Professional Detail

[RussH]

I recently had my 11-year- old Ford Pickup detailed. This was done by a 5-star Meguiars Dealer. The truck had many streaks in the paint on the sides which have been there for quite some time.

The detailer buffed it with #83 at least twice that I saw and a top coat of "Yellow Wax" #26. It looked awesome.

Two days later I can see the streaks coming back from under the shine. I took it back and asked what the problem might be. I was told that the clear coat has worn thin on the sides of the truck and that the marks will show through again.

I am trying to understand if additional coats of wax or something buffed in real well can minimize this phenomenon or if I am looking at a new paint job? I remember from previous forums that more is not always better however the right number of coats of the right product can usually cure many ills.

The color of the truck is called "Plum" - is close to a burgundy. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Russ

[travisdecpn]

Those stains sound like where water ran down the side and was allowed to sit for a prolonged amount of time. If this vehicle sits outside and gets rained on occassionally, and not washed soon after, these streaks are what results from that. I don't know if you will be able to completely remove them. I have only tried to on SS paint and have had less than great results.

[RussH]

Before I took over the truck 4 months ago it did sit outside unused for long periods of time. It is 11 years old with 80,000 miles and runs like a watch. If I can cure the streak thing I will have a winner here.

Russ

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Professional Detail

Originally posted by RussH
The detailer buffed it with #83 at least twice that I saw and a top coat of "Yellow Wax" #26. It looked awesome.

Two days later I can see the streaks coming back from under the shine.

Russ

Hi Russ,

If the detailer buffed your car's finish with #83 DACP Twice, (Once with a rotary buffer once with a dual action polisher?), then chances are good that the streaks are not ON the paint, but instead are IN, and through the paint, as in penetrated into the paint. If this is the case, removing more paint will not remove the defect.

Clear coats are pretty hard and very dense, so this doesn't sound like the case. It could be that an application of a heavier cutting product like #83 Compound Power Cleaner, with a cutting pad like Meguiar's W-7000 or W-7006 could possibly remove it. Of course, you want to use an experienced detailer he has a good instinct for how much to buff on area.

You could also try using ScratchX and try to remove just a small section of this streaking by hand. It's amazing what the right product, applied correctly by hand can do sometimes.

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Mike

[RussH]

I will try the ScratchX on a spot and let you know what happens.
Thank you very much for the advice.

Russ

[Mike Phillips]

If you're ever in the Irvine area on a Saturday, bring it on by and I would be happy to take a look at it for you and see what we can do.

Mike

[RussH]

That is a very generous offer and thank you. If the ScratchX does not work I shall take you up on it. I am not far away.

Russ

[RussH]

Hi Mike:

I tried the ScratchX on the tailgate and it helped some.

If you are going to be around Saturday - tomorrow, I could come by. Can you tell me where in Irvine you are and what would be a convenient time for you?

Thank you in advance for any help.

I was thinking yesterday about polishing my first car with the green Sealer and Reseal Glaze in the green bottle. Am I dating myself here?

Russ

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by RussH
Hi Mike:

I tried the ScratchX on the tailgate and it helped some.

If you are going to be around Saturday - tomorrow, I could come by. Can you tell me where in Irvine you are and what would be a convenient time for you?

There is no class this Saturday. (I'm taking Lynn out for the day to celebrate her birthday)

The next weekend is a full class for the North Coast Corvette Club. It gets over around 3:00pm. You could bring it by around then and I would be more than happy to look at for you then. Or same deal for the next weekend. Our online Calendar always lists our Saturday classes here,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/calendar.php?s=

Thank you in advance for any help.

I was thinking yesterday about polishing my first car with the green Sealer and Reseal Glaze in the green bottle. Am I dating myself here?

Russ

Only a little. The #7 Sealer and Reseal Glaze was re-named in the early 1990's, (If I remember correctly), because some people thought it was a paint sealant, (because of the word "Sealer"), when it's a pure polish that offers no long lasting protection characteristics.

Do you have any of the old glass bottles still hanging around?

Here's most of my collection,



Mike

[RussH]

Thanks Mike. I shall plan on arriving toward the end of the Corvette session or maybe I will just come and watch/learn.

If I have any of the old bottles, I will bring them. I have moved twice recently so I doubt it.


Russ

[RussH]

Mike:

Interestingly enough after reading some of the "amazing stories" about Meguiars products, trying to understand what these folk did (process) I decided to try myself. So, I hightailed it over to the automotive paint supply and came home with a bottle of ColorX and some new pads for my random-orbit buffer.

I went around the sides of the truck where the streaks were once and the difference was definitely noticeable - much moreso than where I had tried the ScratchX on the tailgate. So, I went around the sides a second time and voila - the streaks are gone and have been gone since last Saturday. When I originally had the truck professionally detailed the streaks were back the next day. Perhaps the paint just needed more moisture? Anyway, I went ahead and used the ColorX on the remainder of the truck - hood, cab top with two coats and it looks great.

I would still like to stop by on Saturday afternoon if that is OK with you.

Russ

[Mike Phillips]

It looks like it's going to be a full class, but do come on by.

Mike

[RussH]

Mike: Tell me about PlastX and your other plastic polishing products.

I have some applications here at work where I think your product would be beneficial. One is our Markee: the clear plastic panels are Lexan however they get "cruddy" from all the dirt generated from a busy street out front and the constant fog. I do have an orbital buffer and was thinking that they very well may clean up nicely? Second is the acrylic globes on our exterior light fixtures. They look like a giant lollypop and have actually developed a "tint" to them with time. Some even have some overspray from negligent painters. Assuming that I can remove the paint with Acetone will the PlastX work well on acrylic?

How about regular reading/distance glasses that have fallen off many many times and are suffering from the asphalt?

Thanks Mike

Russ Hunt