hey guys,
i don't have much experience with detailing except for claybarring and hand waxing (don't even think i'm doing that right). Anyway, my GF is getting ready to sell her black 1999 VW Jetta with heavy oxidation on the roof and hood surface. Its really bad. So i wanted to get it back into the best shape possible and wanted to know what you guys suggested i should do. I'm not against buying a good orbital buffer or other tool that i'll need.

btw, i recently purchased an 05 base PPW Z and would also like to get into keeping this baby detailed.

thanx, -Anthony

 

This is probably going to be your best research thread here on my350z for the total package detailing:
https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....ultimate+guide


As for the heavy oxidation the best I've seen is just a reduction of the oxidized appearance but eventually requires a respray.

 

I recently did a red miata that was heavily oxidized. I used optimum hyper compound on a yellow lc pad followed by an orange lc pad with menz sip followed by 106ff on a white pad to bring some more gloss back. Lsp of choice was griots best of show wax on a red griots wax pad. 100% correction of the oxidation/ swirls. Some rids remained, but the paint glowed like the rest of the vehicle.

 

start with the lowest cut you have and move down from there. Here's how I'd do it if i had skills to wet sand paint.

1. Menzerna 106FF with white pad

2. Menzerna SIP with Orange probably

3. Wet sand with 2000 grit and follow that up with the steps listed above with whatever pad you'd like

If the paint is oxidized too far though, you're going to have to look for a repaint

 

Restoring the paint is actually not as hard as it may seem if you have the right tools and technique. You basically need to polish the paint with a quality polish, buffer and pad. I'll list out two combinations of products that I would recommend:

Option #1 - My favorites for perfection
Flex XC 3401 VRG Starter Kit
Menzerna Super Intensive Polish (PO83)
Menzerna PO106FF


Option #2 - Great products that are more affordable
Porter Cable 7424 Starter Kit
Menzerna Intensive Polish
Menzerna Final Polish II

Both combinations give you a quality buffer and all the pads/accessories you need and a medium and light polish. They will help remove light to medium imperfections such as swirls, oxidation, etc. The polishing process allows light to pass through the clear coat and give off a deeper reflection. We have all of these products at Detailed Image and we offer a 10% discount to forum members (code 10off350Z). Let me know if I can help you any further.

Greg @ Detailed Image

 

I should have asked for clarification on oxidation level.


Here's an example of moderate-heavy oxidation:



Do you have any pics for a better idea of what your oxidation level is?

 

i can get pics up tomorrow or so. but i can tell you that practically the whole roof is like that and a little more.

 

Keep us advised on how things go!