Stupid hard GM clear (01 Trans Am)

3

350f

New member
I got a new car over the weekend...01 WS6 T/A. 37k miles, always been garage. I guess it has normal swirls from bad washing techniques. I was focusing on the hood first. I've got a UDM with various CCS pads. I started first with a white pad and Menzerna Final Polish and didn't see any changes. So I tried Menzerna Intense Polish with an orange pad. This did make an improvement, but still looks bad under direct lighting. I'll get some pics later up close. My friend has 3M extra cut. How much more cut does that have over Menzerna IP? Should I just try that then finish with a white pad/FP?



Car in question :cooleek:

ta1.jpg
 
Not a lot, but I've practiced on my daily driver grand am before and touched up a few friend's cars. I'm using 6.5" CCS pads.



edit: I'm at work, they may be 5.5" pads, i can't remember. :furious:
 
I have a 99 firebird thats nbm just like your ws6. I used a pc with menz sip and a ornage pad on speed 6 then followed up with a white pad and 106ff. I got near perfect results form that. I just found that it took a hell of a lot of pressure to get most swirls out. I think that's just the key is the pressure. hey by the way I am thinking of getting a TA in the next year or so. How much did you pick up yours for? It just seems like everyone around her wants 3-4+ what they are actually worth. I am having trouble finding a decent deal.
 
99BlueAngel said:
I have a 99 firebird thats nbm just like your ws6. I used a pc with menz sip and a ornage pad on speed 6 then followed up with a white pad and 106ff. I got near perfect results form that. I just found that it took a hell of a lot of pressure to get most swirls out. I think that's just the key is the pressure. hey by the way I am thinking of getting a TA in the next year or so. How much did you pick up yours for? It just seems like everyone around her wants 3-4+ what they are actually worth. I am having trouble finding a decent deal.
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I paid 13,800 for mine with 37k miles. Original 55 year old lady owner, bone stock. If you look on LS1tech.com, everyone is asking ridiculous prices for their modded to hell fbodies. I know I paid over KBB price, but it was worth it for this car IMO. (and its a 6 speed :chuckle:)



I really didn't apply any pressure, just used the weight of the UDM.
 
yeah I agree with that. That is a pretty good deal. I had to appy a decent ammt of pressure. I would say from doing my f-body try applying more pressure and work the sip really good till it breaks down.
 
I'm using the Intense Polish, I wonder how much more cut the SIP has over the IP. Oh well, I'll give it another shot tonight. I have the 3m extra cut at my house I just wanted to get some opinions on that incase its too much.
 
Nice car. I'm a big F-Body fan, all their faults notwithstanding. IP and an orange pad should take care of just about everything. Keep in mind that you may have to use the IP/orange combo several times--once, or even twice, may not do it. As you make your passes, try moving the PC back and forth slightly (for example, if you're moving from left to right, keep jumping back to the left about an inch or so--kind of like the PC is stuttering). This increases the cut, and I've had great results with it. Good luck!
 
Hopefully what you have on hand will do the trick. If it doesn't then look into some Meg's 105. 105 on a DA is heaven sent on GM clear given how hard it is and how easily it will mar. Getting my 03 black Silverado looking good after winter was always a royal PITA before 105 came out. After that it was cake. One pass via 105 followed by one pass via 80, LSP.
 
Run to WalMart and get some Meguiars Ultimate Compound, buy a PC kit with a couple white and orange pads and a couple finishing pads. Get a finishing polish like Menzerna FP2.
 
I have the same car (99 WS6) and was wondering how I could utilize Megs 105 into the mix along with my Menzerna IP and FP. I have a 2 orange pads, 2 white, 1 blue, 1 darker grey I believe.



Would it be something like 105- Menz IP- Menz FP?
 
Striker said:
I have the same car (99 WS6) and was wondering how I could utilize Megs 105 into the mix along with my Menzerna IP and FP. I have a 2 orange pads, 2 white, 1 blue, 1 darker grey I believe.



Would it be something like 105- Menz IP- Menz FP?
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Give M105 then M205 a shot.
 
Yup! :) I think you'll be impressed with the 105/205 combo. It's *really* hard to beat that combo when using a PC. Some would say it is *THE* best combo you can get right now.



Edit: Meguairs Ultimate Compound should be available in one of your local stores, and is what Meg's recommends as their "consumer" level equivalent of 105, and Swirl X (consumer level 205) should also be available locally, should you not want to have to wait for delivery.
 
Thats good to know, im bookmarking these two pages above for the 105/205. How would you say it compares against menzernas IP/FP using a PC?
 
350f said:
... I have the 3m extra cut at my house I just wanted to get some opinions on that incase its too much.
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I use that now and then, but *only* by rotary. No way I'd use it with a UDM/etc. and I don't recommend that you use it unless you're pretty handy with a rotary. It could very easily make things *worse*, especially on a black car.



Seriously, the M105 (or Ultimate Compound) is the way to go. What you'll need to use after that will depend on how well the M105 finishes out on that paint with whatever pad (and technique ;) ) you use.
 
Thanks guys. I tried my luck with the Menzerna IP and the orange pad again. This time after the advice, I used a bit more pressure. I've always just used the weight of the UDM. This time I pushed down just enough to hear a difference in the motor. I'll get some pics one day...but the hood came out great!
 
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