Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

[ScottB]

Just bought a 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass that still wears it's original paint which is dirty and oxidized. I feel like the paint can look a lot nicer than it does but I think it's needs more than I can do by hand. I've tried a few spots with Megs Paint Cleaner and it pretty much removed the while chalkiness and left a decent shine...not bad for a start. But I really want to try my hand at using a power buffer as I'm always swapping cars around and always seem to have something that needs tlc. Plus, I'm getting a little old to be spending all weekend hand rubbing cars....time to make my life a little easier. What tool is recommended for a beginner? The Olds really needs new paint but I want to see what I can do with what it has on it now and I'm not too worried about damaging the existing paint. I'm in Raleigh, NC and hoping there will be a class here soon. But in the meantime, Im looking for suggestions for both tools and techniques....THANKS!!

[ibnboxin]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

umm i would seriously try the G110.

auto detailing solution has a DA promotion pack with the g100. about the same as the g110. but the 110 has more power to it. but as for the rewiews i have seen on it say it is still a great model. but right now $220 is not bad for this

Package #2 DA Polisher NXT Speed Kit
1 Meguiar's G100 Polisher (Lifetime Warranty)
1 Backing Plate.
2 W8006 Foam Polishing Pad
1 W9006 Foam Finishing Pad
2 Ultimate DA Microfiber Bonnets
1 Meguiar's Clay Bar (Small)
1 M8032 Speed Glaze 32 oz.
1 G12718 NXT Tech Wax 18 oz. (Comes with 1 Applicator Pad)
1 G13224 NXT Speed Detailer 24 oz. (Temporarily out of stock. Replacing with D10532 Last Touch 32 oz.)
3 16 x 16 Microfiber Towels
1 Duffel Bag

but if you buy the G110 from this sight. you are looking at 150 and your going to need padsit was suggested on this form a few times one pad for each type of polish and wax you use. also i would suggest bonnet and w7006 pad. but to start off with i would say 4 of the w8006 2 of the w9006 pads if you go with the G100 or the g110.

also if you have not already done do. check out the DA forum.

[ScottB]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

ok thanks...but with the paint in the condition its in, I was thinking I would need more than a polisher...maybe using some type of compound. Do I just need different pads for that process?

[yalerd]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

In most cases #80 Speed Glaze will remove defects from the paint.
#80 is a cleaner/polish meaning that it has diminishing abrasives that when worked against the paint finish will remove defects, then when the abrasives are diminished it acts like a polish meaning it will enriching gloss and color.

Read these links related with the G100/G110, this will answers some question you may have, in these links you'll find how aggressive you can go with the G100/G110,
PC + 83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
How to use the G-100 to remove swirls
Will I notice a difference if I use the G-100
Cutting Pads with the PC - Good idea?

[mlc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Hello ScottB, I am in Raleigh also. PM me if you want to let me know where you are or we can meet and I can take a look at what you have. I can bring some stuff with me and do a test spot to show you what these products can do.

The only question that I have is a car that age have single stage paint or clear coat? Maybe Mike or someone on here knows.

mlc

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

ok thanks...but with the paint in the condition its in, I was thinking I would need more than a polisher...maybe using some type of compound. Do I just need different pads for that process?

You don't want to compound that paint. It's old and dry. You want to take a gentle approach and bring it back to life.

Get some M80 Speed Glaze and after washing the car rub that paint down really well using a piece of terry cloth and some M80, this will remove the dead oxidized paint and gorge the underlying good paint with the abundant, rich polishing oils in the M80 Speed Glaze.

You can also use a DA Polisher like our G110 but you DON"T want to take a rotary buffer to this old, dried out paint unless you're an expert behind the rotary buffer. Also a traditional Orbital Buffer, like you can find at Sears and K-Mart will be useless.

Believe it or not, a piece of terry cloth with some M80 will be the fastest and most effective way to restore this paint by removing the dead paint and gorging the underlying paint with plenty of rich polishing oils, it is these polishing oils that are going to revitalize the original paint.

Take our word for it, been there, done that hundreds of times.

Compound will be too aggressive for what you're trying to do.

Here's what you want to do with the old paint on your 1972 Oldsmobile, all the work below was done using M80 followed by Tech Wax.


By the way, we did an extreme makeover on a 1994 Toyota


Extreme Makeover! - 1994 Toyota Truck - Single Stage Red Paint

Before



Half & Half



After

[mlc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Thanks Mike, I do have a PC 7424. I also have #80 and #7 and #9 and NXT2.0. I would be willing to show him what to do. Would you recommend claybarring the car? Or is that to harsh? After the 80 would you recommend the 7 to bring it back to life. And I almost already know the answer to the question. You will have to see what the paint looks like as you go along. Do a TEST SPOT, TEST SPOT, TEST SPOT and see what products work best.

Mike I am sorry but I couldn't find your exact quote but something like "teach one and pass it on". God I butchered that, but you here on MOL have taught me so I thought I would pass it on.


ScottB let me know if you would like some help.


mlc

[the other pc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Good going, mlc. That’s the spirit of Each One, Teach One.

A mild clay like the white clay in Meg’s Smooth Surface kit is never harsh at all. It’s the gentlest way to remove stubborn bonded contaminants.

With very rare exceptions, you clay first and clean next.

On the red truck above we did clay first.

You won’t need #7 after the #80. But you might give it a try and see if you like it.


PC.

[mlc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Ya like I said I butchered it. Thanks. I do have the white clay. I just thought with the paint as neglected as he said that the #7 might help. He also didn't say what color the car is.

Thanks the other pc.

mlc

[the other pc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Yes, sometimes it helps to add oils to a finish with something like #7 first, to make the buffing process smoother and easier. #80 usually does a good job of that by itself. But like you said, test spot, test spot, test spot.


PC.

[mlc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

No I was thinking #7 after the M80 and before the NXT2.0.

mlc

[the other pc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Then the “You won’t need #7 after the #80. But you might give it a try and see if you like it.” still applies.

#80 is very high in polishing oils and does a great job itself.


PC.

[TKDDAD]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Here's a link to a thread I wrote about 2 years ago when I was just a newbie...the car was a red Chrysler Concorde...you'll get a good idea of the oxidation I was dealing with and how it came out using the products listed...might be helpful...good luck !

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7188

[ScottB]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Thanks for all the GREAT advice...if I can get the Cutlass to look like that Toyota truck, I'll be doing back flips in the driveway...by the way, the color is SATURN GOLD...oldsmobile paint code 53. But heck, I've got a local offering to help me out...how can I say 'no'. If I can just be pointed in the right direction, I can do the rest. Mlc...I haven't figured out yet how to send a pm but I'd certainly be willing to have you come and look at the car and see what can be done. Send me an email with your contact info to sblackford1@nc.rr.com and maybe we can hook up this weekend.....this is an AWESOME SITE!! THANKS.

[mlc]

Re: Where To Start? Feeling Overwhelmed!!

Let me check with the BOSS and see what the weekend looks like. I will send you an e-mail in the morning.

mlc