Newbie thatneeds guidance

[speedster1322]

Hello all

I am new here and need some help. Here is what I have and what I did.

I have a 2006 Tripple Black Saleen Mustang. When I received the car it was showroom quality. I put on about 700 miles the first year and did all hand washing and waxing. (I use Meguiars wash and Nxt products. After I pulled the car out of storage for the winter I cleaned the car. I started noticing swirl marks so I purchased Scratch X. I applied two coats of it and I still saw swirl marks.

Now here comes the stupid part. I figured I would buff the car so I used my milwakee rotary buffer on the car. You guessed it, now I have the houligrams in the paint as well as swirl marks.

I don't think I can make the car look any worse and I get this sinking feeling everytime I look at it.

What should I do? Is there a step by step procedure with specific product to use to get this all back out or should I bring the car to an autobody.

Help??


Steve

[Jimmy The Detailer]

Re: Newbie thatneeds guidance

Ouch! Sorry to hear that. These should help - Hologram Repair on a 350z and a good list including g100 swirl removal techniques -List O' Links and a wealth of other related info.

[brickyardz]

Re: Newbie thatneeds guidance

I would try ScratchX again and see if it makes an improvement. Before doing so check out some of the links mentioned and get some more info. on using the product so your using proper technique. This will help obtain maximum effectiveness.

If that doesn't work then it would be time for a DA polisher and some #80 or #83 to get the swirls out. It might be less expensive to purchase the equipment and do it yourself then pay someone and then you can use the equipment to maintain it in the future.

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Newbie thatneeds guidance

speedster1322,

Scratch-x is a product that needs to be thoroughly worked into an area about 18"x18" at a time so the diminishing abbrasives can break down effectively and do their job. In order for the abrasives to work properly at removing the swirling this may take 2 to 3 applications or more to remove the swirls. For the swirls to be removed you will need to put passion behing the pad as Mike Phillips would say. To do an entire car like this your arms will be read to fall off when you are done. Your best bet to regain a swirl free finish would be to get a g-100 kit from ADS and 6 8006 polishing pads(minimum) some 83 and 80. Once you complete a test spot with 80 (least aggresive product first) then try 83 if 80 is not giving you the results that you are after, then follow that with an apllication of 80 to remove any possible hazing/marring left over from 83.

Andrew

[Murr1525]

Re: Newbie thatneeds guidance

Yes, you must do a lot of reading and understanding before going back at it. Start with these...

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

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

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

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[benhui86]

Re: Newbie thatneeds guidance

sounds as if you just wiped the scratch X on and then wiped it off as if it was a wax or polish..... thats not the right way to do it..... you need passion.... rub it in till your fingers are hurting... take all your anger out on the swirls..the car should be rocking back and forth when you do this....just be careful you dont scrap your fingernails onto the car and always use a clean applicator pad/terry cloth and dont use anything that has touched the ground.... scratch X is a process that can take hours on just one panel depending on the level of perfection you are trying to achieve... so you can do maybe one panel a day.... be done in a week or something....

Since your car is worth so much anyways..... $150~ on a buffer seems a small amount....

swirl marks is a normal wear and tear....very light swirl marks will show up over time even if you wash you car with the best equipment... that is why you have to do a full detail every so often... after doing a proper detail with scratch X... you will fully appreciate what the G100/G110 can do....