Anyone used Produxa or similar product?

[Nicketts]

Hey friends. Has anyone tried any of the new "better than wax" products on their car? My fumo grigio met. spider is a bit dull but I can't afford a repaint. In a way I like the patina of it, but I wax it at least 3x each summer. Just wondering if anyone has had luck with this stuff. I've never clayed the finish, it seems like that is necessary to remove old wax, and super clean the thing first. Thanks.

[Frog2Spider]

Necketts,
Unfortunately nothing is going to restore your paint, except new paint. Now, I’m assuming your car has original paint which, at 35 years of age, has basicly ‘wore out’. And there is simply nothing left to shine, no matter what product you use. Yes, professional re-painting is expensive. I know, I just had mine done.
I’ve been told that ‘some’ Maco shops can actually do a very good job, at a reasonable cost. Also, going to some car shows and talking to different owners about the possibility of a ‘local’ who may work out of his home shop, is another path to explore. Fortunately today’s automotive paints are very easy to use, and excellent in quality.
Good luck and good motoring!
Dave.

[Nicketts]

Hey Dave,
According to receipts and visual evidence, it has been repainted once in original color. I guess for now I’ll get a nicer wax and enjoy the patina. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. Have other issues to address once the season starts up here— need a relay for the headlights and working on a new top purchase and install. Aside from the unexpected Fiat problems, that may be enough down time for our short season. Gotta drive it sometime!
Best,
Nic

[Broadsword]

You could have a look at a detailing website?
Old waxes can be removed with citrus type products.
Wash the car and then clay bar before polishing.
A random orbital polisher with a very fine polishing product can achieve ncredible results.
You then need to seal the paint, and waxes lift the shine further.
Significantly cheaper than a respray.
I have some before & after photos as an example, but cannot post photos at the moment.

[Nicketts]

Thanks, I will check our the detailing sites. And yeah, photos are tricky here.

[Jimb]

I've had great success at restoring old faded paint, and even getting a great deal more gloss finish from newer paint jobs.
It can be a full day job but an experienced detailer can do amazing things if he knows what he's doing.
Start by washing, the clay bar, then cut polishing...using varying degrees of polish and pads depending on how aggressive one needs to get. Then washing, then waxing with a good paste wax, then applying a sealer.
Sometimes I would even wet sand with very fine paper if necessary before cut polishing.
But the trick is to find the right guy to do it because there are so many detail shops that cut corners (pardon the pun).
Jim

[Broadsword]

A before and after photo of the bonnet of a very cheap Alfa 156 I bought on an online auction.

[Broadsword]

[Broadsword]

The final product.

[Nicketts]

Wow. Beautiful job. Thanks!

[Jimb]

Now that's what I'm talking about!
Beautiful job Broadsword.

Jim

[TheBender]

You could have a look at a detailing website?
Old waxes can be removed with citrus type products.
Wash the car and then clay bar before polishing.
A random orbital polisher with a very fine polishing product can achieve ncredible results.
You then need to seal the paint, and waxes lift the shine further.
Significantly cheaper than a respray.
I have some before & after photos as an example, but cannot post photos at the moment.

Looks great. Any product line you recommend for the detailing?

[Jimb]

What I've settled on after trying many products over the years is:

Not sure the brand of clay bar
Autoglym super resin polish
Meguiars #16 paste wax (two good coats before the seal coat)
Meguiars extra gloss protection seal coat

Most importantly though you need to get to know the different kinds of polishing pads from foam to wool depending on what you're trying to do, and use a variable speed orbital polisher that has different size (diameter) attachments.

For all rubber and vinyl I use 303.

[Broadsword]

I did a short course here in Australia with a supplier called Car Care Products.
Www.carcareproducts.com.au
They showed us how to clay bar, then polish using Menzerna superfine with a random orbital polisher.
The paint was then sealed using Duragloss sealer.
For the ultimate gloss they recommended Dodo Juice wax.
The Alfa in those shots just had the clay bar & polish at that stage.

[Broadsword]

My Montecarlo has had the full treatment.
It takes a lot of time, but very rewarding.