Single stage paint.

[97miata]

I have a hardtop, red in color. The paint is somewhat smooth but very faded. I first clay barred it then I tried colorx with minimal results. I later used cleaner wax,deep crystal polish, and finally deep crystal carnauba wax.

A little better but not the results I expected.

What else can I try?

[Murr1525]

Re: Single stage paint.

Some pics would help most to see what all needs fixed.

[fzr confused]

Re: Single stage paint.

Well the products you used are not very aggressive so you can't expect too much correction from them. Go a little more aggressive, something like UC and see how you like it. You need to get that "very faded" layer of paint off.

[97miata]

Re: Single stage paint.

I cannot get pictures right now but will later today. I am going to try UC. Will the ultimate compound remove the wax I applied earlier or should I wash the top again? Also, what should I use to apply uc?

[Murr1525]

Re: Single stage paint.

I like using the smooth foam applicators for most products.

And yes, it will remove your wax. You do want to work on a clean surface though, so either wash it, or if it is just a little dusty, you can use the QD spray and a good towel.

[sleepy]

Re: Single stage paint.

Without seeing what you are talking about, I would say that using UC on your SS paint might be a little to harsh. Try M80 first, then step up to UC if not satisfied. M80 is made for SS paint like what you and I have, plus it has polishing oils that UC does not have.

[Orca]

Re: Single stage paint.

#80 ... maybe get up to #83 to strip out the fading/oxidisation. These old-fashioned polishes are chock full of oils that massage into single stage paint - if you have single stage paint, you HAVE to have #80 and #7 as a bare minimum.

Are you working by hand or machine? By hand, #83 can be used, but use a LOT of effort to work it all the way through. #80 can be used by hand. By machine, both are very effective.

I also mentioned #7 - this is for hand use only and is quite unique among polishes/glazes. It's a little like Deep Crystal Polish but more so. Essential kit for single stage.

Follow on with a nice wax - I'd suggest #26 (liquid or paste) or 3M Show Car Paste Wax.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Single stage paint.

Without seeing what you are talking about, I would say that using UC on your SS paint might be a little to harsh. Try M80 first, then step up to UC if not satisfied. M80 is made for SS paint like what you and I have, plus it has polishing oils that UC does not have.

#80 ... maybe get up to #83 to strip out the fading/oxidisation. These old-fashioned polishes are chock full of oils that massage into single stage paint - if you have single stage paint, you HAVE to have #80 and #7 as a bare minimum.

Are you working by hand or machine? By hand, #83 can be used, but use a LOT of effort to work it all the way through. #80 can be used by hand. By machine, both are very effective.

I also mentioned #7 - this is for hand use only and is quite unique among polishes/glazes. It's a little like Deep Crystal Polish but more so. Essential kit for single stage.

Follow on with a nice wax - I'd suggest #26 (liquid or paste) or 3M Show Car Paste Wax.

We tend to lean toward the above posts as the approach we would start with on this single stage painted hard top for your Miata. The comments stated above outline the reasoning perfectly and we highly recommend this approach.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Single stage paint.

Did you use the products in the order stated?

I would have used the polish before the cleaner wax.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Single stage paint.

Did you use the products in the order stated?

I would have used the polish before the cleaner wax.

The order he listed the products in would have been correct - "cleaner wax,deep crystal polish, and finally deep crystal carnauba wax" - because he was going for the cleaning first, then polish, then wax. The cleaner wax would have removed at least a good portion, if not all, of the polish.

His product order was correct, for the products at hand. The problem is that Cleaner Wax simply doesn't have the defect correction ability he needs for this project. M80 would be far superior in this regard.

[BillyJack]

Re: Single stage paint.

Read this article. It is lengthy, but will tell you all you need to know about restoring SS paint with minimum abrasive level:
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44023


It worked for me on the well-faded lacquer roof of my El Camino. See my post:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44185

Bill

[97miata]

Re: Single stage paint.

Sorry for my late posting. I did go with the ultimate compound and it worked wonders. I applied it by hand with a purple meguiars foam pad. At first I saw no change at all, so I decided to go all out and apply with force. Well it worked, but it is very difficult, tiring, and time consuming. I was thinking of buying a rotary polisher to speed up the process. I wanted to know if this is a good idea or not. Thank you all for the help, I am definitely going to buy some of the products listed above in the nearby future.