Removing swirls and making my truck took great again.

[Gundown64]

Hello everyone. My name is Colby and I have a 2006 Black F150 that I bought used and that I love. I do my best to take care of it, but when you buy a used vehicle, you kind of jump into the game a little late. I have been reading through quite a few posts and stickies here, including these two: this one and this one,and they really helped, but it can still be a little overwhelming so I was hoping to get some more straight forward answers. My "problem" is that I have a lot of swirl marks. They are not terrible, but being OCD about my truck makes them seem a lot worse. They are really only visible when you look at it from the side in the sunlight, but I can tell it is just not allowing my truck to have that deep, glossy black color that I know it can have. So, I want to fix it and get it looking good again. My question is basically, what products do I need. What I have been doing for the past two years is simply washing, drying, claybar, and then wax by hand using all Mequiars products. From watching the video and reading through the guide, I know now that I need to get a Portercable 7424XP and use that, however, I am not sure exactly what products I need in terms of waxing, swirl removing, sealing, etc. I really just want to get what I need to get the job done and nothing extra. This is no show car, it is my daily driver, and I am just a poor college student, so I don't need or want 30 different products. I was thinking I would need a wax, swirl remover, and then maybe some sort of sealant? I'm not real sure though, which is why I am asing here. In a nutshell, What products do I need to get my truck swirl free and back to that deep black color without breaking the bank. I was assuming something from here would get me off to a good start: Dual Action Orbital Polishers and pads: Porter Cable 7424 : Porter Cable 7424XP: Lake Country Buffing Foam Pads

Thanks in advance!

 

[mjlinane]

Welcome to AGO!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Hello everyone. My name is Colby and I have a 2006 Black F150 that I bought used and that I love.

Welcome to Autogeek Online Colby! :welcome:

I do my best to take care of it, but when you buy a used vehicle, you kind of jump into the game a little late. I have been reading through quite a few posts and stickies here, including these two: this one and this one,and they really helped, but it can still be a little overwhelming so I was hoping to get some more straight forward answers.

The first article you reference was one of the first how-to articles I wrote after leaving my position at Meguiar's running MeguiarsOnline.com and moving to Autogeek.net

My question is basically, what products do I need. What I have been doing for the past two years is simply washing, drying, claybar, and then wax by hand using all Meguiar's products.

By hand is your limiting factor because of the hardness of modern clear coat paints.

Man versus Machine

I really just want to get what I need to get the job done and nothing extra.

Get the Porter Cable 7424XP, (or the Meguiar's or Griot's DA Polishers, same type of tool as the Porter Cable).

Get half a dozen 5.5" Lake Country Orange foam cutting pads, half a dozen Lake Country white foam polishing pads and one or two black finishing pads.

Get some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish and then a wax or paint sealant of your choice.

Follow all the instructions in this article and maybe consider getting a copy of my book in paperback for reference as you're working on your truck.

DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing


Paperback



How to Properly Use the Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher Updated!

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[Gundown64]

Mike, thanks a lot, I really appreciate all of your help. With your response and me reading up a little more, I feel like I know what I need now. This is what it seems like I need to do:

1) Wash the vehicle thoroughly and dry.
2) Clay-bar if needed.
3) Apply Meguiars Ultimate Compound with a Lake Country Orange cutting pad to remove the swirls.
4) Apply Meguiars Ultimate Polish with a Lake Country white polishing pad to bring out the shine and color.
5) Apply a wax (I've been using Meguiars NXT 2.0 TechWax) with a Lake Country black/grey finishing pad to protect the finish.

Does that look correct to everyone? Also, after I have done all of that, when it comes time again to wax my vehicle, assuming I still have no swirls, will I just need to apply another coat of wax or should I apply the Ultimate Compound and Polish again as well?

Again, thanks for your help, all your topics are very helpful and very well explained and that really helps out a young newbie like myself.

 

[Mustang81]

I haven't done this before, but the policy is usually "least aggressive first". Given what you've described, you might be able to start off with the UC and a white pad. I doubt it, but it's worth a try.

Disclaimer. Never done this before, but I have read a lot of threads on here. Others will chime in and I would take their advice over mine any day of the week.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Does that look correct to everyone?

Yes.

Also, after I have done all of that, when it comes time again to wax my vehicle, assuming I still have no swirls, will I just need to apply another coat of wax or should I apply the Ultimate Compound and Polish again as well?

If the paint is still in good to excellent condition then you could wash and re-wax. NXT used to have some light cleaners in it so it together with the foam pad and the oscillating action of the foam pad will provide a little cleaning action to clean the paint and help maximize the bonding of the protection ingredients plus restore a high gloss appearance.

If the car is always parked outside and see rainy, wet weather, then you could re-polish with the Ultimate Polish and this will ensure any road grime is removed.

Again, thanks for your help, all your topics are very helpful and very well explained and that really helps out a young newbie like myself.

We aim to be the best detailing discussion forum on the Internet...


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[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

This section of my how-to book goes over the different categories of paint condition to give you some kind of reference...

 

[Gundown64]

This section of my how-to book goes over the different categories of paint condition to give you some kind of reference...

picture

Thanks again Mike. I am going to be picking up a copy of your book when I place my order. I live in Kentucky and my truck is parked outside and sadly sees the full blast of the sun all day and it can be rainy here a lot, so as you could imagine, it can take a toll on the paint, which is why I am trying to make sure I get it done right so I may hit it again with the polish, but of course, I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Thanks again!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks again!

I'm always happy to help...


I too am a big fan of doing it right the first time...



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[Mustang81]

Does the PC come with a five inch backing plate? If not you'd probably want to pick up a LC 5 inch backing plate if you're going with 5.5 inch pads.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Does the PC come with a five inch backing plate? If not you'd probably want to pick up a LC 5 inch backing plate if you're going with 5.5 inch pads.

Good point and the answer is "no"

The PC comes with a single foam polishing pad GLUED to a plastic backing plate.

Definitely get a 5" backing plate to go with you're PC


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


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[Gundown64]

I already planned to get a backing plate, thanks for letting me know though.

 

[freud]

Good luck with your truck. I got the Porter Cable start up kit at Christmas. Just had our first really warm day here in Ohio, and i was really happy with results since it was first time using anything other than clay bar, polish, wax like you have done. I learned a lot on here, and also the youtube video channel from AG and also Junkman2000. Best of luck!