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Here is my 1998 Dodge Dakota SLT after getting the Meguiar's touch. 
I apologize for the darkness of the photo's, but it was getting late. I'll try and take some better ones this week.
This car had moderate scratching and cobwebs in the clear coat. I am prepping it to sell so I thought I'd try and clean the finish up as best as I could.
Steps:
1) Bought a PC 7424 with Velco Back plate along with a wool cutting pad and two foam polishing pads(both PC parts).
2) I first tried the Deep Crystal system. I started with the Paint Cleaner on the foam polishing pad. This improved the appearance of the scratches, however I tried the 'alcohol' test (no this isn't drinking beer while I'm working!), and all the scratches came right back. I switched to the Body Scrub, and it wasn't much better.
I decided I needed something with more grit, and the only thing I could find locally was the #2 Fine Cut Cleaner. I also switched to the wool cutting pad.
I realize this stuff is made for a rotary buffer, however with the wool pad I found it took out 90% of the deeper scratches in a fairly quick manner. It did however leave the surface of the car with a dull haze (no longer shiny).
3) I then switched to #9 Swirl Remover on my polishing pad. I went over the car, working small sections at a time.
4) I finished it up with the Step #2 Deep Crystal Polish on a polishing pad.
5) Followed this up with a coat of NXT Car Wax.
Here is the results from a hood shot.
Now on to the questions!
1) The #2 appears to be a bit more aggressive, however it was very good at taking out the deeper scratches. I would like to try #83 next on a polishing or cutting pad. Does #83 have decent cutting ability while being less prone to hazing the finish of the car?
2) Is there any advantage of using #80 or #81 over the #9?
3) There are still a few cobwebs and swirls here and there, however their appearance has been greatly reduced. Is there another step I can add or another technique I can try next time?
4) Is there any advantage in ordering and using the Meg's pads over the PC pads? Like the #83, I cannot find them locally, so would have to order them online.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I apologize for the darkness of the photo's, but it was getting late. I'll try and take some better ones this week.This car had moderate scratching and cobwebs in the clear coat. I am prepping it to sell so I thought I'd try and clean the finish up as best as I could.
Steps:
1) Bought a PC 7424 with Velco Back plate along with a wool cutting pad and two foam polishing pads(both PC parts).
2) I first tried the Deep Crystal system. I started with the Paint Cleaner on the foam polishing pad. This improved the appearance of the scratches, however I tried the 'alcohol' test (no this isn't drinking beer while I'm working!)
, and all the scratches came right back. I switched to the Body Scrub, and it wasn't much better.I decided I needed something with more grit, and the only thing I could find locally was the #2 Fine Cut Cleaner. I also switched to the wool cutting pad.
I realize this stuff is made for a rotary buffer, however with the wool pad I found it took out 90% of the deeper scratches in a fairly quick manner. It did however leave the surface of the car with a dull haze (no longer shiny).
3) I then switched to #9 Swirl Remover on my polishing pad. I went over the car, working small sections at a time.
4) I finished it up with the Step #2 Deep Crystal Polish on a polishing pad.
5) Followed this up with a coat of NXT Car Wax.
Here is the results from a hood shot.
Now on to the questions!
1) The #2 appears to be a bit more aggressive, however it was very good at taking out the deeper scratches. I would like to try #83 next on a polishing or cutting pad. Does #83 have decent cutting ability while being less prone to hazing the finish of the car?
2) Is there any advantage of using #80 or #81 over the #9?
3) There are still a few cobwebs and swirls here and there, however their appearance has been greatly reduced. Is there another step I can add or another technique I can try next time?
4) Is there any advantage in ordering and using the Meg's pads over the PC pads? Like the #83, I cannot find them locally, so would have to order them online.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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