Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

[walletless]

I am really confused. There are several suggestion on the Internet, and Meguiar's extensive product line does not help either. There are several polishing compounds, several waxing products, and tons of options. For a n00b like me, it is overwhelming. So I am seeking some help here :-)

Story: I bought a brand new 2012 Altima in superblack color. Unfortunately, I scratched it while trying to park in a very narrow space. I used some non-chlorinated brake cleaner to remove the paint transfer, and here is the current state: http://bit.ly/yhRf1D (look at the previous picture in the album if you are interested seeing the original scratch with paint transfer). There are a few very faint scratches, and 2 scratches that are somewhat big in size, but it has just penetrated the base paint. One of them is at an edge of a curve, making it difficult to sand.

Anyway, now I am set to fix this. I am going to use some touchup paint to fill the large scratches. I will use a toothpick and touchup paint to fill the small scratches (planning to use the universal black from walmart). I will sand most of this with a 2000 or 2500 grit sandpaper (except for the one scratch that is right at an edge).

Now comes the tricky part of buffing/polishing/waxing. What tools, and what compounds should I use.

Tools: Will this suffice: http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...der-92623.html
Polisher: Some people suggest ScratchX 2.0, some suggest Ultimate compound, some suggest using the #105 Ultra Cut. Which one do you recommend, what pad should I use (foam?), and at what speed (1500rpm?)
Finishing: Any suggestions? I think ScratchX 2.0 might not need finishing compound since it does not leave hazy color behind.. but the others might. If so, what finishing compound should I use? #205 Ultra finishing compound or mirror glaze polish? And again, what pad (wool?) and what speed should I use?
Wax: When should I wax, and what product should I use. Some people say I should wax immediately, some suggest waiting couple hours for everything to dry, some say wait a week.. so darn confusing this Internet is!

Please help out! Thanks in advance.. I prefer products that are available either with Walmart/Costco or through Amazon.com (I have prime membership).

[greg0303]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Tools: Will this suffice: http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...der-92623.html

Absolutely yes, it's a rotary buffer. Because you'll be working on small/ tight space Meguiar's W63 backing plate and W4003 wool/ W7204 foam cutting and W8204 foam polishing pads will be needed.

Polisher: Some people suggest ScratchX 2.0, some suggest Ultimate compound, some suggest using the #105 Ultra Cut. Which one do you recommend, what pad should I use (foam?), and at what speed (1500rpm?)

M105 Ultra Cut Compound would be the best way to go for sanding mark removal (with either W4003/ W7204). Speed 1400-1500 rpm.

Finishing: Any suggestions? I think ScratchX 2.0 might not need finishing compound since it does not leave hazy color behind.. but the others might. If so, what finishing compound should I use? #205 Ultra finishing compound or mirror glaze polish? And again, what pad (wool?) and what speed should I use?

M205 Ultra Finishing Polish with W8204 foam polishing pad. Speed 1200 rpm.

Wax: When should I wax, and what product should I use.

No wax on fresh paint for at least 30-60 days.


After touching-up the affected areas you need to let the paint fully dry. Then you sand it down gently to make it flat (2000-3000 grit). M105 will remove sanding marks and M205 will restore gloss.

Be careful of heat build up while working with M105, especially if W7204 foam cutting pad is used, just touch the surface from time to time if too hot let it cool down.

[Murr1525]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Mike Stoops said that the Cr. ColorChip products work well, so may be an option.

You would want to wait 60-90 days before waxing.

[Murr1525]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Mmm.. That's Dr. Color Chip....

[walletless]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Thanks Greg.

I do not seem to find W63 backing pad and several 4" foams on meguiarsonline or other sites online without needing to pay $10+ in shipping. My local Autozone and walmart are not carrying them either..

I am wondering if something like this will work: http://www.amazon.com/Spot-Polishing...=cm_cr_pr_pb_i

Also, now I am contemplating on the PC 7424xp given the risk of paint burning using the rotaty I linked above from harborfrieght.. was wondering if they are available for rent generally.. I am in South Bay area (near San Jose).. I don't want to spend $150 on a machine that I don't know how to use and will just collect dust if I fail do use it properly first time...

[walletless]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Thanks Murr. I had talked to a csr from Dr.Colorchip, and they said their product will work, but before that I will have to buff up the spot using a DA or rotary.. so using it does not help since I have to buff anyway.. so might as well just use matching touchup paint..

[Murr1525]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Hmm.. buffing before to remove any paint transfer, small defects could be easier than removing sanding marks after... hard to say.

[greg0303]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

I am wondering if something like this will work: http://www.amazon.com/Spot-Polishing...=cm_cr_pr_pb_i
Also, now I am contemplating on the PC 7424xp given the risk of paint burning using the rotaty I linked above from harborfrieght.. was wondering if they are available for rent generally.. I am in South Bay area (near San Jose).. I don't want to spend $150 on a machine that I don't know how to use and will just collect dust if I fail do use it properly first time...

Good thinking. You definitely don't want to practice with a rotary buffer on a car which represents sagnificant value to you.

The problem with drill attachements is that sometimes you can't properly break products. It's rather meant for simple tasks, like polishing and waxing. Meguiar's brings its own tool to the market this year:



Dual action polishers, like Meguiar's G110v2, Porter Cable 7424XP or Griot's Garage 6", are great safe and effective tools. You could master your technique with one of them very quickly to an expert level. They certainly are capable of paint defect removal.

Maybe think about getting one of D/A polishers in the future. If you detail your car/ your friends and neighbors' vehicles twice a year that's a really good investment. It's gonna save you a lot of time and elbow grease. I was extremely happy when I finally stepped up to machine polishing world. The down side is that with backing plate and buffing pad set that's gonna cost some money (however many sites offer special kits: D/A polishers with pads combo).

[walletless]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Hmm.. buffing before to remove any paint transfer, small defects could be easier than removing sanding marks after... hard to say.

Hi Murr. I had already removed the paint transfer using a brake cleaner. The only thing now are light scratches and one chip.. The light scratches will probably not need any touchup paint and sanding - the only thing I plan to touchup and sand is the chip..

[walletless]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Good thinking. You definitely don't want to practice with a rotary buffer on a car which represents sagnificant value to you.

The problem with drill attachements is that sometimes you can't properly break products. It's rather meant for simple tasks, like polishing and waxing. Meguiar's brings its own tool to the market this year:



Dual action polishers, like Meguiar's G110v2, Porter Cable 7424XP or Griot's Garage 6", are great safe and effective tools. You could master your technique with one of them very quickly to an expert level. They certainly are capable of paint defect removal.

Maybe think about getting one of D/A polishers in the future. If you detail your car/ your friends and neighbors' vehicles twice a year that's a really good investment. It's gonna save you a lot of time and elbow grease. I was extremely happy when I finally stepped up to machine polishing world. The down side is that with backing plate and buffing pad set that's gonna cost some money (however many sites offer special kits: D/A polishers with pads combo).

Thanks Greg. The Meguiar DA is even more expensive than PC 7424XP. Is it that much better to justify the extra $35 cost? Or is it just because it includes a backing plate and foam pad (how many inches pad is included btw)?

[greg0303]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Thanks Greg. The Meguiar DA is even more expensive than PC 7424XP. Is it that much better to justify the extra $35 cost? Or is it just because it includes a backing plate and foam pad (how many inches pad is included btw)?

Meguiar's G110v2 has a cruise control: internal circuit that increases torque when down pressure is applied to keep polisher's speed constant. It comes with W68DA backing plate which works with 7-inch Soft Buff 2.0 pads (machine washable).

ADS (Auto Detailing Solutions) and AutoGeek would be good places to visit for D/A polisher + pad combo deals.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...polishers.html
http://www.autogeek.net/bupo.html

[walletless]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

So.. I hunted down EVERY hardware store (Homedepot, lowes, osh) and car shop (autozone, oreilly, walmart) in my area to see if anyone carried Meguiar's 105 and 205 compound. Unfortunately, none of them do :-(
Online stores have them, but shipping adds another $10 to the price, making it too expensive. Amazon has some with free shipping, but they are the 32 oz bottles, which I don't need (I need 8 oz only since 105 is not something I will use too often).

I am looking for suggestions to replace 105 compound with another compound (Meguiars or other brand). Most stores here carry turtle wax and 3M stuff, very few carry Meguiars, and the ones that do carry just the low-aggresive stuff like ScratchX and Ultimate compound..

Any suggestions for other popular brands generally carried in local store for cutting compound?

[greg0303]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

I am looking for suggestions to replace 105 compound with another compound (Meguiars or other brand). Most stores here carry turtle wax and 3M stuff, very few carry Meguiars, and the ones that do carry just the low-aggresive stuff like ScratchX and Ultimate compound..
Any suggestions for other popular brands generally carried in local store for cutting compound?

Actually Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish would be your OTC replacements for M105/ M205 twins. Both Ultimate products are derived from their Mirror Glaze counterparts. Ultimate Compound is a true compound/ aggressive paint cleaner capable of serious defect removal. Ultimate Polish offers even more gloss than M205 with slightly less cut.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

So.. I hunted down EVERY hardware store (Homedepot, lowes, osh) and car shop (autozone, oreilly, walmart) in my area to see if anyone carried Meguiar's 105 and 205 compound. Unfortunately, none of them do :-(
Online stores have them, but shipping adds another $10 to the price, making it too expensive. Amazon has some with free shipping, but they are the 32 oz bottles, which I don't need (I need 8 oz only since 105 is not something I will use too often).

I am looking for suggestions to replace 105 compound with another compound (Meguiars or other brand). Most stores here carry turtle wax and 3M stuff, very few carry Meguiars, and the ones that do carry just the low-aggresive stuff like ScratchX and Ultimate compound..

Any suggestions for other popular brands generally carried in local store for cutting compound?

Actually Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish would be your OTC replacements for M105/ M205 twins. Both Ultimate products are derived from their Mirror Glaze counterparts. Ultimate Compound is a true compound/ aggressive paint cleaner capable of serious defect removal. Ultimate Polish offers even more gloss than M205 with slightly less cut.

Greg has this nailed. Don't underestimate Ultimate Compound - it is derived from M105 but is much more user friendly on a DA (longer buffing cycle, far less dust) and can do wonders on all sorts of paint systems with a wide variety of issues. Look through our pictures from Saturday Classes threads for all the different types of paint we've worked on with it. UC is our go to product for these classes because it's so effective.

[walletless]

Re: Phew! Might confused - post touch-up product suggestions

Thanks Mike & Greg. I'll get the Ultimate Compound & Ultimate Polish then. They are readily available at Walmart & Target here!