Plush Towels
1 x Poorboy's Mega Plush Towel
Meguiars Foam Pads (twin pack)

The above products will allow you to (i) give your paint an intensive clean and polish, (ii) seal everything against the elements, and (iii) maintain the finish easily with minimum effort.

Hope that helps,

Rich

D-an-W

iTrader: (1)

Sure does Rich thanks!

I work in the motor trade so have a couple of contacts in body shops but none that are what you might call "Specialists".

What I might do it see how it looks without any touching up etc (I did have a m8 of mine make me up a bottle of touch up) and just with a really good clean.

I will decide today on what kind of final finish I am aiming for (Anyone with blue Scoobys have a preference ) and probably place an order with you tomorrow.

Did I see on your site a piccie with both types of finish on the same car?

Rasher

which section is the stone chips guide in Rich, have you a link??

bigknd

Nige,

I think this is the link you want http://www.clean-image.co.uk/articles/stone-chips.htm

Kev

Rasher

cheers Kev

Rich @ PB

iTrader: (3)

Here's the one I was thiinking off...

http://www.detailingworld.com/showthread.php?t=407

PS - yes, same car (Integra) with both types of finish in the protect guide on my site, pics taken one year apart.

Rasher

chees Rich