You think I need a paint job? No matter how many times I wash it, it doesn't look all nice and shiny.

 

Claybar and Zaino.....

 

clay, machine polish with Menzera final finish & white pad, and wax.

Check out autopia.org if you have the time, they're really into detailing

 

okay thanks. Yeah I'm trying to get this car ridiculously clean but just can't seem too!!

 

Yup. Clay bar and polish will get you there. Mine is so rough and dirty...

 

Here and I thought this was going to be a post about pants.

 

http://www.zainostore.com/

 

I was expecting some mangled levi's.

 

Am I the only one who thought about a pant...you know, what a dog does when it's hot..?

 

Claybar is a must, after that pick your favorite polish. (we all know what I favor)
Autopia.org is a great website as well, but I think for a beginner some of their methods might be a bit much. (cutting pads, buffing machines, wetsanding, etc)

I would suggest getting some microfiber towels and always using microfiber. This will help with fine line scratches.

 

You have quite a bit of orange peel, like mine, I think it's worse on some colors than others. That will keep it from having a mirror like shine.

 

all the materials you would need for this kinda thing may cost u at least 60 bucks (not including the polisher)

and guessing from your post, you've never done any paint correction or waxing of any kind.

If i were you i would just spend 150 bucks on a quality paint detail. From that point on your paint should look amazing. and the shine should last 4-5 months at least if they do a good job.

 

Looks fine in the pictures. Has your car been repainted before?

www.autopia.org

READ UP.

 

You need to stop using 400 grit sandpaper to 'wash' you car. Try using 80 grit next time.

 

lol... 80 grit would make the car cry. lol

how does your car look under sunlight?

i'd say it's time to get it professionally detailed if it really does look dull.

 

Can it be he has the "Orange peal"?

 

few coats of wax.......never used the clay bar but I do hear it is great...I would try that.....a repaint is alot more costly than a few bottles of wax....

 

your pant is fine. Try claybar with a good buffer.

 

amazing what toxic new jersey air can do to a car's paint, lol

 

This worn pant must be from Hollister...

 

claybar is supposed to work really well.

Meguiar's Tech Wax is where it's at. Full synthetic polymers, specially formulated for rotaries, it has an FD right on the lid!

 

Wax on Wax off Obeewan.

 

My 8 is also titanium gray and has a significant amount of orange peel. If I had money to repaint (just in case) I would sand down my clearcoat to get rid of it. Do a search, there's a DIY for orange peel removal on this forum.

Edit: This past summer I claybarred and applied Zaino. It works wonders. If you think your car is clean, a claybarring will quickly teach you that your paint is holding onto a lot of gunk you can't even see.

 

you definately need to clay... as far as zaino is concerned, you can claybar till your blue and then zaino till your purple, if you dont correct the paint before you add something that adds shine and gloss, youll have a shiny mess of a car.

I personally think zaino is way overpriced for what it is, but others have had great success with it. IMO the best products for your situation in terms of price/quality would be meguiars #80 applied with a dual action polisher and your favorite carnauba or synthetic wax. my favorite is NXT 2.0 but you may have another.

I do professional detailing in the NY/NJ area and I use roughly 90% Meguiar's products. If you are looking to have someone detail it for you, check out the link in my sig for some before and after pics.

 

Oh, and to answer your question, your paint is not dead :smile: