First Paint Correction and Polish Attempt

[blinkstafoo182]

I noticed some random scratches around my car the other day, I cant really tell how deep they are but I want them gone.

Also I want to do some polishing to make sure my paint is shining as much as possible.

So.....

I have a PC DA, every color of HexLogic pads but no compound.

So, my question is what compounds should I buy and what order should I use them and with what color pads?

I was thinking of starting with M205 on a Hex green pad, but I'm not sure exactly how to go about this. Any help would be great.

[grego33]

I'm kind of a n00b but the answer is probably "it depends." It depends on the scratches, and on the paint. Doing a test spot is the first thing to do.

I'm currently tackling a similar project myself taking care of some swirls and scratches in my Miata. I have had some success with a white hexlogic and M205 to get rid of the swirls, but it was leaving the scratches. Stepping up to an orange hexlogic with the M205 is taking care of all of it.

Good luck. There's lots of really great info and help here, as I'm sure you're aware.

[Pureshine]

Menz FG400 is great and 205 is very good.

[zmcgovern45]

What kind of car and what color are you working with?

In general, you can't go wrong with Meguiar's MF Cutting Compound (D300) and MF pads... Menzerna FG400 is also a great compound.

Follow either of them with a finishing polish like M205 or Sonax Perfect Finish and you will have one heck of a shiny car!

**all products are pad dependent, so perform adequate testing to find best combination of pad/product prior to compounding and polishing the entire car**

[blinkstafoo182]

What kind of car and what color are you working with?

In general, you can't go wrong with Meguiar's MF Cutting Compound (D300) and MF pads... Menzerna FG400 is also a great compound.

Follow either of them with a finishing polish like M205 or Sonax Perfect Finish and you will have one heck of a shiny car!

**all products are pad dependent, so perform adequate testing to find best combination of pad/product prior to compounding and polishing the entire car**

It's a "Ruby Red" 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, picked it up about 3 weeks ago, I think the scratches may be dealer installed.

[zmcgovern45]

I'm not familiar with that particular paint color, but from my experience Ford paints have been "average" in terms of hardness so I would assume it is relatively easy to work with. I would start with something like an M205 and a white pad to see what that can do for you. If needed, step it up to a compound and more aggressive pad.

[blinkstafoo182]

So am I pretty much set up with M105 and M205?

Or should I look at another compound and polish?

Does anyone know how CG V-series compounds compares to the Meguiars?

[Corey@OptimalDetailing]

M105/M205 are a great, basic starting point. They will realistically remove any (aka most) defects and the 205 finishes great. Hard to beat for someone just starting out, IMO.