View Full Version : need help on detailing my 68 buick
bigmike667
07-24-2008, 10:56 AM
Hi
I have a 1968 riviera and would appreciate some help on how to detail it and make it shine! How would I make my car shine and what products should be good? unfortunately, I dont have a machine to buff, etc. I would have to do it by hand, which I don`t mind taking the time to do, as long as I get a good shine, etc.
the car is black,has some oxidized areas and dull/dirty areas in the paint, and some paint chips which I would have to fix aswell. it feels a bit rough, it feels as if it has overspray on it.
Firstly, I was going to do the meguairs 3 step process by hand, but it said the cleaner was for clear coats, my car is from 68, I doubt it is clear-coat finish. I would highly appreciate some advice on how to tackle this project. Thank you!
bigmike667
07-24-2008, 04:46 PM
anybody, any advice?
Legacy
07-24-2008, 05:22 PM
I`m afraid if its black youll need a machine.
bigmike667
07-24-2008, 05:33 PM
thats not good, all I have is the Simoniz 4-in. Cordless Polisher, is that good enough or no?
Legacy
07-24-2008, 06:04 PM
Get a Flex or at least a PC.
Legacy
07-24-2008, 06:06 PM
BTW you have a classic, is it all original, and how many miles?
bigmike667
07-24-2008, 06:09 PM
I believe it has about 117 000 miles on it.
it is original! I like my classics original with a muscle car look!
pic is in avatar.
Legacy
07-24-2008, 06:17 PM
Nice, but hard to see, post more pictures.
bigmike667
07-24-2008, 06:28 PM
here is the only other pic I have for now, but unfortunatly the bumper was damaged when I bought the car, and its a pain to find another bumper here in Canada.
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc46/big_mike667/114-1443_IMG.jpg
derek37
07-25-2008, 12:29 AM
yes a machine will be needed. A clay bar as well to remove the contaminates from the paint. After polishing, #7x2 would be a good choice followed by your choice of carnuaba wax. Search this link Meguiar`s Online List O` Links - Car Care Forums: Meguiar`s Online (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20748)
for great advice from Mike Phillips.
Good Luck
bigmike667
07-25-2008, 05:58 AM
okay, so the clay bar works good on single stage paint too then?
the polisher I have, is that too slow or something?
derek37
07-25-2008, 09:26 AM
yeah the clay will work on any surface and the 4" cordless in my opinion won`t even touch those swirls you may have, not enough power. Honestly, if you can afford it, you should have someone from Autopia do the job and then you can maintain from there.
Look here for a possible detailer
Canada - Autopia.org (http://www.autopia.org/forum/canada/)
bigmike667
07-25-2008, 11:02 AM
No, i dont have that much to spend on hiring someone to do it. I have to save up for a bumper to be imported from the US. I was hoping I could`ve dont it myself even if it took me a while to do it by hand, but I guess since its black, it needs to be done by a lot better machine/equipment.
derek37
07-25-2008, 11:20 AM
well you can do it be hand of course it just won`t look as nice as it could. You could give it a nice wash with good quality shampoo and clay the paint which will make it look better. 1Z products work well by hand. #7 will restore the oils to the SS paint. Just do what you can; it will look better than it does now. Use the search feature here to get more info on what to use for SS by hand
bigmike667
07-25-2008, 11:45 AM
ok thanks, if I use the clay do I have to use a cleaner too, or just clay, polish it and then wax it?