Polishing clear coat on 2004 HD CC

[Daubs]

I scratched up both sides of the 2004 Crew Cab 4x4 while deer hunting last fall. Should have driven around that section of trail. (yea, stupid, I know...kicking my self).

Picked up Makita 9237CX3 7-Inch Variable Speed Polisher-Sander and some wool pads. Used with Meguiars Scratch X 2.0 and it did a good job of getting scratches out.

In sunlight it just didn't look right (not swirl marks, just reflecting the light oddly). So I put on a new wool pad and worked with Chemical Brothers V38 optical grade final polish. Helped, but i'm still seeing some odd reflections in direct sunlight.

Looking around the web I'm seeing DA sanders with foam pads work well for final polishing. And that wool pads are pretty aggressive.

Truck looks great at certain angles, but in direct sunlight just doesn't look quite right. Am I just being too picky?

Thoughts? Thanks, D.

[Daubs]

Watched a few videos on youtube. I think part of my problem was using the wool pad for polishing...and improper technique.

I'm going to look at getting some hex-logic foam pads and give that a try.

[Daubs]

Looked great in shade...and today when i got home, and sun shining right on the truck, i see this...

Oh please tell me I didn't screw this up beyond all repair?

[Foot Stomper]

You haven't hurt anything, you just aren't finished...What you have there is bad case of the swirls.

No more wool pads, go blue foam (fine as frogs hair and soft as a downy tic!), swirl remover "compound" and keep everything super clean! Clean paint, clean pad, clean micro fibre cloth! Work in the shade, mask off the trim so you don't burn it and helps keep it clean.

There are many brands and opinions about what to use, just be sure you are in the "swirl remover" isle. Buy a nice detail spray to final wipe and your in the "show" isle!

[Daubs]

Thanks Stomper. Q: keep with the Makita polisher, or get a DA polisher? I'm thinking the DA will be more forgiving.

[Foot Stomper]

Keep the Makita! So long as it has a variable speed and ramps up speed gradually.
If it does, you can actually trigger 50RPM to get the smear... then run up the speed... if it ramps up to speed immediately, like a grinder, take it back.

I've got a dewalt and it does a perfect job!

[Daubs]

Got after it last night and today. Foam pads were much better than the wool. But still wasn't getting good results.

Experimented and finally figured out what I was doing wrong:

1. Too much product
2. Dirty microfiber towels

Once i got it figured out, man, that Big Block has a shine! Thanks Foot Stomper!

[Foot Stomper]

Hell yea!!! I love it when a plan comes together!!
Bravo!!!

Share a picture of final result?

[Daubs]

Pic of final result.

Thinking of removing door moldings. Should I worry about paint fading underneath?

[Foot Stomper]

Looks great!

Re: moldings.
The paint won't change noticeably and if they're left on indefinitely it won't matter either way.

[Daubs]

Thanks Foot!

First order of business was buffing out scratches. Next up, rusty-rocker replacement. Then thinking of removing moldings (thanks for feedback on paint).

At some point I'll need to do something about the clear coat on the factory HD rims...

Peeling like a champ

[Daubs]

Got her out in the sun today after work...still didn't look right. Not really swirl marks, just catching the sun funny...

Experimented with different pads and compounds. Finally found a combination that worked and got the truck looking like i want it

- black pad (softest polishing pad)
- Chemical Guys - V38 Optical Final Polish

Hopefully this time i'm finished. (Wife think's i'm crazy, but man, if I'm going to do it, might as well do it right!)

[Foot Stomper]

Perseverance! I love it! Never say die! Look how far you've come too!

Tell your wife you were exactly the same about who you were going to marry!

[Daubs]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

Tell your wife you were exactly the same about who you were going to marry!

I do!

[Cape Codder]

Been doing body work for over 40 years . Rotary buffers are for compounding orbital is for polishing. There is a big difference. I use a DA with a foam finger pad after compounding to get rid of swirls. Use a good machine polish or glaze and use it sparingly. Wipe with microfiber and you are done. I only use wool pads now for buffing metal and foam for paint.
As for your wheels you have two options 1 sandblast and clearcoat. They will not look like new but will be clean and glossy but not a polished finished. 2 strip the clear with chemicals then sand with different grits starting with whatever it takes to remove the corrosion but not courser than 220. then 400 600 100 1500 then 2000. then buff with compound and polish. It is a lot of work and you will need to keep up with the polish but they will shine like chrome. There is a third option ,send them out and pay about 150.00 per wheel for reconditioned rime that will look factory fresh.
I went the sand and polish route on this old S-bomb a few years ago.

[Daubs]

Thanks for the advice Cape Codder! Holding off on the wheels for now...

Started rust repairs on my 2004 2500HD Crew Cab.

Rust never sleeps.