Which products do you suggest?

[WIKD CUT]

I have an 87 Cutlass that I only drive in the summer and try to keep out of the rain if possible. It is a dark gray color with a gray vinyl top. I have 17" AR Torq Thrust II wheels on it with Nitto tires.

I have been using Megs products for years and am satisfied with the results, yet I keep feeling that the car could look better. I have used the consumer products for years, but still have fine scratches and swirls in the paint in the sunlight. I have been browsing these forums and have seen some of the incredible results that people have been getting with M105 and M205. These are professional grade products right? I can't find any of these products at my local stores.

I guess my question is, what products and processes do you suggest to make the car shine as good as possible. I realize that the paint is 23 years old and I don't expect miracles. Please give me any info you can about paint care, metal care, tire dressings, vinyl top care, etc. Thank you for your time.

[Megafast13]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

Getting this thing to look good again is going to cost you money

The amazing results you are seeing is by a Rotary Buffer or Dual Action Polish using Meguiars Pro Line Compounds. You cannot purchase them in stores, but they are easy to buy online. If you only want to get stuff from your local store than:

Wash:
2 five gallon buckets, Grit Guards, Microfiber Wash Mitt
(Dry with Microfiber or Waffle Weave drying towels)

Clay:
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit + Quik Detailer

Correction:
Meguiars Ultimate Compound with Applicator Pad
Then:
Meguiars SwirlX with Applicator Pad

Wax:
Meguiars NXT 2.0 with Applicator Pad

Final:
Meguiars Last Touch or Ultimate Quik Detailer

You can find all of that at Walmart, or an auto part store, except for maybe the Grit Guards.

I recommend you purchase from:

www.autodetailingsolutions.com

Also Check out these useful threads:

5 Step Paint Care Cycle

List O' Links

[THE BIG BUFFER]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

1987 may be SS paint. Do you know if it is SS or BC?

[WIKD CUT]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

Not sure what the "SS" stands for, but by "BC" I assume you mean basecoat/clearcoat. I really have no idea what kind of paint it is. If anyone could let me know and point me in the direction of the right products I would greatly appreciate it.

[fzr confused]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

SS means single stage and yes BC is basecoat/clearcoat

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

SS means single stage and yes BC is basecoat/clearcoat

To break that down even further single stage means that all of the paint has pigment. There is no clearcoat on top of the base coat. If you see the color of the paint appearing on you foam applicator then it is single stage (unless you've polished right through the clearcoat, then you have bigger issues).

[Murr1525]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

Which type it is wont make a big difference in the products, all will work fine.

The product list above is pretty solid. SwirlX is the milder cleaner, and UC is the stronger. Just have to do some test spots to see if you need mild, or have to go to the stronger.

[WIKD CUT]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

It is a metallic paint, but I don't know if it is SS or BC.

Can I apply M105 and M205 by hand??? I know it will require alot of elbow grease, but will the product work when applied by hand?

[Murr1525]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

#205 is milder than SwirlX, so wont do quite as much.

#105 is stronger than UC.

You can pick whichever pair you like, or use SwirlX and #105, whatever.

It really just comes down to working them in well, and evenly. The UC/#105 are pretty strong, and some people have had marring at first from applying with their finger tips. really need to use your palm/across your fingers, to keep pressure even. Could also look at one of the palm applicators and pads.

[WIKD CUT]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to give it a go with the UC and SwirlX and if I don't get the results I will go with the 105/205 combo.

[THE BIG BUFFER]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

I use M83/M80 combo on SS paint.

[WIKD CUT]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

Ok,thanks! I will most likely be applying it by hand, so which applicator pads do you suggest?

[Shawn T.]

Re: Which products do you suggest?

Hi-Tech Foam Applicators are the only applicators that touch my paint regardless of what prdouct I am using.