When you’re midway through a detail

[Bobton125]

So I’ve spent the whole weekend attempting to remove heavy swirls on my car.
The plan was to wash, clay, machine polish with meguiars 105 and 205, then to apply a sealant.
However it took me all weekend to just wash, clay and the first stage of machine polishing (cutting)
I won’t have the time to finish the job until next weekend annoyingly as it took so long to do the cutting.
I won’t be driving the car until it’s complete but it is still sitting on the driveway in the elements.

What’s the best way to carry on the job on the next weekend? Snow foam, wash /dry and then carry on with the 2nd stage of the polishing process (refinement)?

I was thinking as the car has no sealant/wax protection on right now, it’s more likely for swirls to be added if I put a cover over it rather than just let the rain which will come during this week?

[Shanksy87]

In your position I would cover (assuming it's soft lined) and do wash prior to finish polishing. That way you don't need to worry about bird deposits.

Out of interest, what was it that held you up with the first stage of machining? On your average car I spend around 6 hours doing the first pass.

[Bobton125]

The cover is soft lined, but could it still swirl if there’s any microscopic specs which have landed on the car since?

The reason why it took so long was because it was heavily swirled so took a good few passes with a DA and also that yesterday was more sunny than I expected so I had to stop at one point until the clouds came back/temp went down)

[liner33]

I wouldn't cover , i'd wash and dry it and wipe with ipa before carrying on refining

[Summit_Detailing]

I wouldn't cover the car.

Just wash, dry and crack on with the 2nd stage of polishing.

Cheers,

Chris

[Bobton125]

Thanks all

It looks like it’s gathered dust over night anyway so I guess the cover is a no unless I washed it tonight but it seems pointless washing it twice before the next polish.

What IPA would you recommend before the sealant?

[Dave.]

If you don't think you can get it done in one session, do a section or even a panel at a time.

[Chubbyross]

Dave. said:

If you don't think you can get it done in one session, do a section or even a panel at a time.

This was what I did to my car during the first lockdown. It took me eight blissful weeks. It took my mind off the world outside for two whole months.