Paint / Polish / Glaze / Wax Product and Sequence Questions

ghost

ghost

Still Learning
Hey Fellas -

First post here. You guys are hella knowledgeable, so I appreciate all the feedback.

I've got some normal rock chips on the nose of my vehicle that I'm trying to touch up. I ordered a product called www.PaintScratch.com that provided an paint-to-sample applicator pen, clear coat and rubbing compound. I've gone through all three stages, and have got the usual haze marks from the rubbing compound.

Some of my colleagues have indicated that I need to now polish, then glaze, then wax the hood to finish the process. Other's have said I can go straight to a glaze / wax sequence and bypass the polishing part of it. First question is what are your thoughts on sequence?

Second question is, assuming I go for the "overkill" and want to polish AND glaze, then which products would you recommend. I've heard that 3M Swirl Mark remover is a great polisher, followed by 3M Imperial Glaze. Do you recommend these products? Are there other polishers and/or glazes that you recommend?

Finally, I've finished applying the rubbing compound today, and will only be able to apply the polish / glaze next weekend, when I have time (and receive the products you all are about to recommend). I assume leaving the car in this state will not be a problem (i.e., no damage to the paint). Additionally, do you need to provide any time between applying the polish and glaze, or can you apply one right after the other.

In short:

- What's the "right" sequence b/w the rubbing compound / polish / glaze and wax procedures?
- What are your recommendations on polishes and glazes?
- Are there any issues with leaving the paint for a week after applying rubbing compound (given that there is a haze)?
- Finally, any time interval b/w applying polish and glaze?

Many thanks - appreciate all your thoughts and advice.
 
I'm not sure what you would do with the paint chips, but you have the concept down pretty good. If you want to go the whole 9 yards on your car, i'd suggest wash, clay, swirl removal(polish), final polish(light polish/glaze) than top with either a sealant or wax. For a quick reccomendation for polishes I'd recommend the Poorboy's SSR lineup. Depending on your car color, a glaze might just be an extra step. If it's a darker color that you think it would benefit from it than i'd recommend Clearkote's Vanilla Moose. The hazing is OK if you plan on detailing it soon. Maybe apply a quick coat of wax just so its protected. As far as time interval there really aren't any. You can polish/glaze/wax all right after each step. The only time you really have to wait a time interval is applying additional coats of waxes/sealants, and the rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours before additional coats. Hope this helps. Don't be afraid to search and learn, theres TONS of valuable information on this board.
www.poorboysworld.com
www.clearkote.com
 
If you have hazing from rubbing compound - you want to polish next. The idea is to follow the more aggressive abrasive (rubbing coumpound) with a less agressive abrasive (a polish.) As far as which polish - are you going to be working by hand? If so I'm not sure the 3m products are what you want. They may require a machine's speed to get the results you want. I think you can get some Meg's Scratch X locally - that's a good hand polish from what I've seen.

If you want to go mailorder, I like the Poorboys SSR line myself. Menzerna and Meguairs seem to get frequent recommendations as well.
 
Just a thought-you might want to ensure the the new paint has cured before you use a wax /sealant (a glaze is fine as it will allow the new paint to vapourize (outgas)and don't use a very abrasive polish or the repairs will polish off and you'll be left with shiny caps in your paintwork

JonM
 
Hey Ghost,

Without seeing the car and how much touching up you did, it would
be hard to say how far you need to go. That said, I would suggest
keeping it simple for now. Use some 3m Imperial Hand glaze on the
area until the paint has cured a bit. If were' just talking about small
touchup spots, I would allow at least a few weeks. The glaze will reduce
the hazing and allow the paint to cure until you are ready to really polish
and seal.
 
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