detailing help!!!!!

[VAbehrcub]

I just removed the side moldings on my 2004 lava orange 3 and there is a distinct color difference where the moldings were. Lighter (or maybe brighter) orange. Is this from oxidized paint? Any suggestions on cleaning up this mess????? I bought the car used with 16000 miles so I don't know much history. I tried using a 'cleaner wax' but it just seemed to shine up the color difference. Any suggestions would be great! Thankx in advance.

 

[fam]

as long as there is noo residue left (clean it with a gentle degreaser)...you can try buffing it with rubbing compound (be careful)

 

[kickniteasy]

pm mr. detailer and bring his attention to this thread....he's on the ball about this stuff

 

[Mr Detailer]

The color difference is from oxidation, yes. The paint under your side moldings has been protected from UV radiation by the side molding pieces. The exposed paint has been subjected to the UV radiation and faded over time. To remove the oxidation, you can use a paint cleaner or a polish. The cleaner wax you tried probably doesn't have enough cleaners (or strong enough) to fix the situation. I would recommend that you get some Klasse All-In-One to clean it up, and follow it with a wax or sealant to further protect against future damage.

http://www.autogeek.net/klasseallinone.html

My favorite sealants are these, but you can use any decent wax or sealant over AIO. You could go to the local store and buy some Meg's NXT or something.
http://www.autogeek.net/wg5500.html
http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=37056&pd=97957&recview=11

 

[Mr Detailer]

For the record, those products may seem expensive, but if you use the products as sparingly as they should be used, an ounce should be able to cover your entire Mazda3. So the cost is actually pretty low per application.

 

[VAbehrcub]

I had someone take a look at it and they seem to think it had an aftermarket 'Polysheild' applied to it. Will the above mentioned products remove this coating, or is there another technique I should follow?

 

[icspots]

why did you take off the side sill?

 

[VAbehrcub]

I like the cleaner look...that is if the paint were not mis-colored.

 

[racer x 3]

why did you take off the side sill?

hey VAb..... it was your molding and not the sills right?

thumbs down about the paint but the klasse product mentioned will likely smooth out the color nicely.

 

[VAbehrcub]

Yes racer! I took off the moldings on the door. Thankx all for the advice and comments.

 

[icspots]

Ah, okay. That makes more sense. I don't know why I was thinking side sills.