Paint is in sad shape..
 

Hey guys!

My paint job is in really bad shape, so I tried to use the Meguiers Ultimate Compound. After I used it and washed my car, it seemed okay. However after a week or so I've been noticing more and more scratches. I think the compound highlighted the scratches even more. Is there anything I can do to get the paint looking good again?

Thanks
Tyler

A new paint job.

Kidding.

Talk to Brittany (SpinEm90). She has a quite extensive detail process for her black Monte that might do well for you.

I was actually thinking about a new paint job, but that costs ALOT!

Did you use the compound by hand or with a buffer. Have your monte detailed with a buffer and I think you will be surprised with the outcome.

I did it by hand. Does the compound take out scratches? How would I go about repairing all the rock damage on my hood?

There are different strengths of compound. Most people use a light compound. And that's enough for light scratches. Going with a stronger compound can be dangerous if you're not too familiar with what your doing. You can easily eat through the clear coat if you're not careful. Then you have to go get the car re-sprayed. When you use compound, you're taking off a thin layer of the clear coat/paint.

I think if you used the same compound you have with a buffer, you'd be surprised at the results. If the car is really bad, get it professionally detailed. You'd be surprised at what a good detailer can do. Just my opinion, but re-painting should be a last resort.

We have a number of members here who do professional detailing. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help. :)

Who might you recommend for the exterior detailing?

An orbital buffer (like a porter cable which is Dual Action) and Meguiar's new polishing/wax system can get a lot of the scratches out. Using a DA buffer is pretty much fool proof and it's really hard to ruin the paint with one.

Don't use a grinder or drill with a buffing pad. You'll do more damage than good.

Ultimate Compound uses lots of fillers(they merely fill in the defects than correcting them) so thats why they came back after a few weeks. But you will never get the results you want by hand.