Paint Care Questions

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lafear01

Founding Member

Dec 4, 2001

452

0

0

Michigan

Apr 9, 2004

#1

• Apr 9, 2004

• #1

Paint Care Questions
Does anyone know where i could find some good instructions on how to rub out clearcoat scratches & swirl marks? My cobra is where i want it from a drivetrain standpoint, but my paint needs some work and i dont have another penny to spend on it. So i need to rub out the paint myself.

Thanks in Advance...

 

BLKVERT

New Member

Jan 19, 2004

407

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0

SATX

Apr 9, 2004

#2

• Apr 9, 2004

• #2

In regards to the swirl marks...I would definalty check out Zaino Bros.com. They have great stuff.

 

Islander03GT

New Member

Jan 19, 2004

470

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0

Simi Valley, Ca

Apr 9, 2004

#3

• Apr 9, 2004

• #3

Zanio does wonders.. made my 8 year old S10 look almost brand new.

 

02StallionGT

Founding Member

Jun 23, 2002

99

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0

Boston, MA

Apr 9, 2004

#4

• Apr 9, 2004

• #4

My 02' got keyed this morning... any quick fixes before I bend over for the body shop? I was looking at Meguiars Scratch X... But it looks like a 500 deduct, for a new paint job...

 

J

John98-4v

New Member

Mar 25, 2004

43

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0

just south of Pittsburgh

Apr 9, 2004

#5

• Apr 9, 2004

• #5

I always had good luck with 3m products.....

 

Islander03GT

New Member

Jan 19, 2004

470

0

0

Simi Valley, Ca

Apr 10, 2004

#6

• Apr 10, 2004

• #6

02StallionGT said:

My 02' got keyed this morning... any quick fixes before I bend over for the body shop? I was looking at Meguiars Scratch X... But it looks like a 500 deduct, for a new paint job...

Click to expand...

I go straight for the old school Turtle Wax rubbing compound on scratches.

 

Dark Knight GT

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.

May 26, 2003

3,653

2

56

Ozark, Missouri

Apr 10, 2004

#7

• Apr 10, 2004

• #7

Meguiars number 9(swirl mark remover)
Turtle wax rubbing compound(cheapest but still works)
3M swirl mark remover
3M Rubbing compound

Try some of those. You can pretty much find these at your local auto parts stores.

 

R

rob1

New Member

Mar 18, 2004

94

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0

Indiana

Apr 10, 2004

#8

• Apr 10, 2004

• #8

What is a good buffing product? I have an orbital buffer but not sure what is a good compound to use. Also, what type of wash do you guys prefer before waxing and what is the easiest, like a spray on and no wipe off wash? What is the best wax to use? I never really got that in depth with my old car and am babying my Mustang now.
Thanks

 

Dark Knight GT

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.

May 26, 2003

3,653

2

56

Ozark, Missouri

Apr 10, 2004

#9

• Apr 10, 2004

• #9

The best thing to do before doing any serious buffing, polishing, or waxing is to remove as much dirt and contamination from the cars surface. Dish liquid is one of the best clear coat safe cleaners I recommend for this. It will remove any old wax, dirt, and soften hard stains for removal. After this, I recommend using a clay bar system to remove the hard stains that didnt come of with the dish liquid. Next, if you have an orbital buffer, I recommend using a foam pad w/ one of the swirl removers I recommended above. Remember, swirl remover is usually abrasives and polishes. Not wax. You will need to work it more than a wax and buff it off using some pressure and elbow grease. After this, your cars surface should be pretty clean and swirl free. Ide then recommend hitting it with a pure wax such as Meguiars 26 or fast spray wax as this is your "protective layer". I also recommend using micro-fiber towels for buffing as it tends to be the softest.

 

M

mac9898

Founding Member

Apr 19, 2002

70

0

0

Minneapolis

Apr 10, 2004

#10

• Apr 10, 2004

• #10

I am with dark stallion step for step.

Dawn dish soap is the best stripper, and
easy on your finish.

Gotta get that old wax off!!!

 

twogts4us

15 Year Member

Apr 1, 2004

4,188

12

79

Dunedin, FL

Apr 11, 2004

#11

• Apr 11, 2004

• #11

Just remember the fact that dishwashing liquid will strip the wax off...as was stated. But I wouldn't use this on a regular basis.
Call it a corny gimmick or whatever, I have had great luck with the Mr. Clean car washing system. It truly dries spot free. I still use a small towel to catch a couple places where the water likes to hide and then run...like around the trunk, side mirrors, hood scoop. But, let me tell you, the rinsing agent works as advertised. Check the pics I've posted a couple weeks ago in the 99+ gallery - just after washing the blue GT, and the black GT, just waxed...but neither was dried by hand. And the water here in FL is very hard (which is why you get water spots).
Rubbing compound is abrasive - it will scratch the clearcoat, and if you rub hard enough, you'll get right into the paint.
Meguiars products are some of the best - I have 6 or 7 bottles of their various products in my garage. The latest is their new NXT Gen Tech Wax - this stuff is really easy to use, goes on easy, comes off easier than any wax I've ever used. One of it's features is the fact that it helps eliminate swirl marks. And again, ck my pic in the 99+ gallery and see for yourself. We use terry towels to remove the wax but do a final wipedown with finishing cloths - lint free.

 

Dark Knight GT

I can't get it up......ok that didn't sound right.

May 26, 2003

3,653

2

56

Ozark, Missouri

Apr 11, 2004

#12

• Apr 11, 2004

• #12

Ive used rubbing compound on my car without any problems other than it wasnt strong enough. I guess I should note to PLEASE USE A CLEAR COAT SAFE RUBBING COMPOUND.