Is it a good idea...?

[Atterspug106gti]

To use a product in between claying and using scratch X?

I initially thought:

1)wash
2)dry
3)clay
4)scratch-x
etc

but is there any need to use e.g DC paint cleaner between steps 3 & 4?

Basically my paint suffers from swirls and cobwebs but is generally in good condition....see below



Its bizaare, ive started inspecting my paint finish all the time now since signing up to the forum lol

What would you peeps advice?

Cheers, Neil

[Murr1525]

yup.. going insane over your paint happens...

You dont need to use any product between claying and scratchx, although i believe some people may hoze the car off after claying. ScratchX will clean and prep the pain just fine.

However, if you really felt the need to use two paint cleaners, you would go from abrasive to mild. So it would be clay, ScratchX, and then DC #1.

Same idea that some people use #83, then #81, going from abrasive to mild.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Just to clarify...

Meguiar's #81 Hand Polish is a pure polish that contains no ingredients intended for cleaning the paint. Usually after using #83 DACP, you should step down to a less aggressive product like either #80 Speed Glaze or #82 Swirl Free Polish.

As for the original question, no, you do not need a step between claying and ScratchX. I would suggest however, that after claying, use ScratchX on areas that require it. You need to REALLY work the product until it is almost gone. Doing the whole car that way would be very labor intensive! If the paint is in otherwise excellent condition, I would suggest #9 Swirl Remover by hand or #80 Speed Glaze if you are using a PC polisher. Then top with 2 coats of NXT Tech Wax!

Cheers!

Tim

[Murr1525]

whoops.. good catch... meant to say #80...

[Atterspug106gti]

Originally posted by 2hotford
I would suggest however, that after claying, use ScratchX on areas that require it. You need to REALLY work the product until it is almost gone. Doing the whole car that way would be very labor intensive! If the paint is in otherwise excellent condition, I would suggest #9 Swirl Remover by hand

thanks for clearing that up Tim & Murr!

Is the #9 swirl remover from the professional range? I was planning on having a massive breakfast and then scratch-xing the majority of the car lol

Having read Mike's guides and the before pictures, I seem to have similar swirls etc to many of the cars hes worked on, like this:



I think scratch X was used on this one...

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Based on the picture you have provided, you will need ScratchX if doing the car by hand. I am glad that you have read Mike's write-up on how to use ScratchX properly. When used properly, ScratchX can do amazing things!

Good luck and remember the before and after pictures!!

Tim

[Atterspug106gti]

thanks gents

ill stick up some before and after pics when done

[Atterspug106gti]

Im weighing up a few deals on these polishers atm...

Does this sound like a good shopping list bearing in mind:

- the finish has some light scratches which I want to either remove or greatly reduce their appearance;

-cobwebbing over most of the finish.

The proposed list:

Equipment

1) G100 inc backing plate
2) #W8006 x2 - i assume i dont want anything harsher than this going by Meguiars philosophy of least aggressive to get the job done
3) #W9006 x2
4) #M9920 x2 (ultimate bonnet)
5) Foam applicator pads x8


Products

not too sure on these, but im thinking:

1) #9 swirl remover 2.0 - will this be ok to apply by hand for the awkward bits i.e in place of a scratch x type product? or would #83 be a better option?
2) #80 speed glaze


I know this is probably going to be frowned upon but I have some 3M marine wax that I rather like to finish with

Anything else im missing there?

[Atterspug106gti]

Come on people, I could really do with advice on this. I think I have the majority of it right, just not sure on which products to get

[Mike Phillips]

I would suggest starting with the M80 Speed Glaze with a W-8006 foam polishing pad on the 5.0 setting with a slow arm speed and about 4-5 pounds of pressure working small areas at a time overlapping each pass by 50% and then overlapping each area your work into the previous area for consistent swirl removal over the entire area.

Then apply two thin coats of NXT Tech Wax with the W-9000 finishing pad, on the 3.0 setting. Then if you have an Ultimate Bonnet, remove each coat of a wax with this on the 5.0 setting.

If the M80 doesn't not remove the swirls, then try M83 followed by M80 in the same manner described above for both products.

Mike

[Atterspug106gti]

Thanks for that Mike

So worst case scenario, I will require #80 & #83.

With the G100 how do you polish lips on sideskirts e.g below:



and arch trims:



is it just a case of using the outside section of the pad - as much as I can get on the lip, in the instance of the sideskirt and then kinda 'rolling' with the contour of the arch trim?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Atterspug106gti


With the G100 how do you polish lips on sideskirts e.g below:

You simply do what you can by machine, and then work on everything else by hand with ScratchX for swirl removal.

Mike

[Atterspug106gti]

Ok ill see how I get on when it arrives

Looking forward to doing my first full on detail now. If I achieve results anywhere near your clinics results, i'll be one very happy chappy!!

If I tape up a section for before and after purposes, is regular masking tape ok?

[Murr1525]

A lot of people have been using the painters tape. THough i think masking tape should be ok, just not letting it bake on for a long time in the sun.

[Atterspug106gti]

Originally posted by Murr1525
A lot of people have been using the painters tape. THough i think masking tape should be ok, just not letting it bake on for a long time in the sun.

hmmm I think ill try sticking it on carpet first to remove some of the tack