Ask the Autogeek! Question & Answer Thread - Page 14

chaslowe · 06-09-09, 07:21

Hello Autogeek!

Awesome site!

I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport ... bright red all around, no chrome. It hasn't had a good cleaning in a while so I started working on getting a few pieces of sap off of the hood. I used bacon fat and it worked like a charm. And after 11 years the hood is 99.9% perfect. Clear coats are a wonderful thing. The rest of the truck has just a few nicks and some road tar but right now I'm concentrating on the front end.

The hood has a good shine to it but not great. I sure would like a nice deep gloss on it ... and more protection if it needs it. I have read and read and read and can't find a product that I can be sure is safe for the clear coat. I've come across recommendations for 3m Perfect It II, 3m Imperial Hand Glaze and Wolfgang Products. But, from the product descriptions I can't tell if they are what I need.

I would definitely prefer a single one-step product since this isn't a show truck, just my every day transportation. Also, I'll be working by hand. No buffer.

Can someone suggest a good product. I don't mind spending a little money.

Thanks in advance,
Charles

mini1 · 06-10-09, 05:20

is it stupid to use a 6.5" pad on a 6" Makita 9227C?

Matt@Autogeek · 06-11-09, 12:09

A 6.5" pad will be fine on a 6" backing plate.

chaslow - Give Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant a shot if your paint is in good shape. If it needs a good paint cleaner and you want a one-step product, then I'd go with Klasse All In One.

superchargedg · 06-11-09, 03:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorscheRacer

Thanks Matt. I'll ask the Ultima experts if UPGP will bond over IHG. Gotta love the acronyms!

Yes it will.

Howard Roark · 06-12-09, 12:57

Hello my name is John and I am new to the forum. I have looked around in the detailing library but have some specific questions for a new guy like me. I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT and plan on doing a complete detailing of it inside and out. I bought it a year ago and from the looks of it the previous owner did not care for it properly. There are large chips in the clear coat on the front bumper, oxidization on the hood and overall wax residue in the cracks/door seals. I went out today and bought a number of products (along with ones I already had) but have little experience with properly washing/waxing/sealing.

Current list of products:
Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner
100% wool wash mitt (with two buckets of course)
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax
Clay Magic Claybar and Spray (about 50% used)
TurtleWax 2001 Wheel Cleaner (a bit left)
Black Magic 2-in-1 Leather Care
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer
TurtleWax Bug & Tar Remover
a few small, dirty microfiber towels
a box of "ShamWOW" towels (don't laugh they were from my mum)
a squeegee (SP?)
a tire brush

My specific question is in regards to the clear coat chipping, oxidation and swirl marks on my bonnet and front bumper. In these pictures (below) you can see the damage:

(SOON TO BE POSTED. SORRY FOR THE DELAY)

What products should I use to A) get rid of the swirl marks (Meguiar's SwirlX perhaps?) B) protect the paint on the bumper which isn't clear coated, and C) remove the oxidation on the hood? Also, how should I go about removing the heavy bug/tar residue? Will the TurtleWax Bug & Tar do the job?

Should I wash-->bug/tar-->claybar-->etc?

Any and all positive input is thanked greatly! I would really love to tackle and beat this project this weekend if possible. Thank you!

shinezkelowna · 06-12-09, 08:35

I was just wondering if it is perfectly safe to polish and glaze a blue 67 corvette with my porter cable 7424. If so are there any particular methods or safety precautions to take. Any advice would be awesome, thanks.

jason@autogeek · 06-12-09, 08:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Roark

Hello my name is John and I am new to the forum. I have looked around in the detailing library but have some specific questions for a new guy like me. I have a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT and plan on doing a complete detailing of it inside and out. I bought it a year ago and from the looks of it the previous owner did not care for it properly. There are large chips in the clear coat on the front bumper, oxidization on the hood and overall wax residue in the cracks/door seals. I went out today and bought a number of products (along with ones I already had) but have little experience with properly washing/waxing/sealing.

Current list of products:
Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner
100% wool wash mitt (with two buckets of course)
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Polish
Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax
Clay Magic Claybar and Spray (about 50% used)
TurtleWax 2001 Wheel Cleaner (a bit left)
Black Magic 2-in-1 Leather Care
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer
TurtleWax Bug & Tar Remover
a few small, dirty microfiber towels
a box of "ShamWOW" towels (don't laugh they were from my mum)
a squeegee (SP?)
a tire brush

My specific question is in regards to the clear coat chipping, oxidation and swirl marks on my bonnet and front bumper. In these pictures (below) you can see the damage:

(SOON TO BE POSTED. SORRY FOR THE DELAY)

What products should I use to A) get rid of the swirl marks (Meguiar's SwirlX perhaps?) B) protect the paint on the bumper which isn't clear coated, and C) remove the oxidation on the hood? Also, how should I go about removing the heavy bug/tar residue? Will the TurtleWax Bug & Tar do the job?

Should I wash-->bug/tar-->claybar-->etc?

Any and all positive input is thanked greatly! I would really love to tackle and beat this project this weekend if possible. Thank you!

Hi Howard,

Autogeek has many resources to help you tackle of wide variety of detailing jobs.

Autogeek University

Autogeek Car Care Videos and Handbooks

The Meguiars SwirlX can be used by hand if you have light swirls but to get the best results in the least amount of time, you will need to use a machine polisher such as the Porter Cable or the Flex XC 3401 Dual Action machine.

The front bumper will need to be painted but in the meantime protect it often with a wax or a sealant for best durability.

Wash & Dry

Remove Bugs & Tar,

Detailing Clay & Lube

Polish to remove defects, swirls & oxidation

Apply wax or sealant

Maintain with regular washing & detail spray after you wash

And here is the best video for the Sham Wow:

YouTube - "Jam Wow" featuring Vince Offer (Steve Porter's Sham Wow remix)

jason@autogeek · 06-12-09, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinezkelowna

I was just wondering if it is perfectly safe to polish and glaze a blue 67 corvette with my porter cable 7424. If so are there any particular methods or safety precautions to take. Any advice would be awesome, thanks.

The Porter Cable 7424 is a very safe machine. Just be careful around any edges where the paint may be thinner and also around any trim pieces. Tape off around decals and trim to protect them and also protect your foam pads from getting torn.

Evaluate the paint first and just take your time, concentrate on one panel at a time.

Chicagoareanew · 06-15-09, 12:47

I've read all of the articles I could find about polishing, but I want to make sure I've got this right before I waste more time and money, and god - forbid, screw up my car even more.

Is it going to screw up my car if it still feels rough after claying and I go ahead and polish it anyways? If so, my car still feels rough after Meguiars and Zymol clay, is the Ultima thing even stronger than claying?

And how do I know when I'm done polishing? I know from the instructions included with my polish when its done for the moment and time to remove, but how will I know if I'm going to need a stronger polish? I don't expect my scratches to go away since I don't have a machine and they're pretty deep.

And with my paint, it seems to have a uniform pitted texture. Is that the way it's supposed to be? It's a 2005 Nissan Altima, and the color is like a metallic champagne. With that finish, it's extremely difficult to see any sort of swirl marks (which is nice, but not if you're trying to see if you have any), so when I was looking closely, I could see a reflection of my surroundings, but it wasn't smooth whatsoever. I could try and see if what I'm describing will come through with a digital camera, but since I'm new and don't have 10 posts yet, I'd have to wait for it to be approved.

rtfd241 · 06-15-09, 07:56

I recently just bought a FLEX. I have poorbooys ssr1,2,3. My question is if someone would like their vehicle done, not a full correction just a "quick" buff. Would I just use a white pad with ssr2?

killerGLI · 06-17-09, 09:39

Okay, I am trying to detail my mom's 02 yukon xl denali and i am using 3m rubbing compound with an orange pad and swirl x with a white pad. is this good or should i do it differently? Also, I am not really sure what speed to use for either of these compounds. Every time i do a section with one or two passes it looks essentially the same in terms of number of swirl marks. I have a pc in case you were wondering.

kuhanz · 06-18-09, 07:46

Hello,

Can I apply PS21 carnauba wax right after applying Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 or do I have to wait for 12 hours or so? Thanks.