Need to fix up 2(older) cars, what to buy?

[nonameo]

Well, I don't have pics as of yet, but I may soon. I need to borrow a friends digi cam as mine doesn't have macro and I don't feel like buying the lens to do it with.

lowdown:

both of these cars are BLACK

90 RX-7 that was poorly repainted(yes I know it should be repainted, but I don't have the odd 1.5 grand to do that right now) this is fairly new paint. The paint is covered with fine/medium scratches, few deep ones, and a couple dents and chips. the paint is cracked on the spoiler and on the front bumper where the previous owner bumped into something. This car also has marks where you can tell the car was sanded down (beneath the paint, I forget what this is called) and it also has orange peel. I DO NOT want to repaint just yet, but I am willing to bondo/sand/touchup with practice(have a car to practice on) as long as it doesn't look WORSE afterwords. This car also has a couple spots where the paint shop didn't do so hot of a job fixing the dents. (you can see where its been bondo filled.

car 2, 88 260E

This is my dad's car and it has ORIGINAL PAINT!(can you believe it?! lol) this car has some swirling and maybe one or two dings. He isn't concerned about the dings(or rather he doesn't want me having fun with sanding and painting on his car). This car has some fade/oxidation and some water spots as well. My dad has not had the greatest experiences with shelf waxes such as gold class (but then again he was washing his car with dawn as well..)

well, that's it for the paint. I'll worry about some of the other things later. here's the game plan so far.

1. Get a porter cable. and accessories.

2. heavy polish for the 7.

3. medium polish for the benz.

4. polishing glaze/light polish for both cars.

5. synthetic wax for both cars.

6. carnauba wax for both cars.

7. get some REAL car wash and not dawn.

8. oh yea, guess I need to throw some microfiber towels in too. One BIG one to dry with and some smaller ones to wipe residue off with.

9. My dad wants his windshield polished as well.

am I missing something here? anything I could add to help things a LOT? I also need suggestions on which products to buy... I'd like to use products without fillers in the first stages as I'd like to get that wysiwyg effect to begin with. (that way I know I've really fixed things and have not just covered them up...)

Gah well I hope that's understandable enough for you guys to help me out. I may have some pics soon, might be a week or so though.

EDIT: I'd also like some information on how well canned spraypaints work for repainting small sections of the car. I may just repaint the spoiler and front bumper, but I am worried about the paint matching. I have heard that black is not as hard to match as other colors though. Is there somewhere I can send a small painted part of the car (like a mirror) and have them match it for me?

[Draug]

I'm just finishing my '85 RX - welcome to Rotary Land.

Anyways, with the black paint take a close look to make sure it's not metallic - my '85 SE is, so I know it was in Mazda's Repertoire back then. And if the paint does have metal fleck I'm extremely wary of trying to get a good match with a spray can... I've tried and failed on my '84 RX.

With the repaint you'll want to take a VERY close look at the paint to see if it's bubbling at all from rust that wasn't properly fixed. On those cars the front edge of the roof right near the window is a problem spot, and around the rear hatch seems and key hole too. Also take your rear wheels off and inspect the inner and outer surfaces of your rear quarter panels.

If you do have rust to fix beware - it can be a very time-consuming proposition to do it right (as I can attest to) but if you want to undertake the project then I highly recommend POR-15.

Sorry I can't help with your actual questions - I'm still learning this all too.

[nonameo]

Originally posted by Draug
I'm just finishing my '85 RX - welcome to Rotary Land.

Anyways, with the black paint take a close look to make sure it's not metallic - my '85 SE is, so I know it was in Mazda's Repertoire back then. And if the paint does have metal fleck I'm extremely wary of trying to get a good match with a spray can... I've tried and failed on my '84 RX.

With the repaint you'll want to take a VERY close look at the paint to see if it's bubbling at all from rust that wasn't properly fixed. On those cars the front edge of the roof right near the window is a problem spot, and around the rear hatch seems and key hole too. Also take your rear wheels off and inspect the inner and outer surfaces of your rear quarter panels.

If you do have rust to fix beware - it can be a very time-consuming proposition to do it right (as I can attest to) but if you want to undertake the project then I highly recommend POR-15.

Sorry I can't help with your actual questions - I'm still learning this all too.

well, the 90 rx is a different body style and wouldn't have the same rust points, I would imagine. The paint is not metallic, its just straight black.

[Draug]

Hehe... Sorry, I should have clarified. You're right that they are different styles and do indeed have different problem spots. Those recomendations were based on my general knowledge of the FC's that I've gained from considering various purchases, discussions with other RX owners, etc.

[LouisanaJeeper]

I think I might jump in this convorsation.
I am thinking about getting a trail jeep, black w/ 15yr original paint.
I will probably repair the rust on the bottom rockers by patching them w/ new sheetmetal and herculine them, wetsand the rest of the paint w/2500 grit, rattle can paint on the bare spots where the original paint has worn thru, then 3M finecut with wool pad...might even pick up a $30 rotory to play with..., followed by DACP w/yellow pad, then some machine glazew/ white pad.

granted it will not be showroom, but is should turn out much better for a trail beater anyway.

i think it would be a fun project

[LouisanaJeeper]

rockers