SUV roofs

S

SamIam

New member
I just picked up a new black Acura MDX for my wife. I just got my PC kit along with Klasse AIO and SG. Questions:



Should I consider Meguirs#7 then AIO then SG, or will AIO really provide all the polishing I will need for a brand new car?



Am also looking at a top dressing over the SG. Here's what's laying around the garage

Zymol Carbon, #26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax, Malms. Just lost out on an Ebay sale of Souveren. Thinking about P21S.



Any suggestions?



SamIam



97 Black Audi A8 Quattro

2002 Black Acura MDX
 
I would do the plastic baggy test on the pain to see if claying is required. Feel for contaminates as cars that traveled by rail tend to have some rail dust imbedded in the paint.



I do not think any polishing would be required on a brand new car unless the dealer put some swirlies in the paint for ya.



If the paint is in great condition and brand new you may just want to go straight to the SG but using AIO will not harm it.
 
No need to polish new paint. Unless you think it needs it, you can skip the AIO. Just go straight to the SG. And you do not need to go with #7 before the Klasse twins...



Hi tech yellow #26 is a great topper. Never used Zymol.



Josiah
 
Thanks for the input. I notice at some angles I see real fine scratches, not really swirls. I would love to get rid of them but am afraid I will do more harm than good. Will a couple of coats of SG fill them in or would #7 do better?



SamIam
 
The AIO and SG will clean the #7 off I think. If they are really fine, AIO and SG might fill them in. Otherwise, you can polish them with an abrasive, such as 3M SMR or FI-II. Or you might want to try Meguiars swirl mark remover 2. Might be better in this situation.



I'd wait for others to respond though. :D
 
SamIam try One Grands Blitz wax, it's the longest lasting carnauba wax i have ever used. It's almost as nice looking as Souveran, but it lasts much longer, in my opinion.



For the swirls 3M's Swirl mark remover, or #9 would work better at removing them not covering them up. Use AIO, or wash the car with Dawn after polishing to remove the oils from the polish. This will help the Klasse to bond better and last longer.



I would also do the plastic baggy test to see if you need to clay. Do this befor polishing.
 
1 AIO X 2 on with PC off with MF towel

2 SG x 3 min ( I'm a couple of hrs btwn coats person) by hand

3 When you have had enough of SG maybe try the 1Grn Blitz
 
What I did to my new truck, and I liked the results:



1. Washed thoroughly.

2. Clayed.

3. AIO - twice (just to get all the surface sparkling clean and smooth).

4. SG - five coats, separated by a minimum of 3-4 hours of bonding in between, two to three of them sat overnight (didn't drive the car after the second day I owned it, so I could start this process).

5. P21S paste wax topper - two coats.



I tried #26 - and I liked the results I got with P21S better (plus, no residue anywhere - that was my major downside with #26). Can't speak for it's durability yet, but the shine and feel were awesome.



I wouldn't skip the clay step though - my car's white, so I saw the raildust. You wouldn't believe how many small particles there are. Do they clay - you won't regret it.
 
I agree, skip the AIO. No need to use abrasives on a new car if you don't need to. You are polishout scratches and putting new ones in....kind of a catch 22........



I would go right for the SG. Put on a few layers, and if it still does not look the way you like, it top it off with carnuba. Realize your SG layering limitation by doing this though.



If you swirls are as minor as you describe them, SG should fill them in with a few coats, and if that doesn't, the oils in the carnuba topper will definately do the trick......till you wash the car.
 
I would apply AIO twice with firm pressure and a foam or microfiber applicator to take advantage of it's cleansing properties. Then finish up with multiple thin layers of SG. Remember, the thinner the better! Slightly dampen your towel if you have trouble removing the SG.
 
OK, today I finally tackled that monster of sheetmetal - the roof on an Expedition EL! :doh:

I would love some feedback from folks like Nick on how they handle the normal polishing of these beasts!! I did a quick wash, clay and M205 on an orange pad to get the surface prepped for some BFWD as no one can really see the roof.

Harry
 
grungy said:
OK, today I finally tackled that monster of sheetmetal - the roof on an Expedition EL! :doh:

I would love some feedback from folks like Nick on how they handle the normal polishing of these beasts!! I did a quick wash, clay and M205 on an orange pad to get the surface prepped for some BFWD as no one can really see the roof.

Harry
Click to expand...

I just get up on a step ladder and reach over. It is a real pain in the back, but it needs to be done. I keep a few towels draped over the handle of the step stool, just to make sure it doesn't scratch the paint.
 
Barry - no step stool, 6-ft A frame ladder with lots of open doors and sore feet (did it all barefoot since it is my vehicle)
 
Amigo,

You may need the Werner AP-20 Work Platform, around 3' 8" long, 12" wide, and around 1' 9" high.

Then if you need to go higher, you put some 2 x somethings, etc.. under the 4 corners to raise it up.

Here in the world of SUV's, etc., I use this thing alot.

Just finished a Black Ford Raptor using it and I had to raise it another 3" to get to the middle of the roof. I didnt have time to go get some wood, so I found some real dense square foam that worked long enough to complete the job before the feet of the platform started digging holes into the foam.

And has already been said, you need to either tape some foam around the edges facing the paint, or put a towel over the edge/s and be real careful if you put the platform up that close to the paintwork.

Have tried ladders before, but find them too restricting and not really designed for this kind of work - leaning over, running a power tool that moves around, and pressing down on it..

Good luck!
Dan F
 
I just use a ladder and reach over and get it done. If it has those platic luggage rails I apply PB Trim Restorer to them before polishing so I don't stain them up as I have a bit less control of my polisher up there.
 
Thanks Dan.. was looking at possibly getting a work platform to fit my Werner 'Little Giant' equivalent as the 1'9" isn't tall enough (and I'm not short at 6'3) to work around the rails. Hmmmm, those new thin pads may be the trick to get under the rails now :doh:
 
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