ZenZiglar

Has anyone done this with a liquid platinum sedan, and no spoiler? If so, please post a pic.

hhyder

Okay, so I've been reading up on detailing a car to get rid of scratches and this is what my plan is to fix the ghost and scratches on my trunk:

1. Get a nice car wash $12 local shop.

2. Usa a Clay bar to remove contamination, got one from ebay $4: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-160g-Magic-Auto-Car-Clean-Clay-Bar-Detailing-Miracle-Wash-Cleaner-Hot-/400479226304?hash=item5d3e6c09c0&vxp=mtr
3. Use Maguiars Ultimate Compound to remove scratches, autozone or walmart $8: Meguiar's Ultimate Compound - Walmart.com

4. Use Turtlewax Black Box 6 step process to polish and wax the damaged area... great stuff! $18
Turtle Wax Black Box kit - Walmart.com

Just remember to also buy some microfiber towels. Autozone has a sale on 2 sets (3 towels each) for $5.

Total cost: $47 and a lot of time and muscle power. You can also buy a orbital polisher for under $30 to make your life easier. I will try this on the trunk first then work on the whole car if the results are good.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

I use Mequires Quick Detailer Spray to keep the clay bar slicked up, some use soapy water but the detailer spray really does a nice job.
Good Luck.

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

Warm, soapy water works just fine for the claybar. Never occurred to me to use detailing spray, though. Good tip, Newt!

As for detailing sprays... although I generally love Meguiar's products, I've tried Mequiar's Quick Detailer, as well as Mother's Instant Detailing spray, and IMO neither of them are as good as Wizards Mist & Shine.

However, they are a whole lot less expensive, which is a valid consideration for something like this.

Ft W Crew

Just did I it today.

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

Clean, but something abut the balance of the visual elements back there is off now. What if you moved the logo down?

Here you go... before and after. (Sloppy PS work, but you get the point.)

Ft W Crew

I like them emblem moved down. Thx Rochester. Now I have more work to do. Lol. I think I will just buy a new emblem and move it done. The car is going in for a full detail on Wednesday so maybe I will do it next weekend.

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

You're welcome.

It's got me thinking of doing the same. This idea keeps bubbling up on my radar, but never seems to stick, for some reason (no pun). Maybe it's because my G is moonlight white, and the little chrome letters look nice against the white. IDK.

I need to put this on my list so I don't forget it again.

Ft W Crew

Take them off. If you don't like you can always put them back on. Besides think of the time you will save when you wax your car.

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

Ha ha, no.

Time spent waxing the car isn't measured. Kind of ruins the zen of living in the moment when doing something you enjoy.

Ft W Crew

By the way. This took 10 minutes top to do. The "I's" can off just by rotating them. I used fishing line with a back and forth sawing motion to remove other letters. Then used my thumb nail to get the bulk of the residue off. Then used turtle wax bug and tar remover and a bit of elbow grease to remove the rest and finished it off with a little spray wax and wiped clean. This was done on a 2012 (one year old car) with no ghosting when done.

RUsum1

I haven't been on this thread in a while so I don't remember if I've asked this on here or not. I know before someone recommended spraying WD-40 on the letters before trying to remove them. Is that really safe for the paint? Then if I do remove the letters, I'm sure I'll want to shift the emblem down so it's more centered (like Rochester above) but how easy is that to reapply?

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Just heat 'em w/ a hair dryer and use fishing line or dental floss to separate the letters from the body. Use goo-gone, or bug&tar remover for the residual "goo".

buffalog37x

After seeing one at the wash today with none at all I had to dig in as soon as I got home.

Car sat in the sun for a couple of hours and they all pretty much popped right off, just needed some goo gone and 20 minutes I was done.