soft versus hard paint

[Silvia]

How do you know if you have hard or soft paint? Do you use different products depending on whether it is soft or hard?

I have a Yellow Mini Cooper S 2009. Just curious, what kind of paint do I have?

[Murr1525]

Re: soft versus hard paint

How do you know if you have hard or soft paint?

Dont really know tiil you try, though some web searching can sometimes give a clue.

Do you use different products depending on whether it is soft or hard?

Sometimes, yes. If it is soft, you may need to be milder, or if it is hard, you may need to be more agressive.

I have a Yellow Mini Cooper S 2009. Just curious, what kind of paint do I have?

No idea....

[TOGWT]

Re: soft versus hard paint

Select a ‘typical’ 18 x 18 – inch area -one that represents the type of defects that you want to remove and starting with the least abrasive polish and / pad combination and then proceed until the defects are removed. This is the polish / pad combination you’ll need to use. Selecting the correct pad / polish combination for the vehicles paint / defects can take just as long as the paint correction process

[Michael Stoops]

Re: soft versus hard paint

Select a ‘typical’ 18 x 18 – inch area -one that represents the type of defects that you want to remove and starting with the least abrasive polish and / pad combination and then proceed until the defects are removed. This is the polish / pad combination you’ll need to use. Selecting the correct pad / polish combination for the vehicles paint / defects can take just as long as the paint correction process

This is the "test spot" we talk about all the time, and it's important to do. It is really critical that you understand what you're looking at when doing a test spot, though. After working the initial 18 x 18 area you need to compare the result to an adjacent area that hasn't been touched yet. What you're looking for is a reduction in the level of defects present in the untouched area. We've seen too many cases where an overly aggressive product was used on softer, more delicate paint and even though it removed the initial defects, it left a whole new set on it's own. The user failed to realize the difference and only saw that the treated paint still didn't look "perfect", so they went even more aggressive. This isn't a failing of the product used, but of the user themselves.

Have a look at The Challenge of Delicate Paint for more detailed info.

[Shawn T.]

Re: soft versus hard paint

I had a MINI CooperS before and the paint is relatively soft. Whether it's the same for you or not will be determined by your test spot.

[Silvia]

Re: soft versus hard paint

If the paint is soft for a mini cooper S, should I just use the SwirlX instead of the ultimate compound after the clay bar prep?

Also, I forgot to buy the Polish from Amazon. Is it really necessary? I will follow the ultimate compound or swirlx with the ultimate liquid wax. Should I apply it twice or just once?

[Murr1525]

Re: soft versus hard paint

You would want to start with SwirlX on a test spot. Then move up to UC if needed.

No, the polish is not really important.

2 coats of wax would be best.