I need serious help on my Buick Park Avenue Ultra

[cutchemist42]

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/390558

This is the car, a 98 Buick Park Avenue Ultra and I have a problem. I know from afar it looks ok but to someone like me who will loook closely, I know there are those swirls that when reflecting a street light are ciircly, I have a bad feeling I caused them.

I'll admit I didnt buy the clay bar and clay the surface before hand but I did wash the car, and applied the Scratch X and System 2 Polisher and 3 Was but I still see them but from afar the car has that nice wet look. Im worried there were little particles that scratched the surface while I used terry towels or little circle wax hand applicators to buff and such.

From that description, tell me what was wrong pleasseee.

[FlaresideLariat]

It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong. it just seems like you need a machine to do the job.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey cutchemist42

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Firstly, swirls in the paint can be caused by many factors. Most swirls are caused by improper washing methods, poor quality buffing towels etc...

Second, to remove swirls by hand, you really need to work the ScratchX into the paint; it is not a wipe-on, wipe-off product. Here is a tutorial by Mike on how do use ScratchX properly:

How to use ScratchX by hand to remove defects like these,

1. Scratches
2. Swirls
3. Bird Dropping Etchings
4. Water spots
5. Scuff and Mars

++ = Success!

A couple of important notes to consider,

1) Clear coats are harder than traditional paints. This means they are more difficult to remove defects out of, especially by hand. This is part explains the increase in popularity of the Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher.

2) ScratchX is not a wipe-on, wipe-off product, (WOWO), it's more of a wipe on, work in product, (WOWI). You need to apply with a clean foam applicator pad and work the product in with a little passion.




Here is how to remove a bird dropping etching or an isolated scratch.[list=1][*] Only work a small area at a time - about 6 inch by 6 inch area or smaller[*] You can apply using a combination of circular motions and straight-line motions[*] Work the product against the finish until it looks as you have almost run out of product.[*] Re-apply the product and repeat the above steps 2-3 more times[/list=1]
When I apply ScratchX like I have listed above, I am able to get out about 95% of a bird dropping etching or isolated random scratches.

The trick is to work the product in until it just begins to disappear and to apply more than one application. You see, the ScratchX, like all Meguiar's Paint Cleaners, contain a diminishing abrasive, as you work ScratchX in, the microscopic diminishing abrasives gently abrade the surface removing small particles of paint. But as you work it in, these diminishing abrasives breakdown. Thus, they quit abrading the finish and actually polish the finish to a clear, high gloss. This diminishing action turned polishing action is a benefit to you because it enable you to work out defects without leaving scratches behind.

Because the diminishing abrasive breakdown, you need to re-apply and repeat the process until the defects are removed.

Note: You can rarely remove a bird dropping etching, or a scratch, from a clear-coated finish with one application.

"A little technique goes a long way"

ScratchX works, if you work it. It takes a little practice to get the hang of removing defects out of modern clear coats with hi-tech products like ScratchX. It' not like the old days with a traditional lacquer or enamel paint job where you could apply some old-fashioned rubbing compound and in a few passes, the scratch would be gone, (and so would a lot of your paint).

High gloss clear coats are thin delicate surface coatings that are easily dulled and easily scratched. Once they are dulled down and/or scratched, it takes the right product, the right technique together with the human element of care and passion to massage them back to a glistening gemstone.

Have patience, and if at first you don't succeed, try try again.

Mike

Now with that said, some swirls are too deep or extensive to remove by hand. In that case, it will require a G100 DA Polisher or rotary buffer, and an experienced user, to remove them.

Give the ScratchX another try following Mike's suggestions. I have a feeling you will have much better success!!!

Tim

[Murr1525]

Well, if the surface improved, then you did nothing wrong. Just didnt get the max out of the products.

However, one thing is that having the best equipment possible.. good wash mit/sponge, towels, applicators, etc. Lower quality equipment can add some swirls of their own.

Claying wont remove swirls, but it will add to your shine/wetlook, and will remove more particels, so even less chance of things something being rubbed across the surface.

Another thing, did you apply the scratchX by working it in as much as possible? It needs worked in much more than the other cleaners, and even 2-3 applications to get the max out of it. A G-100 will give better reslults, but you can do pretty darn good with ScratchX if you work at it. Maybe a section, or a panel or two at a time, or something so you dont kill yourself.

The DC#2 polish is good for applying by hand, as is the DC#3 wax. Nxt wax will fill in some of the minor swilrs a bit as well, if/when you want to change waxes.