Aston Martin detailing paintwork

[Rick Segui]

Hi there, I’m new here so not yet all that familiar with the site.

I have a 2007 Aston Martin Vantage in Onyx metallic black. I bought it to cheer me up after a mid life crisis and have now had it for about 5 years. I love it. It’s not a Porsche (without oddities) but for me it is a more special car.

About a year after I bought it, I had the curbed wheels repaired all the chips repaired and a proper polish and ceramic coat. It looked immaculate. It also had a continued Aston main dealer service record which now I have stopped for reasons I will chat about later, if anyone is interested

The body work cost me €1500 and I can see it dulling a tad.

Autoglym products are stuffed in my cupboard but now Autoglym have ceramic products.

Anyone used them and have any process recommendations? I’ve looked at Autoglym site and quite honestly there are just simply too many products to even start considering which direction to go in.

Do I polish the car first? I know t cut is old hat. Do I use a rotational polisher before using the Autoglym which I’m faithful to keep to?

I have the old polishers and resin finishing products but it seems they are old hat lo now just like t cut?

Comments very much welcomed.

[MichaelV8V]

T-Cut is really aggressive, takes off loads of lacquer, so don't think of using that unless the paint is wrecked already.

[milu]

There’s nothing wrong with the older AG products if that’s what you have.
Remember it’s polish to remove imperfections and create shine and wax or some sort of sealant to protect.

Whatever you decide to use ( not T cut) just work by hand at first on one panel to see how you do.
Black can be difficult so inspect in various lights afterwards to see if you’re getting a nice finish.

[paddy328]

A product like autoglym will add a bit of shine because of its fine micro abrasives and fillers. However, it won’t last and you’ll have to keep doing it to keep it looking shiny. I would suggest getting a detailer to look at it and advise accordingly. I’m not saying that because I am one, but it could be many different variables that are making the paint dull. I wouldn’t machine polish the car if you’ve not had prior experience.

[Andrew-eewbx]

I've wasted a few hours watching this guy on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUwQfeWltJU
It gives you an idea how the pros achieve the ceramic finish and some product recommendations. I think I was looking at snow foam devices for my Karcher and got sucked in. I did eventually buy a snow foam attachment and some product which is very satisfying to use not sure if it makes a difference, but very satisfying start to a wash!

[JonnyCJ]

Funnily enough I started off on a minor detail for my 2009 Onyx Black V8V last night. Just tidying up the rear bumper where it had received a couple of marks when I had it off for the subframe refurb. It's one of those jobs that you spend ages thinking about and putting off and then really enjoy seeing the results when it's finished.

Once it stops raining etc I'll get it out of the garage for a proper wash and look at the areas where some more in depth correction work is needed.

[Rick Segui]

Thank you all for your helpful comments

[nig3lh]

Interesting thread as I’ve just booked my DB9 in for a paint correction detail and ceramic coating. Once it’s done, what’s the best maintenance routine i.e. should I be using something like Autoglym Super Resin Polish or will this just damage the coating?

Also, considering PPF on the front but concerned that whilst it protects the paint from stone chips it’s gets damaged itself and ends up looking a mess. Has anyone got any experience of this?

[Astontony]

nig3lh said:

Interesting thread as I’ve just booked my DB9 in for a paint correction detail and ceramic coating. Once it’s done, what’s the best maintenance routine i.e. should I be using something like Autoglym Super Resin Polish or will this just damage the coating?

Also, considering PPF on the front but concerned that whilst it protects the paint from stone chips it’s gets damaged itself and ends up looking a mess. Has anyone got any experience of this?

I have had PPF on my last 3 cars. I thoroughly recommend it. The Vanquish is now booked in on 17th for its PPF. I have used a PPF called Expel and it has a unique quality in that it "self Heals" eg if you have a small scuff or scratch in the PPF, not a cut and you put the car in the sun or carefully use a hair dryer on medium heat the PPF will actually self heal. There are many videos on this topic on youtube.

I have not had any yellowing of the product and it also has built in uv protection.

If applied by an expert of which there are many you will find it hard to detect as the edges in most cases are rolled over the panel or pushed into crevasses.

The applier will generally do a full paint correction prior to adding the product and this is usually, from my experience, in the pricing

I am having a race package which is total front, Headlights a pillars, mirrors. sills. front of wheel arches and of course the paint protection before application for a cost of $2800.

I do a lot of group driving with club members and friends and it is great knowing most stone chips no longer happen. There is also a product for windscreens but I am told it is very hard to apply and therefor the cost is about $1200..

[paddy328]

nig3lh said:

Interesting thread as I’ve just booked my DB9 in for a paint correction detail and ceramic coating. Once it’s done, what’s the best maintenance routine i.e. should I be using something like Autoglym Super Resin Polish or will this just damage the coating?

Also, considering PPF on the front but concerned that whilst it protects the paint from stone chips it’s gets damaged itself and ends up looking a mess. Has anyone got any experience of this?

Out of interest, what coating are they putting on your car?

Ppf is only worth it if the front of the car is free from chips. Always worth doing though.

The guy that’s doing your car (shame on you for not using me lol) should tell you how to look after it and what to use, but no, don’t go near it with a polish. You just need a decent shampoo and a spray sealant wipe over every few months

[paddy328]

Astontony said:

I have had PPF on my last 3 cars. I thoroughly recommend it. The Vanquish is now booked in on 17th for its PPF. I have used a PPF called Expel and it has a unique quality in that it "self Heals" eg if you have a small scuff or scratch in the PPF, not a cut and you put the car in the sun or carefully use a hair dryer on medium heat the PPF will actually self heal. There are many videos on this topic on youtube.

I have not had any yellowing of the product and it also has built in uv protection.

If applied by an expert of which there are many you will find it hard to detect as the edges in most cases are rolled over the panel or pushed into crevasses.

The applier will generally do a full paint correction prior to adding the product and this is usually, from my experience, in the pricing

I am having a race package which is total front, Headlights a pillars, mirrors. sills. front of wheel arches and of course the paint protection before application for a cost of $2800.

I do a lot of group driving with club members and friends and it is great knowing most stone chips no longer happen. There is also a product for windscreens but I am told it is very hard to apply and therefor the cost is about $1200..

Expel are not the only ones that do self healing film. There are many different brands that do, but expel are probably the biggest and most well known.

[JonnyCJ]

There's a good video on comparison between Scotchguard Pro, Suntek and Xpel. Scotchguard looks to be the winner. Found it 5 mins after I'd ordered my Xpel headlight PPF...

Once I get the bonnet and wings sorted paint wise, I may well look to get Scotchguard installed on bonnet, wings and sills.

[Rick Segui]

milu said:

There’s nothing wrong with the older AG products if that’s what you have.
Remember it’s polish to remove imperfections and create shine and wax or some sort of sealant to protect.

Whatever you decide to use ( not T cut) just work by hand at first on one panel to see how you do.
Black can be difficult so inspect in various lights afterwards to see if you’re getting a nice finish.

Thank you

[Rick Segui]

paddy328 said:

Out of interest, what coating are they putting on your car?

Ppf is only worth it if the front of the car is free from chips. Always worth doing though.

The guy that’s doing your car (shame on you for not using me lol) should tell you how to look after it and what to use, but no, don’t go near it with a polish. You just need a decent shampoo and a spray sealant wipe over every few months

Paddy, with all due respect this thread wasn’t supposed be be an opportunity for self advertising

[paulrog1]

He's not self advertising, he's just saying he's a detailer.

It's like me commenting in an electrical topic and I'm an electrician.

We need the advice from a professional, so paddy's contribution is very welcome.

[JonnyCJ]

Rick Segui said:

Paddy, with all due respect this thread wasn’t supposed be be an opportunity for self advertising

Correct - very naughty of Paddy to even hint at mentioning his occupation. The fact that he’s probably the most experienced Aston detailer in the country and come highly recommended by those who’ve used him is irrelevant.

It’s shameless that he sees fit to even hint that he’s a detailer and I for one won’t stand for it.

Who’s with me ?

[AM4884]

I am stateside but would welcome some before and after photos of Paddy's work. Purely in the interest of science and knowing what to look for!

[paddy328]

Good lord. I was only joking. For one sentence too, I might add. The rest of my post was informative. And let’s be honest, I don’t need to try and advertise myself in this forum, because as has been mentioned, I’m the most experienced Aston Martin detailer in the UK, which is all thanks to the good folk on this forum. It started out years ago with me offering free advice and this has never changed. People can choose who they want to detail their cars, but I’ll always be happy to offer any advice where I can.

I’ll make sure to not mention that I’m a detailer again in a detailing related post, just in case someone thinks I’m going to try and steal work from someone that has already got their car booked in with someone else.

Right, I’m off to sit on the naughty step....

Actually, I’m back, as I’ve just noticed something. I was the third person to reply to your original question and I believe what I wrote was informative. While I mentioned you get a detailer to look at the car, I didn’t tell you to get me to do it for you, which I could’ve done. The fact that you say you’re new here makes sense. Why don’t you take a look at the FAQs section and see the cleaning guide I put together. Purely in the name of advertising of course. I need to get around to updating it, but I must confess that sitting on forums waiting to post unsolicited self promotion takes up most of my time

Edited by paddy328 on Friday 5th February 11:13

[paddy328]

AM4884 said:

I am stateside but would welcome some before and after photos of Paddy's work. Purely in the interest of science and knowing what to look for!

Take a look at my Instagram page emeralddetailing you should find some good examples on there. Though don’t tell anyone I told you what my business is called.

[AM4884]

paddy328 said:

Take a look at my Instagram page emeralddetailing you should find some good examples on there. Though don’t tell anyone I told you what my business is called.

Will do. I have a new to me Black BMW E39 M5. Shows every swirl and could really use some professional love. My DB9 is silver, and it hides most of the flaws behind it's stunning curves (and silver paint)..