Looking to revitalize my 1996 Ford Rangers paint job after years of not paying much attention to it. It's very dirty and has some oxidization, but it could look really good and shiny with a little effort on my part.

 

Been looking at ways to get all the dirt and oxidization off, and have been researching the "clay bar" system but have never done it before. I'm wondering if it's enough to do what I need, or if I need to get something a little more aggressive. Going to try the clay bar first and see if it works, but wondering if anyone else has ever done this and what their results were.

Clay bar will get all the dirt off and make it feel smooth. It won't help it shine. You will need to have it buffed and waxed. Depending how bad it is that might help it a little bit. If you find someone that knows how to buff a car they will probably charge at least 100 dollars to do it.

Clay bar will get all the dirt off and make it feel smooth. It won't help it shine. You will need to have it buffed and waxed. Depending how bad it is that might help it a little bit. If you find someone that knows how to buff a car they will probably charge at least 100 dollars to do it.

 

Yes, this I know...have to get all the dirt and oxidation off first before I wax.

 

Looking at going with Liquid Glass. Guy here at work swears by it, and from what I have read it sounds like top notch stuff.

 

Liquid Glass | The Holy Grail of Car Care Products

Yes, this I know...have to get all the dirt and oxidation off first before I wax.

 

Looking at going with Liquid Glass. Guy here at work swears by it, and from what I have read it sounds like top notch stuff.

 

Liquid Glass | The Holy Grail of Car Care Products

 

I don't think just waxing it will help the oxidation usually sucks up the wax. The best thing to do is have it buffed.

I don't think just waxing it will help the oxidation usually sucks up the wax. The best thing to do is have it buffed.

 

Thus doing the clay bar first...using the clay bar is supposed to gently remove the oxidation while not being harmful to the paint.

Thus doing the clay bar first...using the clay bar is supposed to gently remove the oxidation while not being harmful to the paint.

 

Clay bar won't do much for oxidation.

Clay bar won't do much for oxidation.

 

Which is why I am asking for some advice. From what I have researched on Youtube I'm seeing that it does take off oxidization and some videos I have seen it seems to do a pretty decent job, even on some paintjobs with fairly heavy oxidation. Have you used a clay bar before, and what was your results?

Which is why I am asking for some advice. From what I have researched on Youtube I'm seeing that it does take off oxidization and some videos I have seen it seems to do a pretty decent job, even on some paintjobs with fairly heavy oxidation. Have you used a clay bar before, and what was your results?

 

I used to detail cars. I only used a clay bar for getting dirt and over spray off a gay. Best thing for oxidation is buffing the car.

I used to detail cars. I only used a clay bar for getting dirt and over spray off a gay. Best thing for oxidation is buffing the car.

In your experience, do they get a lot of over spray?

Sorry phone typed that wrong. Over spray from paint on a car. You would be surprised how many cars have paint over spray on them.

:lol2: Just having some fun with you uk.

Think I am going to start with the clay bar...it's the least aggressive technique and from what I have read/seen will get off up to moderate oxidation. If I need more than that I guess I will step up to a polishing compound. I have seen a lot worse oxidation on vehicles not even as old as mine..

@uk#1fan , do you have any recommendation on an auto paint detergent? Done a little research and have found a handful that sound like they do the job, but since you used to detail thought maybe you have found one that works well.

In your experience, do they get a lot of over spray?

 

^^^:lol2:^^^

Think I am going to start with the clay bar...it's the least aggressive technique and from what I have read/seen will get off up to moderate oxidation. If I need more than that I guess I will step up to a polishing compound. I have seen a lot worse oxidation on vehicles not even as old as mine..

@uk#1fan , do you have any recommendation on an auto paint detergent? Done a little research and have found a handful that sound like they do the job, but since you used to detail thought maybe you have found one that works well.

 

The best thing for oxidation is having the paint buffed or get the car repainted.

I would suggest that you take your car to a local Meguiar's dealer/distributor and get their advice. Not a parts store but a place that specializes in auto appearance products. Clay bar is a smoothing agent you will probably need to use a cleaner as a first step.