AWDTBSS

Took Jeff's advise and bought Meguiars Finishing MF Pads paired with my Rupes and HD Cut. Followed by HD Polish with Black B&S pad

Rare96LT1Formula

iTrader: (32)

Primarily using microfiber cutting pads with the FG400. Personally, I really like the Meguiars MF cutting pads (durability issues aside), but I've also used the Optimum and Lake Country pads with comparable results.

I did use it once with a LC HT Cyan on a Corvette with rock hard clear (using my 3401), and it cut like crazy very quickly. Took my PTG to the panel before and after and thankfull I barely removed any clear, but the combo almost seemed excessive for that car so I have since stuck to my trusty FG400/Microfiber combo since then.

Rare96LT1Formula

iTrader: (32)

Wow that finished down very nicely. I'll have to try out some of the HD products. Problem is, I'm fully stocked up on M100, M101, M105, M205, All Menzerna products, and even have some Wolfgang TSR/FG3.0

I'm also wanting to try the Rupes compounds and polishes. Waiting for some dedicated reviews first though. Also wouldn't mind trying their pads to see how they compare to the rest of the pack.

Anyways, nice job - and VERY nice Vette. Future collector car no doubt.

AWDTBSS

Thanks man, that's what my dad plans on doing with it. I was really happy with how the car turned out. Jeff helped wet sand the roof to remove some sanding tracers or something that just wouldn't come off. Big thanks to him for that.

When you find an open spot in your line up of products pm me I'll let you know where to buy some HD stuff

Rare96LT1Formula

iTrader: (32)

I will definitely keep that in mind, thanks!

02'Andy

iTrader: (3)

Alright guys, got a wheel cleaning/polishing question. I don't recall seeing this one asked (did a quick search to make sure).

I picked up some prostars off of a friend over the winter, and got around to polishing them when it got warmer. I got the outside of all the wheels polished up fine, but the insides are a whole 'nother animal from all the built up dust, rust and grime.

This is what I started with on the inside of one of the front wheels (only clear spot is from steel wool/polish proof of concept):



I hit them with wheel cleaner, 0000 steel wool with soap and water, 0000 wool and metal polish, and then a powerball and polish. One of my powerballs actually started to shred up some during the process.

This is the same wheel as above after about 45 minutes of work:



I could spend hours upon hours on each wheel with the steel wool and polish to clean them up fully, but since I rarely have that much free time these days, I was wondering if there's a more effective way to clear off all this build up?

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

Those prostars are bad, really bad. Since the rust is so bad I would start with something like "Naval jelly" to remove the rust. It's an old school product, I don't even know if they still make it or not.

I'm going to "assume" that at one point in their life they were chrome and have rusted since. If that's the case there's really not a whole lot you can do because there isn't enough chrome there to bring back(the amount of rust is an indicator of that). You will be able to improve them but at the state they're in you are never going to look at them 100%.

I would start with some sort of rust dissolver then hit them with some sort of chrome polish and steel wool.

They might be too far gone.

02'Andy

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I have no idea how my friend stored these things, but it's clear he didn't clean them out often when he owned them. Since you really can't see the inside of the wheels, especially with the fronts, I'm not too concerned about a mirror finish. Just looking to clean the rust out. Lol it's a matter of wanting to clean the insides up out of pride more than anything.

I'll see what I can find for a rust remover and put some more time into them, and see what I end up getting out of it.

I'm just glad the outside of the wheels were clear of rust so they polished out alright (though they'll probably get another round to see if I can make it any better):

egott_91

iTrader: (1)

If you just looking to clean up the insides a little, get a wire brush on a drill. You could always plasti-dip the inside?

Rare96LT1Formula

iTrader: (32)

Interesting idea. Maybe a rust encapsulator like chassis saver or por15 to preserve the barrels? At least they're track tires, and the face of the wheels look decent.

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

My gf swiped my car about a month ago. I didnt realize until the next morning and I basically put it in the garage and forgot about it because I was so pissed. Fast forward to today, I finally nutted up broke out the PC today. I dont have pictures but it came out pretty damn good but not perfect. Fingernail doesnt catch and its more of less scrapes. M105/205 did a good job but it can be better. Any suggestions on something a little stronger? I was thing Menzerna SIP but Im not sure what else. Using 5.5' orange/white LC pads, havent read through this thread in awhile so Im not sure if theres any cool new stuff out. Thanks in advance.

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

The only two things with more cut than M105 is M100 and then M101(the king kong)

How many times have you went over it with the orange/M105 combo? I hate to suggest something more aggressive without knowing/seeing how deep the scratch is.

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

3 passes each with orange/105 and white/205. Their not deep at all, like I said fingernail didnt catch before I did anything. Hell just claying over the area made one of the scrapes almost disappear. It was caused by the slightest side swipe at 5 mph in a driveway. You really cant see it now unless your looking but like I said its not perfect..

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

what speed are using on on the PC and how are you priming the pad?

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

I actually used my Griots 6', I forgot my dad has my PC. I used the GG at 4 for the 105/205, using the Kevin Brown method for priming.

AWDTBSS

I'd bump up the speed to 5-6 for cutting then use 3-4 for polishing see how that goes

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

^I use 5-6 on my PC but I remember reading/taking notes on 3-4 for the GG from this thread.

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

Deleted post. I just saw your replied earlier and are doing everything I would have suggested.

mac62989

iTrader: (1)

I know its hard to give advice without a picture, should I try more passes? Up the speed on the GG? M100 or 101 wouldnt be worth spending the money? Like I said the scratches arent deep enough where a nail catches, I just couldnt correct them perfectly. It very well could be user error, I havent touched my PC or Griots in about 8 months..

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

I would try more pressure and slowing arm speed down. Removing scratches is one of the time a paint thickness gauge is really needed. It might be worth leaving the scratch there verses trying to get it out and risk going through the clear. Again it depends on deep the scratch is and how much clear is left.

I am happy that no one has chimed up suggesting to wet sand it. I have seen that suggested in several other threads and I voiced my opinion.