noob with `98 Vette needs help

[98Vette]

Greetings, all. I`ve been lurking on here for a long time, and decided to register because I have a problem. I have a `98 black Corvette. I love the color, but the upkeep is tough. My problem is that I have polished it to remove scratches, but the finish is still very dull (really noticeable in direct sunlight.) Here`s the products I have/ used:



Machine: PC 7336 with 6" backing plate



Pads: Megs yellow polishing pad

Megs grey finishing pad



Polishes: Megs #9

3M Perfect-It compound (39002)

3M Perfect-it SSR for dark cars (39009)

Mothers scratch remover





I did the 39002 and 39009 with the polishing pad, and thought I was okay. I followed it up with the Megs #9 the other day, and topped it with a glaze and Megs #16. I saw it in direct sunlight today and was not happy. Would a more aggressive pad help me out? I have a Wolfgang orange pad on order, should be here on Saturday. Should I redo the 3M combo, or am I just wasting time? I thought I let the 3M break down enough, I polished it until it was clear. I really appreciate any help. This forum is great!

[ZaneO]

Is it dull, as in hazy? You may not have worked the 39002 long enough, causing some micromarring that the SMR didn`t remove.



I might try going over it again with the SMR and polishing pad.



What speed was the PC on for each step?

[papi_jay]

Orange pad sprayed lightly with water and the 39002 should remove it if you have a decent pressure and speed going . 39009 contains fillers and stuff , should be reserved only for spot touch ups

[98Vette]

ZaneO,



Yeah, it`s dull. The black paint looks grey when it`s in the sunlight. I used the 39002 at 4.5, and the SSR at 5-5.5. I enjoy your info on the Corvette forum. You`ll see this same question posted there! What would happen with the SMR with the orange pad? Too aggressive?

[98Vette]

Orange pad sprayed lightly with water and the 39002 should remove it if you have a decent pressure and speed going . 39009 contains fillers and stuff , should be reserved only for spot touch ups



What would you follow up with after the 39002? Or just seal it and be done?

[ZaneO]

Try going over it with the SMR and polishing pad first, before getting more aggressive. If it`s not working on a small area, start moving up until you see progress.

[98Vette]

ZaneO,



I tried the SMR with the polishing pad, but it did very little. Do you think the SMR will be okay with the orange pad I`m getting tomorrow? Thanks for the help!

[JasonD]

Keep in mind that the 3M SMR is mostly all fillers, and very little actual polish. I`d recommend switching to Machine Glaze instead of SMR. MG will remove the marring instead of *attempt* to hide it.

[98Vette]

I found out the hard way that it has a bunch of fillers. I thought the paint looked good after the 39002/39009 combo. I saw it out in the sun today and it looked grey and blotchy. I tried the SMR tonight, and wiped it with 50/50 water-alcohol. That polish did nothing! I`m switching to some DACP and #80 tomorrow. I`ll try the DACP with the polishing pad first, then the light-cut orange pad. Do you think this combo can remove the haze, or just create more?

[jetskie]

I my experience with black GM paint you probably have lots of swrils and hard paint. I would get aggressive and use the Orange pad with DACP. I actually found that you can breakdown DACP to LSP ready if you work it in long enough. Make sure to use a slow arm speed and I usually work at speed 5-5.5. The orange pad is great as it leaves minimal haze and you can finish up with #9 or #80 or SMR with a polish pad. The key is to take your time and work in the product well.

[98Vette]

Thanks, jetskie. I just picked up some DACP and some 3M 5996. The orange pad should be on my doorstep when I get home tonight. With the DACP, do you work it until it`s clear?

[jetskie]

Yes, work it in until its transparent, kind of like vaseline on the car. Don`t let it dust.

[98Vette]

Will do. I`m taking the 5996 back and getting some megs #80. I did some reading and found that the 5996 is the same thing as the bottle of 39009 I currently have, which doesn`t work that well.