Just got a PC 7336, now what?

[lutzms]

I just recieved my PC 7336 from lowes.com (got it for 99 dollars shipped). Now that I have the PC I need to decide on what I want to buy for pads and products. I'd like to buy everything locally because I want to try the PC out this weekend, but I might end up having to order. Local stores include Napa, Advanced Auto Parts, Checkers, Carquest and Bumper to Bumper. If need be I can order products, but I'm really eager to try out my new toy

What I want to work on is a red 1995 Ford Mustang. I am the second owner of the car (got it three years ago), and the paint was neglected by the lady I bought the car from. There is a lot of water spotting on the hood (the glass is a disaster with water spotting...if anyone has advice for that, let me know, it seems like it's etched in already!), and some spider web swirling. There are also a number of light scratches, and a few deeper scratches that I'll need to take care of (if anyone has a link to a beginners guide for touch-up/wet sanding touch-ups let me know). The paint isn't a total lose, and I think with some work and correct products, I can get it looking great again (at least I hope so!).

To boot, I looked through my product inventory and I have the following products:
**Meguiars Scratch X (I've heard varying reviews of this)
**Meguiars #7 Glaze
**Meguiars #26 Liquid
**Meguiars Deep Crystal Cleaner (#2 I believe)

I want to do this job correct, so I want to clean, clay bar the car to totally strip it down before I put my chemicals on (which I've done numerous times). I'm looking for the most possible depth I can get from my paint. Also, do you think I should put a carnuba over the liquid 26 if I use that? I saw a post by ajbarnes where he did up a dump truck and a corvette, and the results looked great. I know my paint probably won't be able to look that good, but I'd like to get a close to that as possible. Thanks for all your help!

[DavidB]

Welcome to Autopia!

I'd recommend reading http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=47 if you have not read it already.

I have a little wet sanding informatio here: http://www.guidetodetailing.com/arti...p?articleId=27

I have avoided the topic due to the danger... so please be careful!

db

[lutzms]

Thanks for the links! I'll check them out tonight.

I agree...wet sanding seems like a dangerous thing for a newbie to do. I picked up some Langka this summer, so I'm going to try that for blob removal where I touch up. I'm just not sure if I'll be able to level it out enough. As for wet sanding the water spots, I want to try every other option before I take paper to a large section of my car. I'll post pics of my scratches when I have the chance. Thanks again!

[zippymbr]

1) get a good pad kit and backing plate like; http://www.properautocare.com/hi612infopaa.html

2) A good compound/polish combo like; http://www.pakshak.com/menzerna.html or http://www.pakshak.com/optimum-polym...-products.html

3) lots of plush MF towels www.pakshak.com

4) Fav LSP of choice

[buellwinkle]

Find a local auto paint supply store, they'll carry foam pads and polish, typically Meg's and 3M as they are oldest most established companies. For pads I like Lake Country or Meg's as that's all I tried and they work equally well although I find the thicker Lake Country pads better to work with. A good polish for beginers is Meg's #80 and #83 as they are diminishing abbrasive so you can't over polish since the grit breaks down the more you use it. Always try and use the least abbrasive product that will do the job and you'll be OK.

[lutzms]

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up buying the Sonus pad kit from Autopia (all I could find around my area for pads where 3M pads...I was shocked that I couldn't even find Meg. pads). As for the Meg's 80 and 83, is this typically available in stores? I'm having a hard time find this as well.

I was also wondering if my Meg's 7 and 26 are basically worthless? I used these products by hand, but are there problems applying them with a machine? Or should I be using them in a different step of my process. Right now, the only the only things I'm sure to do is wash with Meg's, then use my Sonus clay kit that I ordered with my pads....after that, I'm not sure what steps to be taking, and with what products. I'm looking to eliminate water spotting and some spider-web like swrils.

[zippymbr]

Look on Megs website for local distributors. Carquest and PepBoys carry some for their stuff as well.

[lutzms]

OK, this is what I've put together for this weekend (I plan on spending Saturday and Sunday doing this in my garage). Please offer suggestions if you recommend few applications, different pads to be using (I bought the Sonus pad kit from Autopia) or different speeds. This is just what I've put together from diffrenent threads, and suggestions that members have PM to me. Just to recap, I want to do this on a red Mustang that has water etching on the hood, spider web swirling, and trying to revitalize the paint to have a more consistent color. Thanks!

Meg’s wash
Sonus clay
Meg’s Deep Crystal paint cleaner @ 4,000
Meg’s 83 on yellow @ 3,000
Meg’s 83 on yellow @ 6,000
Meg’s 80 on white @ 4,000
Meg’s 80 on white @ 6,000
Meg’s 26 on blue @ 4,000
Microfiber bonnet @ 3,000
Meg’s 26 on blue @ 6,000

[a.k.a. Patrick]

83 and /or 80 will clean up whatever your paint cleaner will.........I would start with 80, on a small area, and check your results vs expectations. If its not to your acceptance, then try 83, followed by 80, 26.........
You can save the Deep Crystal for cleaning prior to resealing...