Newbie Polisher - help needed

[The Dodger]

I have been cleaning cars for nearly 50 years but never had any polishing help. I used to kid myself I could 'valet' a car - but that just meant I would use a proprietary wax/polish after wasing and rinsing. I do know how to wash a car properly but this 'Detailing' has me bewildered a little. Over the past 15-20 yrs I have just used AG Super Resin (and occasionally the 'specials' they also sell) and with acceptable results. I now want more!

My car is a TVR with 14 year-old mica paint in dark blue. It is by no means perfect at all. Although it is quite flat to the touch, it is suffering badly from swirls and minor scratches. With recent birthday money I am about to purchase a Meguiars G220 to aid the proposed first 'proper' polishing process. Can anybody help with a few queries please? :-

1. I assume I ought to really get a kit with the polisher + pads and solutions. Can anybody recommend a starter pack? Max £200.

2. Do I need to 'clay' the car? This is an alien process to me. Would Blue-Tack do the job?

3. I eventually succumbed to modern technology and bought a Megs Waffle m/f drier to use instead of my chamois. It really is good for soaking up the water but does not leave a smear-free surface. I either have to go over it again, or get the chamois out. Is this normal?

Any help or advice appreciated. Thanks.

[mneame]

The Dodger said:

I have been cleaning cars for nearly 50 years but never had any polishing help. I used to kid myself I could 'valet' a car - but that just meant I would use a proprietary wax/polish after wasing and rinsing. I do know how to wash a car properly but this 'Detailing' has me bewildered a little. Over the past 15-20 yrs I have just used AG Super Resin (and occasionally the 'specials' they also sell) and with acceptable results. I now want more!

My car is a TVR with 14 year-old mica paint in dark blue. It is by no means perfect at all. Although it is quite flat to the touch, it is suffering badly from swirls and minor scratches. With recent birthday money I am about to purchase a Meguiars G220 to aid the proposed first 'proper' polishing process. Can anybody help with a few queries please? :-

1. I assume I ought to really get a kit with the polisher + pads and solutions. Can anybody recommend a starter pack? Max £200.

2. Do I need to 'clay' the car? This is an alien process to me. Would Blue-Tack do the job?

3. I eventually succumbed to modern technology and bought a Megs Waffle m/f drier to use instead of my chamois. It really is good for soaking up the water but does not leave a smear-free surface. I either have to go over it again, or get the chamois out. Is this normal?

Any help or advice appreciated. Thanks.

don't kid yourself. valeting is exactly that. A good clean down and protect. but yes detailing is a bit more involved.

www.detailingworld.co.uk is a cracking place for information and advice.

now to answer your points:

1) shop around and i've found prices vary. maily on p&p beinng thrown in if over x amount. this can really help.

try www.polishedbliss.co.uk give them a call and ask for rich. he really knows his stuff. or have a look on www.elitecarcare.co.uk both do cracking packages.

2)yes you should clay the car before polishing. this process removes bonded on contaminents such as tar spots, tree sap and general road grime. afraid blue tack won;t do. start with a megs quick clay kit. it will leave little if any marring and will give you a great surface for polishing.

3)yes to a certain extent. but if you have some really good protection layers on there it'll be smear free straight away. what do you currently protect your paint with? ag srp is a pure polish and won't protect the paint at all. i'd recommend the dodo range of waxes or the acrylic or carnuba systems from werkstatt to give you a great finish.

a top tip for when drying with a mf drying towel is to spritz the car over with quick detailer as you dry. this will help to increase shine and also stop drying marks.

where are you based? may be worth giving a pro detailer in your area a shout to give you a hand with your first detail. I'm based in essex and will travel around a bit so if you're fairly local and want a hand give me a shout.

matt.

[kds keltec]

If you look on my website a has started adding guides for the whole process to do with cleaning , detailing , and maintance of paint!!

The purpose is to help people understand the world of detailing!!!
And stop people ringing me asking how do you get results like that and what do i use !!!

A have a time lapse video being editted of a black DB9 at the moment which
should help people understand the level and time involed to carry out top detailing!!!

Thanks Kelly

[The Dodger]

Hey thanks guys. There is just SOOO MUCH web-based info around I'm saturated! But honestly I'm very grateful for any advise.

Matt - I believe I missed an opportunity recently when your guys visited my work place for a charity event. I had a look on your web then and was impressed with the info and pics. I'm getting ready to go off on holiday at the mo' so I think I'll delay the purchasing activity to when I get back. Just for info I was thinking of getting the Meguiars Kit - G220 + #83 cleaner polish + #80 speed glaze + cutting, polishing & finishing pads. I was also considering Sonus 3.5" spot pads (it's a curvy TVR) - what do you think? Looks like I also need a clay bar kit too. And I guess I also need some wax...... but I don't want to spend a fortune.

BTW I'm just north of Chelmsford.

[360 detailing]

The Dodger said:

Hey thanks guys. There is just SOOO MUCH web-based info around I'm saturated! But honestly I'm very grateful for any advise.

Matt - I believe I missed an opportunity recently when your guys visited my work place for a charity event. I had a look on your web then and was impressed with the info and pics. I'm getting ready to go off on holiday at the mo' so I think I'll delay the purchasing activity to when I get back. Just for info I was thinking of getting the Meguiars Kit - G220 + #83 cleaner polish + #80 speed glaze + cutting, polishing & finishing pads. I was also considering Sonus 3.5" spot pads (it's a curvy TVR) - what do you think? Looks like I also need a clay bar kit too. And I guess I also need some wax...... but I don't want to spend a fortune.

BTW I'm just north of Chelmsford.

Can I give you 1 piece of advice that I know will be useful. Pop down to your local scrappies and get a hold of an old bonnet to practice on, best tenner you will ever spend. Find out what each product does, how they work, how not to use them, how much it takes to cause damage, all that stuff.

Its not a black art, it just takes practice and patience, lots of it!!

Al

[PJ S]

The Dodger said:

Hey thanks guys. There is just SOOO MUCH web-based info around I'm saturated! But honestly I'm very grateful for any advise.

Matt - I believe I missed an opportunity recently when your guys visited my work place for a charity event. I had a look on your web then and was impressed with the info and pics. I'm getting ready to go off on holiday at the mo' so I think I'll delay the purchasing activity to when I get back. Just for info I was thinking of getting the Meguiars Kit - G220 + #83 cleaner polish + #80 speed glaze + cutting, polishing & finishing pads. I was also considering Sonus 3.5" spot pads (it's a curvy TVR) - what do you think? Looks like I also need a clay bar kit too. And I guess I also need some wax...... but I don't want to spend a fortune.

Meg's G220 - get Menzerna polishes or 3M. Both work better than Meg's own with the RO nature of the G220, and others.
Protection - Duragloss (cheaper than, but very similar to Zaino) or Bilt Hamber Autobalm.
Spot pads will also require a smaller backing plate - but worth it for any tight, intricate areas.
Clay bar - BH Autoclay soft

[The Dodger]

360 detailing said:

Can I give you 1 piece of advice that I know will be useful. Pop down to your local scrappies and get a hold of an old bonnet to practice on, best tenner you will ever spend. Find out what each product does, how they work, how not to use them, how much it takes to cause damage, all that stuff.

Its not a black art, it just takes practice and patience, lots of it!!

Al

Cheers Al, all advise welcome but in this instance unfeasible. Unless you know where I can get a Chimaera bonnet for a tenner.

I had a go with a two-handed Halfrauds one a while ago and found it difficult but not impossible to manage. The size and ergonomics of the G220 over that monster should be much easier to tame.

[The Dodger]

PJ S said:

Meg's G220 - get Menzerna polishes or 3M. Both work better than Meg's own with the RO nature of the G220, and others.
Protection - Duragloss (cheaper than, but very similar to Zaino) or Bilt Hamber Autobalm.
Spot pads will also require a smaller backing plate - but worth it for any tight, intricate areas.
Clay bar - BH Autoclay soft

Thanks PJ. Can you specify exactly what I need then? Who makes Durogloss? There seems to be a number recommending Bilt Hamber stuff - is it that different?

TBH I just want to get a kit of stuff from one supplier. <cleanyourcar.co.uk> has the Meg kit at £200 but they also do Menzerna seperately. Where do you get BH stuff?

Thanks again for all help/advise/input.

[Poledriver]

Sorry! Quick HiJack of the thread!
Can anyone recommend a good (reasonably priced) detailer in the Milton Keynes area?

[360 detailing]

The Dodger said:

360 detailing said:

Can I give you 1 piece of advice that I know will be useful. Pop down to your local scrappies and get a hold of an old bonnet to practice on, best tenner you will ever spend. Find out what each product does, how they work, how not to use them, how much it takes to cause damage, all that stuff.

Its not a black art, it just takes practice and patience, lots of it!!

Al

Cheers Al, all advise welcome but in this instance unfeasible. Unless you know where I can get a Chimaera bonnet for a tenner.

I had a go with a two-handed Halfrauds one a while ago and found it difficult but not impossible to manage. The size and ergonomics of the G220 over that monster should be much easier to tame.

Fair point sir, it was more to get used to the machine and products etc, pressure to use, speeds etc.......

another website to have a look at is www.carwashnwax.co.uk they have some good starter kits etc...

[PJ S]

The Dodger said:

PJ S said:

Meg's G220 - get Menzerna polishes or 3M. Both work better than Meg's own with the RO nature of the G220, and others.
Protection - Duragloss (cheaper than, but very similar to Zaino) or Bilt Hamber Autobalm.
Spot pads will also require a smaller backing plate - but worth it for any tight, intricate areas.
Clay bar - BH Autoclay soft

Thanks PJ. Can you specify exactly what I need then? Who makes Durogloss? There seems to be a number recommending Bilt Hamber stuff - is it that different?

TBH I just want to get a kit of stuff from one supplier. <cleanyourcar.co.uk> has the Meg kit at £200 but they also do Menzerna seperately. Where do you get BH stuff?

Thanks again for all help/advise/input.

Whilst I understand wanting to buy everything from one place, sometimes it's not always possible.

Duragloss - duragloss.co.uk
Bilt Hamber - bilthamber.com / elitecarcare.co.uk / carnaubawaxshop.co.uk / theultimatefinish.co.uk / cleanyourcar.co.uk / prodetailing.co.uk

TUF and PD also do the Meg's G220 - so ask them what kit they can put together, and Tim at CYC if he'd swap the Meg's for Menz.
Meg's isn't exactly a terrible polish, but Menz is considered to be the easiest to obtain better results from.

[mneame]

Poledriver said:

Sorry! Quick HiJack of the thread!
Can anyone recommend a good (reasonably priced) detailer in the Milton Keynes area?

2clearbuckets.com have a good current offer and can cover mk.

[mneame]

dodger, i've got both menzerna polishes that i'd recommend and have been mentioned above. also have various lsp's that we could test. not got a tiv on my site and as you are local i'm sure we can come to an agreement about product testing vs consultation fee etc.

[The Dodger]

mneame said:

dodger, i've got both menzerna polishes that i'd recommend and have been mentioned above. also have various lsp's that we could test. not got a tiv on my site and as you are local i'm sure we can come to an agreement about product testing vs consultation fee etc.

I'm sure you're right Matt. I think the BEST thing for me to do is give you a bell/email when I get back from hols.

Thanks a bunch guys!

[Poledriver]

mneame said:

Poledriver said:

Sorry! Quick HiJack of the thread!
Can anyone recommend a good (reasonably priced) detailer in the Milton Keynes area?

2clearbuckets.com have a good current offer and can cover mk.

Thanks, I've sent an e-mail!

[mneame]

The Dodger said:

mneame said:

dodger, i've got both menzerna polishes that i'd recommend and have been mentioned above. also have various lsp's that we could test. not got a tiv on my site and as you are local i'm sure we can come to an agreement about product testing vs consultation fee etc.

I'm sure you're right Matt. I think the BEST thing for me to do is give you a bell/email when I get back from hols.

Thanks a bunch guys!

yup just give me a shout. i'm in basildon so only takes me about 15 mins to get to chelmsford. less if the 130 is clear will mail you my number.

[mneame]

Poledriver said:

mneame said:

Poledriver said:

Sorry! Quick HiJack of the thread!
Can anyone recommend a good (reasonably priced) detailer in the Milton Keynes area?

2clearbuckets.com have a good current offer and can cover mk.

Thanks, I've sent an e-mail!

[Poledriver]

mneame said:

Poledriver said:

mneame said:

Poledriver said:

Sorry! Quick HiJack of the thread!
Can anyone recommend a good (reasonably priced) detailer in the Milton Keynes area?

2clearbuckets.com have a good current offer and can cover mk.

Thanks, I've sent an e-mail!

If you need to do any experiments on a TIV I've got one which you can try if you're over my way at all!

[mneame]

may have to have a look at that on monday

[The Dodger]

mneame said:

yup just give me a shout. i'm in basildon so only takes me about 15 mins to get to chelmsford. less if the 130 is clear will mail you my number.

Back from hols. Relaxed.
No number yet Matt (although I'm sure I could find you via web?)

Still got £200 burning a hole........