'T' cutting metallic paintwork?

[Boosted LS1]

This may seem like a daft question but can this be done on a production car or is the lacquer mixed in with the paint and flake? A friend want's to resurrect the original shine on the volvo.

[fozzymandeus]

Clearcoat on top of colour coat, much like any modern water based paint, metallic or not.

A cutting compound will remove light scratches, just be careful not to flat off all the lacquer.

[ch427]

forget the t cut, there are far superior products out there these days.
how bad is the paint?

[fozzymandeus]

ch427 said:

forget the t cut, there are far superior products out there these days.

Oh, incidentally, This.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

T Cut is a harsh, blunt instrument that once applied with conviction, takes a long time to polish out back to a shine.

I get good results on tired paint from using a clay bar and something like Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

HTH

[Boosted LS1]

Thanks for the replies. I'll pass the information on.

[PumpkinSteve]

ch427 said:

forget the t cut, there are far superior products out there these days.
how bad is the paint?

I used Meguiars Scratch X and found it to be brilliant at removing light scratches and polishing up dull paint areas.

[falkster]

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

I get good results on tired paint from using a clay bar and something like Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

HTH

I used this on all my cars and it really does give you a good base but it is only a base to get the shine back, you need a really good polish, wax and maybe something extra.
I've just topped mine off with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection and it's awesome. Will be pulling the 968CS out tomorrow to do the same.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

falkster said:

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

I get good results on tired paint from using a clay bar and something like Meguiars Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

HTH

I used this on all my cars and it really does give you a good base but it is only a base to get the shine back, you need a really good polish, wax and maybe something extra.
I've just topped mine off with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection and it's awesome. Will be pulling the 968CS out tomorrow to do the same.

Oh yah - my post didn't make that clear, did it?!

As you say, this is just to get the lustre back. THEN you have to use a good polish, and finish with a sealing wax.

[FreeLitres]

PumpkinSteve said:

I used Meguiars Scratch X and found it to be brilliant at removing light scratches and polishing up dull paint areas.

+ at least 1

[andyroo]

PumpkinSteve said:

I used Meguiars Scratch X and found it to be brilliant at removing light scratches and polishing up dull paint areas.

Scratch X Two has a compound in it that breaks down as you polish so it acts a finer abrasive the longer you use one dollop, making the initial scratch removal quicker than the first Scratch X

Menzerna do some good stuff too

[M3333]

On all my vehicles in recent years i have used first a household APC cleaner (link is to the megs stuff but any household APC from tesco will do) diluted. Use a brush and get into all the small areas with the doors open, fuel filler cap etc.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/meguiars-a...

Then i use a clay bar.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/230...

The Poorboys White diamond.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/poorboys-w...

Then to finish off a Poorboys sealer.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/poorboys-ex...

I had a few polishing rags etc also on my order, spent around £60 and do my vehicle once a year properly, have loads left and worth every penny. The finish on the paint is like glass!

Dont use T-Cut i believe it contains ammonia which fades your paint once on? Sure someone will clarify why it is bad for your paint!

[fozzymandeus]

M3333 said:

On all my vehicles in recent years i have used first a household APC cleaner (link is to the megs stuff but any household APC from tesco will do) diluted. Use a brush and get into all the small areas with the doors open, fuel filler cap etc.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/meguiars-a...

Then i use a clay bar.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/230...

The Poorboys White diamond.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/poorboys-w...

Then to finish off a Poorboys sealer.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/poorboys-ex...

I had a few polishing rags etc also on my order, spent around £60 and do my vehicle once a year properly, have loads left and worth every penny. The finish on the paint is like glass!

Dont use T-Cut i believe it contains ammonia which fades your paint once on? Sure someone will clarify why it is bad for your paint!

Good stuff! I'd suggest a wax on top of the sealer too, but that's nitpicking.

[M3333]

fozzymandeus said:

M3333 said:

On all my vehicles in recent years i have used first a household APC cleaner (link is to the megs stuff but any household APC from tesco will do) diluted. Use a brush and get into all the small areas with the doors open, fuel filler cap etc.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/meguiars-a...

Then i use a clay bar.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/230...

The Poorboys White diamond.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/poorboys-w...

Then to finish off a Poorboys sealer.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/poorboys-ex...

I had a few polishing rags etc also on my order, spent around £60 and do my vehicle once a year properly, have loads left and worth every penny. The finish on the paint is like glass!

Dont use T-Cut i believe it contains ammonia which fades your paint once on? Sure someone will clarify why it is bad for your paint!

Good stuff! I'd suggest a wax on top of the sealer too, but that's nitpicking.

Good point, I shall get some ordered.

[MondeoMan1981]

I've used a colour magic colour restoring / polish product on a metallic car before and found it a good base to wax on. Took out little scratches and shined up nicely.