[APKhaos]

OK, I admit it. I bought the '97 3.0CL Acura for my daughter. She gets it on the 24th, which gives me some time to freshen up the important stuff. Note that important for an 18YO grrl is mainly cosmetic

The finish is a little dull, particularly on the horizontal surfaces. Too much outdoor exposure. There are tons of minor scratches, some down to the primer. Looks like the PO had an excitable dog.

I've got the Paint Scratch and the Langka to attack the scratches.
The question is what's the best treatment to refresh the overall finish. I feel it needs a dose of light rubbing compound, polish and wax. I don't want to burn through the clear coat, but my fave 3M Hand Glaze is too weak for this job!

Anyone have a good suggestion for materials to use? I have a random orbital buffer.

In case you think I've lost it, the car will get new water pump, belts and rollers soon as well. Just need to get it looking its best first. Fathers of daughters will understand.

All advice greatly appreciated. I'm no expert on the concours stuff.

[Parenn911]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

I've got the Paint Scratch and the Langka to attack the scratches.
The question is what's the best treatment to refresh the overall finish. I feel it needs a dose of light rubbing compound, polish and wax. I don't want to burn through the clear coat, but my fave 3M Hand Glaze is too weak for this job!

Anyone have a good suggestion for materials to use? I have a random orbital buffer.

Tony, first I would wet sand the whole car with 2000 grit sand paper (available in most auto body and paint stores), and then buff the paint with an orbital buffer using rubbing compound and the soft pad glaze. You will need two pads for the buffer, the foam pad and the the cloth pad. Let me know if you need a hand with this as I just did it to my SC and the results are amazing . It will bring out the shine you thought your car never had!

[rs911t]

All advice greatly appreciated. I'm no expert on the concours stuff.

Big exhaust pipe, 18" chrome twirly (technical term) wheels, purple neon running lights and rigid suspension. Bolt a wing directly to trunk lid, so it sways when driving on rough roads. I miss anything?

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by rs911t

Big exhaust pipe, 18" chrome twirly (technical term) wheels, purple neon running lights and rigid suspension. Bolt a wing directly to trunk lid, so it sways when driving on rough roads. I miss anything?

Yes, tach on the hood outside the winshield. 3 - 4 other gauges up the driver's side A-pillar. R-type badges.

[rs911t]

Yes, tach on the hood outside the winshield.

Sha-wing !!

[Trak Ratt]

Get real It’s a non P car Give it to her w/a big kiss & a gas credit card Lets concentrate on the ‘44T

[Mackpipes]

The 18" Twirlys only go on the rear. You need to mount B F Goodrich drag radials on stock steel wheels on the front.

She wanna be flossin the stickys up front to be earnin' the street cred yo! 8)

[APKhaos]

I'm ignoring all this smack. You dont want to know about the roasting I got from the kids about putting a riceer exhaust on the Probe.

I'm rady for most things, but the thought of wet sanding this car scares me. Rubbing compound I can deal with, but what grade/brand/etc?

Tony, I'd go with polishing compound after the 2000 wet sanding, not rubbing compound. It's been my experience that rubbing compound is too course for clearcoat/enamel. Experiment on a location that won't show if things go bad. Work carefully and don't linger in one spot too long. Avoid anything more than very light pressure on sharp edges. You'll do fine. Cheers, Rich

[Parenn911]

Tony you will be fine. As SCCARACER said avoid applying too much pressure when buffing the car, especially on sharp edges. I had real good results with the 3M rubbing compound that I used. 3M also makes a polish that is labeled "soft foam pad glaze" which I used after the rubbing compound. Stick with the 3M stuff, I can get everything you need locally in G'burg if you are having trouble tracking it down.

Originally Posted by Mackpipes

She wanna be flossin the stickys up front to be earnin' the street cred yo! 8)

ROFL , I never thought any other Dorki's knew what flossin meant . Word up, she be blinging wit dem dubs on the ac.