Discussion
How fanatical do you want to be?
I take it you are a bona fide person here, and this is not just a way of assessing how many sad obsessives there are on the net.
Clearly there are professional detailers.
Then, you can try the Meguiar's system, starting with lubricating and rubbing over with a clay bar. ordinary sponges and mutton cloth are not regarded as acceptable at this level.
Then, there is my own system, which entails carefully washing, removing grime/tar with a solvent, then traditional simoniz, followed by proprietary polishes in several coats, perhaps Autoglym red, followed by gold, all done indoors with the car cool. Then cover with light car cover.
I take it you are a bona fide person here, and this is not just a way of assessing how many sad obsessives there are on the net.
Clearly there are professional detailers.
Then, you can try the Meguiar's system, starting with lubricating and rubbing over with a clay bar. ordinary sponges and mutton cloth are not regarded as acceptable at this level.
Then, there is my own system, which entails carefully washing, removing grime/tar with a solvent, then traditional simoniz, followed by proprietary polishes in several coats, perhaps Autoglym red, followed by gold, all done indoors with the car cool. Then cover with light car cover.
Hi Alex,
There's a tonne of information here
http://www.detailingworld.com/forum
From the info on the site you can determine how far you want to take it, but there are good guides on simple washing waxing etc. They key thing is washing the car without inflicting swirls marks, you've probably seen them, circular scratches that are very noticable in direct sunlight. Anyway check out detailing world and see how you get on.
John.
There's a tonne of information here
http://www.detailingworld.com/forum
From the info on the site you can determine how far you want to take it, but there are good guides on simple washing waxing etc. They key thing is washing the car without inflicting swirls marks, you've probably seen them, circular scratches that are very noticable in direct sunlight. Anyway check out detailing world and see how you get on.
John.
steelej said:
Hi Alex,
There's a tonne of information here
http://www.detailingworld.com/forum
From the info on the site you can determine how far you want to take it, but there are good guides on simple washing waxing etc. They key thing is washing the car without inflicting swirls marks, you've probably seen them, circular scratches that are very noticable in direct sunlight. Anyway check out detailing world and see how you get on.
John.
That is actually one of my problems, my grandfather apparently dried my car with a towel....yes a towel. Even though the microfiber one is right next to the car. I was told that these buff out when done properly, so I will have to take it to the dealer, but after that I will start to wash it myself.There's a tonne of information here
http://www.detailingworld.com/forum
From the info on the site you can determine how far you want to take it, but there are good guides on simple washing waxing etc. They key thing is washing the car without inflicting swirls marks, you've probably seen them, circular scratches that are very noticable in direct sunlight. Anyway check out detailing world and see how you get on.
John.
DONT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHATEVER YOU DO!!!!
Hopefully I made it in time, the dealer will not do a good job on your car, most dealers will inflict more issues than solve, look for a professional detailer in your area. Another web site that may help is http://www.autopia.org/ this is a US based detailing site.
A few hundred dollars will see the swirls gone then it's done to maintenance after that.
John.
Hopefully I made it in time, the dealer will not do a good job on your car, most dealers will inflict more issues than solve, look for a professional detailer in your area. Another web site that may help is http://www.autopia.org/ this is a US based detailing site.
A few hundred dollars will see the swirls gone then it's done to maintenance after that.
John.
steelej said:
DONT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER WHATEVER YOU DO!!!!
Hopefully I made it in time, the dealer will not do a good job on your car, most dealers will inflict more issues than solve, look for a professional detailer in your area. Another web site that may help is http://www.autopia.org/ this is a US based detailing site.
A few hundred dollars will see the swirls gone then it's done to maintenance after that.
John.
My dealer (Palm Beach motors) has "professional detailers" , but you sound like you know what you are talking about John, so I will definitely heed this warning. I am glad I learned my lesson with the Jag rather than the Aston though........*make sure everyone in the house knows the proper towel to use when drying*Hopefully I made it in time, the dealer will not do a good job on your car, most dealers will inflict more issues than solve, look for a professional detailer in your area. Another web site that may help is http://www.autopia.org/ this is a US based detailing site.
A few hundred dollars will see the swirls gone then it's done to maintenance after that.
John.
cardigankid said:
How fanatical do you want to be?
I take it you are a bona fide person here, and this is not just a way of assessing how many sad obsessives there are on the net.
Clearly there are professional detailers.
Then, you can try the Meguiar's system, starting with lubricating and rubbing over with a clay bar. ordinary sponges and mutton cloth are not regarded as acceptable at this level.
Then, there is my own system, which entails carefully washing, removing grime/tar with a solvent, then traditional simoniz, followed by proprietary polishes in several coats, perhaps Autoglym red, followed by gold, all done indoors with the car cool. Then cover with light car cover.
No, I mean every word I post here, I think I am just missing out on one of the joys of having a nice car.....washing it.I take it you are a bona fide person here, and this is not just a way of assessing how many sad obsessives there are on the net.
Clearly there are professional detailers.
Then, you can try the Meguiar's system, starting with lubricating and rubbing over with a clay bar. ordinary sponges and mutton cloth are not regarded as acceptable at this level.
Then, there is my own system, which entails carefully washing, removing grime/tar with a solvent, then traditional simoniz, followed by proprietary polishes in several coats, perhaps Autoglym red, followed by gold, all done indoors with the car cool. Then cover with light car cover.
Its half the fun, seriously. I totally agree with John regarding dealers. Much as I like some of them, its by and large just a commodity to them, and you will take much better care of it. And when it comes to second hand cars, its just second hand metal and the paintwork is going to take anything they throw at it in the short time the car is with them. Some of them would think nothing about putting it through a car wash just to spruce it up a bit.
I got a complete Meguiars set recently and I'm going to set about my S-Type tomorrow.
I got a complete Meguiars set recently and I'm going to set about my S-Type tomorrow.
My new-ish XKR was a dealer demo. I bought it knowing that it was swirled to death. I do like making my cars look superb, but even with hours of prep and Zaino polish I was doomed. I hated the scratches, but didn't have the balls to get on a hand polisher. Instead paid the money for a professional to come in. I have to say the difference is amazing, even under strong lights there are no marks left. As you rightly point out, the difficulty now comes from keeping it that way. I have forked out some cash for the 'tools of the trade' and hopefully will keep it purrrfect.
Not very good pics as the light had gone and it was rainging but............
I love this car!
G
Not very good pics as the light had gone and it was rainging but............
I love this car!
G
Good Reg Gazzer 
I decided to learn how to do it all myself, started with a porter cable polisher which is relatively safe to use to get rid of all my swirls which like you I got as a no cost option from Jag. I recently moved upto a makita rotary which is just so much quicker at removing defects than the porter cable, but a lot more care is required as it can be a dangerous tool if you don't know what you're doing with it
John.
I decided to learn how to do it all myself, started with a porter cable polisher which is relatively safe to use to get rid of all my swirls which like you I got as a no cost option from Jag
. I recently moved upto a makita rotary which is just so much quicker at removing defects than the porter cable, but a lot more care is required as it can be a dangerous tool if you don't know what you're doing with it John.
Edited by steelej on Saturday 1st December 18:11
What hurts the most is that my cars paint was perfect, and a little towel has just killed it. The scratches are very small, I mean you have to look very closely. They are not to the point of being unsightly, but I know they are there. If any of guys are like me, EVERY time I go to my car, I have to look at them, it drives me crazy. John, I am going all out, the works, I really want these stupid things gone, I am going on Monday so I will get back to you.
ALEXDB9 said:
What hurts the most is that my cars paint was perfect, and a little towel has just killed it. The scratches are very small, I mean you have to look very closely. They are not to the point of being unsightly, but I know they are there. If any of guys are like me, EVERY time I go to my car, I have to look at them, it drives me crazy. John, I am going all out, the works, I really want these stupid things gone, I am going on Monday so I will get back to you.
Felt exactly the same way.So John, how did you start? I feel I need to buy an old banger and practice on that. Also you can't keep polishing the car otherwise you'll go through the paint. As far as I am concened you can only do this sort of thing a couple of times.
Anyway 2 bucket step for me in future. Hard to know what sponge to use???
You will get rid of them, don't worry.
I thought you might like to know how I got on. I have bought a 1 year old S Type 3.0 Sport, in Midnight with black. Its in pretty good condition, with 15,000 miles up. Almost any washing process it seems, will leave tiny scratch marks, which are particularly noticeable on dark metallics. Most people wouldn't bother but I want it perfect.
I bought about £60 of stuff from an outfit called performance motorcare. This started with Meguiars shampoo. So far so good. Then a clay bar and container of Meguiars 'Quik Detailer', which is some kind of lubricant. This needed a bit of warming up and kneading. It seemed to take all the tiny gritty things you can feel if you run your fingers over the paintwork, off, without inflicting any damage itself.
Then I started with the Meguiars '3-part system', part 1 being a cleaner, part 2 being a polish, and part 3 being a Carnauba wax sealer. Each on went on with a fresh applicator pad, a little circular thing, one panel at a time, indoors with the car cool, just like it says on the tin. Then rubbed off with a microfibre 'Terry towel', to all intents and purposes like a yellow facecloth.
It took about 24 hours to do the whole thing, and I think I have pulled a tendon in my polishing arm, but the results I would describe as awesome, perfect, soft and smooth as glass. Literally flawless. Up to now I have used mutton cloth and Autoglym. This is in a different league altogether. Haven't tried machine tools yet, that may be the next step.
This isn't a Meguiars advert by the way, that just happens to be what PM supplied me with.
I thought you might like to know how I got on. I have bought a 1 year old S Type 3.0 Sport, in Midnight with black. Its in pretty good condition, with 15,000 miles up. Almost any washing process it seems, will leave tiny scratch marks, which are particularly noticeable on dark metallics. Most people wouldn't bother but I want it perfect.
I bought about £60 of stuff from an outfit called performance motorcare. This started with Meguiars shampoo. So far so good. Then a clay bar and container of Meguiars 'Quik Detailer', which is some kind of lubricant. This needed a bit of warming up and kneading. It seemed to take all the tiny gritty things you can feel if you run your fingers over the paintwork, off, without inflicting any damage itself.
Then I started with the Meguiars '3-part system', part 1 being a cleaner, part 2 being a polish, and part 3 being a Carnauba wax sealer. Each on went on with a fresh applicator pad, a little circular thing, one panel at a time, indoors with the car cool, just like it says on the tin. Then rubbed off with a microfibre 'Terry towel', to all intents and purposes like a yellow facecloth.
It took about 24 hours to do the whole thing, and I think I have pulled a tendon in my polishing arm, but the results I would describe as awesome, perfect, soft and smooth as glass. Literally flawless. Up to now I have used mutton cloth and Autoglym. This is in a different league altogether. Haven't tried machine tools yet, that may be the next step.
This isn't a Meguiars advert by the way, that just happens to be what PM supplied me with.
Triple7 said:
So John, how did you start? I feel I need to buy an old banger and practice on that. Also you can't keep polishing the car otherwise you'll go through the paint. As far as I am concened you can only do this sort of thing a couple of times.
Anyway 2 bucket step for me in future. Hard to know what sponge to use???
Yeah you wouldn't want to do a full corrective polish too often, once it's done it really is a maintenance program after that, but as long as you're not using too agressive a polish and not removing too much clearcoat you can give the car a good few goings over, but the amount of clear removed is the key. I had to get a paint depth guage before I got the rotary and I was very surprised on how thin the jag paint is in certain areas, around the wheel arches it was as low as 70 microns, average being anywhere between 90-120, so care is required round the arches. I checked a few XKR's to make sure it wasn't just mine and they were all the same.Anyway 2 bucket step for me in future. Hard to know what sponge to use???
Anyway I started down this path trying to get my 12 year old Escort Cosworth back upto a good standard, 12 years of not paying as much attention to the wash technique as I should left it very swirly. I lost a lot of time to http://www.detailingworld.com/forum then after that a lot of cash
I bought the Porter Cable dual action polisher because it's dual action(mimics the movements you would make by hand only much quicker) it's relatively safe to use, you can still make a mess of things but you would need to go some to do it. Spents lots of time watching video's and reading up on how to use it then let loose on the cossie. I was taking a while to correct all the swirls it was pretty bad but once I was happy I had the technique I left cossie for now and took some time to get rid of the swirls on the Jag. They were so light that it didn't take a lot of time to sort out. Now it's back to sorting the cossie and I decided to go for the rotary because it's just so much faster at sorting out scratches etc but a lot more care is required. I've also got a few friends car's (which I can't look at because they're so bad) to sort out so I'll use the rotary for that.When I wash the car I normally jet wash first to get rid of the loose dirt, then jetwash again with a foamer to remove even more then I wash with a schmitt.
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-drying/wash-...
as you'll see from the pictures it's a dimpled sponge, one of the main causes of swirls using a normal sponge is the fact it's a flat surface and basically drags the dirt all over the car, the schmitt draws the dirt onto it taking it away from the surface of the car.
Drying is just as important, throw away that chamois and get a couple of these
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/so...
I use one to remove most of the water from the car then the other to give it a final dry.
You would only need to clay the car maybe once or twice a year, if you run your hand over the paint and it feels rough then claying is a good idea, especially if it's going to get a wax afterwards. I could go on all day about this but get yourself over to detailing world, there's a tonne of info there on keeping the car looking good.
John.
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