Tips for non-metallic paint?

C

cjv998

New member
Hi everyone. I recently purchased a 2001 Miata SE in British Racing Green. The paint is just straight base coat/clear coat gloss paint (no metallic or pearl or anything). This is the first car I've owned with "regular" (non-metallic) paint. I've seen some amazing results for gloss paint like this, but I'm not sure how to go about getting those results.



I've polished a section of the trunk lid (SIP/ff106 on LC orange and white pads), and while I removed about 80% of the swirls, the paint just didn't have the amazing depth and luster that I've seen people achieve on here - it looked very "flat" and 2-dimensional. Does a high-quality LSP really make that much of a difference on non-metallic paint, or is there something else I'm missing? Maybe I need another final light polishing step or something?



Any other tips/advice on making gloss paint look its best? Thanks!



Oh, and one more quick question: what products will work well on the convertible top? It's a tan "canvas-look" textured vinyl.
 
cjv998- A few thoughts come to mind:



I don't know from that particular paint (maybe somebody here has done a few of 'em), but maybe it just isn't a "mile deep" type of paint, nonmetallic or not :nixweiss



If the residual marring is really "swirls" as opposed to (too deep for safe removal) RIDS, then fixing that will make a huge difference.



Picking the right LSP *can* make a difference IMO (if only to some extent) and I'd go with something that's generally known for "depth and jetting" (e.g., Meg's #26 over a glaze) instead of something that's really "sealanty" (e.g., FK1000P).



Sorry, can't help with the convertible top (haven't had a ragtop since the early '80s).
 
All the marring looks like regular swirls, with the exception of one chip in the paint on the right rear quarter panel (I have touch up paint for it, but I'm thinking of getting one of the Langka chip repair kits as well). I've got Vanilla Moose that I may try out on the car...come to think of it, I have their Red Moose glaze too. Hmm, may have to give that a shot.



I see some people using the 303 top cleaner, I might go with some of that. I just want something to clean it up and make it look a little newer (it has some shiny spots on it near the corners of the frame).
 
cvj998- I'd do a little more correction before trying the VM, but that's just me and you do want to consider clearcoat thickness.



Those shiny spots on the top might be from normal wear and hence something you'll have to live with.
 
Sorry for the confusion. What I meant to say was "once I finish polishing the car, I'll go to the VM." I was just polishing on the trunk to see what would work well for me first.
 
I worked a Miata a little while ago in red and I found that the paint just didn't have the capabilities of that ultra wet deep look! The car did come out great and the best combo I found was 85rd as a final polish with a black pad and I topped it off with 845 and that added a nice gloss to the car!
 
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