Suggestions for my paint?

[Lester723]

Not too long ago I noticed my paint isn't so lustrous as it used to be when it got a fresh coat of paint like a year and a half ago. I have links to a few pictures of my paint that i was able to get. (it was a little rough, the camera kept trying to take a picture of the reflection of the tree above my car). But essentially you can see the spider webbing and one nasty scratch that i have on my hood.






I love to clean cars but I haven't ever done any real detail work like compounds and such. I was just wondering what you would suggest that I do given the severity of the paint damage. I do have a DA with variable speed as well.

Thanks for your anticipated responses

[yalerd]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Not only you can see swirls but some water spot etching as well.

I suggest reading Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated!.

What kind of car will you work on?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Not only you can see swirls but some water spot etching as well.

I suggest reading Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated!.

What kind of car will you work on?

x2

[Lester723]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Oh man i just realized those pictures are all sideways! sorry about that guys!

I have actually done a good bit of research on this website already, and I am way ahead of you! I have already read the 5 step paint care cycle.

My car is a 2005 Ford Mustang. My car was egged twice, keyed twice, shaving creamed, and backed into while parked- so I had the whole car resprayed about a year and a half ago.

I do have access to a DA with variable speed and it accepts 7 to 9 inch pads/discs.

Essentially what i need is advice on application. What I was hoping to find out was what products you think would work best for my project. I just don't want to buy 6 products and use 2 if you know what I mean haha. I also want to know what type of pad you think that i should use, I see that there are a huge variety of them to use, and i also read the "Total Cut" article, so I know how they can affect my results drastically. I wanted to use the DA since i have this problem all over my car, and I have heard it will typically lead to a better finish.

Thanks again!

[Shawn T.]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Two products I would have are Swirlx and Ultimate Compound. If Swirlx is not aggressive enough than you could step up to UC. You could also use Swirlx with a finishing pad after UC to bring more gloss and clarity to the finish.

Obviously you will need towels and car supplies for other sections of the 5-Step Paint Care cycle.

[yalerd]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Since you already know what to use to Wash and Clay than all you need to get are products to remove those defects.

As for the products, I would get some Ultimate Compound and some SwirlX and a wax of choice, some NXT2.0 or Gold Class. For the pads, get some Meguiar's Polishing Pad and Finishing Pad.

You'll want to use Ultimate Compound and SwirlX with Meguiar's Polishing Pad on your DA with speed 5. Apply wax by hand or with the DA with Meguiar's Finishing Pad on speed 3.

I suggest doing a Test Spot first.

[Lester723]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Thank you all for your inputs!

Would i be using a product like ColorX at any point?
also, What type of Polish would you recommend?

Which polishing and finishing pads do you recommend that I use? I searched polishing pad and finishing pad and for both of them they have a soft buff, diamond, and soft buff 2.0.

Thanks again!

[fzr confused]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

soft buff 2.0's are the way to go if you stick with meguiars pads. the soft buff 2.0's are machine washable and the newer version

[yalerd]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

ColorX will be more as a maintenance product for you to use. It's an AIO product, will remove light defects and protect the finish as well. So once you to the Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle and with proper washing method you could use ColorX or Cleaner Wax from time to time

[Lester723]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Can Meguiars pads be bought at a local auto store? I would definitely use them if i can find them.

So essentially what I'll be doing is:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. SwirlX
4. Polish
5. Wax

What polish would you guys recommend?

[Shawn T.]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Either Deep Crystal Polish or M07 are great options. M07 is the more prestgious of the 2 but both will give stellar results. Remember to keep Ultimate Compound on hand in case Swirlx is not strong enough. Looks good though!

[Lester723]

Re: Suggestions for my paint?

Okay great I will give this a go when i have a saturday to dedicate to this haha. I will keep some UC close by, can't hurt anyway right? Thanks! i will definitely post some pictures after i am done also.