1999 Trans Am Extreme Makeover - Testing M101 Foam Cut Compound

[Mike Phillips]

1999 Trans Am Extreme Makeover - Testing M101 Foam Cut Compound (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/57274-1999-trans-am-extreme-makeover-testing-m101-foam-cut-compound.html)



Last night we put the new M101 Foam Cut Compound to the test using 6 different types of tools and pads to under years of damage to a 1999 Trans Am Anniversary Edition that sat outside, unprotected for over 4 years.

Exposed to South Florida's extreme range of temperature and weather conditions, the factory paint took a beating and was stained with embedded dirt, oxidized as well as filled with swirls, scratches and water spots.

The vinyl graphics were also dried-out, faded, cracked and very brittle making the car look beat and weathered.

M101 quickly removed years of damage no matter what tool or pad combination we used and no matter what the skill level of the user. We had full-time professional detailers, hobby detailers and even one gentleman brand new to the modern detailing scene on hand to help with the transformation.

Like it's little brother, M105, the new M101 not only removed the paint defects with ease, it also left the paint looking as though it were just professionally polished and even waxed.

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.



Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1588/1999_Trans_Am004.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1588/1999_Trans_Am005.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1588/1999_Trans_Am006.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1588/1999_Trans_Am007.jpg


Close-up next to the hideaway headlight bucket -

Tip: Use a body line to help your camera lens to focus on the paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1588/1999_Trans_Am008.jpg




Be prepared to be blown away.... it's as though this car just rolled off the assembly line in 1999...


:D

[Mike Phillips]

Getting busy with Meguiar's 101 Foam Pad Compound!

On the left is Tim aka 57BORNTORUN using the Makita BO6040 with a Surbuf MicroFinger Pad and M101 - On the right is Paul aka Sailfish, graduate of my Detailing Boot Camp Class using a Flex 3401 with a Lake Country Ultra Microfiber Pad with Meguiar's M101 Foam-Cut Compound.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_025.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_026.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_028.jpg


Paul working M101 with the Flex 3401...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_029.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_030.jpg


Tim working M101 with the Makita BO6040...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_031.jpg



John working M101 with the Cyclo Polisher...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_032.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_033.jpg


Jeff working M101 with the G110v2...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_034.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_035.jpg


Jay the new owner of this Trans Am working M101 with the Flex 3401...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_036.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_037.jpg



Jeff Bell, a full-time professional detailer always helps me with the more intricate or complex areas to buff, here he's working M101 with the Griot's 3" Mini Polisher using a Meguiar's 3" Microfiber Cutting Disc...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_038.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_039.jpg



Me working M101 with a DeWALT 849X with a Meguiar's W7207 Foam Cutting Pad...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_040.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_041.jpg


Jeff Bell polishing the glass T-tops...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_042.jpg



Here's Jay working M101 using a Meguiar's 6" Microfiber Cutting Disc on a 3M Orbital Air Sander...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_043.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_044.jpg


Jeff using the Meguiar's 3" Microfiber Cutting Disc with M101 Foam Cut Compound to remove the swirls from the round gas cover lid...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_045.jpg




:)

[Mike Phillips]

After


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_001.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_002.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_003.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_004.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_005.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_006.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_007.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_008.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_009.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_010.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_011.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_012.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_013.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_014.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_015.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_016.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_017.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_018.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_019.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_020.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_021.jpg



After taking all the above "after" pictures, we noticed we left off some lettering so Jay quickly applied the new blue vinyl letters over the Pontiac script...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_022.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_023.jpg


That's better...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_024.jpg


Finished...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_027.jpg



M101 should be in everyone's arsenal of detailing compounds, polishes and waxes...



:xyxthumbs:

[RZJZA80]

Very nice work, I can't wait to try the m101 myself. Was THAT much cut necessary for this particular car though?

[Ryry11]

Looks awesome, great job. Did you guys replace the graphics?

[Mike Phillips]

Very nice work, I can't wait to try the m101 myself. Was THAT much cut necessary for this particular car though?


You would have had to been here to see the condition of the paint in person and also felt it after it was washed and dried.

We used both Speedy Prep Surface towels and Nanoskin Autoscrub Pads to decontaminate it before we started machine compounding.


Seems from what I read on multiple forums the key factor everyone likes about this product is how fast it cuts and I think that's just the nature of the beast, everyone always looking for new next best thing in every product category, compounds, polishes, waxes, trim dressings, waterless washed, etc. etc. etc.


My goal was to share the fun by letting our forum members test out this new compound with multiple tools and take a completely beat finish and see just exactly what this product was capable of.

In person, this car not only looks brand new... it looks like a brand new car with a brand new paint job!

It was a challenge to remove all the old, dried-out and baked on vinyl graphics and even more of a challenge to re-install the new graphics. While the new graphics provide a sharp contrast against the paint the gains in contrast would be null if the paint wasn't as glossy as it looks.


Good question...



:dblthumb2:

[RZJZA80]

Nice, thanks for that. BTW, what did you choose as a finishing polish after the 101, or are the results just 101 by itself? That would be extremely impressive.

[Mike Phillips]

For anyone that's never removed old, dried-out, cracked and baked-on vinyl graphics, I have enough pictures to make a pretty good how-to article. For now here's a few pictures to give you an idea. It took about 2 hours to remove all the vinyl graphics and then rub and scrub all the adhesive left behind off the paint AND do it in a way that did not harm the original paint.


Re-applying all of the new vinyl graphics took at around 3 hours...

We didn't just buff this car out, we first removed all the graphics, then buffing it out, polished it and sealed it with a synthetic paint sealant and then applied all of the new graphics... just another furn project on AutogeekOnline.net!


Here's one picture, hang tight for a few more...

Jay heating the vinyl graphics up using a simple Conair Hair Blow Dryer...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_046.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_047.jpg



Here's Ken and I using a Heat Gun, when using a Heat Gun instead of a hair dryer you really need to be careful that you don't get the paint itself too hot...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_048.jpg



New graphics going on... this was hours later after we meticulously buffed the hood to remove most of the Ghosting and all of the adhesive residue...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_049.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_050.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_051.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_052.jpg



Here you can see that we removed the rear spoiler in order to apply the racing stripes to the deck lid...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_053.jpg




After putting he racing stripes on the spoiler we're not re-attaching it...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_054.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_055.jpg


One thing for sure, everyone has a lot of fun during these types of cool projects, makes new friends and gets the chance to use new tools, pads and yes... products like Meguiar's M101 Foam Cut Compound...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_056.jpg


Carefull.... easy does it....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_057.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_058.jpg


Jay installing all the lettering...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_059.jpg


Windshield graphics going on....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_060.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_061.jpg


Here's the wrecking crew, from left to right...

Paul, Ken, Jay, Tim and John...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1619/1999_Trans_Am_M101_Finished_062.jpg


Not pictures are Jeff Bell and my co-worker, Jeff Dexheimer who both needed to leave early or find themselves in the dog house with their better half...


My comments...
This was a HUGE undertaking and I would recommend to most people to only tackle the removal of graphics and the restoration of the paint for one day and then after getting some rest tackle re-applying the new graphics.

I don't remember what Jay said the graphics kit cost but you don't want to make a mistake simply because you're tired...

You can't see from my pictures but Jay also had a new interior installed to really bring this classic back to life.


:)

[Nick McKees37]

Fantastic work! :applause:

Just so everyone knows we'll be running a pre-order special on Meguiar's M101 Foam Cut Compound later today. We're expecting to have it in stock in a couple weeks. :dblthumb2:

[kemefk]

Any plans to post the video for this?

[Dave Medvic]

A few questions: M101 is stronger that M105? What polish did you follow this M101 work with, Ultimate Polish or none at all?
thanks,
Dave

[kemefk]

A few questions: M101 is stronger that M105? What polish did you follow this M101 work with, Ultimate Polish or none at all?
thanks,
Dave

M101 is definitely stronger than M105 since it was specifically made for European hard paints. Since M101 is a compound, it is highly recommended that you follow up with M205 polish to get the full depth and gloss.

[Hoytman]

M101 AND a W7207...on a rotary to boot...Wow!!! That's some serious cutting power.

Mr. Phillips, what other foam pads fall in a similar category with the W7207 pad? LC Kompressor purple? Just wondering. I have to wonder what you'd have used if M101 wasn't available. W4000 wool and M105?

Even using M101 I'd have thought you'd have went with a wool pad just to keep the heat down. That Meguiar's maroon pad generates some serious heat if you're not careful (of course, you know what you're doing).

That car does look like it's brand new, for sure. That is the most gloss I've ever seen on white paint. You guys certainly knocked that detail out of the park.

[Mike Phillips]

Nice, thanks for that. BTW, what did you choose as a finishing polish after the 101, or are the results just 101 by itself? That would be extremely impressive.

Thank you for asking a great follow-up question...


The paint looked polished after using only the M101 but my testing with this compound on one of my black test panels, (the one you see in all this year's SEMA pictures of our booth), shows that like most aggressive compounds AND anytime you're using a "fiber" pad, (doesn't matter what kind of fiber pad), there's always going to be some residual haze or fine swirls, depending upon the tool and pad.

After compounding with Meguiar's M101 Foam-Pad Compound, we re-polished using Meguiar's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish using DA Polishers and Lake Country Tangerine Hydro-Tech Polishing Pads.

After the polishing steps we machine applied Meguiar's M20 Polymer Sealant using DA Polishers and Lake Country 5.5" Blue Foam Finishing Pads.

Allowed the M20 to fully dry and then removed by hand. We gently wiped all surfaces to receive graphics with a 25% solution of IPA and water.


I have hundreds more pictures showing the polishing, sealing, wipe-off plus more on the removal of the graphics and application of the graphics but I think you all get the idea plus Nick and I have to go load-up for the car show this weekend so can't invest too much time in to processing pictures...


By the way, if you're local, Jay's Trans Am will be on display at this weekend's car show and I'll take some pictures of it on Sunday and add them to this thread...


King Neptune's "Rods in the Pocket Car Show" this Sunday!
Join Nick and I as we help raise money for Santa's Helpers of Martin County this Sunday at King Neptune's Restaurant in Stuart, Florida. We'll be doing machine polishing demonstrations and raffling off six Griot's Garage DA Polishers.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/722/KingNeptunes001.jpg

Click here for more information! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/57174-king-neptunes-rods-pocket-car-show.html)



:)

[rmagnus]

Hey Mike I might have missed it but would you contrast M101 to M105? I've used M105 with wool and foam pads with great success. M101 must be a lighter cut so I'm just trying to get a feel for it. I really like the Meguiar product line.

That TransAm looks fantastic sweet job restoring it.