Advice Needed, This car cleaning seems like an art.....

[the_g_ster]

Hi,

Had a quick read of some of the threads on here about cleaning and polishing. The claying and all this other stuff seems pretty in depth.

I have a 6 year old bmw 330 in dark met blue, is in pretty good state and looks good when standard autoglym on there, but like to look into getting a real quality finish on there like some of these threads on here. I saw a guy with volvo 340 that came up amazing from what look liked almost matt.

What do I need to do?

Clay first, then what? I have a random orbital sander (metabo 450sxe) so I guess being 150mm I can get pads for that if needed. Any advice, especially in given dark colour and guessing a lacquer on it.

Thanks in advance.

[PJ S]

Being only 6 yo, it'll have a clearcoat, so no worries on that end.
The thread you're referring to is this one - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
You can buy the products direct or from www.pro-detailing.co.uk, where you can also pick up pads too.
Polish as well, but the Prometheus is a lesser known quantity than 3M, Menzerna, or Meguiar's even. You could even use G3 and G10, but they're powerful dusty when worked. I hope to be able to test the Prometheus I got just before Christmas, once I get some time to myself, and weather worth bothering to venture out into!
The Bilt Hamber Auto Balm is supposed to be quite filler intensive, more so than AG SRP - so you might forego the polishing bit for a couple of months while the weather gets better.
Of course, it looks better with well/fully prep'd paint, so don't think the filling aspect is a detraction on prep'd surfaces, far from it.

[Mr_B]

All you need to know at www.detailingworld.com

I should add a warning: some of the people there have no life and clean the inside of the exhaust...

Edited by Mr_B on Monday 4th February 18:06

[Tim Bomford]

Only the tailpipe part mate, its gotta be done.

[grand cherokee]

Mr_B said:

All you need to know at www.detailingworld.com

I should add a warning: some of the people there have no life and clean the inside of the exhaust...

Edited by Mr_B on Monday 4th February 18:06

and are nearly in tears when it rains - PMSL

maybe when they discover women things will change?

[belleair302]

That is when certain members start detailing Dyson Vacuum cleaners and additional female household items!!! I kid you not.

[Drive 'n' Shine]

PJ S said:

Polish as well, but the Prometheus is a lesser known quantity

Menzerna by a different name

[The Walrus]

Log onto autopia for all you could want to know, they have a download which pretty much covers everything you could want to possibly do to your paintwork and car surfaces.

One word of warning don't expect miracles from orbital polishers they can only do so much before you need to move to rotary and that is a whole different ball game as well as an art.