Oh. . . where to begin?

AMDin93103

AMDin93103

I like cheese.
I had been shopping around specifically for a BLACK :xyxthumbs 3rd generation 4Runner and I finally found one last week. A 1997 Limited with anthracite brushguards and step. The engine is in great shape as is the pleather. After giving it the initiation to my driveway, a 3 hour wash followed by an hour of interior detailing, I am somewhat disappointed in the condition of the paint.



There are pictures attached to get an idea of what I am dealing with here. I own the following products:



7424 PC

yellow pad

white pad

BF clay

#9

SEHC

S100

AIO

SG



The hood has water spots, entire body has looks like it washed with a soft scouring pad. Scratches here and there, and two dings with removed paint that I will deal with later. I am being a bit dramatic as I am detail oriented ;)



I have searched up and down and find conflicting points of view on too many products to choose. I read sometime ago and couldd not find the thread with a nice combo using 3M FI products and possibly DACP :nixweiss soooo to make a long story a bit shorter, HELP! Please suggest products that work w/what I 've aleady or more! Pads, compound, etc. I need the advice. Thanks people!

-Stu.:sosad
 

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Stu



Having detailed several black vehicles in similar condition, I would strongly recommend using DACP. In fact, my routine would look like this:



Wash and clay

DACP with Yellow Pad



At this point, you could go in two directions:



AIO, followed by SG

or

SEHC followed by S100



Aside from having to buy the DACP, everything else you already own. The results should be quite impressive!



hth,



DavidM
 
I agree that DACP will be needed at a minimum. Paint in that condition will be a challenge to fix with a PC. You might need to step up to a Medium Cut cleaner to help the PC do its job, then use a SMR to remove the marring from the Medium Cut.



It's really hard to tell you exactly what will work. Most experienced detailers will test a few different products before making a decision. What works well on one car may not work well on another. You're looking for a formula that simply doesn't exist. The solution to your paint problem will take a good bit of experimentation on your part. I wish you the best of luck.
 
I would have the dings removed first then begin experimenting with a wide variety of polish. DACP is probably a good bet. I had black 93 Maxima which probably would have been a great candidate for DACP. I suspect the DACP would have worked where as 3m FCRC with a PC didn't do much for scratches on the roof. I got rid of the car before I knew about DACP. IP and FP did do a nice of brightening up the paint though. Its defintely true different vehicles will respond differently to different compounds and polishes
 
I appreciate your help!

After reading your replies and searching for the past 2 hours (lost track of time and now my GF wants my time :argue)



The products I have narrowed my spectrum to are these, in what I believe to be order of application:



BF Clay

DACP (start with Yellow move to Orange if I gotta)

3M SMR Dark (Yellow)

#9 (White)

#81 (x2) (White)

VMHG (almost outta SEPC) (White or Grey?)

CMW (almost outta S100 too!)



Please let me know if the order is screwy, pad recomendations very welcome, unecessary product, add a step or what type of sandwich to eat after step two. I was wondering if Blackfire products might replace something as I have heard so much about them on black? Sorry I am such a noooob. Thanks!

-Stu.
 
Like Bretfraz says, it's really tough to tell you exactly what will work. Using your products and procedure, the only changes I would make would be:



Either #9 or 3M SMR, but not both....and use the white pad on this step.



#81 and SEPC are probably redundant as well. One or the other.





Can't speak about Blackfire, since I've never used it.
 
If you can get the defects out the #81,vm,cmw is a very good combo on black,IMO. But you gotta make sure the defects are taken care of first and foremost.
 
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