White Trans Am makeover, newbie style

[dad07]

They are plastic... Same on the Jeep, in fact the plastic trim on the Jeep is half the exterior, if you count the top...

For the plastics in question my suggestion is UTTG (Ultima Tire and Trim Guard)

 

[Johny B]

ive used 845 on black textured trim before and it worked good (WOWO), but eventually turned white..

use OC 2.0 if the trim is already in good shape, or cquartz Dlux if not so good...BUT prep it properly.

:iagree:

 

[Fishincricket]

Got it.

 

[hulatee]

I got my GG6 in December, used it twice so far on my white 09 Camry. Started with Megs clay, Megs UC, two coats of Klasse sealant( on my alum whls also ) and topped it with two coats of Mothers pure carnuba wax. Maybe not be top of the line in polishes and wax but I think it pops!!

 

[Fishincricket]

Okay, so I got my stuff today and have already worked out the system and corrected a test spot on the hood.. It's practically impossible to get appreciable pics with this phone though!!!

Anyway, loving it so far, definitely pulling the TA in and taping it off tonight!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Sounds good. Looking forward to hearing and seeing your work.

 

[Fishincricket]

Progress update:

Before:

After:

Looking good so far!!

 

[Paul_no_Longer_uses_this_account]

Look's like your doing a great job!! Love the 4th gen TA's.

 

[cartman57]

Wow!! Looks great indeed. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Fishincricket]

I was wondering why I had such a hard time getting a decent photo with the iPhone when the before picture was so clear! Then it hit me: in the before photo the camera had something substantial to focus on... Those horrendous scratches!!

The finish isn't 100% either, but I'm pretty daggum happy with it... There are some RIDS I can't seem to get down to, but it might also be that I haven't figured out how to properly work the machine/pad/material.. Also I only have one orange pad.. :face_palm:

So I cleaned the pad with pad cleaner out last night after doing the top, decklid and rear drivers quarter (quick cleaning the pad with a cloth after each section, of course) and I'm going to hit them one more time with the UC and Orange pad tonight and see if I can get it to a full 100%.

How does ScratchX 2.0 fit into the aggressiveness lineup here? Should I try isolating the RIDS by hand with the scratchX? Or would I be better off to put everything on hold and order some more pads, including a more aggressive pad and/or compound?

 

[FUNX650]

How does ScratchX 2.0 fit into the aggressiveness lineup here? Should I try isolating the RIDS by hand with the scratchX? Or would I be better off to put everything on hold and order some more pads, including a more aggressive pad and/or compound?

From the below Mike Phillips' article:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...s-order-smat-products-might-surprise-you.html

The Aggressiveness Order of SMAT Products - This might surprise you!

Super Micro Abrasive Technology = SMAT
From left to right, the most aggressive to the least aggressive SMAT products

From the most to the least aggressive...

M105 Ultra-Cut Compound/M95 Speed Cut Compound = The same in abrading power
Ultimate Compound
ScratchX 2.0
M86 Solo Cut & Polish Cream
D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream
SwirlX
M205 Ultra Finishing Polish
​

This article is just to give you a GENERAL idea for the aggressiveness of these products when relatively compared to one another. The way a product is applied, (by hand or machine and if by machine the type of machine), and the application material used to apply the products, (foam, wool, wool/acrylic blend, cotton, microfiber), are both HUGE factors that will and do affect how aggressive a product is or isn't.

Hope this helps some.

BTW:
-Keep up the good work on the Trans Am!!

Side Bar (FWIW):
-It was tough at first...
But for the sake, and preservation, of as much CC as possible...
I've often had to learn to live with non-100% corrected paint



Bob

 

[Fishincricket]

Thank you for the level headed advice, Bob! Yeah, I'm starting to come around to that conclusion myself..

 

[Fishincricket]

So if I do elect to leave these few RIDS is there a good suggestion for a product that will fill those in, like a glaze or something?





Still not ecstatic about it though... lol

 

[FUNX650]

So if I do elect to leave these few RIDS is there a good suggestion for a product that will fill those in, like a glaze or something?





Still not ecstatic about it though... lol

Yes...After correcting the paint/CC to my expectations/satisfication---

(Like you...I'm never ecstatic about leaving RIDS...
just comforted somewhat about having at least a little CC in/around those areas.)

---I'll use something like 3M IHG, or M07, for my "polishing"...
followed by the LSP application.

-These products may, according to some folks definition: Fill.
-But I see them as gentle persuaders---easing-over CC high-spots...
Helping to level the paint, very gradually, over a long, long time period.

I know where the paint 'blemishes' are...
Sometimes I'll even attempt to show folks their location (and why I: 'left them there').

Otherwise...
-I feel the reason(s) for any: 'Uncorrected paint-blemishes'...Is between the Good Lord and myself.

-OOOPS!!! Better not discount "The Good Wife" and her "all-knowing-eye" for details!



Bob

 

[Fishincricket]

-OOOPS!!! Better not discount "The Good Wife" and her "all-knowing-eye" for details!

I have a "better half" too and know exactly what you're saying there!

As for the blemishes? Apparently only the camera and I can see them, so they're fine I suppose.. I'd still like to knock em out someday, til then here's the worst of em....

If you counted on every surface you could probably find over 100 of those type of scratches... I suppose I'll live with em for now.

Some panels came out better:

I haven't started with the UP yet, and I still haven't decided if I should wax it with the new Meg's white wax or if I should try out the C845.. I haven't studied on the M07 yet..

Meantime i just finished the UC.. I was taking my time, learning the technique and washing the pad out on occasion since I only ordered one orange one.. :doh:

Actually, I was wondering: is the center of the pad supposed to cave in like this?

I am making sure to "work wet" but the center of this pad seems to be losing its stuffing, or something? Seems to be working still, so maybe they all do that?

Looking forward to polishing it tomorrow eve and finishing up sometime Wednesday morning!! Lots of photos to come!!!

 

[rmagnus]

Fishincricket nice work your car is coming along nicely. For daily drivers many suggest not trying to do a full correction as it thins the CC reducing its durability.

IMO try to get the hood looking the best becaus ethis is where most judge your car.

That LC pad should not indent like that. I don't think it's going to affect its ability to correct mush as e entire pad compresses when you put it to work. Looks to me like the pad was pressed into something perhaps when drying. It may works its way out.

Keep up the good work. BTW C845 is a hybrid wax/sealant great gloss and very durable.

 

[KillaCam]

Good luck man! I have an arctic white ws6 I just finished detailing a few weeks ago. Was swirled out bad from the previous owner.

How's that rock hard GM clear coat treating you? lol I wouldn't worry too much about the RIDS, especially on a white car! I had to learn to look past them on mine.

 

[Fishincricket]

Fishincricket nice work your car is coming along nicely.

thanks!

For daily drivers many suggest not trying to do a full correction as it thins the CC reducing its durability.

Yeah, I'm starting to come to that conclusion.. Thing is this car was a DD, it's not anymore, and I am actually considering doing a few car shows..

IMO try to get the hood looking the best because this is where most judge your car.

Lol, good news for me then, the hood is brand new! It's really the root cause of my venture into this realm, I had already spent a basket full on this sweet hood, but every time you looked at the car the distraction was how new the hood looked VS how road weary the rest of the car looked.. Lo and behold, I am not alone.

That LC pad should not indent like that. I don't think it's going to affect its ability to correct mush as e entire pad compresses when you put it to work. Looks to me like the pad was pressed into something perhaps when drying. It may works its way out.

It seems to be doing the opposite and working its way in! I dunno, imma blame it on my over zealousness, maybe I did too much or pressed too hard initially or dry buffed on accident or something.. Wish I had another pad to compare it to... Lesson learned on ordering, and I should know better! Happens with lures all the time..

Keep up the good work. BTW C845 is a hybrid wax/sealant great gloss and very durable.

Thanks again, yeah I hear great things about 845.. I'm still pondering what, if anything, I should use to attempt to "glaze" these RIDS, but I'm pretty much certain I'm going to like the 845.. Still learning about the white wax...

Good luck man! I have an arctic white ws6 I just finished detailing a few weeks ago. Was swirled out bad from the previous owner.

How's that rock hard GM clear coat treating you? lol I wouldn't worry too much about the RIDS, especially on a white car! I had to learn to look past them on mine.

Yeah I'm learning the hard way what "rock hard" CC is.. This car is a 99! lol

 

[FUNX650]

Some panels came out better:

^^^Very nice looking...Good Job!!^^^ :dblthumb2:

I still haven't decided if I should wax it with the new Meg's white wax

Keep in mind that Meg's White Wax is an AIO...
And may do some additional "CC-correcting".
Of course that would be: Pad, machine/hand-application, downward pressure, arm-speed, etc....Dependent.


So far...So Good!

Keep on Smilin'

Bob

 

[Fishincricket]

Yeah, I wasn't thinking straight when I included the WW in my order, I already have 2 bottles of Meg's #6! lol

Thanks for the compliment! Dunno how that fender managed to stay RIDS-free for this long, but its the best panel on the car!