trimix

I am restoring a 1999 slk and the paint has been abused. its black paint and i tried mothers and i just can not seem to buff out the surface scratches in the clear coat.

What are my choices ?

tofu-

You're not going to accomplish anything without a machine.

If the water marks aren't etched in (which they probably are), a clay bar will remove them. Then you'll be left with visible marring and possibly even more scratches due to the black paint

going down this road is expensive and time consuming. your best bet might be to browse various detailing forums for someone in your area. you can probably have someone competent do a two stage correction on it for under $350 if you look hard enough.

good luck

trimix

I do all my own detailing. I do have a machine. I am just looking for the best product to try to get the scratches out.

xabo

Mercedes uses a ceramic clear coat which is extremely hard. Try the Menzerna and/or Wolfgang products.

Faris63

+1

I'd use Meguiars microfiber system this thing does an amazing job on Mercedes HARD coat by achieving very good results. Check Autogeekonline you'll find very useful info on everything about detailing.

FYI, this system works only on dual action polisher if you don't have one pick up a Griot's Garage polisher for $140 or if you want a really good machine go with Rupes Duetto

tofu-

I was able to do get some pretty good correction (about 90%) on beat up obsidian (think automated carwash bad) with a lake country white hybrid pad and fg400. Some sections needed two passes, but i'd estimate 80% of the car was good to go in one pass.

It finishes down good enough for a daily driven street parked car. No visible hazing, clarity way above average. easily LSP ready for anything but a show car.

it's my go-to one step combo.

Faris63

I haven't used FG400 but I have used PF2500 on a soft Nissan paint as one step it did finish really good. FG400 is a compound I'm surprised it didn't leave any haze on black car maybe because you used LC white pad. Have you tried doing another step with a polish like PF2500 or SF4000 ?

tofu-

fg400 is magic in a bottle, in my opinion. it cuts like a true compound (like megs 105), but without dusting. It finishes as good as the old P203S. Personally I find that it finishes better, but that is debatable.

it's worth the $30 for a small bottle just to give it a shot. with a true cutting pad like an orange or wool, you'll definitely have hazing of course.


edit:
I also use it with a carpro denim pad to knock down orange peel on resprayed panels. works like a dream because unlike megs, fg400 feels like you can work it forever in comparison.

and to answer your question, i used to follow up with PO85RD on my jet black bmw (much softer paint). But honestly, being street parked, I can't see the purpose in jeweling

tofu-

here's some "pro detailer" work on jet black http://www.detailersdomain.com/Menze...int_p_822.html

My results aren't as good (i suspect they did many passes and did some pad switching), but pretty damn close.