Tried #80 & #83, Didnt work...

[PieNr1]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here, but I've been visiting this forum for quite a while now and have found alot of helpfull info here but came across a problem this weekend and could use some help/advise.

Here's the story :

I got me a PC 7424 and #83 and #80. I started off with the bonnet of my white company car (A '04 Volkswagen Van) with #80 just to see how things would turn out. All worked fine and I finished it with two layers of NXT wax. Wonderfull shine!

Then this weekend I wanted to do my sisters car wich is a bright yellow Fiat Seicento. Its a '98 car and the car has been going through the car wash all its life.

The car has lost its color through the years and its full with little scratches. Not the usual swirls but just deep scratches randomly over the car. After claying the bonnet I started of with #80 but it hardly had any effect. Then I pulled out the #83 and after a few attempts the scratches became just a bit less but were still visable and the paint was still a bit dull.

Here's a pic of the situation :



I also tried to make pic's of the scratches but they weren't visable on the pic's.

My question is can the PC handle those scratches or is it not capable of that and it needs to be treated with a rotary? or is the #83 not strong enough and I need to try a more aggresive product? or should I try using the cutting pad?

Also should I be able to get the car shining again as it remaind a bit dull after my attemps to get the scratches out?

I hope u guys can help

Grtz

Ricardo

[Buellwinkle]

Some paints are harder than others so don't get discouraged yet. Remember to apply a good amount of pressure, maybe 15lbs, move it slowly and you can use a more agressive pad for more cutting using the same product. #83 is the strongest product I use with a PC, then I move onto the rotary buffer. Also, use ample product as #80 and #83 are diminishing abbrasives that break down the more you use them so what I do first before turning on the PC is use the pad to blot the product on a few spots first and then work it in one spot at a time so you are using fresh polish as much as possible.

[Teak]

To remove the oxidation you may want to try a chemical paint cleaner like Deep Crystal step one. For the Deep scratch, can you feel them with fingernail? If you can the scratched may need to touuch up paint. If you cannot feel the scratches with a fingernail, try using scratch X on the deeper scratches. Tere is a thread on remove defects by hand which shows how to use Scratch X. Follow the paint cleaner and scratch X this with #83 which may take a few applications then follow #83 with #80 and then NXT. If you are skilled with Rotary buffer then this would work better and make the job go faster.

Looks like you are making progress on the Fiat. Neglect is instilled one layer at a time and needs to removed the same way.

Do you have any pictures of the VW van?


Eric

[Mike Phillips]

The dual action polisher is limited in what it can do, paint hardness can severly limit its effectiveness.

Read these threads all the way through...

What it Means to Remove a Scratch


PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher

[zey]

Re: Tried #80 & #83, Didnt work...

Originally posted by PieNr1
...or is the #83 not strong enough and I need to try a more aggresive product? or should I try using the cutting pad?

Hi PieNr1, I would say M83 is quite an aggresive product, especially when it's used with rotary buffer. Most of the time I manage to get rid of blisters, blemishes, shallow pits, etchings, etc...with that combo. I don't think using cutting pad with PC is recommended as you might mar the finish. Instead, try going over the paint surface multiple passes to get better result.

[PieNr1]

Thanks guys for your answers. I appreciate it.

But I think I'm asking to much from my machine and myself (as a newbie). I spend an hour just trying to get those scratches out of 10% of the bonnet and I didn't even get them completly removed. I will try this weekend to get the car shining again and just leave the scratches for what they are. I have plenty of other cars on my list where I know for sure I can get the max. out of the PC. This car's paint is just too difficult to treat for a newbie like me.

@ Teak : Here's a pic of my VW van I took :



This is just the one picture I shot to see if I could see any diffrence on the treated are (right) and untreated area (left) but I guess white isn't that good of a color too see on a photograph and clearly see the diffrence. But when ur next to the car you can clearly see it.

Grtz

Ricardo

[MattN03]

Originally posted by PieNr1

@ Teak : Here's a pic of my VW van I took :



This is just the one picture I shot to see if I could see any diffrence on the treated are (right) and untreated area (left) but I guess white isn't that good of a color too see on a photograph and clearly see the diffrence. But when ur next to the car you can clearly see it.

Grtz

Ricardo

Without reading all your post, I could tell you worked on the right side. Nice job!

[Teak]

I was looking at the Meguiars website for the Netherlands and the selection of products available is small. I would recommend using a M7006 cutting pad with DACP, even though Meguiars does not recommending using a cutting pad with the PC.

If I were working on the Fiat, I would try the following process:
Wash
Clay
Wash
Deep Crystal step 1 by hand or PC with a cutting or polishing pad
Wash
Scratch X on deeper scratches
DACP with a cutting pad may need more than application
DACP with a polishing pad may need more than application
Speed Glaze with a polishing pad
NXT x2

Thankyou for the pictures of the good looking VW. Is the VW a Caddy Combi?


Good luck with the project and let's us know how it turns out.

Eric

[PieNr1]

I purchased my stuff online from the US as I think the Pro-Megs products are way too expensive locally. I did buy the M7006 cutting pads but then read that Meguiar's doesnt recommend it to use that on a PC but I guess I could give it a try just to see how it turns out. Thanks for your advise Teak

The VW is a Caddy. Here's another pic (not mine)



Grtz

Ricardo

[Teak]

I think the Caddy would make a good van to use a mobile detailer. Room in the back for equipment and supplies and a choice of gas and diesel engines.



Eric

[Five Star]

sometimes a pc just won't remove defects
then its time to step up to a rotary

[PieNr1]

Originally posted by Teak
I think the Caddy would make a good van to use a mobile detailer. Room in the back for equipment and supplies and a choice of gas and diesel engines.



Eric

That sounds good. Only thing is in my counrty you would need to take a tent along cos of the rain

[PieNr1]

Originally posted by Five Star
sometimes a pc just won't remove defects
then its time to step up to a rotary

I know but I just started with my PC so i'm gonna try and make the best of it!