What steps should i use to bring life back into my cars paint.

[bobbyboy]

Hi
I'm a complete novice to paint care, so I'm hope some one can give me advice to breath life back into my cars paint.
I recently bought a Black Metallic car. The paint has a lot of defects, Swirls, scratches, oxidation etc. The amount of scratches on some parts of this car, you would think someone used a scrubbing brush to wash the car instead of a wash mitt.
I will also be doing this by hand. Are these steps o.k?

Wash car
Clay
Ultimate compound
Ultimate polish
Ultimate wax
Should i use gold class wax instead of UP and UW?

Or maybe should i use these steps?
Wash
Clay
Scratch X
DEEP CRYSTAL POLISH
NXT wax

When i apply the compound using the foam pad, do i put a lot of force into the rubbing and then go over the section again using less pressure?
Or do i apply with force, wipe off and reapply compound using less pressure, and then wipe off again and reapply with a lot less pressure etc.
There are so many Meguiar's products that it's a bit daunting for a novice to know what to use.
Thank you for the help.

[C8N]

Re: What steps should i use to bring life back into my cars paint.

You may want to post some pictures up for us to see what you are dealing with.
But your steps are good... wash, clay, uc, up and uw. If you want to go the extra step, top uw with gc.

You can work by hand but it will be very difficult and tiring. My advise would be to invest in a DA and it will make things a whole lot easier and faster.
If you intend on working by hand, should read the following.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?56576-Avoiding-quot-cheetah-spots-quot-or-quot-Look-what-this-compound-did-to-my-paint!-quot

[The Guz]

Re: What steps should i use to bring life back into my cars paint.

Both options will get the job done but if I were to choose between these two I would go with the first one. UC/UP are a great combination.

A good link provided as well.

[bobbyboy]

Re: What steps should i use to bring life back into my cars paint.

Thank you guys for the advice. The link was also very informative. I will take C8N's advice and buy a Polisher. What do you think of these

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/180mm-Multifunction-Polisher-/221417253561?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item338d7f2ab9

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/180mm-Car...item338d7f255b.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/180mm-Polisher-/191137986223?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c80b636af

Unfortunately I only have around $100 to spend on a polisher.
Also, what kind of cutting pad do you recommend. I was looking at these.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Velocity-Cutting-Pad-Foam-150mm-X-M14-/191137984647?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c80b63087

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Velocity-Polishing-Pad-Wave-Foam-Velcro-200mm-/201074112042?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ed0f3762a

Would i need a different polishing pad when using UP, with a thicker sponge maybe?
And do i use a polisher to apply UW, or do I apply by hand.
Thank you.

[larry0071]

When your using the Polish and compound by hand, your going to suffer. You need to go slow over the same small area, about a foot by a foot, go over it with low to mid pressure, but go over it over and over. Think of what a machine is doing, your going to be trying to mimic that but in slow motion. Even with a machine you might spend 10 minutes to a half hour on a panel per abraisive product. You'll need a good deal more time by hand.

What your about to do can be done by hand, but there is pain and suffering that will come with it!