Paint Hardeness

[kellyinkc]

Just a quik question. Does paint hardness
vary in a manufacture's line of cars? Plan on doing my wifes car and it is white. Its a Merc Sable, twin to my black Bull. It has some swirls some self induced .
Plan of attack is to try 80 first and see what happens. If it takes them out 21 is LSP of choice! Getting low sun angle now don't know if I can get a good pic right now. Thanks all.

[Pete-FWA]

Kelly, they all seem to vary, really

For example, in 1995, mid-model year, Cadillac changed the material they were using and their finishes were now MUCH harder than ever. At the time I had several new and late model Cadillacs in the shop and I went from car to car, finding some were harder finishes than others. Build date determined what was used for paint.

After repeated calls to the Cadillac dealership and the Service Zone Reps, my PBE suppliers, and Meguiar's customer service, I was put in contact with Bob Bergman from Meguiar's. This was how I learned about Meguiar's new M80's line as well as their Overspray Clay.

I'm no Ford expert, but I do know that many of their whites were a totally different, single stage finish at the same time most of their other colors were base/clear.

Is hers repainted at all? I thought I recalled you saying yours had some paint work done at one point---repaints change that equation as well.

Best advice is to give it a try...you'll find out what you're working with. M80 is a versatile product, so I'd think you'll be OK with it.

[kellyinkc]

Thanks. The front of her car was repainted. I think just the bumper. After a nice collision with a dog. Rest of car is OEM
Will give the dealer a call in the morning and see what I get.

[Pete-FWA]

The whole reason I had to call Cadillac was removing defects as a factory warranty claim for the dealership. "Normal" products, such as M02 weren't touching nasty swirls, so I called to see what they recommended.

Fast forward 11 years....we both have the newest products now, so I'd suggest a test spot with the M80 you have on hand. Surely, this will be fine for most OEM and aftermarket finishes out there (as I've found with experience).

Rarely is an aftermarket finish any harder than factory.

Just give it a shot and you'll be fine!