Garages aren't all that common here in Pine Lake. Most of us park our cars out in the open, where they are subject to being blanketed by leaves and pine needles, covered with sap and insect secretions (and occasional bird poop), and the weathering effects of the sun.
And snow. Let's not forget snow!
Over time a car's finish becomes oxidized and glazed and looks dull. Fortunately, buffing with a light abrasive can bring the paint back to life. It's for this reason the car goddess created polishing compound.
Polishing compound is not the same as rubbing compound, which is more abrasive. It's far more gentle, but even so it's best not to overdo it. A light buffing with a machine or moderate rubbing by hand with a soft, dry cloth will work wonders and won't damage the finish.
In the photo above I had just finished polishing the trunk of my 19-year-old Mazda Miata. If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you can better see the polished trunk and the untreated fender.
Before polishing I had my car hand-washed for five dollars at the coin-operated car wash across the street from the chiropractor's office. The next morning I washed it again, using detailing clay, which is great for picking up crud.
My car was clean and shiny, but it didn't stay so after an afternoon rain. I had to wash it again the next morning and wait for it to dry before I could apply synthetic wax. The wax must sit for 10-12 hours for the polymers to bond properly, but that didn't happen. I tried again the next day, with the same result. I felt I was going backward.
Fortunately, my next door neighbor Barbara Whitlow told me I could use her carport while she was out of town. It was amazing how much faster things went with the car under cover. I applied two coats of polymer and, after it had cured, followed it with carnuba paste wax. My car looked great!
For about five minutes! With it back in my driveway it gets covered with leaves and gunk. Fortunately, it looks good again after a quick wash, and will until the wax wears away.
Here's my favorite photo of my car. I took it two years ago at Fontana Lake, NC.
I like this one, too. It's a car selfie. I took it with my cell phone at a parking garage at Emory University.
Remember when we used to get excited about the snow when we were still kids? Well, it doesn’t apply that much when you grow up. Haha! That being said, the polishing compound is amazing! It revived the vibrant color of your car, and it seems pretty easy to use. Anyway, I really like your photos, and your car looks great. Thanks for sharing them with us. All the best!
ReplyDeleteAbraham Yates @ Apache Oil Company