Upcoming details, some thoughts please...

G

Goose

New member
I'm going to be doing two cars with in the next 3 to 4 weeks. A '04 Subaru STI in Blue and an '04 Lexus 330 in Black.



I'd like some opinions on how hard/soft the paint is on each vehicle.



The STI is overall in rougher condition inside and out. The 330 has a lot of swirls as well but the rest is in a little better shape. Luckily the vehicles are not outside 24/7.



I'm using a PC with 4" pads with Megs Ultimate Compound and Swirl X. I hope this combo will be enough because it's all I have except some Poorboys SSR 2.5. I have bigger pads, but feel that they really don't work as well as the 4" pads for correcting defects.



Both are paying customers. One is a family friend and one is a neighbor. I've got the clay, collinite , P21s wheel gel, APC+, glass WW's, blower, ONR, Amazing roll-off, Poorboys Trim restorer, 303 etc. etc.



To recap, just looking for some thoughts on the cars paint in particular on how hard or easy they are to work on (soft/hard etc.) or anything else about the cars detailing wise that might be of help.



thanks
 
I have a similar vintage Subie. You don't say which 4" pads you have but the paint is quite soft. I did nice correction with Megs UC and 6.5" pads. You should have no problems. Can't help you on the Lexus.



Also, be mindful that Subarus have notoriously thin paint. Be careful.
 
Do these cars even call for the use of harsh abrasives? Especially if you are going to be using a really heavy wax to finish with?
 
GoudyL said:
Do these cars even call for the use of harsh abrasives? Especially if you are going to be using a really heavy wax to finish with?
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Both are quite swirled if that is what you mean. I'm using collinite because I like it and because I want it to last into the fall.



The pads are Sonus SFX Flat 4" pads.
 
SCoach said:
Also, be mindful that Subarus have notoriously thin paint. Be careful.
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I am going to his house this weekend to try the UC/Swril X with the pads to see how it does so I'm kind of prepared to do it. Thank You for the warning.



So you think that It will be easier to get more done faster with the fact that the clear coat/paint is thin. In other words, the swirls should come out much faster and easier...?



The Lexus is right across the road but haven't done a test yet. Probably should soon.
 
I don't think the swirls will come out faster, but the margin of error is small with an aggressive compound and 4" pads. I would stay away from the cutting pad if at all possible. You'll find yourself staring at primer in a hurry.
 
SCoach said:
I don't think the swirls will come out faster, but the margin of error is small with an aggressive compound and 4" pads. I would stay away from the cutting pad if at all possible. You'll find yourself staring at primer in a hurry.
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So using a White 4" (SFX-2 Enhance spot pad) and Swirl X first is probably what I should do then, like I thought.



Least aggressive first. Then bump it up if need be.



I have the White 5" version also, maybe a wider surface area might help with the STI's paint so it's not so centralized in one spot area?



Anyone with advise on the Black Lexus 330?
 
I would definitely start with the 5" white pad. If that's not getting it done, then move up in aggressiveness. Just do a small 2x2 test area first to see what will work. Pick an area with lots of swirls. If you can clean that up with your methods, then you should be good on the rest of the car.



Really, given enough time, even fairly mild abrasives will get you results. It just may take a long time. So err on the side of caution until your learn your pads/abrasives.
 
From what I have gathered both cars paint are on the softer side. Do you have any other polishes available? I use 4" pads with my PC for all my details. I detailed an Accord this week and the hood I needed M105 with an Oranage pad to remove the RIDS and get it where I wanted, I then followed with M205 and white pad
 
Goose said:
So you think that It will be easier to get more done faster with the fact that the clear coat/paint is thin. In other words, the swirls should come out much faster and easier...?.
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You can burn through the clearcoat that much faster. :)
 
sal329 said:
From what I have gathered both cars paint are on the softer side. Do you have any other polishes available? I use 4" pads with my PC for all my details. I detailed an Accord this week and the hood I needed M105 with an Oranage pad to remove the RIDS and get it where I wanted, I then followed with M205 and white pad
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I don't have any other polishes except poorboys ssr 2.5 - similar to rocks in a bottle lol. I don't have m105/205 this time around.



I'm getting probably a week to be able to do the STI. I'm going to his house and bring it back to mine. The Lexus I'll be able to have for much less time, a day, 2 at most. I'm fairly comfortable with the Ultimate Compond as I did our 2000 vw beetle a couple weeks back and to my understanding, vw has hard clear. It came out fairly well since I was using a 4" pad at first until the backing plate split in two. I had to use the 5" pad do finish and do not think that it really did enough correction.........so I'm much more partial to the 4" pads.
 
Goose said:
True. I do Not want that to happen. He's a good friend. :LOLOL
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Seriously, I'd attack any surface blemishes/scuffs with kit scratch out, and then do the car with Mothers Pre-Wax cleaner or something similar. Anything that isn't removed by mothers PWC probably isn't worth removing, relative to the amount of clearcoat lost.
 
GoudyL said:
Seriously, I'd attack any surface blemishes/scuffs with kit scratch out, and then do the car with Mothers Pre-Wax cleaner or something similar. Anything that isn't removed by mothers PWC probably isn't worth removing, relative to the amount of clearcoat lost.
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I've got swirl x and Ultimate compound with 4" and 5" white and yellow pads to use. Not really looking at buying more stuff. Thanks tho.
 
Could someone also recommend what I should use on the exhaust. It's just stock as far as I know. What product?

Would Eagle One Never Dull work - I have some that I've never needed to use.................



thanks:wavey
 
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