Minor problem -correct or leave it?

hkross

New member
The outside of my car just doesnt seem to be worth detalin anymore. I mean when i am doing it i see all the dents and scraches and i end up feeling worse the when i started. What should i do just keep the inside perfect and let the outside remain good but not perfect.:mad:
 
Hey Juggalo,

If you can afford getting the dents removed, go for that. If money's an issue (usually...), go for the do it yourself stuff. I'm not as sure about the dents, but scratches and swirls aren't so difficult to repair! It just takes some hard work and time.

For scratch repair, try here .

For the heavy swirls I assume you must have, try using 3M FI-II (Finesse-It II) and then follow with SMR (Swirl mark remover). You can check out the 3M products here .

Definitely keep the interior in good shape, and if you pay extra attention to all of those "little details" of your car, it will most definitely show, whether the exterior is dented up or not. A clean, well-kept car with a nicely cared for interior, detailed doorjambs, etc. is a wonderful thing.

:bounce
puterbum
 
Try contacting DentWizard, they maybe able to fix some of the dents without repainting.



As for scratches and swirls, the product will depend on how bad the swirls are.



For very light swirls scratches= 3M Swirl Mark Remover

For Light to medium ones= 3M Finesse It 2 Finishing Material

And for the heavy ones you need to break out the big guns!!= 3M Perfect-It Fine Cut Rubbing Compound.



The Fine Cut Compound should only be used as a last resort, I would try the FI2 and if it does not do much then step up to the Fine cut.....but that is for heavy swirls only.
 
even with little dents...swirls...most of the cars cared for by people are on this site look better than higher priced cars...that arent cared for....all of us have seen a car out there...that is older..a little beat up...but you can tell the guy cares alot for it and it always shows....try to work on the most out of the way problem first with all the 3M stuff..then you get some confidence and tackle the bigger stuff...from my experience as a barely out of newbie stage...:D
 
To keep the inside perfect, try using some 303. It provides great UV protection. For the outside, I would second the use or visit to the local Dent Wizzard or similar establishment.
 
Yes, 303 to pretty much anything rubber, vinyl or plastic works well. I also like Stoners IG (sold at local stores) for windows and an MF towel that I keep in my glovebox to dust my interior whenever I see any dust (My wife uses a swiffer duster!).



Just make exterior improvements to your car little by little. One of my cars is a bit swirled up and making improvements to it panel by panel is pretty satisfying.
 
shiny scratched up dented car vs dirty scratched up dented car



I'll take the former, but these guys have a very valid point, now's the time for you to experiement on solving some of your do-it-yourselfable problems. Dent are a fact of car life, so they're not so bad.
 
Ok, it's only at night under the right lights and at the right angle, I see tiny little water spots on my car. (Black metalflake GTI). I've been using BFWD for over a year and this car never sits out in the sun. I know I "can" correct it, but, I'm not looking to correct and it happen again over time. It's a daily driver and not a show car anyway - but I do wonder why it happened.

I am interested in the debate on sealants vs wax when it comes to water spots and so far there doesn't appear to be a conclusive answer.

thoughts??
 
Most likely the water spots aren't from rain, morning dew or anyother type of "natural" source. Most likely hard water from car wash, sprinkler, etc.

I had the same problem with my daily-driven Grand Prix, when I bought it from a dealer's lot a couple years ago.

I polished the water spots out, (needed polishing anyway!) Then added a couple coats of Z2P. (BFWD now.) That would be my recommendation.

The worst water spots I've seen were created on a day when it was 100 degrees, black car in a supermarket parking lot, and the dang sprinkler system came on!!! :cursing::banghead: Those spots were PERMANENTLY FRIED into the paint surface. Never got them out.:doh: (My previous vehicle!)
 
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