Reccomendations for Dark Green

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It is a 1997 Acura 2.5TL, dark green. I was wondering if anyone has any preferances on products for this color. It seems like everyone has a strong feeling about products for white/red/black, but what about mine? I'd like stuff that is friendly to hand applicators (no PC) and isn't too expensive.



From what I understand so far, what I need is:



A swirl remover

A polish

A wax

A sealer



I need it to all be hand friendly though, which seems to be the hardest part. I could really go for some pre-christmas suggestions :cool:. I need some new microfibers too, but I think I can figure that out.



I have some AIO and some SG, could I just get a swirl remover/polish, and use the AIO/SG for the wax sealer, or would the AIO remove the polish?



I'm so confused :(
 
Einszett Paint Polish is hands-on friendly (but you will be very busy for a while). I use it for spot work and doing difficult areas, like around fog lights, inside recessed door handles, inside doors and trunks, etc.



For a sealant, I would suggest the Klasse twins, AIO and SG. AIO will remove oils and fillers that may be left over from the polishing step(s) and provide a base for the SG to stick to. Follow this up with 3 layers of the Klasse Sealant Glaze. DUH, I see you already have some!) This system has been around for years and provides exception protection against the environmental hazards, the worst being the 3 juices - bird poop, tree sap and bug splatters. Excellent on dark colors and not too shabby on lighter colors either.



It is not necessary to top the final SG layer with anything, unless you want to. Just get a quality carnuba, P21S, Souveran, Natty's.



Also consider vinyl and rubber cleaner/protectant - I use Vinylex (available at some Pep Boys. It lasts 6 months or more in Houston's heat and humidity on my driveway kept vehicles. Great for interior plastic, rubber and vinyl too.



Next, read, read, read and you will find tons of information to help you and ease your confusion. Let the Teach and Search functions become your best friends. My suggestions above are only suggestions. Others will jump in with theirs. Research them (what do the pro's use and how are they used) and pick the ones you want. There is no rush, as your vehicle has survived until now and a week or two of research will save you time, money and frustration later.



A major factor in your purchases will be the shipping costs - so try to find a vendor or two that are able to supply everything you want to get. A couple of large orders from one or two vendors will save you $$$.
 
From reading around a bit about the Einszett Paint care stuff, it sounds like the set is a good setup, going from the Extra/Ultra Paint Polish to the regular polish.



It sounds like the Extra/Ultra is a bit harsh. I have a lot of swirling, but it is all very light. Would it be better to try just the regular polish first, then go to the Extra/Ultra if that doesn't work, then the regular to remove any hazing, then AIO/SG?



I havn't been worrying too much about the interior, I use the Lexol products on the leather (reccomended from some Equestrian riders I know) and just keep it clean with a vacuum, and keep everything dusted down. I have some Stoners products I want to try (some Trim Shine, and Invisible Glass) along with a Tire dressing...



Really though, it is just the exterior I am worried about right now.
 
As with any polishing, if you "fear" the use of a harsh polish to remove blemishes, try using something milder TWICE first, somethimes even THRICE. Some blemishes cannot be removed with a mild polish so then you are obliged to step up in abrasiveness. Use it, then follow up with something milder to remove any residual effects of the hasher polish.



Some blemishes cannot be removed by hand and at that point you must resort to a power tool (PC for noobs). Even then, be tentative in the use of agressive polishes, always erring of the side of caution (mild polish) before going more agressive. There is a gotcha here as well, because now there is a pad involved in the polishing effort. Sometimes keeping the polish the same and stepping up the pad from polishing to cutting will get the job done.



Then there is the roatary and wool pads and compounds, but run away from that for a year or more, as these combinations will destroy clearcoat or clearcoat AND color layer or clearcoat, color layer AND eat into the primer or substrate (metal or plastic) in an inattentive instant, with the only recourse being a repaint.



If you can catch the edge of a blemish with the edge of your finger nail, the very best you can expect is to reduce it, so you gotta learn to live with imperfections or have deep pockets for the paint shop.....



I have never used AIO as a blemish remover, only as a paint cleaner and base for the finish that follows (SG is not a requirement, just a darned good first choice or with UPP or just carnuba as a topper). Some people have used AIO and pads to remove heavy oxidation. Try it (thats how you learn something new) and if it works, great! Just remember to share what you learn here.:D
 
I just wanted to add a link to a thread of mine. I was pleased with the results on my wife's Emerald Green TL. Thread link



Also, here is a link to my gallery where you can look at larger versions of the pictures, if you like. My gallery



In a nutshell, this is what I did.



1. Wash

2. Clay

3. DACP w/ cutting pad @ 6

4. DACP w/ polishing pad @ 6

5. PI III MG w/ polishing pad @ 6

6. Zaino X 2



Good luck :wavey
 
I use AIO+SG on our dark green Passat. The results are fabulous and that product combo really brings the paint to life!
 
Thanks Dennis, but from what I have read, it doesn't seem like DACP is too hand friendly, and at the time I don't have the money to put down on a PC and pads for it. For the most part, I really need the swirl removal product suggestions from people, and if they have a setup they believe comes out better then the AIO/SG.
 
Here's my recommendation:



1. Zaino Z-7 wash

2. Sonus Block Clay with Glyde Lube

3. Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion

4. Pinnacle Souveran



Have fun! :)
 
Lee,



Have you used AIO under Souveran? If so, is there much difference in look between Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion and AIO?
 
My process would probably look like this:



Wash

Clay

1Z Paint Polish w/cutting pad

ClearKote Vanilla Moose w/polishing pad

Poorboy's EX-P -or- Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant w/finishing pad

1 day later: S100 or Souveran topper
 
Here's my 2 cents...



wash (since you're going to clay use something cheaper like Meg's Gold Class)

clay (the Sonus clay is my current favorite)

Poorboy's SSR 2.5 where needed

Poorboy's PwC

Poorboy's EX
 
"Have you used AIO under Souveran? If so, is there much difference in look between Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion and AIO?"



I have not tried it with Souveran yet but I'm sure it would be a terrific combo based on a test panel with AIO+P21S.
 
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