Is detailing my 20+ yr old car, possible, worth the effort and expense?

[Ceruleanveritas]

Hello,

I'm new here and to owning a car, and I was wondering if I would be able to get any worthwhile benefit from polishing and waxing my car.

I have a 1991 or '92 Nissan Maxima, light beige or cream colored I'd say, purchased from my uncle in fairly good condition a few months ago with about 105,000 miles on it.

Unfortunately I haven't taken the best care of it since getting it, as I have to park on the street and birds sometimes get it. It's got some minor to moderate "stains" and blemishes(scratches) to the finish, but nothing too bad, that I'd consider marring.

Also, being financially limited and thrifty(hence the purchase of the car from my uncle) I haven't had the car washed very often and just hope for heavy rain after a successful round of bird shots(droppings) targeting my car. I'm also not lazy, but unable to get water to wash my car as often as I'd like to.

But recently(with it looking particularly bad) I've been more concerned and interested in washing my car and even hoping to get it to "shine" in order to match my aspired immaculate physical appearance and vision of presenting myself.

Anyway, I'm basically trying to ask, could I get such an old car to look good using simple/basic car wash, polishes and wax? I'm realistic and not looking to get a brand new showroom shine, but something that would reward me for my money and effort in trying to make my car more "presentable" which I'd be more comfortable driving.

Well, last night I was looking at threads on the best car washes and settled on Duragloss CWC, but wonder that it may not be worth it on my "old" car. I've also seen that Meguiar's gold car wash is supposedly very good and much cheaper(and it's available at my local Costco which I checked out yesterday.)

And on polishing, I don't exactly want my car to "shine", draw attention, but just be nice and clean looking. I've also read that polishes "strip/remove" thin layers of paint which I would want to avoid. I'm not sure if my car has a clear coat.

And finally, waxing. Would waxing help protect my car? I'd be especially concerned about this if there is no clear coat on my paint(which I would guess there isn't as it doesn't shine, isn't much lustre).

Well, I hope you guys can help me out as I want to get out there and wash my car soon before my motivation wears off and more bird mess sets in.


Feed back please

Thanks,



Aloha

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:

Hello,

I'm new here and to owning a car, and I was wondering if I would be able to get any worthwhile benefit from polishing and waxing my car.

I have a 1991 or '92 Nissan Maxima, light beige or cream colored I'd say, purchased from my uncle in fairly good condition a few months ago with about 105,000 miles on it.

Here's what you want to do...

1. Wash THOROUGHLY.

2. Clay the paint.

3. Take a one-step cleaner/wax to it and use the product heavy, that means use a lot of product, the surface should be wet with product as you're working it.
​

The paint should come out pretty good. I think back then they were still be sprayed with single stage paint and if this is truy you'll probably get lucky.

IF that car came with a clearcoat it would look like it has a rash by now.

Click the link below and see if the paint on your car looks like any of the cars in the pictures...

The Clearcoat Failure Photo Gallery Archive

 

[hernandez.art13]

Hello,

I'm new here and to owning a car, and I was wondering if I would be able to get any worthwhile benefit from polishing and waxing my car.

I have a 1991 or '92 Nissan Maxima, light beige or cream colored I'd say, purchased from my uncle in fairly good condition a few months ago with about 105,000 miles on it.

Unfortunately I haven't taken the best care of it since getting it, as I have to park on the street and birds sometimes get it. It's got some minor to moderate "stains" and blemishes(scratches) to the finish, but nothing too bad, that I'd consider marring.

Also, being financially limited and thrifty(hence the purchase of the car from my uncle) I haven't had the car washed very often and just hope for heavy rain after a successful round of bird shots(droppings) targeting my car. I'm also not lazy, but unable to get water to wash my car as often as I'd like to.

But recently(with it looking particularly bad) I've been more concerned and interested in washing my car and even hoping to get it to "shine" in order to match my aspired immaculate physical appearance and vision of presenting myself.

Anyway, I'm basically trying to ask, could I get such an old car to look good using simple/basic car wash, polishes and wax? I'm realistic and not looking to get a brand new showroom shine, but something that would reward me for my money and effort in trying to make my car more "presentable" which I'd be more comfortable driving.

Well, last night I was looking at threads on the best car washes and settled on Duragloss CWC, but wonder that it may not be worth it on my "old" car. I've also seen that Meguiar's gold car wash is supposedly very good and much cheaper(and it's available at my local Costco which I checked out yesterday.)

And on polishing, I don't exactly want my car to "shine", draw attention, but just be nice and clean looking. I've also read that polishes "strip/remove" thin layers of paint which I would want to avoid. I'm not sure if my car has a clear coat.

And finally, waxing. Would waxing help protect my car? I'd be especially concerned about this if there is no clear coat on my paint(which I would guess there isn't as it doesn't shine, isn't much lustre).

Well, I hope you guys can help me out as I want to get out there and wash my car soon before my motivation wears off and more bird mess sets in.


Feed back please

Thanks,



Aloha

If you do have Clear Coat failure, topping could be another option, and won't break the bank, can all be done by hand too

It'll just mask the problem, but will add a layer of protection of what is left, and bring out some shine.

Glaze > sealant > carnauba wax