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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHHow to Restore, Clean, Polish 2004 C4S?
Leading reported evidence
Clean /treated, windows perfect
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Wash, clay bar, polish (scrapes and swirls are gone), paint sealant / treatment, all rubber treated, wheel barrels cleaned, interior carpet shampoo, all leather cleaned/treated, windows perfect, everything like new.
Leading evidence: 'Clean /treated, windows perfect' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean /treated, windows perfect' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Wash, clay bar, polish (scrapes and swirls are gone), paint sealant / treatment, all rubber treated, wheel barrels cleaned, interior carpet shampoo, all leather cleaned/treated, windows perfect, everything like new.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had removed, cleaned and waxed all four wheels last summer, so I didn't need to touch the wheels.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I use different products for different cars and I'm not stuck on any particular brand.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I used painter's tape over all black areas because getting dried-on wax off those areas later is a real nightmare.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Clean /treated, windows perfect
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Wash, clay bar, polish (scrapes and swirls are gone), paint sealant / treatment, all rubber treated, wheel barrels cleaned, interior carpet shampoo, all leather cleaned/treated, windows perfect, everything like new.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Wash, clay bar, polish (scrapes and swirls are gone), paint sealant / treatment, all rubber treated, wheel barrels cleaned, interior carpet shampoo, all leather cleaned/treated, windows perfect, everything like new.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I did wash and dry, clay bar, paint cleaner, polish, sealant, rubber/black plastic dressing, and exhaust tips in about 8 hours myself and I used a Porter-Cable orbital polisher.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
16 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T122219Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
All, new owner 2004 C4S that has been semi-cared for. Mechanicals are good, but exterior finish needs a real clean and something to get rid of dull look. Color is Aztec Gray, a dark gray.
I haven't been in the P-car family for 20-30 years, returning after similar years of AC P-cars.
What products to clean and restore are out there these days? I don't expect a professional detail job, just something to make it look better by owner. What are a medium level of products to do something to a car that has probably been through a zillion car washes, etc? The finish looks "cloudy" if that is the right word.
Any users of "X-Product" can tell what they like about it or what is a PITA to do. I am not looking for perfection for a garage queen. I cleaned the radiators and found cig-butts, butterflies, 1 dragon fly, and a gallon of dead leaves and stuff. Wheels were black inside rims, a lot of effort to clean them and calipers. Sticker or some such glue lines of stuff plastered on front windshield, and circular line on rear 1/4 windows, maybe PCA logos or something? Dunno, just make it go away. I don't know anything about "ceramic coating", films, or whatever.
Any suggestions or advice appreciated. Don't be shy. cheers, s14
Just asking for assistance.
Paint care hasn't really evolved that much: your basic regimen of wash, clay bar, compound/cut, polish, and seal is still the general procedure for how to make old paint shine. The first four steps were done wonderfully 50 years ago and don't need any changing, it's only the last step where tech has given us options for how to preserve the fruits of our efforts for longer. So the same stuff you knew back then should be just fine now, I reckon...
Mine is a C4S, so perhaps I can be helpful.
You might want to look around for a
mobile
car detailer instead of DIY. A guy around here did my whole 996 for under $300 (he came highly recommended) and brought 2 helpers, he only works our part of town, about 2 hours of work. Wash, clay bar, polish (scrapes and swirls are gone), paint sealant / treatment, all rubber treated, wheel barrels cleaned, interior carpet shampoo, all leather cleaned/treated, windows perfect, everything like new. It wasn't that bad to begin with, mostly I wanted the polishing, but it was quite a treat where (as a novice) I might have spent half-day, or a full day trying to figure out how to do something similar. I wash it myself, but will probably use this service every 2-4 years. He did my Audi A4 also, paint needed some major help, exterior only but it included de-badging the rear, $245 and the result was a transformation.
oops - deleted my post when adding this pic. Sorry.
I also like Menzerna polishes, meguiars 105/205 polishes, opticoat, ultimate liquid spray wax, Mother�s VLR and Lexol leather conditioner and cleaner too. Stoner products for tar/sap/bugs. Sonax wheel cleaner, nanoskin autoscrub mitt or pad OR meguiars or mother�s clay bar kit. Wheel woolies and assorted brushes. Clear bra/ppf once you get it polished and pretty.
Without re-typing my original post - short answer is check out chemical guys, autogeek, detailersdomain.net (https://www.detailersdomain.net/category/how-tos/), Adam's and meguiars website. You will find what you are seeking.
For the outside, get Meguiars (or almost any other brand) "Cleaner wax." That will help clean it. I also second what has been said here about Mother's VLR for the interior and Mother's Leather Conditioner for the seats. It's tough though because once you go down the rabbit hole to make it look nice, there is almost no end!
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who found this thread a bit odd.
Do you mean he only works North County or San Diego City too?
OP, I would check out some YouTube detailing videos (there are zillions) but it really comes down to trial and error to figure out what works best for you. I use different products for different cars and I'm not stuck on any particular brand. I'm always open to suggestions/recos.
I think he works mainly south Escondido and nearby places. But do give him a call and see...
Richard Lemus
https://www.yelp.com/biz/lemus-auto-detailing-escondido
"
If you are in needed of a detail, call or text me at
[phone removed]
. You will be amazed!
"
Forgot to mention - check out the �concours and car care� forum here on rennlist. And especially this sponsor - his name escaped me when I posted the other day. But his work is phenomenal: Moe at Glistening Perfection in So Cal.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_con...e_path=Mjg2NjY
You can never have enough cleaner material or polishing waxes. At some point, I may have to eliminate some of those products as the cabinet I keep them in resembles the entire row of Auto Zone. However, I have noticed that everyone seems to be adding the word "ceramic" to their product line. It reminds me of adding the phrase "Gutten Free" to almost every food label. I will draw the line when they begin providing special washing water from some mythical lake in the Tonga islands that promotes wax longevity......
I don't have great experience with Chemical Guys, and bought the whole dang kit.
Friend gave me some old 3m 3 step polish and wow, noticeably better.
I did buy a Griots polisher to replace my old Porter Cable. Rupes are nice but pricey,
19 year old stock paint below, just polished. Before I painted it.
Sounds pretty reasonable. All that in just 6 man-hours. I did wash and dry, clay bar, paint cleaner, polish, sealant, rubber/black plastic dressing, and exhaust tips in about 8 hours myself and I used a Porter-Cable orbital polisher. I used painter's tape over all black areas because getting dried-on wax off those areas later is a real nightmare. Also, whatever I did on the paint I also did on the glass. I had removed, cleaned and waxed all four wheels last summer, so I didn't need to touch the wheels. There's a PCA concours next weekend, and I'm going to enter my car. I wasn't preparing my car for the concours, but the timing was just right, so why not?
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