I thought there was a topic on this but cannot find it...


I have spiderweb cracks as well as some oxidization on the trunk...


So..


Wash
Clay Bar
Polish/Rubbing Compound
Sealer/Glaze
Wax

Correct?

Also, What should I use...something more abrasive like Scratch X on the hood where the spideweb is? A med grade polish for the trunk and then a fine polish for the rest of the car?

Thanks

Well...the spider crack as you put it. Is it a full out physical crack in the paint that has spidered out, or is it a big swirl mark in the paint? If it is a physical crack, buffing isn't going to fix that. Paint maintenance is mainly for making it as smooth as possible with little to no imperfections and for removing swirl marks and other contaminants.

You are generally right though about how to go about it. I would use a buffer though with a wool and foam pad (makes things a lot easier). The wool pad with a good compound will remove deep swirls and problems, then follow up with a foam pad with a lighter compound to go back over, and wax that. Thats all you mainly have to do, but some people use different polishes and what not in between. Just make sure you wash the surfaces really good, and clay them decently before taking any buffing compounds to them.

That won't fix spider cracks... only thing to "fix" them is a repaint. Oxidation... explain. Do you mean it's just faded, or does the clear look like it has cancer or something with spots and almost as if it's getting ready to peel back?

If the above are true, a repaint is in order. Any pics of the affected areas?

Fallen Angel wrote:That won't fix spider cracks... only thing to "fix" them is a repaint. Oxidation... explain. Do you mean it's just faded, or does the clear look like it has cancer or something with spots and almost as if it's getting ready to peel back?

If the above are true, a repaint is in order. Any pics of the affected areas?

They arent actually cracks..its like when you look at the right angle you can see a spider web so to speak in the clear coat. I know its fixable without repaint, iv watched it done on one of the detailing websites and now just cant find it..

And maybe im wrong on the oxidization. On the rear gate, after a wash, theres like a cloudy film, I have to really really scrub to get it to go away...

I am thinking of a repaint...I did a favor(not on purpose mind you) for a local body shop owners wife. One of the best shops in the area, and he said he would do my body work(door dings and what have you) for 1000 bucks...But wanted to see if I could at least refresh the paint for the summer as it is still pretty nice..

If you can move your finger over the spider-crack carefully and not feel anything, its more then likely fixable with buffing. You'll have to wash the surface, clay it well, go over it with a buffer with a wool pad with a good compound. You do have to be careful though with a wool pad and abrasive compounds since if you do it wrong, you can make the swirls marks worse, damage the paint, or burn the paint right off. Wool pads have a lot of downfalls, but they are also best for removing many scratches and what not. ANYWAYS, after the wool pad when its smooth and you have as much off as you can, go back over with a foam pad with a finishing compound, then wax it and it should look and feel like new. Thats basically a quick way to explain buffing . . . To use a buffer really good usually takes expieriance.

Oh yeah you cant feel anything..its all visual..

If you can't feel anything, then you can probably get a nice amount out of that with a good buff

More information on paint care than you would ever care to know... Meguiars Scroll down to Detailing 101.

Thanks alot. Damn I always forget to check here for this thread..its been a while..