Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

[Coderedpl]

Hi there all!

I'm new here but have been lurking around a bunch of different forums and I've read quite a few topics on here.

I'm posting pictures of my car that I also posted on another site that I'm active on and well I've gotten more than a few comments on taking care of the swirl mark hell that's going on.

I was thinking of going the Ultimate Compound + Swirl X method.


Currently I have used:
NXT GENERATION® CAR WASH
- SMOOTH SURFACE® CLAY
- ULTIMATE QUIK DETAILER®
- QUIK INTERIOR DETAILER™
- HOT RIMS® ALL WHEEL CLEANER
- NXT GENERATION™ INSANE SHINE™ TIRE COATING
- Invisible Glass
- Mothers Mag & Aluminium Polish (for exhaust tips)


My local advanced auto has this new thing named:
* Clear Coat Safe Rubbing Compound
Is that a replacement to either of the two I listed?

Any suggestions?

[JpTheWayToBe]

Re: Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

i would shy away from rubbing compound, but do polishing compound, meguiar's pro line show car glaze, pro line synthetic sealant and maybe their yellow carnuba wax.

You can see noticable swirls in your pictures, and if you did rubbing compound (assuming your using a DA) you would be left with a haze and very micro scratches where as with my experience polishing compound won't remove all the scratches but will have a better finish IMO.

You could also go the rotary route, but thats a huge step and you wouldnt want to start using it on your car.

[CieraSL]

Re: Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

I assume you are referring to Meguiar's new Rubbing Compound and Polishing Compound? Those would be fine - they are formulated for working by hand - they are not for use with a machine. Stay away from other rubbing and polishing compounds - they are the old "rocks in a bottle" compound. You want this: Meguiar's Rubbing and Polishing Compound.


Here's a product review for you: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41648

[Coderedpl]

Re: Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

picked up ultimate compound and rubbing compound this past week.

Now i need to figure out how to use it properly since the first try didnt do anything.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

There is a very real possibility that you've got fairly hard paint on that Audi. Just be aware of that when you start working - doing this by hand could be fairly slow going, just so you know.

In your PM to me you mentioned having an orbital buffer. While you can certainly try it and it's almost impossible to do any damage with it, if your Audi is one with very hard paint it may not be as effective as you'd like. But you've really got nothing to lose by trying it.

Whether you work by hand or with that orbital, you want to work on just small areas at a time - no more than about 2' x 2'. Work the product for a couple of minutes, but don't let it dry out fully, until it becomes just a translucent film on the surface, then wipe it off. Inspect this test spot in direct sunlight to check on your progress. If some of the swirls are gone then that means you're on the right track, even if a second application is needed. From the pictures you've posted of your car, it is pretty well loaded up with swirls and you've got a bit of work ahead you. But there is nothing there that can't be fixed, so overall the process should be pretty straightforward.

[Coderedpl]

Re: Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

Would Ultimate compound give a better cut through the swirls rather than the rubbing compound? I will try the orbital as well as hand.

Also, I have a foam applicator that came with my NXT Tech Wax. I still havent ordered more BUT i do have the microfiber applicators. Would those work?
Can i use the foam applicator from the wax for the UC and then later for the wax?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

Yes, UC will give you more cut than the rubbing compound will and it should also leave a nicer finish overall.

The microfiber applicators should be fine, but we've even seen those haze some paints. What you can do is use the foam pad from the NXT with the UC and then either wash and dry it fully before switching to the NXT or just use the microfiber pads for NXT application. Remember, applying the NXT is a far less aggressive process than working the UC, so the microfiber apps shouldn't give you any problems there.

[Coderedpl]

Re: Suggestions to fix up my car/paint?

I wash/dry my pads and towels after each use (drying car and such) so thats no news. I'll have to make myself a shopping list.

Also, is the professional line any different in terms of strength? It seems as its aimed at use over a longer period of time, hence the bigger containers and such.

Have a lot of reading to do on the forums to catch on

Thanks!