Black Bumper Looks Awful

[MX racer]

I recently bought a used car and I'm going to try to make this car look good. Everyone tells me it looks good all the time, but I don't think it does. I'm slow assembling the products to revive the paint (SMR, Diamond Cut Rubbing Compound, #7, #26, #34) getting ready to make a trip to Lowe's for a PC and then order the CWA kit. I also plan on getting some Z5 and Z2. The thing is, I have a few chips in the paint...but my bumper is really bad. I think I'm going to have to wetsand the whole thing w/ some 2000 grit paper then go over it with some SMR. How do you guys suggest I fill in the chips in my bumper and lower portions of the hood. Again, this is a black car, and they say it's not too hard to touch up black...but I've never touched up anything before.



Also, it is ok to put carnuba over the Z5/Z2 isn't it? It might not be necessary, but I want that really shiny look. What about the #7 (glaze). Would I put that on after the Z products? Well, I'm getting off track here, but I would appreciate advice on that as well, but I guess the main focus in this post is getting rid of those small chips/nicks in the paint. The SMR will also remove any "etching" caused by bug guts and/or bird droppings on the bumper...correct? Thanks.



Also, what do you guys use to remove the bug guts and bird droppings on your car? They are really stubborn, and I'm afriad I'll mess up the paint even more by scrubbing in that same spot until they are gone.

 

[BradE]

Also, it is ok to put carnuba over the Z5/Z2 isn't it? It might not be necessary, but I want that really shiny look. What about the #7 (glaze). Would I put that on after the Z products?

I would not put anything over Zaino. The solvents in the products you mentioned can actually eat away at the sealant over time. Plus, you take away the layering properties of the product. (Oils in wax/glaze prevent layering). Zaino is almost optically clear, so putting a non-clear caranuba over it would be kinda pointless.

 

[thevolvoguy]

What about the #7 (glaze). Would I put that on after the Z products?

:nono





Well #7 is a polish, you would do this normally before you wax or seal. BUT Z-2 or 3 will do that job for you. So you don't even need to buy the #7. I seccond what SRL said. Zaino is about as close as you can get to being optically perfect so the Carnauba would only dull the mirror finish you bought the Zaino for.



However... I have topped my Z'd car with Souveran and Zymol and had excellent results but they fade away very quickly. And again as SRL said you lose the ability to re layer the Zaino w/o having to strip.



Now are you as confused as I am after reading that?? :wavey

 

[MX racer]

Ok...so what should I do about this bumper? Wet sand...get some touch up paint...I'm lost. What is a good tool to use for removing bug guts and bird poop? My sheepskin wash mit just isn't tough enough to get all that stuff off.