A few shots of the 92 after mini-detail

[zuper8]

I spent about 3.5 hours on the car today.

- washed and for the first time clayed.... that was a nasty clay bar

- This car has VERY little clear in most places, except the hood and decklid which were off another car in much better shape cosmetically. I used 1Z Ultra paint polish w/ orange cutting pad on the hood, decklid, upper doors, and quarter panels to remove just some of the deep scratches. maybe I shouldn't have, but I just couldn't stand it.

- The rest of the car I went over with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0 which has mild correction capabilities when used with the right pad. I used a green finishing pad for the first time and was really happy with it. Slightly finer finish than the white pad, but less firm so slightly less cut.

- Finished with a coat of P21S Concours Carnauba Wax. I really recommend this product to anyone who prefers a traditional carnauba wax. It won't break the bank compared to most pro products, and it is SOOO easy to remove. being a carnauba wax however, don't expect it to last too long. I get 2-3 months out of it before I apply another coat. Gives the paint a very warm gloss, I think so anyway.

I'll paint the mirrors and door handles some day hell I will need to paint the whole car someday. and fix the quarter panel rust.

wish I had this kind of sunlight when I was taking pictures of the SSEi









And Pickles is dirty already!

[crash93ssei]

Another fine example of your abilities

This one looks fantastic as well Rachael, the wheels really set it off!

[ChilinMichael]

Looking really good...your paint is better than mine, that's for sure.

[zuper8]

Looking really good...your paint is better than mine, that's for sure.

wellllll thank you but maybe it's not as nice as you think... clear's peeling off the roof worst place on the car for it to start peeling!!

and thanks ryan! it's funny, those lexus wheels do really go well with that color/ body style, I feel like the brightness of the aluminum finish has as much to do with it as the wheel design itself.

[ChilinMichael]

Yeah I'm sure you remember years ago I had the little spot I was able to cover up....not so much anymore...it's huge now...multiple spots all over the roof. What do you use to cover it up/help it?

[zuper8]

I do remember, that sucks :( I would not have bought this car had that problem reared its head beforehand. it is very sad to see after all the work I put in.

I have not been able to find much advice about it, because apparently there's nothing you can do besides repaint, but...... I gently slather on a crapload of P21S about every 2 months, and just barely buff it off, in order to not agitate the clear. I mean, I leave quite a bit of wax behind in that area.

When I first noticed it in 2010, it went from a tiny little speck to big splotches in 1 month. After I started putting a bunch of the carnauba wax on it frequently, it's barely worsened in the past 2 years. So it seems to be definitely helping, at least to keep the UVs off it maybe. Kinda blends it into the surrounding color too, most people never notice it til I point it out and it's pretty major clearcoat loss.

[ChilinMichael]

Over 50% of my roof has lost clearcoat now.
P21S 100% Carnauba Paste Wax I take it you are talking about? http://www.autopia-carcare.com/p21-127. ... mpaign=CSE

[zuper8]

yup that's the exact stuff. maybe another product would work as well, not sure. I know this formula is super natural, it's got like beeswax in it and stuff... is it possible to moisturize paint?? haha I don't know what I'm doing, I'm just going with what works.

[nos4blood70]

Love the color and the wheels on Pluto!

[ChilinMichael]

I use Meguiar's Paint Cream http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-paint- ... -d151.html
Then I finish off with Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus.

[SSEiMan01]

One SE I would drive the *shoot* out of. Good work Rachael!!!

[crash93ssei]

If I have a clear coat problem on another vehicle, I would probably take my chances and lightly wetsand the clear that is failing to level it out, then tape off the area and use some good rattle can clear. It might not look 100% perfect, but after some wetsanding and polishing I think it would be hard to see a difference.

[wake]

thats what i would try to do..besides any improvement is better than no improvement when it comes to clear coats

[ChilinMichael]

If GM had only adhered to the instructions at that one particular plant...we wouldn't have these issues. GM Fail.

[wake]

beating a dead horse my friend!

[DCJREDLINE]

Nice looking for a 92!!!

[ga93sle]

If I have a clear coat problem on another vehicle, I would probably take my chances and lightly wetsand the clear that is failing to level it out, then tape off the area and use some good rattle can clear. It might not look 100% perfect, but after some wetsanding and polishing I think it would be hard to see a difference.

Do you think it would be better to tape it off, or to try and blend it?

The car looks great, those Lexus wheels do really set it off.

[zuper8]

If GM had only adhered to the instructions at that one particular plant...we wouldn't have these issues. GM Fail.

a lot of car manufacturers were *fook* up clearcoats in the 90's, and not just domestics. it's just how it goes, and these cars were dirt simple compared to what they are turning out now! wonder what the issues will be when today's cars become 15-20 years old.

Thanks for the compliments! I love working on this car and I am excited to be fixing it up even more now that the weather's nice. I already have brake hoses and monroe senstracs/ mounts for the front, energy endlinks while i'm doing struts
(for the price difference why go stock?), gonna fix the leaking trans cooler lines, new windshield, oil pan gasket, radio, just had a new muffler put on this weekend. After bringing it back from the dead, being down to these kinds of tasks is so fun! maybe it's not worth putting all this work into an old bonneville that isn't worth much nor in great condition, but.... I figure I'm in good company here haha