Newbie preparing for the big job

[johnmiller]

First I'd like to introduce myself. My name is John, I have a red 1996 Volvo 850R sedan and live in San Francisco, CA.

I've been following these forums after noticing swirling on most of the panels on my car. (Probably due to taking the car to local car washes when I didn't have a place to wash it myself.) Now I have the garage space and a place to wash my car, so I'm finally ready to give my car the attention it needs.

I placed an order with CMR last night to get the 15% discount.
Here is what I ordered:

-Pinnacle Detailing Kit, Souveran (Bodywork Shampoo, Paintwork Cleansing Lotion, Souveran, and Crystal Mist)
-Klasse Concours Kit (All-In-One and Sealant Glaze
-Wheel Care Kit
-3M Swirl Mark Remover
-plenty of MF towels and applicators

I already have a Mother's Clay Bar kit but am waiting for the arrival of all the new stuff to begin the big job.

My plan is to do this:
1. Wash car with Dawn soap
2. Clay Bar with Showtime
3. Wash with Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo
4. Polish with the 3M Swirl Mark Remover on a terry applicator
5. Clean paint with Klasse All-In-One on a damp MF applicator
6. Put 2 coats of Klasse Sealant Glaze on with a 2 hour interval between coats using dry MF applicator
7. Top it all off with a coat of Pinnacle Souveran on a MF applicator
8. Clean wheels with AIO and apply a coat of SG

Any comments?

I'm a bit unclear if I should try attacking the swirl marks before the AIO or after.

I'll borrow a digital camera to show the before and after. I can't wait to start!

Thanks

[Guess My Name]

attack swirlies before AIO and after the clay

[BradE]

Try and and remove the swirls before the AIO. It looks like you got alot of good products

Some comments: You don't really need to wash the car between claying and polishing. I would use a foam applicator for the SMR, it soaks up less product and allows the abrasive to do a better job. Other than that, you plan looks pretty good.

Welcome to the forum!!

[olivher]

Regarding using the 3M SMR by hand, read this thread:
http://www.autopia-carport.com/forum...&threadid=6607

Hopefully you get better results than others had when using 3M SMR by hand. Good luck!

[johnmiller]

Wow you guys are quick!

ShowroomLincoln: I've noticed before when polishing, on my hood and trunk in particular, I would get a lot of red on my applicator (foam). Its a bit unusual because I don't have any paint coming off of any other panels, just the hood and trunk. Do you still advise using a foam applicator?

Thanks!!

PS- I used to use Meguiars #8 (Showroom shine??) when polishing

[BradE]

Yes, I would still use the foam. The basecoat color coming off on the applicator means there is no clearcoat there. Was the hood and trunk ever repainted? If not then someone has gone through the clear with abrasives.

[johnmiller]

It isn't clear to me if my car actually has a clearcoat.

Is there a way I can tell for sure?

I've been lead to believe by other Volvo owners that the 850R
is single stage.

I can't say for sure if the hood or trunk have ever been repainted, I bought the car used from a dealer.

And if the previous owner used harsh abrasives and destroyed the clearcoat, why i outta...

[BradE]

Easy way to tell. Take a polish and rub it onto the paint, if the color comes off on the applicator there is no clearcoat. Do the same test and if no color comes off then there is clearcoat.

If your entire car was single stage paint then the basecolor would come off on every panel, not just the hood and trunk.

[SouthernBoy]

Welcome.

Man, I love your car without even seeing it! I drive a '97 850 T-5 (also red). Made enough mods to almost keep up with the R series.

On your paint, I can tell you it was NOT single stage. The red R carries the same paint code and process as my T-5. I know from previous experience that the 850's clearcoat is not the best. Keep what you have left protected, and save up for a re-paint.

BTW, what year and how many miles?

[johnmiller]

SouthernBoy,

Its a 1996 Sedan that just turned 90,000 miles (yeah, i'm guilty of driving too much).

Pics will follow shortly...