First time paint correction questions

[iceman978]

Hey all,
I've been a reader of the forums here at Autogeek for quite some time but haven't really done much in the way of posting until now. Before finding Autogeek I commited all the cardinal sins of auto care including improper washing and waxing techniques. This has left my vehicles with minor/moderate spiderwebs and swirls on the paint in addition to the standard daily driver type scratches. I finally feel like a have read enough and practiced enough to do a full correction on my three vehicles but I'm hoping y'all can help me avoid any issues I may be setting myself up for.

First let me tell you what I am working with: 2001 Ford Ranger 4x4 standard white color, 2006 Honda Accord LX black color w/ tan pinstripe, 2008 Chevrolet Impala white in color. For tools I have the PC 7424XP. I have inspected each of the vehicles and none of the scratches on them is too severe that it cannot be repaired through normal paint correction, etc. So here's the process I am thinking of using for all of them (any feedback, suggestions, tips, etc would be extremely appreciated!) :

1. Wash the car with Meguiar’s NXT soap
2. Clay the car
3. Clean the car with DP Rinseless
4. Apply Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover using Lake Country orange pad
5. Clean the car with DP Rinseless
6. Apply Meguiar’s fine cut cleaner using Lake Country white pad
7. Clean the car with DP Rinseless
8. Apply Wolfgang Finishing Glaze using Lake Country white pad
9. Apply Meguiar’ s Synthetic Sealant 2.0 using Lake Country white pad
10. Apply Collinite 845 using Lake Country gray pad.

[Setec Astronomy]

Wow, skip steps 5, 6, and 7 and you should be in business.

[rider9195]

It looks like a good start to me. I would take out the steps of using DP Rinseless Wash and Gloss after claying and using the Total Swirl Remover. I don't believe they are necessary. I would take out using the Meguiar's Fine Cut Cleaner and just use the Wolfgang Finishing Glaze after the Total Swirl Remover. You could wash the car after using the TSR and FG. When you apply the Meguiar's Sealant use the grey pad. Using the white pad you risk marring the paint. Make sure you let the sealant cure for at least 12 hours also. Then top with some 845.

Remember, least aggressive method first. So that means TSR with White pad, if that doesn't cut it, step up to the orange pad. Now on the Honda, their paints are very soft. So using the FG and white pad might no finish down perfectly. So you might have to use a grey pad with the FG.

Hope this helps :xyxthumbs:

Edit: Setec beat me to it. Lol

[toycar18]

Buff off with microfiber instead of washing.

Might wanna consider using iron-x after washing and before claying. This will remove many contaminants on your paint and will make claying go faster. Right now it is buy 1 get 1 free.

Iron X Iron Remover, CQuartz IronX, Paint Cleaner, paint decontamination (http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-cleaner.html)

[shoeless89]

Wow, skip steps 5, 6, and 7 and you should be in business.

For sure :iagree:

[Mike Phillips]

Wow, skip steps 5, 6, and 7 and you should be in business.

I agree with Mike...

You're going to find that buffing out an entire car from start to finish, especially the truck is going to take you an entire Saturday, don't want to scare you but that's what it takes.

Part of the reason is because you can't simply move the polisher faster over the paint to get done quicker, it just doesn't work that way, the polisher has to be moved slowly over the paint in order to remove a little paint and thus level the surface with the lowest depths of the defects you're trying to remove.


So cut out any extra steps. As long as you do a good job off wiping off excess product residue after each step you can safely move onto the next procedure.


Also covered in this how-to book...


E-book (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-e-book.html)
(Displayed on iPad - iPad not included)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/EbookCarWashingPage.jpg

Paperback
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/medium/paperbackDetailingBook01.jpg (http://www.autogeek.net/art-of-detailing-paperback-book.html)






:)

[iceman978]

Great info guys. Thanks for the pointers and I'll post pictures once I get them all done. By the way Mike, I love the book! I picked up a copy last week with my Autogeek Order!