Losing Her Shine

[Bman49erfan]

My car is losing it shine. I was planning on using a fine grade rubbing compound and then buffing in a good carnauba. Wanted all of your opinion first.

Thanks

[CarreraS2]

Noooooo!

Don't use ANY kind of rubbing compound! Way too harsh.

The best bet is to use any good system (Meguire's, 3M, etc). They will have a cutting polish, a finer polish and then a wax. To do any real polishing of neglected paint, I think you really need to use at least a random orbital polisher, like a Porter Cable, etc.

[Randy Webb]

Maguire's Body Scrub -- note spelling and look at info on their web site

the NXT is really fine

[fireant911]

Bman49erfan,
Is the paint color of your car Sahara Beige?

[911S Targa]

HEY, What are you doing with my car.,,.,IN TEXAS ?????






I have a slight unfair advantage over most, since I use a high speed polisher (buffer) when I wax mine. I use the Meguiars medium cutting polish with a buffer pad, then I use Meguiars yellow carnauba, also applied with the high speed polisher. It took my hazed paint, and almost made it look brand new.,.,.,even though thisa car was painted this color back in the 80`s.

You COULD attempt to do this by hand, BUT, it will take you along time to achieve the work you will get with a polisher ( not the orbital ).

Strange though.,.,.,.,.,., You and I both have kinda the same car, and like the same football team.,.,.,. What year is yours ?

[cbeers]

It's Meguiars.

Unless there are two companies with different spellings, but the NXT is Meguiars and it is great stuff and easy to use


-Chris

[Randy Webb]

Yes - thx - that is the right spelling.

[911S Targa]

My bad, I changed in my post.

[Jandrews]

What kind of pad do you use on your polisher? Do you use the polisher to apply the polish, or just to rub it after you take it off? Any pictures of the materials / pads used with the polisher?


Thanks,

JA

[Eric Coffey]

I'm a big fan of the 3M stuff. Excellent results. After a thorough wash (use dish soap to remove any wax), I'd start with some Perfect-It II medium cut polish (39002). Then move to the Perfect-It II swirl mark remover for lighter paint shades (39109). You'll need lots of 100% cotton-towels, or a couple different pads for your Porter Cable. Follow with your favorite wax.

[CarreraS2]

John, there are different pads for the different polishes. If you go to the Meguires or 3M sites, they probably have the info. Or you could call them. They have systems that are very safe and work great.

I agree with Eric, the 3M stuff is good.

I helped a friend with 12 year old, abused, daily driver paint that looked pretty bad - he thought it was shot beyond repair. I doubt the paint had ever had a coat of wax in 12 years.

We color sanded with 2000, used two different levels of polish and pads, with a Porter Cable random orbital, then followed with wax. The results were amazing!

[copper]

Bman;

Nice car. Good luck with the paint.
Why does the ride height look so high?
I can see up her skirt...

Jim

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by Jandrews
What kind of pad do you use on your polisher? Do you use the polisher to apply the polish, or just to rub it after you take it off? Any pictures of the materials / pads used with the polisher?


Thanks,

JA

Here is a visual aid:



Basically, you can use the foam pads to apply the polish(es), and the soft micro-fiber or cotton/wool pads/bonnets to remove it.

[ausgezeichnet]

I have never gone wrong with Meguiars 3 step process. Step one cleans out the dirt and dead paint from the pores. Step two fills the pores with polish. Step three puts a wax on top top to protect the polish. I have also used Meguiars ScratchX to remove light swirls from paint. Makes the paint look like new.

[911S Targa]

Originally posted by Jandrews
What kind of pad do you use on your polisher? Do you use the polisher to apply the polish, or just to rub it after you take it off? Any pictures of the materials / pads used with the polisher?


Thanks,

JA

When I get home in about an hour, Ill take a pic of what I use.

I apply the polish to the pad, then gently pull the trigger of the polisher, going abck and forth, spreading the polish on the area Im working on, then full ingage the trigger , working in the area that I just spread the polish.

[911S Targa]

Basically, you can use the foam pads to apply the polish(es), and the soft micro-fiber or cotton/wool pads/bonnets to remove it.

Unless you are an expert in polishing, I wouldnt use a wool pad if your new to the game with a high speed polisher. You run the risk of burning your clearcoat right of, and burning all of your rubber moldings. I would stich with using the foam pads.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by 911S Targa
Unless you are an expert in polishing, I wouldnt use a wool pad if your new to the game with a high speed polisher. You run the risk of burning your clearcoat right of, and burning all of your rubber moldings. I would stich with using the foam pads.

Excellent advise if you are using a direct-drive polisher. If you are using a random-orbital (like the Porter Cable), it is a non-issue.

[Randy Webb]

I agree - 3M is good also.

Here's a cheap trick:
The $80 Porter-Cable (PC) random orbit sander will do a fine job. You don't need the $200 PC random orbit buffer. It is easier to use and if you do this for a living is a good investment.

The sander also makes a fine... sander.

[NY65912]

I agree with the mild polish, go slow.

I bet if you lower the car it will be shinier!

[JonT]

Try this guy--call him and speak to him. He's got the the experience and products to make your car shine like new. Very well respected in the detailing world. http://www.carcareonline.com