Subaru roof, first ever paint correction...

[BertBert]

Sorry for the newb post, but everyone has to start somewhere. I have just acquired a 2001 scooby in reasonable nick other than the paintwork hasn't been cleaned for a while and I think it has spent a lot of time parked under trees.

So the roof has a lot of black and brown gunk and a lot of etch marks when you get the gunk off. I have tried washing and then in an area cleaning off with speed detailer and then clay bar-ing. It takes forever to do and doesn't get the etching out. So it's a perfect excuse for getting a machine polisher. I have been reading the polished bliss website and my plan so far is...

Clean the paint with Autosmart Tardis and Aquartz Iron Cut, then machine polish with Menzerna 85RE.

There is a pic below, but I'm not sure if it's easy to see the gunk and the eteching.

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/21315/2014853420...

Any thoughts or advice for a novice?

Thanks
Bert

[waxaholic]

Are you plannng to use a DA a Rotary polisher

[BertBert]

I was planning on using a dual action polisher like the Kestrel DAS-6 (again from reading the polished bliss site).

Is that a good plan?

Thanks
BErt

[waxaholic]

Yep sounds good if you know what you are doing, aim to improve and not make perfect and you wont have any nightmares, just remember that the etching maybe to deep to eliminate via machine work alone.

[BertBert]

Well, hopefully I'll know more by the time I finish! I'm not aiming for perfection, just reasonable improvement.

Having polished where to on the wax and or sealant?

Bert

[waxaholic]

with winter on it,s way any collinite wax will do a good job of protecting the finish for a good
few months

[BertBert]

so can I use my Finish Kare 1000P Hi Temp Sealant?
Bert

[belleair302]

Yes that will do a similar job, don't forget to also wax your alloys!! Makes cleaning them way simpler and top up every month or so. A good wax choice!

[DiamondShine]

Make sure the surface is thoroughly clayed before machining. Start off using the least aggressive pad polish combo.