Dealing with Trail Stripes
- Thread starter TacoXpo
- Start date
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
I'm nearing the end of the Ultimate Compound and wondering if there is something better that I should try. Our Black Expedition has several "cobweb" swirls and some very light scratches. I'm wondering if there is a better option to use on the black paint.
I've looked at something like the Adam's One Step polish and the Chemical Guys VSS as well as others. I do not want an all-in-one product that leaves anything behind. I have a ceramic coating to apply once it is polished, so I don't want any wax or sealants left behind.
Any recommendations?
I've looked at something like the Adam's One Step polish and the Chemical Guys VSS as well as others. I do not want an all-in-one product that leaves anything behind. I have a ceramic coating to apply once it is polished, so I don't want any wax or sealants left behind.
Any recommendations?
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
LOL.
Some chick on Instagram that goes by @offroadava did that to her 3rd gen 4runner. Went from the factory silver to a baby blue. She did a couple of videos on the process because of all the questions she was getting. Sounds like it isn't too hard to do, just very time consuming.
I'm not interested in that for the Expedition, but would consider it for any future fun/project cars. Part of me has though about getting a car that is mechanically sound and doing the standard maintenance that normally gets neglected, applying a vinyl wrap (since paint is often neglected too), and trying to flip it for a profit in this crazy market. The problem is that so many people want top dollar for their junkers despite them needing a lot of maintenance.
Since that isn't likely to happen, I'll just keep it open for recommendations on polish.
Also, cheapest wrap that I've found is about $300 for a roll and then you have to get the tools to apply. A good polish is going to be between $10-$40. I'm kind of targeting the lower end of that range, but will spend a little more if the product is worth it.
tex
That's Mr Asshole to you
I have been happy with the Adams products I have used. Also the stuff from Zaino has been great
www.zainostore.com
zainostore.com
www.zainostore.com
CowboyTaco
Well-Known Member
I decided to go to town with what I had. Not perfect, or even as good as I would have liked it. However, it did make a world of difference.
I compared the Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish results with an orange HexLogic 5.5" pad at 4500rpm. I couldn't tell a difference in the finish, so I just went with the Polish. I did try the polish on a white HexLogic pad and it was less than ideal. So to get better results, I either need to get a more aggressive pad or do a lot more passes.
Given that my time was running out to get the ceramic coating applied, I had to settle for a single (4 pass per section) attempt with the polish so that I could get the ceramic applied while the atmospheric conditions were right. (<-- fancy way of saying no rain for 3 days and temps weren't below the minimum).
Instead of seeing swirl marks within an inch of the sun as seen in the top image above, the "halo" around the sun's reflection is now more like 5" out. Despite the water spots in the top image, that was after a wash.
I compared the Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish results with an orange HexLogic 5.5" pad at 4500rpm. I couldn't tell a difference in the finish, so I just went with the Polish. I did try the polish on a white HexLogic pad and it was less than ideal. So to get better results, I either need to get a more aggressive pad or do a lot more passes.
Given that my time was running out to get the ceramic coating applied, I had to settle for a single (4 pass per section) attempt with the polish so that I could get the ceramic applied while the atmospheric conditions were right. (<-- fancy way of saying no rain for 3 days and temps weren't below the minimum).
Instead of seeing swirl marks within an inch of the sun as seen in the top image above, the "halo" around the sun's reflection is now more like 5" out. Despite the water spots in the top image, that was after a wash.