anyone have any good tips or steps for getting the paint to really come out and shine. Trying to get the cars ready for the shows coming up and don't have the money to get it professionally done. Even what products worked the best for you would help

Thanks,

-Jim

Hey
Wash the car really well, go over the paint with a clay bar if ya want, polish the paint and wax it and that should be nice :-)
My friend has an 86 IROC with....ehhh.....decent paint.....spent a few hours last week doing the meguiars 3 step paint cleaner/polish/wax and said the results were amazing, so if you want some sort of pre-set system, could do that....
Just stay away from Turtle Wax if i were you.....its not BAD, but I like Meguiars stuff better myself (out of all the stuff you can pick up at AutoZone or Wal Mart for cheap)

This would probably have good results, kind of a generic thing you can do, and products you can pick up locally. Wash the car with a good car soap, claybar the car(I prefer the mothers or meguiars bar, I don't like the claymagic one). Meguiars step 1 cleaner wax and step 2 polish, and then top it off with NXT wax. You'll probably be very satisfied with the results.

I've been using the Meguires and 3M stuff for a while, I'm thinking of ordering the Zaino kit to see how that works. I just want to hold my own at a car show

Proper prep is the key ..

I prefer Meguiar's products, myself.

if you have access to an oribital, then try the following:

wash
clay bar
wash
ScratchX (by hand, only where needed)
#83
#9
#7
NXT
NXT

the results will amaze you .. if you don't have access to an orbital .. then try the following


wash
clay bar
wash
ScratchX (by hand, only where needed)
ColorX
NXT
NXT


The two coats of NXT is not for buildup, but to make certain that you have complete coverage.



works pretty well, imo.

I really need to get a porter cable

I'm admitting my ignoraance - I've seen clay bars in the stores - what exactly are they and what do they do for paint? It must be something useful without too much risk for damaging paint since som many guys here use them........

so that new NXT is really good? I've been kinda hooked on the Gold Class, maybe i'll give it a whirl

-Jim

clay bars are used to remove contaminants from your paint .. overspray, sap, tar, bugs, things like that.

It is a small piece of clay (2" x 4" x 1/2" thick, give or take)

you use it, in conjunction with a lubricant, like quick detailer (my choice), soapy water, some of the zaino guys use a zaino product. most clay bar kits come with a bottle of quick detailer or something similiar.

first you knead the clay to get it nice and pliable, then get the surface wet, making sure to work in a very small area, like a couple of inches at a time. then you move the clay back and forth over the paint surface.. you will feel it drag on the crap on the paint, making sure to keep it well lubricated. frequently knead the clay, because if you let it pick up too much crap without kneading it, it can scratch your paint. work the area until you feel no drag, and you see nothing on the paint .. it does not take much pressure at all.

if you read and follow the directions, it is pretty foolproof.

depending on how dirty your paint is, it can take a long time to clay your car. I can clay my hood in about 10 minutes, but I also do it once every two weeks or so .. (I know .. I am a little cumpulsive).

once you are done claying .. wax that puppy, and it will shine.

I used gold class a couple of times, and was never really happy with it .. always seemed like it clouded a little to me on darker colors. As for the NXT, it is awesome. goes on easy, and comes off even easier. I would highly recommend it .. if you like the gold class, I would think you would like the NXT better.

Give it a try.

Thanks for all the help, weather man says rain all the way through the weekend, but soon as it says it'll be clear for a couple days it's gonna get done

-Jim

works great, i kinda fooled you guys a little, i really wanted the tips for my monte, the camaro is in primer (basically) right now. Just wanted to post a pic, only one since it's not a thirdgen...