Removing water spots

[turbomangt]

This is some car, rare Buick GNX, this one happens to be #108 out of only 500 made. Its a 1986 (I think) and it only has 10,000 miles. The reason I got the car is because last year the owner got caught in a acid rain storm, and didn't bother to wipe it down, so the water spots on the top, roof and hood were EXTREMELY BAD. So much that I almost sent him to a body shop. But I decided to take on the challenge. Unfortunately the pics would not show the spots, when the flash lit, the light filtered out the spots. Here is how i apporoached it. After I washed and clayed the car, I tried a real light polish/cleaner which did not work. For future reference always use the "less is best" approach, you can always go up, but if you start out to strong, you could do irreversible damage. Since my first attempt did nothing, I decided to try Meguiars fine cut (don't ever use this product by hand) with my cyclo dual head buffer. I would never take a rotary buffer to a car like this, way too aggressive. I started on the hood,and to my supries, the first pass removed the spots, but it did dull the paint in the process, which is to be expected. as seen in the pic, see the difference in the right and left side?


Next I picked my DeWalt DA buffer, a real work horse, put still sensative to the paint. Now I used Meguiars dual action cleaner polish, againg don't use this by hand. using a polishing pad, it brought back some of the shine. I proceded to go over the entire car with this. Then I used my porter cable and my own cleaner/polish, (this you can use by hand) and it brought out a mirror shine like nothing else. Then I sealed it and you can see the reflection in the paint. Owner plans on going to shows with it, no suprise, and I'm sure he will bring home the gold.

[Bo'sRT]

Originally Posted by turbomangt

After I washed and clayed the car, I tried a real light polish/cleaner which did not work.

Nice Buick. We won't beat up on you for not getting the details of the car right!

You mention a "real light" polish cleaner..... is this one of your products? If not, what do you recommend?

Thanks for the information...... Your products are working GREAT on the SRT8!

--Bo

[Moose]

Wow...thanks for sharing turbomangt. That is a bad arse car, there.

Nice job on the detail.

Question: What do you use to seal it?

[mrbudd]

Gary as usual you did a fantastic job. I have always admired this car and you brought it back to show finish. Once again thank you for your guidance and making the products available to us.

[300c N C90T]

I love threads like this! I think it's because I can't do it lol. man you do great work on those scratched dull cars. Please keep on sending those before and after pics.

[StealthAuto]

Very nice job~! (Coming from a detailer)

Have you tried a cyclo before?

[DUBSTER]

It Came Out Beautifull!!!!!!!!!!!

[vvv90]

Originally Posted by StealthAuto

Very nice job~! (Coming from a detailer)

Have you tried a cyclo before?

FYI, Gary owns his own detailing business and is the only one I let touch my cars.