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Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

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  • #1

    Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

    Hello! I did a search in the forums and thought I would post my specific situation in hopes that someone may be able to help.

    Since it's getting nice out, my project is polishing up a red 1987 Corvette. In the past I've used the cleaner wax and occasionally the #9 swirl remover and some detail spray wax by hand. The current paint has some very light swirls in it. I'd like the paint to be as close to new when I'm finished as possible. I just purchased a Porter Cable 7424XP and I understand that it won't give perfect professional results, and I'm cool with that.

    What do I need to get out the swirls and protect the paint? So far, I have clay and lube as well as the 7424 and the car. That's it... Does anyone know:

    What backing plate I should get?
    What pads I should get?
    What Meguiars products I should use?

    It's garage kept and the paint is in really good shape. But when the sun beats down, boy do those swirls show up!

    Thank you in advance for any help that can be offered!
    Mike
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

    Question, Does your Vette have a 2 stage paint paint job?

    Secondly, yes you can get professional results with a PC

    If it does have a clear coat I suggest the following

    5in Backing Plate

    Smooth Surface Clay

    Ultimate Car Wash

    M105

    M205

    Ultimate Liquid or Paste Wax

    Ultimate Quick Detailer

    As for pads check out ADS. With a PC im a fan of Lake Country Pads. I suggest for a first time detail 2 pads of the following:

    ORANGE - Aggressive use with 105
    WHITE - Polishing Minor scratches 205
    BLACK - Finishing Pad


    (Also search the forum for proper washing technique. I highly suggest a 2 bucket system with grit guards)

    This is a recent thread that goes over cut and pads. Keep it handy http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...ad.php?t=48843

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    • #3
      Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

      Man, if pro results can not be achieved with a DA buffer then we'd like to know what someone calls all the great results shown on this and other detailing forums!!

      We would recommend you pick up a W68DA backing plate, a couple of W9207 Soft Buff 2.0 finishing pads and 3 or 4 W8207 Soft Buff 2.0 polishing pads. Use Ultimate Compound with the W8207 pads at speed 5 on the tool, moderate pressure. You'll want to swap to a fresh pad part way through the process, and do so a couple of times, in order to maintain a consistent level of correction throughout the process. This step is much more aggressive, and therefore more stressful on the pads, than the polishing and waxing steps are. Follow up Ultimate Polish on a W9207 for gloss and clarity enhancement, then your favorite wax with the other W9207 pad to finish off.

      Remember to do a test spot first with the UC to get a feel for work time, pressure, etc. Once you get something dialed in, stick with that process for the rest of the car.

      This is the approach we use in our Saturday Classes and our results are consistently excellent. You can see pictures from these classes here.
      Michael Stoops
      Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

      Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

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      • #4
        Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

        Thanks for the tips and advice!

        As for the question about the single stage or double stage paint job... I'm honestly not sure. When I use a more aggressive wax, like the #9 swirl remover, the rag has a hint of pink. Someone told me that is probably a sign of single stage paint... Is there any difference in how I should go about polishing if it is single stage versus dual stage?

        I'll check out those products and order them. Assuming the same pads and polishes apply to whatever paint is on the car, I'll give it a go!

        Yeah, as for the PC7424, someone was telling me that the only way to get a flawless finish is with a circular polisher. Thing is, I have no clue what to do when it comes to paint, so I took their word for it. I like the Porter (and others like it) dual action because it seems to be near impossible to hurt the paint and is millions of times better than doing it by hand (so I've heard).

        I'm excited to give it a go! I'll post some pictures of before and after. Probably take me a week or two to get around to doing it.

        Thanks again!
        Mike

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        • #5
          Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

          Welcome to MOL, Mike.


          Your Porter Cable polisher will deliver great results. No worries. DA polishers are capable of swirl removals.

          Single stage paints open more over time therefore when car gets older it can absorb polishing oils from products much faster making them dry faster and causing shorter buffing cycle.

          From your experience it sounds like you have a single stage paint (base color on applicator/ pad indicates no clear coat protection). In that case M80 Speed Glaze or M83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish would be great products to go with as they have rich polishing oils.

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          • #6
            Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

            As for the question about the single stage or double stage paint job... I'm honestly not sure. When I use a more aggressive wax, like the #9 swirl remover, the rag has a hint of pink.
            It may be beneficial to read some about the different steps, and names, so you arent thrown off by the different terminology.

            #9 is going ot be what is called a Cleaner/Polish, that is a product that has some cleaning ability, and some polishing oils. It does not contain anything protective like wax.

            Someone told me that is probably a sign of single stage paint... Is there any difference in how I should go about polishing if it is single stage versus dual stage?
            As mentioned, you may find the paint needs more oils, and will probably respond well to a pure polish before waxing.
            Yeah, as for the PC7424, someone was telling me that the only way to get a flawless finish is with a circular polisher. Thing is, I have no clue what to do when it comes to paint, so I took their word for it. I like the Porter (and others like it) dual action because it seems to be near impossible to hurt the paint and is millions of times better than doing it by hand (so I've heard).
            Still want to be careful... start with the milder products like #80 or #205 first for a test spot, don't buff right on top of ridges/high points. Buff along the panel up to the ridge from both sides.

            I'm excited to give it a go! I'll post some pictures of before and after. Probably take me a week or two to get around to doing it.
            May want to do some before pictures now if you can get it in the sun, in case it brings any other recommendations to mine.
            2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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            • #7
              Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

              I'll try to get a couple pictures on tonight. It's cloudy today in southern PA, but I should be able to get some swirl examples for you. Even if I put a flood light up to the paint and snap a pic.

              Thanks!
              Mike

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              • #8
                Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

                One of the best articles on how to restore single stage paint EVER. Take a look and then tke many notes. Its a great system

                http://www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article/Restoring+Single+Stage+Paint%3A+Part+1-65310.xhtml?conversationId=21363

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                • #9
                  Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

                  I've attached some pictures. Due to the overcast here, you can't see the swirls at all, but it gives you an idea what I'm working with. Overall, the paint is in good condition, I think. But man, when that sun is directly overhead in summer, the swirls are there.

                  I'm thinking I don't need anything too aggressive. I got on my detailing kick when I saw a guy in town, who drives the same year and color as mine, pass by and his car looked like it just rolled off the factory floor. Seeing how good it could look made me want to do something to mine. :-)

                  Thanks!
                  Mike



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                  • #10
                    Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

                    if you take some closer up pictures and use the flash that will help show the swirls...

                    the car does look to be in very good condition overall!
                    Joel
                    1976 Cutlass S
                    2001 PT Cruiser
                    1990 454SS
                    1989                     Suburban

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                    • #11
                      Re: Advice needed. Meguiars polish w/7427 on '87 Vette

                      Nothing wrong with doing everything mild this time, and worrying about more agressive next time when feeling more confident as well.
                      2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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