so my brother gave me his 96 civic and i noticed there are a lot of scratches and swirl marks, and couple of the panels look sun beaten and other don't. my friend told me i should use nu finish but i dunno any suggestions?

I use Royal Blue, which does a great job of getting rid of swirl marks, small scratches, and even oxidation. However, it will really depend on the level of damage that's been done to your car's paint. It may need to be wet sanded, clayed, and re-polished

So where can I find Royal Blue products ?

Tryed Google ;)

http://www.hondacivicforum.com/m_120260/tm.htm

Wet sand and then buff/polish, works wonders.
http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/5e440044.jpghttp://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/eb1968cb.jpghttp://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/kansas_recon/6f0cd262.jpg

The damage isnt to bad but wet sanding and claying sounds like something i need to do. how and do i need to wet sand my car

Wet sand/buffing will work to a certain extent on heavily oxidized surfaces. If you still have a clearcoat on your finish, then this will work.

Start with fine (1000/1500 grit) sandpaper after thoroughly washing your car. Get a spray bottle filled with water and wet the surface and LIGHTLY apply pressure while sanding. You will burn through the paint if you press too hard. Do one panel at a time, sanding in one direction only. The surface after wetsanding will look hazy - it is supposed to do that. If done properly, the surface will feel very smooth to the touch.

Apply polishing compound with buffer (don't use a rotary unless you know what you're doing - get an orbital). If you don't have a buffer, you can do it by hand. You will feel like your arm will fall off after a while though.

Top it off with a glaze if you want to maintain that showroom finish.

ORIGINAL: talcendor

The damage isnt to bad but wet sanding and claying sounds like something i need to do. how and do i need to wet sand my car


if you have to ask it's over your head. wetsanding isn't something you just do....like washing your car. it's a pretty major ordeal, that can yield HORRIBLE results if you're not careful. and after you wetsand you still have to get all the scratches out, which requiresa rotary buffer.....something else anewbie shouldn't just jump in to.

by the time you buy a buffer, pads, and compound you'll have spent upwards of $300. take that $300 and pay a professional to do it.


if you really want to learn, which i encourage anyone to do if they desire, at least buy a hood/fender from a junk yard and work on it. that way when you screw it up (not IF, but WHEN) you're only out a junk hood....not the paint job on your car.

take a look at this site http://www.autopia.org (http://www.autopia.org/)it's FULL of detailing information, and those guys won't steer you wrong. good luck, and not trying to be a prick, just trying to keep you from making a costly mistake you'll regret

That autopia site is awesome! Thanks matts :)

you're welcome