Advice needed!

[jovanoty]

Hello there,


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Im about to try to fix my car paint, because it started to get realy bad. It is nissan altima 2008. There is some paint oxidation, also i was seeing some cats on the top of the car couple of times. i belived that the scraches are from the cats, but not 100% sure. Also i will need some advice gor the headlights too` :)


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http://imageshack.com/a/img577/5961/wgcr.jpg


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http://imageshack.com/a/img42/4453/fea4.jpg


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http://imageshack.com/a/img853/1084/xkfp.jpg


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http://imageshack.com/a/img51/9830/9l7h.jpg


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I ordered PORTER-CABLE 7424XP DA polisher, Meguiar`s M105 and 205, yellow, white and red foam pads, some 1000 to 2500 sandpaper and Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax. Did i ordered the right products? any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

[pwaug]

"I ordered PORTER-CABLE 7424XP DA polisher, Meguiar`s M105 and 205, yellow, white and red foam pads, some 1000 to 2500 sandpaper and Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax. Did i ordered the right products? any advice would be appreciated! "


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Welcome to Autopia!!!!


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My .02 and perhaps others will add their thoughts:


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If you can cancel the 7424XP and get a Griot`s Garage 6" polisher--much more powerful (you`ll appreciate it once you get started)`and it has a lifetime warranty.


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Get a 5" velcro`backing plate for the Griots (you need this for the PC also as you can`t change pads on the one that comes with it) and at least 10 FLAT`pads--4 orange or yellow, 4 white or green and a couple of reds which are just for applying wax or sealant.` Buff & Shine pads are very durable and great for beginners as they have recessed velcro.` It`s hard to see the actual condition of your paint from the pictures, but it looks like it`s going to need some serious`correction--you might be better off with MF Cutting pads for compounding.


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Megs 105 and 205 aren`t the best products for beginners.` If you can, also cancel these and get some HD Cut and HD Polish--much easier to work with--longer working times, little to no dust and wipe off very easily.` Or at the very least get some Megs Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish at Walmart -- these are the consumer versions of 105/205 and are much easier to work with, but do leave some heavy oils behind.


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Ditch the sandpaper--shouldn`t be using it unless you are very experienced with wet sanding or have an old hood or other car part to at least practice on.` You can very easily cause serious damage to your paint that can only be repaired with a repaint.`` Compounding and Polishing with a DA and`the right pads and products should be able to correct most defects with little to`no risk of damaging your paint.


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FK1000p is a great long lasting sealant--apply it very, very thin so it will be easy to remove.


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If you haven`t do some reading and watch some videos of how to properly use a DA to correct paint.


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Good Luck!!!

[SeaJays]

"I ordered PORTER-CABLE 7424XP DA polisher, Meguiar`s M105 and 205, yellow, white and red foam pads, some 1000 to 2500 sandpaper and Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax. Did i ordered the right products? any advice would be appreciated! "



Welcome to Autopia!!!!



My .02 and perhaps others will add their thoughts:



If you can cancel the 7424XP and get a Griot`s Garage 6" polisher--much more powerful (you`ll appreciate it once you get started) and it has a lifetime warranty.



Get a 5" velcro backing plate for the Griots (you need this for the PC also as you can`t change pads on the one that comes with it) and at least 10 FLAT pads--4 orange or yellow, 4 white or green and a couple of reds which are just for applying wax or sealant. Buff & Shine pads are very durable and great for beginners as they have recessed velcro. It`s hard to see the actual condition of your paint from the pictures, but it looks like it`s going to need some serious correction--you might be better off with MF Cutting pads for compounding.



Megs 105 and 205 aren`t the best products for beginners. If you can, also cancel these and get some HD Cut and HD Polish--much easier to work with--longer working times, little to no dust and wipe off very easily. Or at the very least get some Megs Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish at Walmart -- these are the consumer versions of 105/205 and are much easier to work with, but do leave some heavy oils behind.



Ditch the sandpaper--shouldn`t be using it unless you are very experienced with wet sanding or have an old hood or other car part to at least practice on. You can very easily cause serious damage to your paint that can only be repaired with a repaint. Compounding and Polishing with a DA and the right pads and products should be able to correct most defects with little to no risk of damaging your paint.



FK1000p is a great long lasting sealant--apply it very, very thin so it will be easy to remove.



If you haven`t do some reading and watch some videos of how to properly use a DA to correct paint.



Good Luck!!!


I agree!!



Go with the griots. Can`t go wrong.



Also may want to try picking up some of the Meg`s mf cutting and finishing pads. They are amazing and will definitely give you great cut with whatever products you decide to use.



Tip if you go with the HD line - use more product and do not prime your pad. Basically I start with 4 nickel size drops, work a 2x2 area, then use about 3 dime size drops for each section after. Keeping the pad wet is key or you will get issues with dusting and the polish sticking to the paint. You will go through more pads but is well worth it.



Also ensure you tape off all trim etc. no need to have to go back and clean up residue from all your trim.



And with all corrections tape up a few sections on your hood and do some test spots. Ensure your getting the correction you want before doing the whole car only to realize your not getting the results you want.

[jovanoty]

Thanks guys :) The pads i got are CCS foam pads. Is Griot`s Garage much better than PORTER-CABLE? I got everything from amazon and return wont be a problem, just time waste. I will stick to 105/205 cause i cant find alot info for HD you recomended. The sandpaper i got for the headlights not for the paint. As you can see there is alot of oxidation on the top. How to do them by hand or power tolls? How many 2x2 i can do before cleaning the pad? Keep the pad wet - water or on some videos they using spray car wax! Also there is 2 more pictures:


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http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5876/4d8p.jpg


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http://imageshack.us/a/img69/4745/9uy2.jpg


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I will kill those cats!!!

[Accumulator]

jovanoty- Welcome to Autopia!


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As noted, the Meguiar`s MF Cutting Disks are a good idea, *MUCH* better than yellow foam cutting pads.` I`d definitely make that change (I myself would get the Griot`s Polisher too).


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I always found M105 easy enough to use, but others don`t.` I`d switch the M205 for HD Polish, *no question* as the residual oils from M205 will drive you nuts (need to clean them off before applying the wonderful FK1000P).


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If you wetsand the headlights you`ll remove what`s left of the UV protection and they might get bad/worse in short order. Eh, I`d just hit them with the M105/HD Polish and FK1000P them until you can afford new ones.


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I would *NOT* do a 2` x 2` area, too big IMO even though it`s the conventional wisdom/advice.` You should clean the M105`s pad *VERY* frequently; I do it after most every short session (and I`m working smaller areas than 2` x 2`).` At least MF is easier to clean out than foam, by a big margin.` With M105, if you move the polisher left/right;up/down;diagonal right/diagonal left, that`s about enough to do that cycle- yep, just that quick; don`t let the product dry out by overworking it.


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DO NOT use water/wax/whatever with M105.` Use the proper amount on a properly-primed pad and a properly short work cycle.` And remember that it never breaks down (it just dries out); it`s always abrasive so be careful buffing it off (I use M34 Final Inspection for this).


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HD Polish is so easy to use compared to M205 that I won`t even bother talking about it.



Be sure to do`that test area (start to finish) and inspect that in good lighting.` Get dialed-in before you do a whole panel, let alone the whole car.``Ignore all the internet talk about how quick and easy this is, it`ll be a big, long project.```To be honest, your query is sorta like "I have a plot of land, how do I build a house on it?".` We`re able to offer advice and guidance, but you still have a lot on your plate with this.


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And a lot of that damage is unrelated to the cats ;)

[jovanoty]

Hi,


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That HD polish is 30$ with shipping :( How about PO85RD over 205 (`http://www.amazon.com/32-oz-Menzerna-Polish-PO85RD/dp/B000Y3GX54/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top`)? I will get some MF pads and im going to order the Griot`s Polisher too! Once you wash the pads, do you need to let them air dry, and do they have to be completly dry before next use?`

[ictoaln]

Welcome to Autopia!


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Try http://www.amazon.com/Menzerna-FG400P-Gloss-Compound-PO400/dp/B00FYTZJPS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1385318853&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=menzerna+fg+400 (`http://www.amazon.com/Menzerna-FG400P-Gloss-Compound-PO400/dp/B00FYTZJPS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1385318853&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=menzerna+fg+400`)`Menzerna FG 400. Excellent for cutting.Fg 400 is very forgiving, breaking down as you use it.`Then follow up with the PO 85RD. I like HD Polish` better, super easy to use, but the net result as far as shine is about the same. ;)

[pwaug]

Hi,


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That HD polish is 30$ with shipping :( How about PO85RD over 205 (`http://www.amazon.com/32-oz-Menzerna-Polish-PO85RD/dp/B000Y3GX54/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top`)? I will get some MF pads and im going to order the Griot`s Polisher too! Once you wash the pads, do you need to let them air dry, and do they have to be completly dry before next use?`



Yes, you have to let them air dry.` After washing sqeeze out as much as you can then put them in the folds of thick terry towel and stand on them for a few seconds then air dry overnight with the velcro side up--for foam.`` Don`t know the best way to wash MF pads as I haven`t used them yet, but yes foam and MF must be completely dry before next use.` That`s why it`s important to get enough pads for each step so you don`t have to wait overnight to continue working.


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Autoality.com is`a good source for HD Cut and HD Polish, Buff & Shine flat pads and 5" backing plate.``They have`good prices and very reasonable shipping -- free if over $25 and under 5 lbs or totally free shipping for all orders over $75````` They also have Megs products and good prices on quality MF towels.` Don`t forget Accumulator has allot of experience -- most beginners find 105 and 205 not easy to work with.`` Strongly consider the HD Cut and Polish they are only $20 each for 16 oz bottles.


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BTW -- HD is our major sponsor here.` Just go up into the 3D/HD section of the forum and you`ll find plenty of reviews of Cut and Polish.

[jovanoty]

OK im getting MF pads, white pad Chemical Guys BUFX_104HEX5 Gray 5.5, HD polish, the Griot`s Polisher and clay bar. Anything else?

[pwaug]

5" backing plate, did you get FLAT pads (no dimples or grooves etc),` Pad conditioning brush to clean pads on the fly, MF towels


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Here`s a list of articles and videos that should help--pick and choose which ones will help answer any questions--just don`t follow the instructions for pad priming when using HD products`` http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html (`http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html`)

[jovanoty]

I ordered 5" plate, and MF towels. For pad i got:


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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012OD2OY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (`http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012OD2OY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1`)


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012OD2XA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (`http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012OD2XA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i03?ie=UTF8&psc=1`)


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MF pads will clean with air on fly. between the sunroof and door frame iv got like 3`. How to polish there, by hand or with the polisher?

[C. Charles Hahn]

So I have to ask since I`m not completely certain.... is a 2008 Nissan Altima single stage? Because if it isn`t single stage paint, those pics look a lot like the early stages of clearcoat failure to me.... in which case none of the equipment/products/processes being discussed here are worth the time, effort, or money.


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Can anyone confirm that? Sorry to be a downer.

[jovanoty]

What is single stage? How i can find out? and if its not cant be fixed?

[Guru17]

What is single stage? How i can find out? and if its not cant be fixed?



Try to polish an inconspicuous area on the paint. If there is paint transfer to the pad, it`s single stage.


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If it`s not, and indeed if the CC is starting to fail, you`ll need a respray of the CC.

[jovanoty]

Now you are telling me that in both cases this cant be fix by polishing?