Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

[fireman]

I'm planning to try and shine up my 2007 Mack Truck. When the truck was built it was burgundy and the dealership had it painted red for the customer and didn't clear coat it. The paint is in relatively good shape and it shines pretty well after waxing, but it doesn't take long and starts to appear dull. I have used a clay bar before waxing and that seemed to help.

From what I have learned from visiting this site, I am planning to clay bar it, use ultimate compound with a DA polisher, and then wax using a DA. Just to make sure I don't screw up I'm planning to start on the roof and it actually is worse than the rest of the truck. As it is harder to get it clean up that high

Am I on the right track? Any help would be appreciated.

[Murr1525]

Re: Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

Is the paint bad/swirled/oxidixed? Or just not shining?

If there really isnt anything to 'fix', I would consider #80. It is milder, and will have more oils for single stage paint.

If the paint job wasnt very good, it might just not be good and will always fade.

[fireman]

Re: Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

The paint is more oxidized than anything. There are alot, i believe the term is cob web scratches, on the side panels. I pull a tanker and I run mostly in the winter with all the chemicals that the highway department puts down and it isn't garaged so it sits out in the hot sun.

As far as the process goes, am I headed in the right direction?

[Murr1525]

Re: Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

Your idea so far is good, esp for defects.

I think that after the UC, you will want to use something with more polishing oils... #80, #7, Ult Polish, DC Polish... to get as much oils into the paint as possible.

If you can get as much oils into the paint, and wax it... we will start to see what is possible.

Are any pics possible?

[fireman]

Re: Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

I was reading on this site last night where I was skiipping a step by not using the polish. I don't have any real close up pics maybe I'll work on that today. I'm planning on doing all of this next weekend we'll see how it goes

Thanks for your help Murr

[Murr1525]

Re: Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

Polishing oils will do more for single stage paint. That could come from a pure polish (DC Polish, #7, etc) or a mild cleaner with a lot of oils (#80, Ult. Polish, etc).

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

We always consider the application of a pure polish to be an optional step - on a rig this big it really is up to you whether you want to take on this additional step. On single stage red there certainly will be something to gain from using a pure polish, but this is also a truck that get used heavily and in some nasty weather, so that alone might be reason to skip the pure polish for now. Ultimate Compound is perfectly fine to use on this paint and should easily remove the defects you've described. Given the way this truck is used, we highly recommend applying a synthetic like NXT 2.0 or Ultimate Wax rather than going with a carnauba product.

[fireman]

Re: Is Ultimate Compound the right product to use on single stage paint?

Thanks Mike

I tried the Utimate Compound and the Ultimate Polish the other night by hand. I was very happy with the results. My new DA polisher arrived on Monday. I have already bought the NXT 2.0 so I think I'm going to do all four steps. The truck show season starts in May and this will be one less thing I have to do April.

Thanks Again
Larry