Can someone check my action plan?

[Mr.Gee]

Hi Group,

I recently purchase a 1981 Cadillac Seville Elegante and the paint is in a desperate need of detailing to remove both oxidation and swirl/scratches.

The car is a two tone (upper body is metallic grey, lower body is black) and the hood, fenders and the lower body is single stage paint while the upper body from the "A" pillar back is BC/CC paint.

I have a DAPC with Lake Country pads and all I need now is some Meguiar's products and some guidance to seal the deal.

After scouring the archives for days, I believe my correct course of action is as follows:

1. Wash/Dry the car
2. Feed the paint with #81 (Hand or PC with White pad?)
3. Clay Bar
4. Feed the paint again with #81 (Overkill?)
5. Remove defects with #83 (PC with a Yellow pad)
6. Apply #81 polish (PC with a White pad)
7. Wax (PC with a Black Pad)

Too much, too little, have I missed anything?

Thanks!

Alfred

[jarred767]

Re: Can someone check my action plan?

Alfred,

I would skip your first two passes with 81 they are really not that necessary before clay or before your going to use 83.

Maybe do a test spot to see if 81 is enough on it's own, then you can skip 83 as well, if not (and by the sounds of the condition of the vehicle) your probably gonna need 83. here is what I would do.

Wash/dry
Clay
test spot with 80 (if this works continue for the rest of the car)
if not, M83
M80
Wax x2 (M21 is a really great prodcut for this and will make sure to seal in all your hard work.

notice I switched you 81 with 80, i personally like it better, but use what you like,

Remember, find something you like and use it often.

[Mr.Gee]

Re: Can someone check my action plan? - Update and more Questions

Hi Jarred767,

Thanks for the response, I followed your suggestion below and it turned out fantastic except for the hood.

I worked on one 2x2 spot for about an hour with 80 and 83 and I was able to bring back the color, but not the shine. Do I just need to keep at it, is there a better product to use?

I am wondering if the oxidation is too tuff for the DA and the solution is a rotory polisher.

Lookig forward to everyones comments.

Cheers!

Alfred

[truck]

Re: Can someone check my action plan?

if the paint is in that poor of condition wash clay than wetsand the car with 2000 grit to remove a layer of the oxidized paint.then continue to polish and wax with your choice of products.

[TKDDAD]

Re: Can someone check my action plan?

Looks like a solid plan that has worked for me too.. ..definitely spend time on the claying step...makes the difference between a good detail and a great one...also, I agree, try #80 in a test spot to see if it's aggressive enough...you can always bump up to #83 if you need to...and I agree, #21 is a great choice...good luck!