Jeep Wrangler Problems

[matt_c]

Guys and Gals,

I just purchased a used 06 Wrangler in Midnight Blue Metalic and also just recieved my PC, 8006 pad, #80, 9006 pad, NXT Tech Wax, Meg's Microfibres and Backing plate in the mail yesterday. I ordered and watched Mikes video about the Corvette about two weeks ago, which I must say was a good video, but I would rather had seen him detail a modern car with modern paint, not an old single stage soft paint. I feel there was a lot left untold by doing this.

My problem is, the Jeep has major water eching damage all over the hood and front fenders, someone must have let this thing sit under a sprinkler in the sun for days, its so bad.

So anyway, going off of what I learned in the video, I applied the #80 as instructed on the video at the correct pressure and speed (both arm speed and DA speed), I did this for 8 applications and Im getting very very little results, its better, more shiny but its not removing these water spots.

I tried three applications of Scratch X by hand, albeit with an old Gold Class Wax applicator pad, not a new one, and Im not getting any good results there either.

So my questions are these:

Is the Jeep Wrangler a "hard" clear coat that takes more cutting power than others?

What should I try now, in order to get these stubborn water spots to be gone?

I was thinking #83 and a 8006 or 7006 pad? Any opinions on that?


Thanks for any help you might be able to give.

-Matt

[mini44]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4891

try that again

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

looking at that thread I definetly know that the paint has lots of water eching, however, that thread addresses mainly hand application and is not really gonna help me get these things out with my DA, but I appreciate you pointing that out to me.

[hoghead00]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

matt_c

I have an '04 Jeep Wrangler and in my opinion it seems to have pretty hard paint. I'm no expert by any stretch, but it just seems that way. With that said, I've had water spots on the hood as well. I've worked M80 in and it seemed better, but you could still see spots in the right light. I then moved up to M83. This seemed to make a difference, but they are not completely gone. I think my technique with M83 needs more work though. Hope this helps.

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

Thanks for the reply Hoghead, I think I am going to try #83 next, and if that doesnt work, Im gonna try using a Rotory once Mike releases that video to the public. Im on a mission now to get my paint flawless. My Jeep deserves that much, its brand new for goodness sake, it shouldnt look like this already. Evidently some people have no respect for there finish on their cars! (sorry getting off the soap box now)

[hoghead00]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

Good luck, matt_c. Let us know how you make out.

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

New findings....


I went to my local PPG supplier to get some #83 and a new pad, got to talking to the owner about the paint issue. He went out to the Jeep and sprayed some final inspection over the fender and cleaned it off. His remarks then were, "those etchings are too bad, your gonna have to have this wet sanded then buffed, which will take away most all of your clear coat and maybe even break into the color layer some.", meanwhile Im standing there with a horrific look on my face and I say, well what do you do about that, can you have the hood and doors re-cleared, he says "nope, you will probably have to have a total repaint done on these." Now this guy is an older upstanding looking gentleman who deals with paint supply and mixing all day (granted this isnt paint restoration) but I took this pretty seriously and didnt doubt what he was saying, so I immediately drive to my dealer where I purchased the Jeep and talked to the salesman, I told him, this was a big problem, because Im not buying an 06 Jeep that needs a repaint. He told me to go see the Service Manager and inquire about what can be done to it. The service manager told me that it was entirely fixable and that they do this all the time to brand new cars that have sat on the lot for 6-10 months and get the same damage. I guess they are going to wet sand the finish and then buff it smooth. So they agreed to do the service for free and I will drop it off on Monday to have it done. Now when I told the service manager what the Supply Owner had said he remarked that it was non-sense, the clear coats aren't that thin and that the vehicle will be perfectly fine after they fix it.

So now, who do I trust? The service manager trying to make a customer happy, who says he sees this all the time, or the supply owner who is not an expert at paint restoration techniques (he had never even heard of the 80 series of polishes and had to look it up in a catalog and then call to figure out what I was asking for) but at the same time doesnt really have a stake in the matter once I leave his establishment and was obviously not trying to sell me anything to fix it.

Im hoping that one of you can serve as a third party of influence and information to help me figure out what to do about this.

Can one of the professional detailers here please respond to this? It would mean a lot to me.

Will wet sanding the paint and buffing it take off too much clear? If I go this route and the clear is gonna be fine, how long can I expect the finish to last if I maintain it at a high level with regular polishing and waxing and careful washing?

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

I'd let the experts chime in before I listen to someone like me. But if it was my vehicle, I would give the #83 a try and work it the best I can before I'd let a dealer got to town with a rotary on my truck.

Thats just my $.02

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

You have a point there. A very very good point. Thanks for putting in your .02. I am going to give this a whirl, because the PPG fella ordered me a bottle of 83 and a new 8006 to go with it, I can pick those up tommorrow, then give them a whirl this weekend. Whats it gonna cost me, $30ish to find out for myself if its too bad for me to handle. What could it cost me if I dont try it, a repaint and a very bitter taste in my mouth for buying a 20k vehicle that already needs a repaint.

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

One other thing. I ordered a W7006 pad also. IF the 8006 pad and the #83 do not take the etching out, should I try using the W7006 with the #83?

[domobrien]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

Meguiars does not recommend using the w7006 directly on the paint with the G100. They only recommend it be used with a bonnet over the top for wax removal. If #83 and w8006 does not remove it, try several passes and applications, however regarding your other questions on dealer vs bodyshop, i will also let the pros have a go there!

cheers mate

Dom

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

Thanks for replying Dom, I hope that some of the pro's will chime in here, however I think no one wants to touch this issue, so it looks like Im on my own here.

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord.

I found out today that my PC is broken.

The PPG shop didnt pick up my #83 and pads like they promised.

So I cant try to fix the etchings before Monday when the sand paper, and rotary weilding fruit cakes proceed to remove my clear coat for me.

I go to Lowes to search out a New PC and under the display model there are no bins for them and there are none anywhere to be found. Suspecting the worst (they no longer carry them) I ask for help 3 times over a 30 minute period. Finally I tracked down the "tool guy" who was standing there talking to another employee.


He confirms they will no longer be carrying them, and the display is all thats left.

I ask to buy it for a discount. He says he can only offer 10%. I say no way, lets ask the manager.

He calls the manager and talks for a sec, saying that the PC has no case, no tool, and no handle. Then he turns to me and says, $25. I stand there in shock thinking that he just offered me $25 off the $109 price. Then he says if you dont buy it I will. A light bulb went off right then. They are offering me this tool for about 75% off. I say "were do I pay".

So the tides are turning!

I get home and think to myself, try the 80 one more time just for giggles, it couldnt hurt.

Well, about 4 applications later, I am not believing how good this thing is looking. The etchings are almost gone on my test spot, and the paint looks better than ever. Its very acceptable at this point, as you have to turn your head just right to see the deepest parts of the etchings that still remain.


So dispite all my difficulties today, I was shown a ray of hope, bright and beautiful, shining through the clouds of doubt and dismall outcome.

From what I learned today, I am sure that, one, my clear coat is not going to be destroyed or striped to a critical thickness that would cause failure in a matter of a couple of years in order to fix this, two, never take any one persons opinions too highly, even if they could be considered experts, always back it up with two or three other opinions, three, with the 80 and my new PC the paint will look great, and with 83 and 80 combined, it could look flawless. four, always start with the least aggresive means for restoration and work your way towards the most aggressive, it could save you thousands of dollars. and finally, patience is a virtue and it pays to be patient.

[hoghead00]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

Cool! Good news!

Any pictures?

[matt_c]

Re: Jeep Wrangler Problems

I will post some video, my mother has borrowed my Digital Camera.

Tonight I will give it a go on the hood with the 83. I just picked it up from the totally brain dead PPG store, they somehow managed to not order it twice and then forgot to pick it up once, so even after my three trips up to the store to pick up the products and them not having them, then giving me excuses as to why they never do what they say they will, they charge me full suggested retail price plus tax, which came to $52 for a quart of 83, an 8006 and a 9006 pad, geez, I could have saved money and had the products in the same time it took them by ordering online. From now on I will be buying all my products directly off of meguiars.com, they can have it to me faster than those bozos.

So anyway, I am finally gonna have a chance to see if the #83 will clear up those etching for me. Cross your fingers.