Hey guys! I love forums. There`s always a wealth of knowledge and this one is not short of it! I`ve learned so much already! I just have a few questions to make sure I`ve got a good footing before I pull the trigger on these products and get to work! If anything I`m saying is wrong, please correct me.
I started out looking for a way to fix my badge removal silhouette issue. It looks like this (sorry for the bad lighting, but you get the idea):
(Let`s not talk about those scratches... )
So everything I`ve read here and videos I`ve watched talk about polishing the area in order to clean it up. Well long story short, now I`m mentally well into this whole thing and not just for those removed badges!!!
I not only want to fix my rear hatch, but the rest of the truck as well. I`ve got scratches from the PO all over the place, which is only one problem I`ve got. This truck has turned into a restoration project, starting with rebuilding the engine and fixing other various issues. Anyway, I`ve been reading up on what I need to get started, but I need some guidance on what polishes to get for my scratches. I understand how it all works, but I don`t have a reference point for how deep or shallow my scratches are and how aggressive of a polish I need. Here`s some pics for a visual:
This is a deeper scratch:
These are the standard key scratches around the door handle (I`m really not sure why they are there, there`s a $&%^#@ key fob for a reason!):
Any idea how aggressive of a polish I need for this stuff? Are these considered fine and medium scratches or deeper scratches? On Todd`s chart: Autopia-CarCare Polish Comparison Chart, how aggressive of a polish would I need for these scratches?
The door handles are also looking a little grizzly. Is this just the clear coat peeling and I can just polish and wax to make it like new or do I need to paint it?
I also have some sun burns on the roof, which from what I have read can be fixed with a polish as well. Where in the aggressiveness scale would these fall?
I also have some gnarly road rash on my grill, which just happens to be color matched, so it looks like you-know-what. I doubt this can get polished out, so I`ve read up on Doctor Color Chip and it seems to be the best way to go.
The PO also was involved in a couple of minor fender benders / bumper thumpers (another thing I need to fix during this restoration ). I need to figure out how to un-dent the body and then I plan on using a rust remover pen like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1UMBRA5ZTBCX8. Once I do that, I`ll use the DCC to fill in the paint. Here`s what the damage looks like:
Rear bumper:
Front passenger fender/bumper (I might just replace the fender, it`s a pretty good bump, but the bumper still needs to be fixed nonetheless):
OK, so with all that out of the way, here is my current list of products to get:
PC 7424XP: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Astro Pneumatic 5" Backing Plate: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
LC Orange 5.5" Foam Pad: http://www.amazon.com/Orange-Lake-Co...untry+5.5+pads
LC White 5.5" Foam Pad: http://www.amazon.com/White-Lake-Cou...untry+5.5+pads
LC Blue 5.5" Foam Pad: http://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-...untry+5.5+pads
Meguiars Ultimate Compound (for the deeper stuff): http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1721...imate+compound
Meguiars 82 (for fine scratches): http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirro...ds=meguiars+82
Meguiars M21 (synthetic wax): http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Mirro...thetic+sealant
GG Clay Kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
MF Towels: Not sure which ones, because every one I`ve seen has good and bad reviews, both contrasting each other with the performance of the towel... any ideas? The GG clay kit has 3 MF towels, but are they good enough and is 3 enough or should I have more?
MISC:
Windshield Chip Repair Kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2LSEMA7JR3A29
Rust Remover Pen: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1UMBRA5ZTBCX8
Plastic Razor Blades (for finishing badge removal): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER
(Notice where I buy a lot of my product! )
Anything I should add, delete, change, buy extra, buy less...? Based on the pics of the damage I have, what products (listed or not) should I use to remedy the issues? Are the products I have good (enough) or is there something better you would recommend? I`m not brand specific and I know everybody has their own personal feelings about certain products, but I`m not looking for a showroom, Pebble Beach 18th hole worthy look, just a solid basic setup for getting me started.
Thank you for taking the time to read all of this and helping me out. Hopefully I can get a good solid foundation and really make my vehicles all that they can be!
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