Meguiar's Noob

[needsaboat]

I'm super pumped to learn about products/methods to get my rides looking like new again. I currently have a 2008 Tundra and 2008 Camry, same colors ( i know, boring right? ).

I bought my Tundra used and it had some scratches from tree limbs and what not. Long story short, since I bought the truck I wet sanded the scratched areas to some success, but now in the right (or wrong) light, I can see all the swirls from my sanding. At the time I had a 3M compound that I had used on boats, and it helped some, but not up to par for me. I just picked up some Megiars #4 "Heavy Cut Cleaner" for an unrelated project and was wondering if I would be wasting my time trying it on my swirls or should I go with thsomething else? FYI, I don't plan on going into the detailing business or anything so I would prefer whatever is best for hand application.

I've been surfing the forum for a couple days and have read some nice write ups, but I have little experience with this so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advnance... Jesse.

[BS MXRacer]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

M04 is for rotary use only so I would try M105 or ultimate compound to remove the sanding marks by hand. What grit of paper did you finish sanding with? What brand of paper was it?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

Hello and welcome to mol.

You have come to the right place to get your vehicles looking great.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

Put the M04 down.

Working by hand M105 is a far better choice, and on a modern clear coat finish it's a better choice than M04 PERIOD. But removing sanding marks by hand on a modern clear coat can be one heck of a challenge. What grit did you use?

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

Yeah, you're probably going to want to remove them by machine (rotary or possibly DA) if you value your arms at all.

[needsaboat]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

I am 90% sure I used 3M, 2000 grit sand paper.

I am not completely opposed to using a "machine", I will admit to being a little afraid of doing more harm than good though (I've used one of those steering wheel looking things before with bad results). I also don't have much extra cash to invest in one either, which is why I would prefer to do everything by hand. But I am still open to all suggestions.

Good to know about the M04. A shop directed me to use it on some scratched vinyl windows on a jeep, which helped... some, so I just hung on to it.

After I get these swirls under control, I would like to find some good products to use to get our paint looking good and for maintaining in the future.

Thanks again!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

I am 90% sure I used 3M, 2000 grit sand paper.

I am not completely opposed to using a "machine", I will admit to being a little afraid of doing more harm than good though (I've used one of those steering wheel looking things before with bad results). I also don't have much extra cash to invest in one either, which is why I would prefer to do everything by hand. But I am still open to all suggestions.

Honestly, a rotary buffer is the fast and easy way to remove the sanding marks. But also honestly, if you have no experience with one a rotary buffer is the fast and easy way to get yourself in a world of trouble and seriously mess up your paint.

So, let's stick to doing this by hand, and use M105 to do it. But you will need to put quite a bit of energy into this, and work on just small areas at a time. And by small we mean like 1' x 1' so that you can concentrate your energy towards removing those sanding marks. While a foam wax applicator pad is the preferred applicator for this task, you may find that a terry cloth applicator adds some additional bite that might help you out. Much of that will depend on how the paint reacts, but we'd like you start out with the foam app because, even though the terry app can help the job along, it also has a very high probability of hazing the paint in the process.

When you've removed the marks to your satisfaction read through the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle for a plan on how to properly prep the entire vehicle and then maintain it for the long haul.

[needsaboat]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

Honestly, a rotary buffer is the fast and easy way to remove the sanding marks. But also honestly, if you have no experience with one a rotary buffer is the fast and easy way to get yourself in a world of trouble and seriously mess up your paint.

So, let's stick to doing this by hand, and use M105 to do it. But you will need to put quite a bit of energy into this, and work on just small areas at a time. And by small we mean like 1' x 1' so that you can concentrate your energy towards removing those sanding marks. While a foam wax applicator pad is the preferred applicator for this task, you may find that a terry cloth applicator adds some additional bite that might help you out. Much of that will depend on how the paint reacts, but we'd like you start out with the foam app because, even though the terry app can help the job along, it also has a very high probability of hazing the paint in the process.

When you've removed the marks to your satisfaction read through the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle for a plan on how to properly prep the entire vehicle and then maintain it for the long haul.

Thanks Michael. If I were to get a rotary buffer, is that the best option for other basic applications (like the 5 step paint care cycle)? If so, what would you recommend I look at (and stay away from)?

[BS MXRacer]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

A dual action polisher is a much more user friendly option and much safer in the hands of a novice. You can correct most defects with a da and I would suggest you look into getting one of these. Either the meguiars G110v2 or the Porter Cable 7424XP.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

Thanks Michael. If I were to get a rotary buffer, is that the best option for other basic applications (like the 5 step paint care cycle)? If so, what would you recommend I look at (and stay away from)?

If you get a rotary buffer and learn how to properly use it then that would be the best option. Until you've had some experience I would say to stick with the DA or hand power.

[needsaboat]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

Thanks again guys. If I find one used on craigslist or something, is there anything to look out for?

[ellyka112]

Re: Meguiar's Noob

Yeah, you're probably going to want to remove them by machine (rotary or possibly DA) if you value your arms at all.

I am not completely opposed to using a "machine", I will admit to being a little afraid of doing more harm than good though (I've used one of those steering wheel looking things before with bad results). I also don't have much extra cash to invest in one either, which is why I would prefer to do everything by hand. But I am still open to all suggestions.