Need help - what products to buy & seeking tips for a PT Cruiser's soft paint?

[GSKTech]

Hey guys,

Well I ordered the PC 7424, should be here in a week or so.

Now I need to purchase the backing plate and products to remove
some of the scratches and swirls that the dealer was so kind to have hidden up.

History:
A 2004 PT Cruiser (Black) purchased new this past march 06.
I think the dealer washed it a couple of times with a floor mop...lol

I will post some pictures to show the flaws.

I was thinking of buying #83 and #80
and either #20 or #21.
(Anyone know if these can these be purchased here in Canada?)

I will probably attack this a couple panels at a time.
using
Wash & Clay
83
80
NXT Tech wax or DC3, or #20 or #21.

I believe the PT's have soft paint, can anyone confirm?
Have any tips or tricks for this type of paint...

Under certain light, the paint seems to be hazy, or milky white.
I guess this is micro marring... Is it better to use #80 or #83 for this?

So if anyone has tips, tricks or suggestions, I'm open to all.

P.S. I purchased Mike and Richard's "How to PC dvd",
and have learned quite a bit of theory, now I need to put it into practise.
BTW - Great video guys

Thanks in advance

[GSKTech]

Hood & fender


Hood


Hood 2


Door


Roofline

[Murr1525]

Looks like you have the right plan... Did you get the pads as well?

Personaly I like #21, but that is just my opinion.

[GSKTech]

no pads or products yet,
I'm trying to make up my list.

I'll probably get:
1 w7006 for use with a bonnet
2 or 3 of the other 2 (w8006 & w9006)
Some microfibre towels (i bought the ones from costco,
but they appear to scratch the paint....yuck

(This is becoming an expensive hobby) lol

[Murr1525]

(This is becoming an expensive hobby) lol

Esp. in Canada.....

You might need more than one bonnet...
You'll need at least 1 8006 for the #83, and another 8006 for the #80. Then a 9006 for the wax you choose. So at least 3 for now.

I have some of the cheaper Target MF towels for doorjambs, windows, spreading plastic dressings, etc. And some terrys for the real dirty stuff.

[Michael Stoops]

I don't find the paint on my '04 PT Cruiser to be all that soft, but then again I'm comparing that to a '99 Miata which I think I can put swirls in by just looking at it!

Below are a couple shots I took after a lengthy Thanksgiving weekend detail session. #80 did a great job on it, but it was pretty swirl free to start with. Your swirls look pretty nasty, but I'd still give #80 a shot first before going with #83...always go with the least aggressive approach needed to correct the defect.

[GSKTech]

Nice job mike...

thats the kind of reflection i'm going for.

Did you tape ALL of the panel seams ? or just some?

Also did you do the roof with the machine?
I guess a solid platform is needed to do up there.

How often do you do the full detail?

What are your steps & products used?

Thanks in advance

[Michael Stoops]

Originally posted by GSKTech
Nice job mike...Thanks!

thats the kind of reflection i'm going for.

Did you tape ALL of the panel seams ? or just some? I taped off the trim around all the windows, the head & tail lights and the moon roof. Oh, and the bezel at the base of the antenna. No tape on any body seams though.

Also did you do the roof with the machine?
I guess a solid platform is needed to do up there.Yes, but at 6'1" and long arms I had no problems reaching

How often do you do the full detail?Just a couple of times a year, but the car only sees about 7,000 miles per year, never in the rain (easy to do here!) and is garage kept so I can get away that quite easily

What are your steps & products used?Meguiar's products exclusively these days:

1. Wash with Gold Class and a lambswool mitt

2. Clay

3. #80 on the DA (or PC, G100, 7424, whatever you want to call it!)

4. #20 sealant, two light coats of course, also applied to the wheels

5. Hyper dressing cut 2:1 for the tires and exterior trim

Thanks in advance

I use APC to clean the wheel wells and engine bay, then dress with Hyper Dressing at 2:1. The seats get Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Cleaner and Gold Class Rich Leather Aloe Conditioner and the interior plastics and trim get Natural Shine Vinyl & Rubber Protectant.

Addtionally, between washes I use Last Touch Foam Detailer (I just love this stuff!!) on the paint and Quick Interior Detailer (spray or wipes, I have both) inside.