Making the ST shine like new again

[FlipTrac_511]

I want to make my ST's panels shine like glass again. What buffer/polisher equipment can you all recommend. Mind you, I've never used an orbital in my life.

 

[Mark Smith]

Check out 5 star shine @ www.5starshine.com

 

[Gary DiPietroSr]

I know that you have to be very careful and not burn through the clear coat. You can't do that with elbow grease, LOL.

 

[Deleted deleted]

If you've never used an orbital buffer before, your ST paint is not the place to learn.



Use plain old elbow grease, a claybar, and some Megiuars NXT. The results are awesome.

 

[Gypsy me]

I shudder hearing about anyone putting a buffer to a trac.... remember my story Flip?

 

[Dre L]

It ain't that bad, I used a porter cable buffer and nothing happened.

 

[TrainTrac]

I use an orbital buffer on my ST all the time with Meguiar's NXT wax and never have a problem. Outstanding shine every time.



The only thing you have to remember is to let the buffer do the work for you and not press too hard on the surface of the vehicle. I use a foam pad to apply the wax, and another foam pad to buff, and it works great.

 

[Sed Thompson]

I second the Meguiars NXT, that stuff is outstanding.

 

[Dre L]

Yep. I even tried my favorite "Mother's" products, and then went right back to the meguiars NXT... same wax day... did one of those half and halfs on the hood and brought the wife out for an independant opinion. The NXT had more depth, shine, and was a deeper darker DWWB that I remember from the showroom.



The $30 can of carnauba wax I got from Autopia (hey it was on sale for $10) SUCKED.



Now being that that was my first time, and a practice run, and it was hot and humid as heck, and then it started to rain, I only got to do a full strip, polish, and wax on the hood, and just waxed the rest of the trac. Man was that a mistake. There is a noticeable difference in swirl marks and such over the rest of the body, and the paint is sort of dull.



Now that it is cooling off some I'm going to do the whole thing over the right way, particularly on the roof which is in need of some attention.



Also, the stoner products all rock. I used trim shine, invisible glass, and tarminator.



and that meguiars tire gel is the only one for me. The car wash is good also.



Oh and the porter cable is very good, big difference over my el cheapo buffer. I had it all the way up to 4 while waxing, and with moderate pressure. Just start slow, and apply enough pressure to get the product working. you can gradually speed up.

 

[Todd Cloutier]

Suprised nobody has mentioned Zaino. Although if your paint is dulled, you need to use a polish before applying Zaino.

 

[FlipTrac_511]

I use Meguiars NXT soap, NXT polish/wax, and Insane Shine tire spray. I also use Stoner's Trimshine and Tarminator on the wheel wells, and Invisible Glass on the windows. All have given me great results. The reason I was interested in an orbital is because after I clay-barred my hood and waxed it, some areas were darker than the others. I guess I had not applied and buffed the wax evenly and I thought an orbital buffer would prevent this and improve overall results.



Anyhow, thanks for the feedback folks. What's porter cable anyway? GM, refresh my memory on your story.