Paint colour restorers - should I bother my a**e?

[deeferduck]

Howaya Brian!

I have been waxing my car, but last time decided that the paint was looking a little "dullish". I went in to my local motor shop and eagerly searched for a remedy. I found this stuff which, creamlike in substance, smelt like the jacks of the kidney treatment ward of James's. "That much ammonia can't be good for the paint" I thought, but images of a fully restored, gleaming red colour put paid to any such sensibility.

As I was putting the stuff on, it did dry to a haze, as the instructions said it would. (I was just releaved not to see the paint bubbling off the roof!) The instructions also said that when buffing this foul smelling stuff off, to turn the cloth repeatedly. Bloody Hell, now I can understand why! As I buffed off this stuff the cloth started to turn the same colour as the paint! It was as if the cream had started to dissolve the paint and all I was doing was spreading it around. I did actually double check the tin to make sure that some smart arse hadn't swapped the label from some paint thinner... What makes it even worse is that the difference isn't even that noticeable.

I waxed the car afterwards and it did shine up well, and was easier to buff off after using the other stuff. I can't remember the name of the "colour enhancer" right now, but will check and repost later on.

Do you have any feelings/suggestions/ideas regarding any product that will actually enhance the colour? I have read previous posts and know that there is a clear coat over the colour, but being a '94 car I doubt that there is much of this clear coat left...

Sorry for being so long winded about this, but Jaysus it's good to have it off my chest.. :yap: I look forward to any advice or thoughts you have.

[BrianS]

Hi Deef.

Sounds dodgy and I'd be interested to know what the product was. Sounds like Raindance from years ago.

From what you say, it sounds like there isn't a clearcoat on your paint. Entirely possible being a 94. Otherwise the colour wouldn't be appearing on the cloth. But this stuff must have an extremely high solvent content in it. Have a look at the tin and see if it mentions anything about abrasive size in it. Also, does it look like a commercial or a consumer product. It might be used for smoothing new paint-jobs or something, but even still, I have my doubts. Also check for silicon content - that will be more useful. The reason any further waxing is easier is because the solvent product has "cleaned" the surface off.

Enhancing the colour requires polishing with a mild abrasive. I got great results with Autoglym Paint Restorer on a black Punto a few weeks ago. The clear coat on it was so hazed that the owner thought it was charcoal grey. The polishing removed a tiny layer of surface paint where the micro-scratches and marrings were, so the colour was enhanced. I did this by hand since I had left my polisher at home that day, so it took a few hours to perfect the surface all over, but this would be standard for clear-coat car with a couple of years on it.

Cars without a clear coat can be done in much the same way UNLESS its a red car which has faded to pink. These really need a machine polishing since all the hand-strokes start to appear after a few months when the fading re-commences. Or keep polishing it every 10 weeks with a light abrasive like AG super resin or similar to keep the fading down.

And should you bother your a**e with paint restorer? No, but do put it on your car. Less chance of getting a nasty rash on yer a**e then!!!

Take it easy!!
B.

[deeferduck]

Thanks a million for the advice Brian. I will check those details and post them for you. Otherwise I'll need a number for AutoValet plus!

[deeferduck]

Hi Brian.

I've checked the bottle and it's Simoniz Universal Colour Restorer. Doesn't say anything about the contents though, just gives instructions on use. The wax I used was Raindance though, which you said was from "years ago"? Is it a bit dodgy or are there better products out there now. Everyone on this forum seems to rave about Autoglym so I think I'll give that a go instead.

[BrianS]

I wouldn't rave about AG. Its alright but I would go for Meguiars as an off-the-shelf product.