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kokamo
06-20-2010, 10:07 AM
Hey guys, I recently bought a 96 OBS that had been sitting under an oak tree for 3+ years. Piles of leaves and junk all over it. After I cleaned it all up and got it running again, I hand washed it the best I could with a hand mit and some Mothers California Gold detergent.

The paint is very oxidized and I could not get it off with any amount of washing. The paint feels kinda rough, and honestly it looks like hell, but I can use some oxidation cutting polish and it cleans right up and looks pretty damn good BUT, I can feel the little specs of dirt and contaminants in the place I just polished.

MY QUESTION: should I cut all this oxidation off first, or should I use the claybar on it before I touch it with anything?

I'll post some pics of the before and after later as my porgress.....progresses.:cool:

Thanks guys,

~Joe
98BlueZ71
06-20-2010, 10:56 AM
I like to wash it with dawn before I claybar. But either way, I would claybar it first and see if you can make the surface completely smooth before polishing.
Lobsters
06-21-2010, 07:53 AM
Can you get a pic of the oxidation? There are times I've had to cut really bad panels with compound, then clay, then polish, then wax.
kokamo
06-21-2010, 12:11 PM
Can you get a pic of the oxidation? There are times I've had to cut really bad panels with compound, then clay, then polish, then wax.

Cool man, I will see what I can do. Yesterday evening I used some 2K sandpaper on a spot with some deep scratches....used the buffing compund and then a sealer/polish and it came out very nice.

I will try and get some pix this afternoon.

Thanks,

~Joe
TMooreGraphics
06-25-2010, 10:46 AM
I like to wash it with dawn before I claybar. But either way, I would claybar it first and see if you can make the surface completely smooth before polishing.

This is exactly what I do on all of my cars...Dawn soap to eliminate any wax/grease residue and then claybar the whole vehicle leaving it smooth as glass. Then start your polishing procedure.

And since you mentioned you're a "newbie" you may or may not know this...but NEVER "routinely" wash your car with any regular dish soap...unless you're getting ready to claybar/polish. ALWAYS wash with automotive soaps (I prefer Poorboys brand car wash soap). Normal dish soaps strip all of your wax off leaving you with no protection from the elements.

Best of luck to you.