Need advice on where to start with a full paint detail

**eagant5** · 11-28-2015, 08:22 PM

Just bought an 05 Ram pick-up and want to do a full detail on the paint job. The truck is black and has a lot of nicks, scratches and swirls. I touched up all of the deeper scratches and chips but there a lot of surface scratched and nicks. Not sure if its safe to do a full wet sand and buff or if there is a compound I can use that will take care of it with out the need to wet sand. I can get pics of the paint surface if necessary. I have a pc 7424 buffer and have red, white and orange ccs pads.

**irvsmith** · 11-28-2015, 08:34 PM

I would start with pictures. Each nick/scratch can be a project on its own.

**Mantilgh** · 11-28-2015, 09:34 PM

If it's a daily driver it may best just to compound and polish and save some paint. Hopefully what isn't removed will be a little less noticeable. But, typically once the paint is polished the deeper rids will "stick out like a sore thumb" as Mike P always says.

Here an thread from Mike on taking on RIDs and wet sanding.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...-phillips.html

**eagant5** · 11-28-2015, 09:49 PM

Yeah it is a daily driver. I'm not looking to make the paint job look 100% perfect just want it to look nice again. What's a good conpound to use and what polish should I follow it up with? I did s few areas with the mequiars ultimate compound and it's not really giving me the results I'm looking for.

**irvsmith** · 11-28-2015, 09:54 PM

I would look at the All in Ones like HD speed.

**Mantilgh** · 11-28-2015, 09:59 PM

Too many products out there that I have heard good things about including Ultimate Compound. Ultimate Polish for a follow up would be good. I haven't used either though. I use Optimum Compound II, Polish II, and LC flat pads.

Here a polish comparison chart for comparison. I like Autopia's better for its lay out and it has more products on it.

UPDATED 9/2015: Autopia Polish Comparison Chart

**GSKR** · 11-28-2015, 11:02 PM

Uber compound then reflect from carpro.

**humbucker426** · 11-29-2015, 01:46 AM

Let the touch up paint cure first for at least a week before paint detailing.

**KBsToy** · 11-29-2015, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by irvsmith

I would look at the All in Ones like HD speed.

Good for a daily driver and use a QD after wash to keep up protection..

**Setec Astronomy** · 11-29-2015, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by eagant5

I have a pc 7424 buffer and have red, white and orange ccs pads. I did s few areas with the mequiars ultimate compound and it's not really giving me the results I'm looking for.

What pad did you use with the UC? What speed on your machine (which is not an XP?)? How much experience do you have machine polishing?