noob with '98 Vette needs help

9

98Vette

New member
Greetings, all. I've been lurking on here for a long time, and decided to register because I have a problem. I have a '98 black Corvette. I love the color, but the upkeep is tough. My problem is that I have polished it to remove scratches, but the finish is still very dull (really noticeable in direct sunlight.) Here's the products I have/ used:



Machine: PC 7336 with 6" backing plate



Pads: Megs yellow polishing pad

Megs grey finishing pad



Polishes: Megs #9

3M Perfect-It compound (39002)

3M Perfect-it SSR for dark cars (39009)

Mothers scratch remover





I did the 39002 and 39009 with the polishing pad, and thought I was okay. I followed it up with the Megs #9 the other day, and topped it with a glaze and Megs #16. I saw it in direct sunlight today and was not happy. Would a more aggressive pad help me out? I have a Wolfgang orange pad on order, should be here on Saturday. Should I redo the 3M combo, or am I just wasting time? I thought I let the 3M break down enough, I polished it until it was clear. I really appreciate any help. This forum is great!
 
Is it dull, as in hazy? You may not have worked the 39002 long enough, causing some micromarring that the SMR didn't remove.



I might try going over it again with the SMR and polishing pad.



What speed was the PC on for each step?
 
Orange pad sprayed lightly with water and the 39002 should remove it if you have a decent pressure and speed going . 39009 contains fillers and stuff , should be reserved only for spot touch ups
 
ZaneO,



Yeah, it's dull. The black paint looks grey when it's in the sunlight. I used the 39002 at 4.5, and the SSR at 5-5.5. I enjoy your info on the Corvette forum. You'll see this same question posted there! What would happen with the SMR with the orange pad? Too aggressive?
 
papi_jay said:
Orange pad sprayed lightly with water and the 39002 should remove it if you have a decent pressure and speed going . 39009 contains fillers and stuff , should be reserved only for spot touch ups
Click to expand...



What would you follow up with after the 39002? Or just seal it and be done?
 
Try going over it with the SMR and polishing pad first, before getting more aggressive. If it's not working on a small area, start moving up until you see progress.
 
ZaneO,



I tried the SMR with the polishing pad, but it did very little. Do you think the SMR will be okay with the orange pad I'm getting tomorrow? Thanks for the help!
 
Keep in mind that the 3M SMR is mostly all fillers, and very little actual polish. I'd recommend switching to Machine Glaze instead of SMR. MG will remove the marring instead of *attempt* to hide it.
 
I found out the hard way that it has a bunch of fillers. I thought the paint looked good after the 39002/39009 combo. I saw it out in the sun today and it looked grey and blotchy. I tried the SMR tonight, and wiped it with 50/50 water-alcohol. That polish did nothing! I'm switching to some DACP and #80 tomorrow. I'll try the DACP with the polishing pad first, then the light-cut orange pad. Do you think this combo can remove the haze, or just create more?
 
I my experience with black GM paint you probably have lots of swrils and hard paint. I would get aggressive and use the Orange pad with DACP. I actually found that you can breakdown DACP to LSP ready if you work it in long enough. Make sure to use a slow arm speed and I usually work at speed 5-5.5. The orange pad is great as it leaves minimal haze and you can finish up with #9 or #80 or SMR with a polish pad. The key is to take your time and work in the product well.
 
Thanks, jetskie. I just picked up some DACP and some 3M 5996. The orange pad should be on my doorstep when I get home tonight. With the DACP, do you work it until it's clear?
 
Will do. I'm taking the 5996 back and getting some megs #80. I did some reading and found that the 5996 is the same thing as the bottle of 39009 I currently have, which doesn't work that well.
 
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