So I parked my car under a berry tree for a day and all these animals that were eating on it craped all over my car and the berries themselves splattered everywhere... I went through a car wash and it didnt even get all the stains out... So stupidly I pulled out a sponge and started wiping the crap off with the brilo side...

After a bit, my fc was white again but it dried off and had like a "powder" all over it... Im pretty sure its that I scrubbed off the finish to my car... It kinda looks like it has wax on it before you'd buff it out...

-Can I buy wax or a sealent from Kragen and re-apply it to my car?

-Do I buy a wax or a sealent?

-There are still some spots here and there with 'shine' to it... Should I scrub that out to make it all even or does that even matter?

Thanks

 

Just use a clay bar to get all the **** off your hood. Might as well do your whole car if you haven't ever done it. Clay bars work magic.


Then apply a nice wax to it.

 

What does a clay bar do? Take off the finish?

 

Nope, it removes all contaminents from your paint. Do it quickly before the acids in the berries and **** actually etch your clearcoat.

 

Thats the thing... I removed all the stains and **** from my car, so its white and clean... Now, my car has no "shine" and has like "powder" on it.... I think I rubbed off the clear coat, but I dont know... I dont know **** about paints or coats and whatnot

 

Stupid double post

 

Take your car to a professional detailer and have them machine polish and wax your hood. That should bring the finish back.

 

Is that generally expensive?

 

Nope. I had my whole car's exterior polished and waxed for $80, so the hood alone should be less, but you might as well do everything so the whole car looks good. If you've never done this before, it will really make a difference especially if your paint is oxidized and has a lot of swirl marks.

BTW, I noticed that you're in Berkeley. I'm across the bay in SF. Just look in Craigslist under "Services" > "Automotive" using the keyword "detailing" to find someone. Or, if you want to head out this way, go to Unique Auto Body, 358 10th St./Harrison [(415)861-2828] in SF, and ask for Gary.

 

Very cool! I actually commute to Frisco everyday for work so its no problem... Should I tell Gary "Speedking sent me!"?

 

or just get a polisher and buffer and do it yourself. Prolly cheaper and you will have all the stuff to do it next time to.

 

Hehe, tell him Gil sent you - the guy with the white FD and red turbo Miata. He's known me for years and I've referred a number of people there and they've been happy with his work. I was at his shop on Friday and I'll be there this Wednesday to have my mudguards installed. Maybe you can swing by then? BTW, having your whole car polished take several hours so plan on having it there all day.

And regarding hondahater's post, you can try polishing it yourself, but then you'd have to buy the orbital buffer and polish and wax and if you don't know what you are doing, you can burn your paint and make it worse! So mebbe it's a better idea to have a pro do it.

 

Actually, yeah... I have work from 6am-10am so Ill probably swing by and see what he can do after... Should I go there beforehand and schedule it or will he do drive ins?

 

Best deal would be to call and check his availability as to when he can fit you in as they are busy at times. His number is up there in my previous post and ask for Gary.

 

Get some rubbing compound (fine cut) from like autozone or pepboys and apply it by hand in small sections. This might take a while but it will bring the shine back.

 

I took it to that Unique Auto body and the guy there said I should do the whole car and he would charge about $170.... Its a bit steep for me at the moment, so I guess Ill either have to pay the $50 to do it myself with the chance of ruining the car even further or I just save up a bit and do it in the coming weeks

 

Who did you talk to? Was it Gary? Seriously, I only paid $80 for a full exterior detailing (wash, polish, and wax) just a few months ago.

 

Heh heh, yah it was Gary... I asked him about that, trying not to sound too much like a cheap ***, and he credited you with keeping your car super clean as compared to mine...

Oh well...

 

EatRice: PMed you.