Need some help...neglected black Rav4

[RedLight_Si]

Its been a really long time since I posted on here so hello again! I need some help with the paint on my mom`s black Rav4, specifically the hood, though the rest of the car could use some help too. I attached a pic. You can really see the issues where the sun is shining on the hood. The rest of the hood is like that even though it doesnt look like it. I`m trying to avoid machine polishing. We have already had someone recommend Meguiars Ultimate Compound by hand with a soft foam applicator but I don`t think thats gonna cut it. So what does everyone think? Where do I start?

[wallyStang]

It is going to take a ton of effort and time to correct that paint by hand. It can be done but a machine at lease a DA such as a Porter Cable will do wonders. Start off by washing and claying. Section off the entire car in 1 foot sections. Get a few products and pads and go to town. Medium cut pads, Polishes, finishing pad and polish and a nice Sealant and or wax. So many awesome products to choose from!

[bswombaugh]

It looks like you have some water etching going on. Its really hard to tell by the pictures how deep that they may be. The one positive that you have going for you is that the paint is probably fairly soft and thus should be fairly easy to correct as long as the defects are not to deep.

It still looks like it would be a difficult correction to adequately do it by hand. I am not saying that it cannot be done - but as has already been stated, A DA would do a much better job at a much faster rate. I would start off on the light side with something like M205 or Ultimate Polish on an orange pad and gradually go more aggressive with pad and polish from there. With the paint being pretty soft I would think that you could probably get a lot of correction with UC and an orange pad. If this combo is not strong enough you could always go up to a microfiber cutting pad.

Every paint has its own characteristics and you have to use some trial and error to find out what works best. Just remember to always start with the least aggressive combo and move up from there.

[tropicsteve]

EZ Grip Hydro-Tech Hand Applicators
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 8 oz. New D.A. Version
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 8 oz.
1. megs 105 on the cyan pad
2. megs 205 on the orange pad
3.whatever last step wax, sealant, etc. on the red pad.
it`s not going to be easy and will take a long time, but hang in there.