Just bought a black car, needs some TLC!

[rocket3004]

Well, here's the deal

The car I just picked up is black. It used to have a roof-rack as well. Underneath where it was mounted, there is some rubber residue/dust/imprint from where the thing was mounted. Other than that, there are the usual little things here and there, but nothing major.

Questions:

What is the best way to attack the imprint left from the rubber feet on the roof rack? Should I just wash it off like I normally do? I don't want to scratch the paint w/ that stuff if it were to drag across the surface.

Also, this is a Honda. A detailer I spoke to said that they haven't had good luck w/ honda's and using a wheel and nice polishing compound (something about the clear coat being thin and acrylic...??). I might have misunderstood him, but that's what it seemed like he was saying. Either way, there are a few swirl marks on the car, and from what I know (very little) the only way to really remove them is to work your way up from a polish w/ a wheel.

I've never used a wheel before, and don't plan on buying one, so if that's what it needs (for the swirl marks, not sure about the imprints), then I'll be having someone else help/do it (any volunteers :P ?)

Thanks in advance guys!

[Dan]

Hi rocket3004!

Okay, first with the roof rack crap, what I would do is first spray a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner or some other type of cleaner/solvent to break some of the surface crap loose. Rinse it off and there should be less. Now I'm not sure what supplies you have in your collection, but I suggest you then respray the degreaser and use a very very very soft brush to agitate and get mos of the rest off. Basically you want to get all of the surface dirt off in the safest manner possible before you wash over it. Hopefully you have a wash soap with good lubricity and a nice wash mitt so that the remaining dirt can safely be taken off the car.

I may be mistaken, but I thought that Hondas were known for having hard clearcoats? Anyway, getting swirls out by hand is a rediculously lengthy, exhausting, and ineffective process. You will need some sort of machine. By a "wheel" I guess you mean a rotary polisher? Rotaries get the job done quickly and efficiently but they have a learning curve. What most beginners use is the Porter Cable 7424 or 7336 polisher, which is dual-action (a.k.a. random orbit). It is very safe and very easy to use, and although results can take time it's not all that bad.

Also, please list your location, maybe there is someone in your area who can help you out. :)

[rocket3004]

thanks for the reply!

Do you recommend any particular degreaser or cleaner? Is there any specific type of soft brush to use (i.e. where would I find one)?

As far as what I have, I ordered a few things from Danase a little while back and still have my washmit and 4-star wash, and other assorted poor-boy's (wax, spray and wipe, clay bar, microfiber, and waffleweave... just "basic" stuff I guess)

I have no idea about the clearcoat thing. I might have misunderstood him, but that's what I thought he said. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

Yeah, by the "wheel" I mean the rotary poliser/orbital thing. I am scared that I would keep in there too long and polish it down to bare metal! :lol: . I would really need someone there and watch them do it, and learn along the way.

I also added the location 8)

[Dan]

No problem man!

Well, Bob isn't too far away from you :wink:

Any degreaser should work fine. From Danase' the perfect thing to get would be P21S Total Auto Cleaner: http://danase.com/p2toauwa1liw.html. You can also get Four Star White Lightning or Poorboy's APC. I typically use a Costco degreaser, but I don't trust that on paint. If you have an ACE hardware nearby, pick up some KIT Fast Start pre-wash (yellow bottle). ACE is the ONLY place you can find it. Hell, Spray and Wipe will work if the dirt is loose enough. Basically, a high-powered hose will be your friend...use a chemical to loosen it up a little and then blast it with water.

For the brush, I love the VIKING fenderwell/wheel face brush (NOT spoke) available at KMart or Autozone. OR, although I've never tried it, this might do the trick: http://danase.com/nymebugscsp.html

Rotary (circular polishers) can burn through paint if you hold it in one spot. Those take some practice, and I stay away! LOL Stick with the Porter Cable, it's almost entirely idiot-proof and newbie-proof. You have to bang the plastic body of the machine against your car to do damage. :lol: Seriously though, with a PC you have to TRY HARD to burn through the paint, it's seriously very easy to use. What you REALLY have to consider is whether it's worht the cost...for the machine, backing plate, pads, and polish. It can be a great tool though, and you can use it to quickly apply a coat of liquid wax or sealant anytime. :thumbsup: