First drive since May

[ta240]

finally cooled down enough to take it out today. Of course ended up driving past construction where they were sweeping up concrete dust so it needed a bath.

-Trevor

http://240z.me

[d240zx2]

Nice looking ride, Trevor.

[ta240]

thanks,

back when I first bought this one, about 3 years ago, it looked great at the guys house. Then turned out he had put something on the paint, not sure what, that looked great for a bit but basically washed off fast. Under it was fairly tired, dead looking paint with lots of little scratches everywhere. I wasn't as mad as I was bummed. I would have bought it even with the not so great paint but wasn't fond of being played.

I tried all the waxes and polishes I had on my shelf (and I had a lot even then) and none would really bring it back. Some would make it look good for a day or so and only at the right distance and angle. Started reading a couple different detailing message boards and learned a bit here and there. Already had a DA polisher and picked up some Meguires M105 and M205. They did a good job taking out most of the small scratches but after a point I don't think I have enough paint to keep smoothing it without going through it. So then it was a matter of glazes and waxes with enough fillers to finish it off. I had found one good glaze and wax but then they seemed to go out of business. Kept following the boards and tried a few (won't ever tell how many) more products and finally ended up with ones that look good and last.

Hadn't checked the mail before I took the pictures earlier and my latest topper glaze showed up so now the car looks even better than the pictures

Long winded reply, I know, but it just feels so good to have it done when I was thinking repaint for awhile.

[spitz17]

Mind sharing with us what you use?

[Arne]

Trevor, if you ever drive up into Oregon we should try to get together for a photo shoot...

[ta240]

the latest products I'm using are:

http://hilustre.com/details.php?productID=2

and top that with:

http://www.obsessivedetail.com/wetobsession.html

just got:

Obsessive Detail Wet Shine Glaze: http://www.obsessivedetail.com/polishesandswirlremovers.html

and put a quick coat of that on top.

The wax is fairly expensive (at least compared to auto parts store stuff) but I got lucky and found it when it was on sale.

[ta240]

Trevor, if you ever drive up into Oregon we should try to get together for a photo shoot

Mine gets the be the farthest one away in the shot then. I don't think it stands up to close inspection quite as well as yours.

[geezer]

30 applications from 1 tin doesn't seem too bad even at $55. for the Wet Obsession if you end up with results like that and the Finish-It compound is cheap enough. The paint looks absolutely gorgeous in the pics!

It is hard to believe you were considering a repaint.

[Arne]

I don't think it stands up to close inspection quite as well as yours.

Maybe. But it looks to me as if you could teach me a thing or two about polishing wheels!

[ta240]

30 applications from 1 tin doesn't seem too bad even at $55. for the Wet Obsession if you end up with results like that and the Finish-It compound is cheap enough. The paint looks absolutely gorgeous in the pics!

It is hard to believe you were considering a repaint.

It looked pretty good before from anything over 10 feet but I just couldn't get the tops of the doors and the sides of the tops of the fenders to really shine, they'd always have a dull look unless you looked at them at just the right angles. It was almost like they had a just wetsanded look that only showed at times.

The other problem I ran into is the hood would chalk up pretty fast, added some insulation to it and that isn't an issue anymore.

The other thing I've found is what works great on one color and type of paint doesn't always work as good on others.

[ta240]

Maybe. But it looks to me as if you could teach me a thing or two about polishing wheels!

that's funny, because I was going to get rid of these wheels, had them mounted on the parts car, till I saw a picture of your car on here and said 'wait, they can look like that?'

[e-tek]

First I was sad to see the thread title (first drive), then mad to hear you had to wait for it to COOL DOWN before getting outfor a ride!! We've had a CRAPPY summer here, cool and wet! So just as bad I guess - just opposite!

Love the ride - ever thing of putting in AC? A vintage air set up would bolt in I bet.

I've had a few red cars - and Z's - and the old Enamel reds are the worst for wear. Once they're oxidized they look like Sh1T and won't last long with a shine - as you found out! For sure the PO knew this and had it properly detialed for sale. Sounds like you found the right combinations as well though!

Nice rides!!