Can I do this?

[demarpaint]

Ok so I decided my 88 E-150 gem needed a very good detailing. The van is in fantastic shape but has taken the back burner to the new Jeep.

Here is what I did, a long process: Wash and clay bar. I have from a few years back a McGuires 3 step process: After clay apply Paint Cleaner, a Polish, and then a cleaner wax. For that I used some Turtle Wax Platinum Wax. I'd like to wait a few days wash the van again and apply Colonite 476S on top of the Platinum.

Will this be OK?

TIA

 

[duaneb9729]

That sounds great!

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks! It looks great, just took a lot of time. I'll wait about a week wash it again and apply the Colonite. If I get real ambitious I might coat a few panels today.

 

[JBM]

Sounds good,the cleaner in the megs 3 step is a chemical paint cleaner, it wont remove any washing swirls. The polish in the 3 step system is a glaze, and it hides swirls and makes the paint look nice. The wax in the 3 step is a pure caranuba that does not last long.

If you use a cleaner wax after the polish you will remove the glaze left by step 2.

My opinion: Grab some ColorX and skip all 3 of the steps. Save yourself some time.

 

[demarpaint]

To late, LOL. It looks nice, I use Turtle Wax Platinum instead of the Carnuba wax, next week I will wash and wax with Colonite.

What is ColorX? I have a 93 Aerostar crying for a good exterior detail and I won't put the effort into it that I did on the E-150.

Thanks!

 

[JBM]

ColorX is a megs one step. Chemical cleaner, maybe slightly abrasive, with a wax or sealent in it. Not bad stuff.

Your other option might be to get to pep boys and pick up some surf city garage liquid clay, TW makes one too. It does not really do the same job as a clay bar, but it knocks out some oxidation and cleans the paint pretty well. For a "beater" this and then a good "wax" would be the ticket.

 

[demarpaint]

Actually the clay bar and cleaner steps were pretty easy. The polish was a PIA to get off the van. I think with the Aerostar I might hit it with the clay bar, and cleaner, then use the Colonite and skip the polish. The Aerostar should be a breeze after doing the full size E series van.

 

[dishdude]

I couldn't even imagine clay bar and waxing a full size van! Did you use an orbital buffer or did you do it all by hand?

 

[demarpaint]

I did everything by hand. Wash, clay, cleaner, polish, wax. It was a long day!

I didn't do the roof yet, I'll cheat on that, and use a good cleaner wax.

 

[xtell]

Sounds like you had busy day! Any pictures of the final results? By the way, what type / brand of polish did you use that was giving you problems removing? The final coat of 476s will finish off the project nicely.

 

[demarpaint]

I don't have a camera that I'd be able to post good pictures with.

It was a job, but I didn't mind. I would rather not use a machine, especially on the larger panels of the van. I've seen so called local pros burn paint, and I'm no pro, and not a gambling man either. I was using McGuires Paint Cleaner #1, their Polish (step #2 of a 3 part set, which was a PIA to get off), it's a few years old maybe that was the problem?

I used up all step #3 the Carnuba Wax a long time ago so I used TW Platinum instead to finish the job. I hit the spare tire cover with Colonite 476S over the Platinum and really liked the look of it. When I get the time I will hit the whole thing again with the 476S and should be good for a while.

I did a little reading on the Color X and might give it a try on the old Aerostar. I figure clay, Color X and maybe just before the cold sets in hit it with the 476S. How does that sound?

Thanks

 

[xtell]

Color X works well on oxidized paint and contains a wax as well. Would be worth a try after the clay bar treatment. Thanks for the heads up on the McGuires polish. You can't go wrong with 476s as a final wax before winter for good, long lasting protection. I just got done this past weekend giving my truck a double coat of 476s. Wax in the morning, wipe off at night, wax on the next morning, wipe down at night. I like to let the wax cure for a few hours after applying it before I wipe it off. The paint will be protected till spring. The snow is supposed to start flying here next week, with the salt on the roads to follow, so I just got things wrapped up in time. Good luck with your detailing!....

 

[JBM]

You dont have to let wax sit that long, if it wipes off with a swipe of your finger, its ready to be removed.

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks for the info, I'll give the Color X a try for the Aerostar.

 

[xtell]

JBM,
Yea I know. Somewhere I got it into my head about letting the wax set up for a few hours before wiping it off (letting the polymers and distillates in the wax have time to cure). Seems to work ok for me though. I find that letting it set up for a while ensures I will not have any streaks when I whipe it off. Anyhow, it works for me.