I need serious help.......

[ViperCrazed]

Ok, First time poster here. I have a 93 Silverado that I had repainted at a shop 3 years ago.



The two above pics were taken earlier this week after using the two bucket wash, dried with mf towels and a fresh coat of Liquid Lustre wax.

Now, I know these pics are in the shade. I have had some really bad swirls/scratches on the truck for a really long time now and after It rained this morning, I looked at my truck in the sunlight and this is what I saw.




Forgive the water spots. I know this isnt a high quality paint job. but what can I do to my paint? Consider this is a daily driver and Im only 19 and have no experience with a buffer. What exactly is the problem with the next to last pic? Why is there lighter patches in the paint? Is this a result of being exposed to sunlight?

I have no Meguiar's products and between college and filling this thing with gas, I am really limited on cash. Please help

[Jeepster04]

Re: I need serious help.......

Megs #80 should take care of the swirls. If not that then try #83. Not to sure about the lighter spots. Someone with more knowledge can answer that.

Could also try Megs scratch X since you said you were short on funds. That takes ALONG time to work in by hand on the entire truck though..

[ViperCrazed]

Re: I need serious help.......

so can 80 be applied by hand?

[Murr1525]

Re: I need serious help.......

Give these threads a read over to see some of the options:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

[BlueZero]

Re: I need serious help.......

Welcome to Meguiar's Online. That's a nice looking truck! Read thru the links that Murr1525 provided and let us know if you have any questions.

[ViperCrazed]

Re: I need serious help.......

Thanks BlueZero, You actually have my dream truck.

Im just trying to make my truck look half-way decent in the sun. Its absolutely killing me

[Murr1525]

Re: I need serious help.......

Well, if you just want things improved quickly...

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

[ViperCrazed]

Re: I need serious help.......

ok Thanks for the help everyone.

Would I be doing anything wrong by completing the following?

Wash/dry with MF towels
Claybar
ColorX
NXT wax

Would I need to polish after applying ColorX? What about #80 for the swirls? And if I do use 80, can it be applied by hand?

[ADHD]

Re: I need serious help.......

well ive been going thru hell lately with my black car!! let me begin to tell u the megs PC is a must!! nothing by hand was getting anything out on my car so I broke down and bought the pC! after a couple of months of trial/error and reading this forum up and down ive come to some good conclusions!!
1. start with #80 if it dont work step it up to #83!!
2. back down to #80 or im using #9 it worked GREAT!!
3. Then apply #7 polish!!
4. YOur favorite wax!!!(im still experimenting here)

[ViperCrazed]

Re: I need serious help.......

Well I just might be in luck. My uncle owns a body shop and he has TONS of body panels and parts cars out back. Im sure he wouldnt mind turning me loose with a PC

Sorry about all the questions, My ultimate dream is to get a Dodge Viper. Black is without a doubt my first choice. However, I want to be a absolute master with paint care before I take that challenge on. Guess I better start practicing.....

[ViperCrazed]

Re: I need serious help.......

ok, Im off to Autozone in the morning. Can someone tell me based upon my pictures if colorX is necessary? I have read where it is more of a paint cleaner.
Would I be in good shape of I went and bought:

Claybar
ScratchX
Step 1 Paint Cleaner
Step 2 Polish
I already use Liquid Lustre Wax and so far have been very pleased with the results... Will that wax "cooperate" with the meguiar's products? TIA

[Murr1525]

Re: I need serious help.......

You might have to try a couple stores... one store never seems to have everything, at least around here.

ColorX is a nice, medium strength cleaner/wax, that is it contains cleaners, polishing oils, and wax. One of my favorite products.

ScratchX is purely a cleaner, and is the 'strongest' cleaner by hand. It does take a good bit of effort through, really working the product in to the paint, and 2 or 3 applications can be needed if the paint is real hard. But it does work, just pace yourself. If you try to work to big an area, or work too fast, you'll lose focus on not get the best results.

DC#1 is also a cleaner, so if you use ScratchX, you wouldn't need to DC #1 those areas. It is just one or the other, and then in the future, when no swirls need fixed, you can DC #1 everything.

Other than that, it is fine. Never can say how different companies products will work together, but the worst you will get is a little smearing, nothing major.

Don't forget a good wash solution as well, like Nxt or Gold Class.

Of course then you'll be hooked, and end up with the glass cleaner, trim detailers, tire products, etc ,etc..

[ViperCrazed]

Re: I need serious help.......

Thanks alot. Sorry if Im sounding redundant here. So DC #1 is the same thing as the step 1 cleaner?

So will ScratchX, Step 2 polish give good results?

Do I still need to Claybar and use ColorX?

[Murr1525]

Re: I need serious help.......

DC#1 = Deep Crystal System Step 1 - Paint Cleaner. I think that is the correct full name for it.

Try and look at it as two different processes, a "full detail' and a "quick detail". You will get better results with a full detail, but being able to do a quicker detail once in a while has its good points. Esp. once family starts seeing your detailed cars.

Full Detail:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. Clean - ScratchX for swirl removal, DC#1 when only cleaning is needed.
4. Polish - DC#2 (I am sure you see the pattern )
5. Wax
6. Wax - Remember 2 coats is best.

Quick Detail:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. ColorX
4. Wax - topping ColorX with a regular wax is optional, but I like it.

[TH0001]

Re: I need serious help.......

Cleaners- Remove swirls and oxidation (Meguiars defenition, other compaines have other defenitions)

-DC1 (deep crystal step one)
-ScratchX

Polishes- Oils that darken and deepen paint (Meguiars defenition, other compaines have other defenitions)

-DC2 (deep crystal pure polish, step two)
-#7 Showcar Glaze

Waxes/Sealents

-DC3 (deepcrysta carnuba blend wax, step three)
-#26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax
- NXT Wax (sealent)
- #21 Synthetic Sealent

Combos

-ColorX (cleaner,polish,wax in 1)
-Cleaner/Wax (cleaner/wax in 1)

Now onto you paint...

I would recommend (depending on the elbow grease you are willing to put into this) ScratchX for the major cleaning duties...

After you achieve the surface you want with ScratchX (which is going to take a lot of work), I would use a coat of ColorX applied with passion. This will introduce oils into the paint, finish the cleaning, and but a coat of wax on it...

I would then top ColorX with either NXT or Meguiars #21.. This would be the most cost effective method (though it will require quite a bit of elbow grease on your part).

If you can ever afford to step up the #80/PC (I'm assuming your paint is soft since its a repaint) you will be able to dramaticly improve your paint.

I'll find a thread where I redid an F-150 just using #80 and a PC.... Hold on...