Dumb Question I Know...

[Mick1988]

I have a 2002 VX Commodore. It's a light metallic blue (I think it's called Delft Mica) and since it's 6 years old now it's got a few scratches and marks on the paint. None of these scratches are major, but I don't want them there. I also have a few swirl marks from where someone has done some sort of polish/buff job in the past.

The car still smells and drives like new so I want the paint to look new too. Since I've only had a company car before this car, I've never polished a car before and I have a few questions before I set out on my car.

1. What sort of polish should I use? I don't see a need for anything abrasive and I've heard that with metallic paint you have to use certain stuff.
2. Will the same thing get rid of hairline scratches and small marks on the paint?
3. As you all know, Holden love plastic. Is it OK to polish painted plastic surfaces (bumpers, petrol cap cover ect)?

Thanks in advance for the answers.

[cander24]

Most people will all have a different opinion on the best brand/type of polish products and this can really only be determined from experience using all different types to see what works best for you. Personally, i'm using the turtle wax ice range at the moment with excellent results that last really well. Most polishes on the shelf today are ok for metallic paints, but just make sure by reading the back of the bottle, it will say something like 'clearcoat safe' on it. As for the scratches, its really hard to say without some pictures and even then they may not be that clearly visible. So i'd probably first try a polish that does not have a cut in it if the paintwork is pretty good, and then only go for a cut if the scratches are still visible. Its just a matter of experimenting. And yes if it has paint on it then polish it to protect it. It doesn't matter what material is under the paint.
Hope this helps and welcome to J.C

[Ozzie]

Im currently restoring my paint at the moment,
Ive tried a few different products.

Metalic paint has a clear coat so when you polish it you are actually polishing the clear that is over the top of the metalic paint.

For deeper scratches ive been using 1500 grade wet n dry sandpaper to take a fine layer of clear clean off the top.
Then I hit it with 500 series cut n polish (Best ive tried so far) to remove any swearl marks and shine it.
Then I hit it with some repo polish to seal it.
For fine scratches the cut n polish works, then i seal it with the repo.

[TVR-190]

FOR POLISH TRY DEEP CUT BLUE POLISH, COMES IN A BOTTLE LIKE THIS WITH A CHIPSTICK FOR SCRATCHES AND BITS.

[Mick1988]

Yeah, most of the scratches are just very fine. I'll give it a shot maybe this weekend. Thanks for the help everyone.

[Scooter79]

Why ask a question when I've already covered it to death in the detailing tips and tricks. It's a sticky in the General section so not hard to find.

Im currently restoring my paint at the moment,
Ive tried a few different products.

Metalic paint has a clear coat so when you polish it you are actually polishing the clear that is over the top of the metalic paint.

For deeper scratches ive been using 1500 grade wet n dry sandpaper to take a fine layer of clear clean off the top.
Then I hit it with 500 series cut n polish (Best ive tried so far) to remove any swearl marks and shine it.
Then I hit it with some repo polish to seal it.For fine scratches the cut n polish works, then i seal it with the repo.

I don't think the guy is up for wet sanding as he said he's never even polished a car before.

A polish will NOT seal. This is a big misconception. Unless it is an 'all in one'. Repo polish will definately not seal.