How to restore flat/swirly paint

[danyeates]

Hi,

The paint on the bonnet of my Z4 is looking a little flat and has a lot of swirls in. I’ve given it one coat of Meguiars Scratch-X and it’s made a difference, but I thought I’d ask here what I should be doing to make it better.

So, what’s the proper way of getting the bonnet back up shiny and swirl free? I have a large rotary buffer at work (for marine fibreglass work), although I’ve never used. I also have a small 12v one at home. Or I could apply it by hand. Should I just give it a few coats of Scratch-X by hand and see how it comes up? Should I use the machine, if so, what product should I use with it?

Thanks for any help.

Dan

[droopsnoot]

Have a look at some of the detailing-specific forums, there are a lot of "how-to" threads and guides. One key issue seems to be paint thickness, if you start compunding too much and it's already been done a few times, you run the risk of causing damage.

Take a look around this site: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk

[MuZiZZle]

Firstly, Don't use the buffer!

You can work something like Lime Prime by Dodo Juice in by hand, but a machine polisher is better.

Is it just the bonnet or is it the full car? oh and what colour is your BM? mines LeMans blue and PoorBoys Blackhole hides a multitude of sins!

Also, how do you wash / dry it befor eyou set about correcting it?

[danyeates]

MuZiZZle said:

Firstly, Don't use the buffer!

You can work something like Lime Prime by Dodo Juice in by hand, but a machine polisher is better.

Is it just the bonnet or is it the full car? oh and what colour is your BM? mines LeMans blue and PoorBoys Blackhole hides a multitude of sins!

Also, how do you wash / dry it befor eyou set about correcting it?

It's Sterling Silver.

I've only just bought the car, before I went over it with Scratch-X I jet washed the car, shampooed, rinsed with jet wash, dried with microfibre drying towel, clayed with Meguiars Clay Kit, then washed it again, dried, and then applied the Scratch-X.

[MuZiZZle]

danyeates said:

It's Sterling Silver.

I've only just bought the car, before I went over it with Scratch-X I jet washed the car, dried, clayed with Meguiars Clay Kit, then washed it and then applied the Scratch-X.

Depending on how badly marked it is, wetsanding is an option, an option that terrifies me even though I know it's not that dangerous, it just seems wrong?

If it's just the bonnet I'd be tempted to pay a local buffer monkey to correct it rather than splooging a load of money on kit

[Dracoro]

Practice by buying a cheap panel from a breakers and using that before tackling your P&J.

[danyeates]

MuZiZZle said:

danyeates said:

It's Sterling Silver.

I've only just bought the car, before I went over it with Scratch-X I jet washed the car, dried, clayed with Meguiars Clay Kit, then washed it and then applied the Scratch-X.

Depending on how badly marked it is, wetsanding is an option, an option that terrifies me even though I know it's not that dangerous, it just seems wrong?

If it's just the bonnet I'd be tempted to pay a local buffer monkey to correct it rather than splooging a load of money on kit

Yep, just the bonnet and it's not really that bad. I may pay someone to do it, just think I should probably know how to do it myself!

[MuZiZZle]

danyeates said:

Yep, just the bonnet and it's not really that bad. I may pay someone to do it, just think I should probably know how to do it myself!

It's not that hard really, but it's addictive, and can get expensive!

[Craikeybaby]

It seems like you need something a bit stronger than ScratchX, have a look at Polished Bliss, they have some good tutorials or check out the detailing section on here, there's a lot of advice there too.

[mike9009]

danyeates said:

It's Sterling Silver.

I've only just bought the car, before I went over it with Scratch-X I jet washed the car, shampooed, rinsed with jet wash, dried with microfibre drying towel, clayed with Meguiars Clay Kit, then washed it again, dried, and then applied the Scratch-X.

If they are the stages you have taken, I would try using AutoGlym Super Resin Polish followed by a decent wax. The SRP can hide a multitude of sins and then the wax will protect it.

So far you have done half the job - by the way I am no detailing expert - but I would try this, look at the result and if not happy then go onto machine polishing....

Mike

[danyeates]

mike9009 said:

danyeates said:

It's Sterling Silver.

I've only just bought the car, before I went over it with Scratch-X I jet washed the car, shampooed, rinsed with jet wash, dried with microfibre drying towel, clayed with Meguiars Clay Kit, then washed it again, dried, and then applied the Scratch-X.

If they are the stages you have taken, I would try using AutoGlym Super Resin Polish followed by a decent wax. The SRP can hide a multitude of sins and then the wax will protect it.

So far you have done half the job - by the way I am no detailing expert - but I would try this, look at the result and if not happy then go onto machine polishing....

Mike

I think you're probably right. It definitely looks a lot better after the Scratch-X application. I might put another coat on before the SRP. I put it in my garage after I did the above, so it’s ready for another application. Although now it’s in the garage I can see all the swirls more, but it’s less flat.

[danyeates]

Craikeybaby said:

It seems like you need something a bit stronger than ScratchX, have a look at Polished Bliss, they have some good tutorials or check out the detailing section on here, there's a lot of advice there too.

Well maybe, I'll give it another coat I think and then seek further advice if it's no good! I didn't realise there was a detailing forum here.

I'll have a look at that link though, thanks.

[danyeates]

I think this is what I have at work... http://www.toolstop.co.uk/milwaukee-ap12e-150mm-an...

[danyeates]

Well this evening I applied two coats of Meguiars Scratch-X with a DA I found in my garage. Forgot I had it! It's only a small 12v one but it seems pretty good.

Then I applied a coat of SRP by hand and finished with a coat of AG HD Wax.

The finish is much smoother to touch, it's a really nice finish. It used to be really rough to touch. However, the paint still doesn't look right. I'd say it looks cloudy and patchy, not a uniform finish.

Now I know the bumper needs repainting as the paint is flaking off, so I'm now thinking that perhaps the dealer that sold the car to the last owner repainted the bumper and bonnet (badly). At first I just thought the bonnet had suffered from being left under a tree or bad cleaning routine, but the patchy appearance and flaky bumper suggests maybe its been repainted in the past.

[MuZiZZle]

danyeates said:

Well this evening I applied two coats of Meguiars Scratch-X with a DA I found in my garage. Forgot I had it! It's only a small 12v one but it seems pretty good.

Then I applied a coat of SRP by hand and finished with a coat of AG HD Wax.

The finish is much smoother to touch, it's a really nice finish. It used to be really rough to touch. However, the paint still doesn't look right. I'd say it looks cloudy and patchy, not a uniform finish.

Now I know the bumper needs repainting as the paint is flaking off, so I'm now thinking that perhaps the dealer that sold the car to the last owner repainted the bumper and bonnet (badly). At first I just thought the bonnet had suffered from being left under a tree or bad cleaning routine, but the patchy appearance and flaky bumper suggests maybe its been repainted in the past.

pop to a detailer and ask them to get their paaint thickness doofer out for you?

[danyeates]

MuZiZZle said:

danyeates said:

Well this evening I applied two coats of Meguiars Scratch-X with a DA I found in my garage. Forgot I had it! It's only a small 12v one but it seems pretty good.

Then I applied a coat of SRP by hand and finished with a coat of AG HD Wax.

The finish is much smoother to touch, it's a really nice finish. It used to be really rough to touch. However, the paint still doesn't look right. I'd say it looks cloudy and patchy, not a uniform finish.

Now I know the bumper needs repainting as the paint is flaking off, so I'm now thinking that perhaps the dealer that sold the car to the last owner repainted the bumper and bonnet (badly). At first I just thought the bonnet had suffered from being left under a tree or bad cleaning routine, but the patchy appearance and flaky bumper suggests maybe its been repainted in the past.

pop to a detailer and ask them to get their paaint thickness doofer out for you?

I've messaged a friend of mine (W4X_LG on PH) who runs LG Autoworx to see if he can look at it. I don't suppose the average person would notice it now as it's not that bad, but it bugs me!

I'm also going to a paint shop at lunch today to get a quote to repaint the bumper, so they can look at it too.

[JulesB]

http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk/

Have a look on Kelly's website, all sorts of useful hints and guides!

[MuZiZZle]

JulesB said:

http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk/

Have a look on Kelly's website, all sorts of useful hints and guides!

I went on one of his training days, he's amazing!