New to detailing questions

[T1berious]

Hi,

I've finally taken the plunge and invested so time effort and cash into getting some DIY detailing done.

A trip to Halfords later and I've got the basic starter kit.

Woolly mitt - check
Meguiars Wash and Wax kit - check
AG Wheel clean kit - check
Meg’s water magnet - check
MF Cloths - check
MF Mitt - Check

So using the two bucket method (thank you detailing guides!)
I've had some good results, I'm using Meg Tech Wax 2.0 and think I must be missing a step.

Namly Claying and Polishing.

I'll be trying out the claybar the next time there's a gap in the rain.

I've read a few posts and it seems like unless you're super man it will take you forever to repair etched in paint damage without a polisher.

So I'm guessing a polisher is next on the list for the results I'm after. Can you recommend anything for a complete novice? really after something that will give good results but not damage the car.

Any Polish \ Wax recommendations would be also greatly appreciated.

[JulesB]

It depends on how much you are looking to spend but I would suggest this machine polisher, its the one ive been using for the last 2 years and I dont think I will ever change it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flex-L3403-VRG-Portable-...

But then again I doubt you want to spend that much on one so you could try

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Clarke-Car-Pol...

It is the the cheap option so it is not amazing but will do the job.

This stuff is amazing, you must try it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-PCS-GLARE-Professional...


For the real tough scratches, go for this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-Perfect-it-III-Fast-C...

and then maybe

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-Perfect-it-III-Extra-...

[T1berious]

was thinking more along the lines of this puppy.

as it's closer to my budget (about £120)

DAS-6

Also was looking at the AG Polish \ Wax Combo

Cheers for the feedback though

[Red 4]

T1berious said:

I'm using Meg Tech Wax 2.0 and think I must be missing a step.

Namly Claying and Polishing.

I've read a few posts and it seems like unless you're super man it will take you forever to repair etched in paint damage without a polisher.

Any Polish \ Wax recommendations would be also greatly appreciated.

Polishing (properly) takes time. Lots of it.

If you're after quick, albeit temporary results, use a glaze to hide paint defects.

Try Meguiars No 7 Show Car Glaze. It's a pure polish and hides swirls, etc. Then wax.

There are lots and lots of posts about waxes. Everyone has their own preference but it is the polish/ glaze that gives the results.

[T1berious]

Hi Red, is that polishing by hand or using a machine? I'm getting the feeling its the work of hours even with a machine but as its a task that happens a few times a year and protects the car, it's time well spent.

Especially as I have dive bombing Pigeons to deal with, Grrr!

[Red 4]

T1berious said:

Hi Red, is that polishing by hand or using a machine? I'm getting the feeling its the work of hours even with a machine but as its a task that happens a few times a year and protects the car, it's time well spent.

Especially as I have dive bombing Pigeons to deal with, Grrr!

It's both. By hand or machine. Depends what level of correction you want.

Polishing doesn't really protect the car. Wax does.

If you want quick(ish) results then go with a glaze. Poorboys Blackhole is also very good.

[T1berious]

Correction wise it's to remove the bird poo damage, there's a few etches in the black paint work, there's a few light scratches but it's more about getting the gleaming sparking mirror like finish and protecting it with a good quality wax.

It's a toss up between AG and Meg's for Polish \ Wax,

Does that mean it is possible with a compound to correct etched paint damage? I was under the impression it was a machine polisher task to take a layer down?

Cheers T1b

[Red 4]

T1berious said:

It's a toss up between AG and Meg's for Polish \ Wax,

Does that mean it is possible with a compound to correct etched paint damage? I was under the impression it was a machine polisher task to take a layer down?

Cheers T1b

Autoglym SRP is a reasonable polish. It is high in "filler" content so will hide alot of defects. It won't do a brilliant job of "correcting" the paint though. You'll need a proper cutting compound for that. Meguiars do a fairly decent range of compounds (best used with a DA or rotary). Many other brands are also available.

It's impossible to say if the etchings can be removed without seeing them. If they have eaten through the lacquer then no. If they are light then maybe.

I have to be honest though. I haven't had much success with etchings and I've done a fair bit of detailing. Sometimes you can create more problems (strike through) so be careful. Rule of thumb; start with the least aggressive method (polish/ compound) and work your way up. Don't go mad. The etchings may be too deep and you'll just have to live with them.

What sort of car/ year/ colour is it by the way ?

[T1berious]

It's a Black E92 330, IT's mostly bird poo damage, so even after washing off it's left a mark, so after washing it looks fine until dried and you'll see a dull splotch.

a couple on the boot and a couple on the bonnet, however I'm keen to get a handle on the problem as my pride and joy (Z4M) is parked on the same drive which is covered by a lightly branched tree that is an avain toilet

[T1berious]

Year is 2007 BTW

[Red 4]

T1berious said:

It's a Black E92 330, IT's mostly bird poo damage, so even after washing off it's left a mark, so after washing it looks fine until dried and you'll see a dull splotch.

a couple on the boot and a couple on the bonnet, however I'm keen to get a handle on the problem as my pride and joy (Z4M) is parked on the same drive which is covered by a lightly branched tree that is an avain toilet

It'll probably polish up in that case. Doesn't sound like it's etched too deeply or eaten all the way through the lacquer.

Try polishing and move up the scale in stages. BMW paint is quite hard in any case so should be OK.

Best of luck.

[T1berious]

Sorry, is that by hand or using a machine?

Cheers for the info

T1b

[OldSkoolRS]

While I own the DAS6 Pro myself (which is excellent), I have also tried using a hand polishing foam on my Z3 (also hard paint) after a bird dropping left a mark. Sure it required a bit of effort, but it wasn't the whole bonnet area so didn't take long. This is the sort of thing I used, although I have a selection of different grades of Menzerna polishes which made it easier to select the right ones (it needed a finer one afterwards to remove some hologram type marks):

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/accessories/ultimate...

[T1berious]

Hey old School,

You know what, I think that could do the trick, I got a compound (I believe it's medium, I'll double check when I get in) so I'll get that either way.

The O/H has given me the green light to get a DAS6 Pro so I'll get that to deal with the large areas.

May I ask what compounds you use? also I'm guessing you use the DAS6 for polishing the whole car?

What pads do you use?

Cheers for the info

T1b

[OldSkoolRS]

Initially I used the Menz pads but then read that they don't last very long...just after that one of mine fell apart! I've now bought some of the Chemical Guys hexlogic pads and I already had some other 3M pads as well of different grades: The 3M ones are more for glazes but may be useful on the very soft paint on my black RS2000 (one day, when I've finished the welding...). The Hexpads are harder so more suited to the hard paint on the Z3 and my OH's Mini.

These are the pads, I've bought the orange and yellow ones as I wanted something for polishing out P2000 sanding marks where I did some wet sanding on the Z3 (it had some deeper scratches):

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/chemical-g...

I use the different grades of Menz polish same as the sampler kit on this page (but I bought them one by one, so I paid more...):

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing/polish/men...


I use the DAS6 Pro on the whole car, I'm just working my way round it gradually improving some deeper scratches, then will go over it again with a finer polish and pad to remove the odd swirl marks and holograms from the harsher polish. As the weather hasn't been good enough to spend much time doing it, so it's just 'as and when', with careful washing in between to maintain it. I also use Wet Glaze 2.0 which help fill some marks but over time this washes off. The DAS 6 has the speed controls which my heavy single speed rotary doesn't have (it's more of a bodyshop 'mopping machine') so it's a delight to use after the rotary.

Edited by OldSkoolRS on Friday 15th June 17:42