meguires 3 step falls short.
 

I think the 3 step is great if your surface is in good shape.

I ran into a problem this weekend with my 1989 300CE. The first step body scrub is not quite strong enough for the hood and trunk surfaces.. it's close but not quite... this is with a porter cable.

i need something to cut just a bit more.... i wanted to get some mcquires on 3m cutters Saturday..but those stores are closed.

any recommendations?

You need to use Meguiar's professional products to get better results.

You can try Meguiars #9 Swirls Remover 2.0, which is a very, very light duty cleaner/polish. I've found best results are achieved with this product when used with a rotary buffer. Because modern clear coats are very hard as compared to traditional paint, you will likely need something more aggressive than the #9 such as the #83 DACP (dual action cleaner polish). I've achieved great results with #83 with both a PC and a rotary buffer.

http://www.autogeek.net/megdualaccle.html

As far as retail products go, Meguiar's Consumer Line is formulated for easy of use by hand while still delivering excellent results. Many of the products in the consumer line can be used with a PC (porter cable random orbital) or a OB (orbital buffer), but non of them have the cleaning power any of Meguiar's compounds, paint cleaners or cleaner polishes have in the Pro Line. That's because the Professional line is formulated for Professionals with typically a high skill level who also have a lot of experience using machine applied products. If you choose the correct Consumer product and use them correctly, you can still achieve good results.

Thanks...i think i can go with the 83... the hood is splotchy.... i have a perfect hood insulating blanket...so i don't think it's heat...

i agree about the consumer line...although the polish and the wax work nicely....

Definately go with #83 or one of the PoorBoy SSR's maybe SSR2.

....and when you are machine applying #83, and you are removing imperfections, you really need to move the machine slowly and methodically, letting the machine do the work, while at the same time using enough product so that the product doesn't dry.

If you do an application and it doesn't remove all of the defects, it doesn't mean the product didn't work. You actually removed tiny amounts of your clearcoat, but didn't remove enough to remove the defects.

It may take 2, 3, or even more applications.

thanks paul....that will be my plan....

i have evidence where the maguires step 1 removed some of my imperfections...but clearly i need something a bit stronger.

any recommendations on proter cable speed.... 1-6? seems like you need 4-5 to get good action

I like to compound around 5, and apply polish 3.5 to 4, and then apply wax at 2-3.

Here's a good thread on using #83 from the Meguiar's online forum:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13871

You should really check out their forum. Tons of great info.

There's even a forum for using the Porter Cable buffer, which they call the G-100 dual action polisher.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=67

thanks.... i have to order 83 from NAPA... the local Meguires detailer is closed for family reasons now.....

I can't handle another forum, so i appreciate... i have this one, ford , old house...

everything i own needs work. ha-ha-ha.