How to clean a badly mistreated car

you can also create a bigger headache by "trying" things out yourself first.



lets say the OP uses APC to wash the car as suggested not realizing what could be the consequences of using this product NOT designed for paintwork. Then he gets a phone call and has to step away for a couple minutes, and BAM, the paint is now screwed because its dried on the car and stained it...its happened before!



just saying, but the OP can do whatever he wants, Im just stating my opinion on how I would approach it. Because in my opinion, it needs a lot more than just a decon process...oxidation removal, polishing, etc are needed, and I doubt the OP has all the resources at home, or really wants to get into all that considering he hasnt touched the car in 3 years...
 
Good options given to remove the crap.. And as above polishing is a different issue. We will be glad to help out...



Strokes77 said:
My wife has a Black Ford Taurus. It is 3 years old, and has never been properly washed. There are dead bugs and various other things stuck to the front of the car, both the chrome, the plastic bumper, and the hood. If you run your hand across the paint, it feels like sandpaper.



After reading this forum for a few weeks, I have tried various wash methods(quality wash, 2 bucket, grit guards, ect...) and nothing seems to remove the terrible things on the front of her car.



Any suggestions moving forward? Products, or techniques?



I'll come back to ask about the swirls, white scratches once I feel like I have successfully "washed" the front.



This forum has a wealth of knowledge... I thank you in advance for your help.
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toyotaguy said:
you can also create a bigger headache by "trying" things out yourself first.



lets say the OP uses APC to wash the car as suggested not realizing what could be the consequences of using this product NOT designed for paintwork. Then he gets a phone call and has to step away for a couple minutes, and BAM, the paint is now screwed because its dried on the car and stained it...its happened before!



just saying, but the OP can do whatever he wants, Im just stating my opinion on how I would approach it. Because in my opinion, it needs a lot more than just a decon process...oxidation removal, polishing, etc are needed, and I doubt the OP has all the resources at home, or really wants to get into all that considering he hasnt touched the car in 3 years...
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i agree. but he came here to ask the proper way to do this and that would include the proper products. if he reads up on the products and is not confident that he can use the products properly then he would hopeful ask for a detailer in his area that is willing to do the job or help him in some way.
 
You people are awesome. ToyotaGuy, I appreciate your opinion as well. If I was most concerned with doing what was best for the car, I would take it to a pro. However, my goal at the moment is to learn proper care car (hence why I am posting here), and I look forward to the challenges... hopefully not at the expense of her cars current clear coat.



Again, pictures and a great story are forthcoming.
 
cool, that changes my advice giving mindset then....I just hear too many horror stories about people screwing things up and costing more money in the end rather than going to a pro to correct the damage and then maintain it...the fixing is the hard part, the maintaining is the easy part
 
lostdaytomorrow said:
Take some pics so we can see what you're dealing with here to
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UPDATE:



I did not have a chance to take pics. However, here's what I did.



1. Wash car with Dawn(I think the dealer applied some kind of long term sealant when we purchased, no idea on this... "Auto Butler"?).

2. Dry Car

3. Clay with Mag's smooth surface kit and QD.

4. Apply Mag's Ultimate Liquid Wax.



Thoughts:

The clay removed a ton of brown stuff. However, the parts I thought would be the worst (the front of hood and front bumper) were not. Actually the truck and back bumper were far worse... nasty stuff came off on the clay there.



The front of the car cleaned up pretty well, but here's what I am seeing now. All along the front there are what look like white chips in the paint(Black car). They are small, and you can definitely feel with your finger. Are these in fact chips?



Overall the car looks a ton better. Something, must be the liquid wax, even covered up some of the white scuffs along the paint from shopping carts and the like... they are far less visible. Also the swirls along the car are no longer noticeable to a standard passerby, which is cool.



Wife is happy, obviously none of this is quality you guys would be happy with, but if Mama's happy you know the rest...



Thanks.
 
Yes, those white spots you see are little chips from stones and other debris coming off the road/other cars. It may be just the clear coat, or it may be down to the metal. Chipped clear can look white, especially on black (My car is black). At this point if you decide to go further into the world of polishing you might be able to make them look a little better.
 
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