Newbie detailer calls for assistance!

[clidefr0g]

Hi all, i suppose ill use this as my introduction aswell. My name is Matt im from vancouver island BC, and i own a 99 red metalic mustang.

My mustang has a few scratches on it, the scratches apear to be through the red and into something that is white. My goal is to fix these white scratches, and remove swirls and paint fading and water spots off of my car that has probably never had this done to it before.

Im wondering what the process for fixing the deep scratches would be for the best results.

I plan on purchasing a porter cable 7424xp, with an assortment of pads and compounds and polishes/wax etc, I cannot decide on what is the best for taking out those deep scratches if anything or what the better options are for removing the swirls/marks etc. I would like something that will accentuate the nice red metalic paint behind all this dirt and im not sure which products would accomplish that goal the best. I dont want the most expensive, but i dont want crap either. but if the most expensive isnt too badly priced and is amazing im ok with it.

so mike, i was hoping you would take a few minutes out of your undoubtedly busy day to help me out

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hi all, i suppose ill use this as my introduction aswell. My name is Matt im from vancouver island BC, and i own a 99 red metalic mustang.

Hi Matt,

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome: I've been to the Vancouver, BC area back when I was a Trainer for Meguiar's and covered the state of Washington as a portion of my territory.

My mustang has a few scratches on it, the scratches appear to be through the red and into something that is white.

If the scratches are through the clear coat and through the red basecoat, then what you're seeing is white primer and you're best option is touch-up paint. If the scratches are very thin, like they were cut into the paint using a razor blade, then take a look at the Dr. ColorChip system but it's going to be hard to fix and make look good, by the word "good" I mean as though the paint was never scratched.

Be sure to do ALL of your correction and polishing work before applying the touch-up paint or you'll simply buff the touch-up paint off.

My goal is to fix these white scratches, and remove swirls and paint fading and water spots off of my car that has probably never had this done to it before.

Im wondering what the process for fixing the deep scratches would be for the best results.

You might start with just buffing out the paint and tackle the deep scratches later... go for the BIG PICTURE that is making the ENTIRE car look good and then do some research and studying on how to approach the scratches that are through the clear coat. A picture or two would help us...

I cannot decide on what is the best for taking out those deep scratches if anything or what the better options are for removing the swirls/marks etc.

Is the paint on this 1999 Mustang the original paint? That would make it 12 years old. Did you buy the car used with the swirled out, scratched paint? Faded spots could actually be clearcoat failure, if there's any clearcoat failure you can't fix it by buffing, you have to have the affected areas repainted.

I would start with the Big Picture, get the overall general appearance of the car back to good to excellent shape and then tackle the isolated defects.


The Clearcoat Failure Photo Gallery Archive

 

[rider9195]

First off, welcome to Autogeek Online!

From your description of the scratches on your Mustang sounds like that "white scratch" is a very deep scratch that goes all the way through to the primer coat. That is my opinion on it at least. So if that is right, there is really no way to fix it except for a paint touch up. But the swirls, water spots, and paint fading( also known as oxidation) I would recommend the Meguair's M105 and M205 combo. Meguiars Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 32 oz. New D.A. Version Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish, final polish, Meguiars polishes, car polish, 205 FP The Porter Cable 7424XP is a very versatile machine. I would get a 5 inch backing plate to go with some 5.5 inch pads. The Porter Cable will have an easier time then removing imperfections.

Backing Plate- lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate

Some Surbuf pads will cut through the imperfections quickly but will need a finishing polish afterwards. Surbuf R Series 5.5 Inch Buffing Pads 2 Pack, surbuf pads, microfingers pads, polishing pads You would use these pads with the M105 for the compounding step.

The polishing step you could use M205 on a white LC polishing pad. Lake Country Constant Pressure Technology 5.5 Inch Flat Pads, foam pads, buffing pads

For protection any wax or sealant will work. I recommend Menzerna Power Lock Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant topped with Collinite 845 Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax


Hope this helped some! :xyxthumbs:

 

[Slicer]

There is a depressing amount of Mustang owners here. icture:

 

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online!

It looks like these guys have taken good care of your questions and that's why this is such a great place to hang out! rops:

 

[clidefr0g]

Thanks for all the help guys, im going to attempt to post some pictures of the affected areas. the problem is they didnt turn out very well i took a ton and picked the best of them and cropped them to make them smaller.

These are some rear fender scratches - about 6 inches long 1mm wide

This is a scratch on my hood - 1.5 inches long 1mm wide

This is where the molding was on the door that was removed, they are referred to as door dildo's This is a combination of tough dirt and some glue from the dildo's double sided tape. This shows you the degree of fading of the paint from new (inside the oval) and old (outside the oval)

and lastly i have some weird spots i want to get rid of - These are about the size of an eraser head.

So meguires 105/205 to get rid of the swirls, how about something after that to accentuate the red? Would 6.5" pads be ok? they have a bundle with 6.5" pads, but not 5.5.

If i put something like a powerlock or other expensive synthetic "wax" and then put real wax on top that is what a lot of people are doing correct? what good but not rediculously expensive wax do you suggest? i was looking at autoglym hd, but autogeek.net doesnt carry that and thats where i was going to purchase my stuff.


so to confirm you suggest that i, wash car, do swirl/water spot removal over the entire vehicle and then tackle any scratches with probable use of touchup paint, is it possible to buff that touchup paint to make it smooth into the old paint? and should i clay the car first before doing any of this?

Im sure ill have more questions later.

 

[modman]

IME do not get 6.5 inch pads with a PC. I bought the Meguiars bundle first and have since ordered the 5.5 surbuf pads and 5.5 lake country flats. The PC does not turn the 6.5 pads very well. The other posters have way more experience than me and I would take their advice. i just thought I would add my voice as someone who was where you were at (newby) recently and was not as happy with my original pad choice as I had hoped.

Good to see another Canadian on the site.

 

[clidefr0g]

also yes, it is the original paint. i missed that and it wont let me edit.

 

[shoeless89]

You can call AG and ask them to switch out the 6.5" pads for 5.5" pads. I got the 6.5" when I started off. The 6.5" pads work, the 5.5" just work BETTER. I love Menzerna Power Lock for a sealant and Collinite 845 for wax. Meguiars #105 and #205 are my go-to products for compounding and polishing.

Welcome to Autogeek

 

[clidefr0g]

as much as i don't want to say i want an expensive wax i want a very good wax as ill be doing a few very expensive cars for my family and friends once i get this system.

 

[clidefr0g]

Hows this for a shopping list? should i get anything else or not buy something here. im not 100% sure on the wax, but it looks good, it says its awesome on red, and it comes with a microfiber too

Meguiars Porter Cable XP Ultra Polish Kit with 5.5 Inch Pads FREE BONUS [remove]
Choose a model: Standard
$249.99

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant 16 oz. [remove]
$24.99

Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax [remove]
$69.99

Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay Special [remove]
$23.99

 

[clidefr0g]

I read an article on how to improve picture quality so i took some new ones and they are much more informative.

I purchased the meguiars 105/205 and im wondering if the meguiars 205 will polish it enough or do i need a finer polishing glaze?

 

[shoeless89]

Always do a test spot with your pads, compounds/polish, # of passes and pressure. See if you get the results you want with a white pad and 205, if not try 205 and orange pad. If not try 105/orange then 205/white. All clear coat is a little different. Some are harder then others, some softer. Some finish down a little better then others.

 

[clidefr0g]

i should be receiving 3 orange pads 2 black pads and 2 red pads, will the black work in place of the white or should i get a few more pads?