New to forum and have question

[Wathen1955]

Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a Meguiar's G110 Polisher. I purchased a W9207, W8207, and finally a W7207 pads. I have a black Ford 2001 F150 Crew Cab that has the following issues on the hood:







What would you guys recommend to remove these spots? What pad to start with and what product to use on the polisher? I think they are from bird droppings since the paint has been etched.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New to forum and have question

Hi Wathen, and welcome to MOL!

Looks like you properly identified those issues and have the right idea.

Now for the good and bad news- sometimes these etchings can be fairly easily removed with something as simple as ScratchX or the newest version, ScratchX 2.0.

Other times it may require a more aggressive product such as Ultimate Compound or even the strongest of them all, M105.

The defect removal can be done with a buffer, in which case a polishing pad on your G110 will be your best bet.

Another option however is to start the process by hand since the defects are small and isolated, which allows you to focus your efforts more specifically on the trouble spots. Then after working the specific spots by hand you can go over the general area with the G110 and a medium or light polish (M80, M205, SwirlX) to refine the finish and restore an even surface. Some of them look like they may be beyond help as there is paint missing.

HERE are some thorough threads that discuss and teach how to remove these etchings.

[Wathen1955]

Re: New to forum and have question

Thanks for those links! Question: where can I buy these products around where I live? I've gone to Meguiar's site, but they do not discuss where you can buy these products (i.e. from what vendors)? I have Auto Zone, NAPA, and Pep Boys. I also have Walmart.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to forum and have question

Pep Boys is best around here. You could also order online from a place like autodetailingsolutions.com.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New to forum and have question

Here is a link to locating stores as well

http://www.meguiars.com/dealerlocator/

But as Murr mentioned an outside vendor, www.autodetailingsolutions.com is very popular, and you can buy directly from Meguiar's online at www.Meguiarsdirect.com too.

Mark

[Wathen1955]

Re: New to forum and have question

I have completely removed all water spot damage, scratches, and swirls from the entire car EXCEPT for the hood. In fact, it looks like the hood is worse now. I used Scratch X 2.0 it it did an excellent job on the entire car except for the hood. It looks like the stains are more visible than before after treatment.
Here is a pic of the side of the truck where the W8207 Polishing pad that I used and the Scratch X 2.0 did an outstanding job: NOTE: the little specs you are are dust only!


And now the hood where I need some HELP!

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New to forum and have question

Did you get any black paint transfer or chips of paint when you worked on those severe ones? It looks like actual missing paint and cracked paint with that close-up picture.

Does it feel extremely rough to your hand?

It also looks like the little rice-shaped white defects are all over the entire hood? Can you feel them everywhere as well?

[Wathen1955]

Re: New to forum and have question

Did you get any black paint transfer or chips of paint when you worked on those severe ones? It looks like actual missing paint and cracked paint with that close-up picture.

Does it feel extremely rough to your hand?

It also looks like the little rice-shaped white defects are all over the entire hood? Can you feel them everywhere as well?

Before the treatment, I clayed the entire car and it was very smooth to the feel of your hand. After this polishing, its rough again. I'm not sure what to think of those little rice shaped defects. Maybe the best option is to remove the hood and have it repainted?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New to forum and have question

Sadly, the hood looks shot. It looks as if the paint is cracking fairly severely and obviously no product on Earth aside from paint can fill those properly.

What intrigues me, however, is that you said it was smooth after clay but rough after polishing. The only thing I can think of is that when you polished it pulled out some dead/peeling paint and exposed a rough surface?

So can you feel those rice-like shapes with your finger nail?

[Wathen1955]

Re: New to forum and have question

So can you feel those rice-like shapes with your finger nail?

Yep! I have no idea what would cause this Its only the hood that has this issue. The rest of the truck is fine. Weird. I guess it will have to be repainted.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: New to forum and have question

Yep! I have no idea what would cause this Its only the hood that has this issue. The rest of the truck is fine. Weird. I guess it will have to be repainted.

The hood would have been painted with a slightly different process than the body, and it might be that it doesn't stand up to extreme heat as well.

On the bright side, the rest of the truck is nice and shiny now and once you get that hood it will be like a new truck