Polishing Single Stage Paint

Striker · 07-07-09, 10:38

Hey guys, Im about to polish a buddies 86 VW Jetta that has single stage red paint. I was gonna use my makita along with the menzerna IP and FP to bring out the shine in the car. I've never done a single stage before and was wondering if I can even use these products or will my pads get ruined along with his paint?

the walrus · 07-07-09, 12:06

You can treat SS similar to doing CC. You will get a lot of paint transfer so you just have to clean the pads often is all. I have done two cars that were SS red, I found that Meg's UC and M205 worked awesome.

Justin

Striker · 07-07-09, 12:26

I was gonna use the Menzerna Combo as stated before along with my Makita Rotary. Will I be able to clean my pads after im done with the paint? I really dont wanna replace these 3M pads that I bought last week. Thanks for the response Walrus!

the walrus · 07-07-09, 08:24

Yeah you will be able to clean up the pads. Due to so much paint transfer, I had to clean pads after each panel or so. Luckily I had several pads for my G110. My white pads now have just a slight tint of red to them but it doesn't affect the performance or anything. They still work fine on other colors and CC.

Be sure to post some pics!

Justin

GoudyL · 07-07-09, 08:44

Try applying some Meg's #7 glaze or Mother's S&G (very thin layer) after you are done polishing up the surface. I think you'll be impressed. Mother's NF Carnauba will then look very nice over the glazed surface.

Striker · 07-08-09, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoudyL

Try applying some Meg's #7 glaze or Mother's S&G (very thin layer) after you are done polishing up the surface. I think you'll be impressed. Mother's NF Carnauba will then look very nice over the glazed surface.

I think megs no.7 is available localy. Do you suggest I apply this with hand or do I need to use my rotary?

GoudyL · 07-08-09, 04:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker

I think megs no.7 is available localy. Do you suggest I apply this with hand or do I need to use my rotary?

By hand, and very very thin layer, it's basicly mineral oil that soaks into the paint making it look very wet, and then you put a pure wax on top of it to preserve the look.

Accumulator · 07-09-09, 07:47

Even if the pads are permanently stained from pigment transfer, it shouldn't cause any problems. I can't remember ever using a red-stained pad on a white car or somesuch, but I bet I did it back in the day 'cause I'd remember any problems.

And yeah, GoudyL's right on the money about #7 being a nice penultimate product for single stage. If you really want to apply this glaze step via rotary (I wouldn't, but that 's just me), I'd use their #3 instead as it's formulated for that. Actually, I find #3 more user-friendly than #7 anyhow (even by hand) but #5 is the easiest of all. #7 looks the best though.

See if you can find Mike Phillips's write-up about how to use #7 if you're not familiar with it. It does have a bit of a learning curve.

Striker · 07-09-09, 04:18

ok so just to review everything here-

im gonna go over the car with menz IP+FP
Then im gonna hit it with Megs No.7 by hand, finally some good wax on top and done. Or should I just do No.7 and no menzerna, wasn`t too sure what you guys were trying to say.

GoudyL · 07-10-09, 05:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker

ok so just to review everything here-

im gonna go over the car with menz IP+FP
Then im gonna hit it with Megs No.7 by hand, finally some good wax on top and done. Or should I just do No.7 and no menzerna, wasn`t too sure what you guys were trying to say.

0. Wash car, clay.

1. If the car's paint is oxidised, then go lightly over the car with the IP.

2. Do the whole car with FP.

3. Lightly apply Meg's #7 glaze to moisten the paint, and wipe it off etc.

4. Apply a pure wax (no abrasives) to seal in the glaze.

Striker · 07-10-09, 05:49

ok thanks, his paint is pretty beat theres no doubt about that. now im curious to see how this no.7 would work on my black car......

jfelbab · 07-10-09, 06:30

I own a red single stage MR2 and polishing that paint permanently stained my pads. It doesn't affect their life but just note that they will be stained. I dedicated the pads to the polish and vehicle so it never made me worry. I have not used those stained pads on a white car so I can't honestly say whether it will cause any color transfer so be careful if you do.

Also, I am a long time user of #7 on that MR2. That is a great elixir for tired and aging single stage paint along with a warm carnauba. #7 extended the life of that drying paint for a few years.