car questions

[boynike104]

Hey Guys, I own a 2001 Hyundai Sonata and I have a few questions.

1. During a wash when I bought the car in 2002, the car was left out undried in the sun and I have what appears to be hard water stains etched into my windows. These spots do not seem to be that bad, but they are noticeable when it is bright out, and I would like to get rid of them. I have researched what to use and came across a product called Spot-X. Is anyone familiar with this and if so, how well does this product work? I have read previous posts that suggesting using mixtures of vinegar and other products to remove the stains, but I am not sure how well that would work, especially considering I haven't done anything to eliminate the water stains since the incident when I bought the car. I would like to return my windows to normal; has anyone experienced a similar problem or does anyone know what is best to do?

2. I have quite a few nickel-sized dings on my car over the past few years. In truth the dents could be a lot worse but they are still unsightly and frustrating for a car owner to look at. I have seen and heard too much about the Ding-King product advertised on television and am convinced that, in the long run, this product would cause more anguish than it would alleviate. I have no idea myself of how to go about doing paintless dent removal. What is the best suggestion of removing these dings?

3. I have alloy wheels on my car and inadvertendly some time ago a steel wool pad was used on the face of one of the wheels. After the wheel dried it left a number of what appears to be small, circular yet noticeable scratches on the wheel. Well now I know the damage abrasives can do to your wheel! Anyway, is a polish the best thing to use here to remove the scratches? Once again, I am not up to par with some of the other, more seasoned car enthusiasts so I prefer sticking to the easiest but most effective way of handling automotive problems. How can I get rid of the scratches? In addition, there is a considerable buildup of dirt and grime in the grooves of the wheels. What is the best method to removing this road garbage, the stuff that a regular sponge and soapy water is too tough for?

4. Anyone have any suggestions of hiding/removing scratches and swirls on an all-black vehicle? I'm looking to get that paint the way it was when I purchased the vehicle. It doesn't have to be perfect, but I would prefer that the swirls and scratches weren't noticeable.

[BullShifter]

1. The longer you wait the harder it will be to remove. Glass polish works best for removing spots, & I would guess thats what Spot-X is.

2. Ding-King type things only work on large dents. For small dents contact a pro Paintless Dent Repair compay - minimal fees for amazing results if the paint is not cracked, metal creased, or dent in body line.

3. Hard to say about the wheels, but from the sound of it pro wheel refinishing would be the only way or new wheels. Best method for cleaning wheels is with "SAFE" wheel cleaner & a soft brush to scrub. Avoid cleaning hot wheels. Clean the tire side wall while your at it.

4. Again hard to day without seeing it. We never quote prices on black cars without seeing them first. Your best bet is to do a multi step process. Always work on a cool car out of direct sunlight
Wash/dry
Clay bar
Polish
Glaze* extra step -- worth it if you have the time
Wax or Sealer

No 1 product will work alone proper

Clay bar - clean paint
Polish - clean/remove upper layer of paint = SHINE
Glaze - fills in micro scrathes w/ a deep wet look
Sealer or Wax - protects your paint surface w/ minimal shine

For your average 2001 black this product works great http://www.topoftheline.com/tolae/32ozmidswirr.html

Use clean microfiber towels to remove polish,wax,etc. to avoid swirls.
Work in a back 'n forth motion, not circular. Apply/remove polish,wax,etc the way air would flow over your car while it's moving.