Detailer references sought + stone chip
Discussion
Had my car Zymol'd when I bought it in November, and HD cleansed it a few times since then, each time getting back to a respectable shine with little effort. Now feeling lazy and would like to find someone to properly detail the car for me. Based in Hammersmith and Acton during the week and Slough area at weekends.
At the same time, I'm seeking advice on stonechip repair. I have a single stonechip on the bonnet and don't feel I can justify a respray - what touch-up options do I have ? The paintwork is black metallic if it makes any odds.
At the same time, I'm seeking advice on stonechip repair. I have a single stonechip on the bonnet and don't feel I can justify a respray - what touch-up options do I have ? The paintwork is black metallic if it makes any odds.
Bonnet stone chip repairs, particularly on metallic paints, will never be 100%. A full bonnet respray, although it will remove the chip, unless carried out with exceptional skill, will be noticeable on close inspection afterwards, with the obvious consequences on resale value, buyer skepticism, etc etc.
A black bonnet, when in good nick is an enormous dark mirror surface. Any profile changes, such as those caused by a stone taking a chunk out of it, will likely remain visible, even with the chip coloured in.
Do a search in these forums for previous posts which have plenty of advice on DIY chip repairs, using the manufacturer's touch-in paint and a fine artists brush, a toothpick, 2000 grit paper, polish, and a lot of patience and care.
If it doesn't go well, provided you haven' put touch-in lacquer over the top, a pro will be able to remove your attempt for you without bother.
A bodyshop or smart repairer may be able to offer you an airbrush touch-in, which lays down a very even film of colour, and will often match the colour far more precisely, by mixing to match the particular batch of paint on the panel for repair. There will still be a dimple in the surface where the stone has removed substantial material though. I imagine if you are considering a full respray for a single chip, even a professional touch-in is unlikely to represent a satisfactory repair for you.
HTH
Tol
A black bonnet, when in good nick is an enormous dark mirror surface. Any profile changes, such as those caused by a stone taking a chunk out of it, will likely remain visible, even with the chip coloured in.
Do a search in these forums for previous posts which have plenty of advice on DIY chip repairs, using the manufacturer's touch-in paint and a fine artists brush, a toothpick, 2000 grit paper, polish, and a lot of patience and care.
If it doesn't go well, provided you haven' put touch-in lacquer over the top, a pro will be able to remove your attempt for you without bother.
A bodyshop or smart repairer may be able to offer you an airbrush touch-in, which lays down a very even film of colour, and will often match the colour far more precisely, by mixing to match the particular batch of paint on the panel for repair. There will still be a dimple in the surface where the stone has removed substantial material though. I imagine if you are considering a full respray for a single chip, even a professional touch-in is unlikely to represent a satisfactory repair for you.
HTH
Tol
Thanks for the input so far. Just to clarify the stonechip situation - I'm certainly not considering a respray of the bonnet. The chip is pretty small and it's only the fact that I know it's there and for me it spoils the effort/time/money invested in a proper detailing of the car.
My ideal is to find a detailer in my area who may be able to either take on the job or recommend a cost-effective solution/provider (I can but hope).
My ideal is to find a detailer in my area who may be able to either take on the job or recommend a cost-effective solution/provider (I can but hope).
Hi mate in answer to you Question i am a mobile Zymol Licenced Detailer and in your area, look me up at www.zymol.com or my website www.gleamautovaleting.com (once you have had your car detailed in Zymol if you hd-Cleanse it you will remove the wax!!)
Thanks to all the replies on this thread and email offers of assistance - looks like I have a number of options to choose from. Thanks also to the lone poster who spotted my delibirate :-) mistake.....I've not been stripping the wax off with HD cleanse, but instead washing with the Zymol cleaner (whatever it's called).
I braved a chilly Sunday morning to properly clean the car:
- wash
- chamois dry
- HD cleanse
- Meguairs detailing clay on some persistent muck
- Meguiars Crystal System step 2 (polish)
- Zymol wax
Undoubtedly putting the effort into the initial cleaning made the end result worthwhile....however I don't plan on getting up that early on a chilly morning to do the same again - and my car is already coated in dust and muck.
Oh, and after 4hrs at it I was offered a slap up lunch and so didn't even get on to the glass or leather :-(
I braved a chilly Sunday morning to properly clean the car:
- wash
- chamois dry
- HD cleanse
- Meguairs detailing clay on some persistent muck
- Meguiars Crystal System step 2 (polish)
- Zymol wax
Undoubtedly putting the effort into the initial cleaning made the end result worthwhile....however I don't plan on getting up that early on a chilly morning to do the same again - and my car is already coated in dust and muck.
Oh, and after 4hrs at it I was offered a slap up lunch and so didn't even get on to the glass or leather :-(
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