How to properly polish black paint?

[fastTa]

I am going to polish the paint on my Tahoe. It has pretty heavy swirl marks. I was considering purchaing an orbital buffer or a high-speed polisher. What are the pros and cons of each? Should I use a foam cutting pad or something similar?

I am going to clay the entire paint first and then buff, but should I use a cutting wax, rubbing compund, polishing compund??

Thanks in advance!

[MN6WS6]

I'm interested in some tips as well. I have a buffer, but am way too scared to put it on my black WS6. My paint is suffering (tiny scratches everywhere) and would like it to look better.

And no, Zaino is not an option for me. Can't afford it.

[Joe 1320]

A concentric buffer (high speed) is dangerous unless you have lots of practice. It is easy to burn through the paint, especially around crease lines and edges. An random orbital buffer is very forgiving, but will take longer than a high speed concentric. There are several products I use for black, one of which is liquid ebony. A black liquid that can be either applied by hand or machine.

If you don't have experience in buffing, there is a much safer method that I recommend. Nic Sand 10,000 grit aluminum oxide sanding gel. It is applied with a foam pad and the results are stellar. It works like an ultra fine sand paper but without the need for a second buffing. It is very forgiving and pretty darn hard to damage the paint. It will remove scratches, but not scratches deep enough to catch a finger nail on. The only downside is that it takes longer (which is what makes it safer). You should be able to find it at auto body shop supply houses and it usually comes with it's own foam buffing pad. To use it, simply wet the paint surface with a spray bottle, apply product (about the size of a quarter) to the pad and start buffing in an up and down direction on side panels, front to back on top panels. Take your time and re-wet as needed. When done, wash it down and you are done. Follow up with your usual Zaino routine and it will look like the paint is wet with a mile deep reflection.

[fastTa]

Joe do you know of a website that would carry this aluminum oxide sanding gel? How much should I expect to spend on this stuff?

[Joe 1320]

I'll have to do a little research. I do know that the product and pad should be less than $15.00

When I get back to my garage, I'll get the manufacturer contact info.

[Hobbs95]

You mentioned claying the paint... be careful make sure you get the correct lubricant... clay wax, wipe on wax, spray wax, etc. you can really make things worse for yourself. Especially with black don't be aggressive.
Get some acid rain remover too but make sure the paint is cold mornings are good.
The calcium build up on the paint counteracts the wax.
After claying and acid wash the paint should feel perfectly smooth now you can buff it.

start with a cutting compound (removes part of the clear coat and the paint will become frosty looking) WOOL PAD or foam pad

next find some swirl remover polish it should be a wax compound WAFFLE PAD it will bring a high gloss to the paint but must continue with the next step...

Next to finish it off. There is many kinds of sealer wax but i think just some carnuba wax will be just fine. they have many kinds of wax appliers but a cotton rag works well... remember that the more wax you put on the more you have to take off. Just make sure you find every corner.

i know i left out a lot if have any questions i'll be online tonight

john

[SS_CarGuy]

Check out this web site http://www.properautocare.com/

There is a lot of real usefull information on how to deal with problem paint like yours.

[Injuneer]

Hate to sound like a broken record, but have you tried Zaino? If your swirls are severe, it might not cover them up, but you would be amazed at what it will cover up. No harsh abrasives, no loss of clearcoat. I had a huge scrape on my hood from a large box that bounced across it in a wind storm. NOTHING would take the scrape out, but Zaino covered it up to the point where, unless you knew exactly where it was, you could not see it.

On the other hand, when the original owner took the "1500" badge off the passenger side door of my Silverado, he must have used a "scraper" of some sort to get the adhesive off, and the scrapes are so deep into the clearcoat that nothing will take them out. But Zaino will minimize the problem for a while.

Worth a try.

[fastTa]

Originally posted by Injuneer
Hate to sound like a broken record, but have you tried Zaino? If your swirls are severe, it might not cover them up, but you would be amazed at what it will cover up. No harsh abrasives, no loss of clearcoat. I had a huge scrape on my hood from a large box that bounced across it in a wind storm. NOTHING would take the scrape out, but Zaino covered it up to the point where, unless you knew exactly where it was, you could not see it.

On the other hand, when the original owner took the "1500" badge off the passenger side door of my Silverado, he must have used a "scraper" of some sort to get the adhesive off, and the scrapes are so deep into the clearcoat that nothing will take them out. But Zaino will minimize the problem for a while.

Worth a try.

Should I use Z5 then Z2?

BTW, thanks for the link SSCarGuy. That is a pretty informative website.

[Joe 1320]

All I have is:

NicSand Inc.
P.O.Box 29480
Cleveland, Ohio 44129

I purchased mine locally, so will try and find out additional info. I use this stuff all the time and it works killer. Great for restoring older paint, removing scratches, removing overspray, etc.

[fastTa]

Joe do you apply the gel by hand?

[Injuneer]

With the Zaino.... Z1 on the clayed surface, about 3 or 4 coats of Z5 over the Z1, with Z6 inbetween each coat, then a couple coats of Z2. I think you can skip the Z1 if you add ZFX to the Z5 (I haven't tried ZFX).

A "coat" of Zaino is really very little effort... the thinner you put it on, the easier it comes off and the better it looks.

[fastTa]

Originally posted by Injuneer
With the Zaino.... Z1 on the clayed surface, about 3 or 4 coats of Z5 over the Z1, with Z6 inbetween each coat, then a couple coats of Z2. I think you can skip the Z1 if you add ZFX to the Z5 (I haven't tried ZFX).

A "coat" of Zaino is really very little effort... the thinner you put it on, the easier it comes off and the better it looks.

Thanks Fred. Well I guess it is time for me to finally give Zaino a try. I've long been curious to use it just to see for myself if it would live up to the hype.

Can I expect their shipping to be fairly quick?

[Joe 1320]

Originally posted by fastTA
Joe do you apply the gel by hand?

Nope... faom pad at 1500 rpm.

[fastTa]

Originally posted by Joe 1320
Nope... faom pad at 1500 rpm.

Joe where did you purchase your Nic Sand?