first paint correction

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2012

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I couldn't figure out where would be best to ask about this..

So I'm looking to pickup a 7424xp but I'm trying to decide if I should get one of the "kits" or just the PC itself and (with the help of Autogeeker's) pick the pads and products that suit my needs directly. I've never used a DA but I'm not stupid, I've done everything on MY car by hand for the past 5 years. I recently clayed for the first time and didn't come up with too much. I've researched and researched then researched some more and beleive I'm fully capable of not screwing anything up, Im just trying to figure out which type of cut I need and other little bits

Let's get straight to the victim!

2003 Golf GTI 20th anniversary, my G/F's car, she purchased this when I wasn't in the picture (or else she wouldn't have bought it!)

This has some of the worse paint I've ever seen from a newish car.

5905414177_7d4729c041_z.jpg


I'm on my way out the door to get some tires mounted but I'll post more pictures of the damage when i get back.
 
Hi 2012,

Since this is your first post... welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:


A PC with the right pads, products and good technique will remove the swirls in your girlfriend's car's paint no problem.

That car looks to have a lot of thin panels so be sure to get a kit or custom order a kit and get 5.5" buffing pads.


As for compounds, Meguiar's Ultimate Compound or M105 are pretty much the most aggressive compounds you need and they finish out really nice for aggressive compounds.

Any our kits should tackle that job but you can tailor a kit to your liking by calling,

1-800-869-3011


Lots of info in the below threads...

Two Part Success Story

New - Wolfgang Twins

Lessons I learned from a Black 2009 BMW 550i

How To Remove Horrible Rotary Buffer Swirl Marks out of a 350Z using the Wolfgang Twins

Getting my Griot's DA Polisher today and need some direction?


Proof You Can Do It! - Joe The Detailer - Black Porsche Turned into Black Pearl!




:xyxthumbs:
 
Read through these too...


How-To do a "Section Pass" when Machine Polishing with a DA Polisher

The short how-to guide for using a DA Polisher
How to maximize the ability of the 1st Generation Porter Cable Dual Action Polishers

The long and in-depth guide for using a DA Polisher
The Definitive How-To Article for Removing Swirls, Scratches and Water Spots Using a Porter Cable 7424XP, G110v2 or Griot's Garage Polisher - Includes Videos

How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher

How-to Machine Apply Wax using a DA Polisher

How to dry a foam pad after hand washing

Why it's important to clean your pads often...

How to clean your foam pad on the fly

Thin is in... New Lake Country Hydro-Tech Low Profile 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads

5 1/2 inch and 6 inch Buffing Pads on Autogeek's Online Store

5 Inch Backing Plates for DA Polishers - Pictures and Links

3.5" Backing Plates and 4" Spot Repair Pads on DA Polishers




:buffing:
 
Back! Love the smell of rubber :)



Mike, thanks or the quick response! I'll read those threads after i post this! I'm trying to stay away from Meg's stuff. I'm sure they're PRO grade stuff is great but after years and years of seeing their commercials on speedtv I find them to be quite annoying with their marketing. I hear nothing but good things about mezerna online and from a friend who does jobs for a local Porsche shop. I'd like to do a sealant on her car (applied by hand) I've only used carnauba (p21s) on my car so i'd like to see the difference.

Items on my list:
PC XP with proper plate
LC 5.5" pads (white, orange anything else?)
Sonax Full effect (wheels have slight bake on)
plenty of microfiber clothes!


Here are more damage shots! (sorry for it being dirty, washed the day before but it rained right after!)

5906656308_fcce15977d.jpg


Yikes!

The newest addition, horrible sap! No idea what will get this off.


Roof, probably too deep to correct.
5906656582_ce7de8472b_z.jpg


Hood, more scratches there than what is shown.
5906098805_67a259f5d1_z.jpg


Not sure what this is..
5906098901_b41d245834_z.jpg


All kinds of fun stuff!
5906098959_5370efdfff_z.jpg


will a polish fix the swirl on the stone guard?
5906099079_d63724ebae_z.jpg
 
If the damage is through the clearcoat your not going to be able to fix it via polishing. On that golf the paint is pretty soft so if you wanted to use menzerna products I'd get sip on an orange pad, followed with 106fa or po85rd on a black pad, just make sure to make quite a bit of passes, it seems to take a while to properly break down both of those polishes using a pc. As far as a sealant goes there's a lot of good ones to choose from, wgdgps, menzerna powerlock, upgp, optiseal, collinite 845, are all easy to work with.
 
Soft? I've heard and seen that VAG paint tends to be hard. I was just using menzerna as an example.

I'm leaning towards the Pinnacle Twins or Wolfgang Duo package with the XP
 
I'm new to detailing as well. I spent a few months here on the AG forum before I made the leap and bought my PC7424XP. I also got the Meguiar's MF DA System. Tried everything out for the first time over the weekend. Very pleased with results. It eliminates a lot of the "what pad/polish/wax to use" questions and is pretty easy to learn for somebody new to the PC. Just my 2 cents.
 
I have a 2003 jetta and the clear is hard. Most MK4's are on the harder side as well.
 
2012 said:
Soft? I've heard and seen that VAG paint tends to be hard. I was just using menzerna as an example.

I'm leaning towards the Pinnacle Twins or Wolfgang Duo package with the XP
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Maybe so, I only recall an 02 matchstick gti, that I worked on a few times, seemed pretty soft to me, might of updated there paint system, I know Audi did but can't remember the exact year
 
Any ideas about the sap? arrow is scratch

5906098745_b3b75e6727_z.jpg
 
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The products and processes I use depend on how the car is cared for. If your girlfriend doesn't have a garage and generally doesn't take much care of her car, then I'd go with the Meguir's Microfiber System, swapping Meg's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish or Ultimate Polish for the finishing wax and top it with Collinite 845. That combo is probably gonna give you the best bang for your buck on an outside daily driver.

And instead of the horribly expensive Sonax, I'd give Meguiar's APC+ a try. I use it diluted 3:1 per the instructions and have no probs getting the brake dust off my RAV4 or my wife's Lexus. DP Wheel Cleaner also works very well and is relatively cheap.

As far as the tree sap, I'd wash it first to see if that removes any of it Claying will also remove it if it's soft enough. If it's really baked in, you may have to use turpentine or Stoner's Tarminator and maybe a plastic razor blade to scrape it off.
 
HeavyMetal said:
The products and processes I use depend on how the car is cared for. If your girlfriend doesn't have a garage and generally doesn't take much care of her car, then I'd go with the Meguir's Microfiber System, swapping Meg's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish or Ultimate Polish for the finishing wax and top it with Collinite 845. That combo is probably gonna give you the best bang for your buck on an outside daily driver.

And instead of the horribly expensive Sonax, I'd give Meguiar's APC+ a try. I use it diluted 3:1 per the instructions and have no probs getting the brake dust off my RAV4 or my wife's Lexus. DP Wheel Cleaner also works very well and is relatively cheap.

As far as the tree sap, I'd wash it first to see if that removes any of it Claying will also remove it if it's soft enough. If it's really baked in, you may have to use turpentine or Stoner's Tarminator and maybe a plastic razor blade to scrape it off.
Click to expand...



I will be taking care of the car for the most part, I'm extremely picky. It isn't a daily and it may see some garage time starting in Oct. but mainly my 02 gti will be the center of attention Im the MANI have plenty of over-the-counter detailing products but have only done everything by hand. We're just trying to get her car back into a mint(ish) state so don't mind using a higher end product.

I have two sets of wheels that I wouldn't chance using the APC on, one is polished and the other has a special finish.

The car has been washed 2 or 3 times since the sap has been on the car, it's not soft at all but I'll try some clay.
 
Ok I've decided on my products except for the final step... wax. Collinite 845's finish seems bland to me for some reason?

I'm thinking Poorboy's EX or Klasse high gloss
 
Ewwwwww gimme gimme gimme! That's a fun one! I'm jealous. I love it when you get a vehicle like that. I can see the potential right away.

My advice...it looks like somebody either already compounded the crap out of it, or used a wool pad with some aggression. I would test some spots with just straight polish and a white pad...see what you get.

Just in case somebody did already compound it...you don't wanna cut any more. I'd be willing to bet some 205 would clean that up nicely.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Ewwwwww gimme gimme gimme! That's a fun one! I'm jealous. I love it when you get a vehicle like that. I can see the potential right away.

My advice...it looks like somebody either already compounded the crap out of it, or used a wool pad with some aggression. I would test some spots with just straight polish and a white pad...see what you get.

Just in case somebody did already compound it...you don't wanna cut any more. I'd be willing to bet some 205 would clean that up nicely.
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That's one of the things I'm worried about, the drivers side rear has a matte look too it. I've read that once the clear has been cut to it's lowest layer it'll start to get hazing or have a matte look to it.
 
2012 said:
That's one of the things I'm worried about, the drivers side rear has a matte look too it. I've read that once the clear has been cut to it's lowest layer it'll start to get hazing or have a matte look to it.
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It may very well have been taken past the brink of repair. By the photos I saw...I'm guessing it hasn't. But, in person is the only way to really tell.

Try wetting a microfiber and rubbing the area. If you see the paint coming off on the towel...you have a problem.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Try wetting a microfiber and rubbing the area. If you see the paint coming off on the towel...you have a problem.
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tried that this past fall when i gave it a quick wax to keep it from getting damaged even more, no paint!

Are you sure m205 on a white will take scratches out? On a orange maybe.. (but you're the pro!)
 
2012 said:
tried that this past fall when i gave it a quick wax to keep it from getting damaged even more, no paint!

Are you sure m205 on a white will take scratches out? On a orange maybe.. (but you're the pro!)
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Well, no paint is good then, ha.

I only said a white pad cause you want to be less aggressive at first and see where it gets you. If you gotta go orange...then so be it. I find 205 to work better with the white pad regardless.
 
Well i was going to order the m105/m205's together...hmm what to do what to do.
 
2012 said:
Well i was going to order the m105/m205's together...hmm what to do what to do.
Click to expand...

I highly doubt you're gonna wanna take 105 to that paint as it looks it's already taken a beaten. But, 105 is certainly not bad to have around. There will probably be areas that may need it. Get them both, and grab some LC orange and white pads. Good to go.

As for some of those scratches...I wouldn't attempt anything till you polish. Then you'll have a better idea on the condition of the paint.
 
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