Ask a Professional Detailer
#1322
How often should you PC your car?
I have a black Z and I use pinnacle products. Intermediate swirl removed kit. Used my PC twice on it last year with orange/white pads/red with different compounds. This is my DD during spring/summer. Dont want to over due it, is once a year good? I lock it all in with collinite .
Or is this as many times as I want
I have a black Z and I use pinnacle products. Intermediate swirl removed kit. Used my PC twice on it last year with orange/white pads/red with different compounds. This is my DD during spring/summer. Dont want to over due it, is once a year good? I lock it all in with collinite .
Or is this as many times as I want
#1323
How often should you PC your car?
I have a black Z and I use pinnacle products. Intermediate swirl removed kit. Used my PC twice on it last year with orange/white pads/red with different compounds. This is my DD during spring/summer. Dont want to over due it, is once a year good? I lock it all in with collinite .
Or is this as many times as I want
I have a black Z and I use pinnacle products. Intermediate swirl removed kit. Used my PC twice on it last year with orange/white pads/red with different compounds. This is my DD during spring/summer. Dont want to over due it, is once a year good? I lock it all in with collinite .
Or is this as many times as I want
Removing paint damage requires the removal of clear coat. Ideally, you want to keep as much clear coat on the car as possible so if touching it up is done with a very light polish, polisher and pad, then you are going to extend the life of your clear coat a lot further. Thus, completely fix your paint ONCE, and then properly maintain it from that point forward. I address a lot of improper paint maintenance in my many videos.
#1325
This is the exact kit that I have and followed the video
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GZVDsiEQ8-w
Locked everything in with collinite 845? I think it is
What polish for a black car would you suggest. Now I havnt done anything but wash the car this year. Should I just apply the polish and be done? Still fairly new to all of this
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GZVDsiEQ8-w
Locked everything in with collinite 845? I think it is
What polish for a black car would you suggest. Now I havnt done anything but wash the car this year. Should I just apply the polish and be done? Still fairly new to all of this
#1327
this is the polish that i use and have for a while. great product, great result, reasonably priced, easy to use, smells amazing...
#1328
I'm thinking of selling her for a Vette and wanted it looking it's best for potential buyers.
#1329
Two questions...
1- What do you think of the new LC hybrid pads? I hear they finish down nicer than regular LC flat pads but they are not quite as durable. AG currently has them on buy one get one, and while I'm pretty well stocked up on pads, I'm wondering if I should pass this deal up. What do you guys think?
2 - Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion. I've heard that it's practically a "must" for white vehicles. Is there any truth to that? Two of my vehicles have the same paint, arctic white, and both are in need/in progress of paint corrections. Should I order and apply some PPCL after compounding/polishing out the swirls and before applying sealant+carnuba paste wax? Discuss!
1- What do you think of the new LC hybrid pads? I hear they finish down nicer than regular LC flat pads but they are not quite as durable. AG currently has them on buy one get one, and while I'm pretty well stocked up on pads, I'm wondering if I should pass this deal up. What do you guys think?
2 - Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion. I've heard that it's practically a "must" for white vehicles. Is there any truth to that? Two of my vehicles have the same paint, arctic white, and both are in need/in progress of paint corrections. Should I order and apply some PPCL after compounding/polishing out the swirls and before applying sealant+carnuba paste wax? Discuss!
#1330
How fast can paint get swirls?
I went to pick my white Camaro up from the body shop today. Didn't bring it home because there was too much wrong. They replaced a fender and door.
As I looked at the fender at an angle in the bright sun, it had more swirls than the 12 year old original had. Like exploding circles that follow the light as you move your eye down the panel. Spider webs.
Brand new panel that was supposedly painted yesterday. How can this be? Is this damage they just did or could they be trying to pawn off a used fender?
I went to pick my white Camaro up from the body shop today. Didn't bring it home because there was too much wrong. They replaced a fender and door.
As I looked at the fender at an angle in the bright sun, it had more swirls than the 12 year old original had. Like exploding circles that follow the light as you move your eye down the panel. Spider webs.
Brand new panel that was supposedly painted yesterday. How can this be? Is this damage they just did or could they be trying to pawn off a used fender?
That body shop (like most) don't know how to buff paint properly. What you're seeing is buffer trails and holograms from a heavy cut wool pad on a rotary, in the hands of someone lacking the proper skill to do the job. It needs to be corrected properly by a professional detailer.
i tried reading as much as I could but didnt see this. what about lightly scratched windows. my windshield has swirl marks in it. across the whole thing and at night with headlights in it you can hardly see out of it. is it junk or can i polish most of it out? looks like dust constantly wiped off with a dry paper towel. you cant feel any of the scratches, you can only see them.
Hey Jeff, this is a great resource you started. I have only made it through the first 15 pages so far but I have learned a ton and plan on buying my first real detail kit soon.
My buddy and I are planning to use my 96 T/A as kind of the practice vehicle and then his white Dakota before we move on to our nicer vehicles. I remember reading something you posted in another thread about some stuff to spray on a white vehicle that turns purple. It was to help get rid of the orange specs that build up on the paint.
I dont remember all of the details on that process and I cant seem to find the thread. I imagine it has been covered somewhere in this one but I have found it yet. Can you point me in the right directive and give some advice?
My buddy and I are planning to use my 96 T/A as kind of the practice vehicle and then his white Dakota before we move on to our nicer vehicles. I remember reading something you posted in another thread about some stuff to spray on a white vehicle that turns purple. It was to help get rid of the orange specs that build up on the paint.
I dont remember all of the details on that process and I cant seem to find the thread. I imagine it has been covered somewhere in this one but I have found it yet. Can you point me in the right directive and give some advice?
Awesome, thank you. I figure the polish is probably pretty well broken down by then, right? I'm just looking to amp up the gloss a notch - just like everyone else. I've been having some fantastic luck with the DA correction system, whenever my LC orange and M105 wont cut it, it's the combo I go to. Actually had to purchase a shelving system because my AutoGeek orders are starting to take over my garage storage.....
#1331
I'm about to order the Leatherique Pristine Clean 16Oz. Cant really find any quality terry towels to apply it with. Anything you can think of? When I'm done "cooking" the leather, just wipe with a clean mf towel? Also, I know you mentioned leather care should be a two step process, separate cleaning and conditioning steps. Does this apply with my coated leather seats? Should I follow up the leatherique with a conditioning step?
Different products flash differently. Which products are you referring to?
GoFast,
I just saw the Bentley thread. Awesome work man as usual.
How long do work an area before you decide to go with something more aggressive? I know that part of it is experience but what about the rest of us? LOL.
Lets say you are working an area w/ a white pad and 205. How many times would you have to go over it to make you want to go w/ an orange pad and 105? Also how bad does it have to be to make you break out the rotary or a Surbuf pad?
Thanks!
I just saw the Bentley thread. Awesome work man as usual.
How long do work an area before you decide to go with something more aggressive? I know that part of it is experience but what about the rest of us? LOL.
Lets say you are working an area w/ a white pad and 205. How many times would you have to go over it to make you want to go w/ an orange pad and 105? Also how bad does it have to be to make you break out the rotary or a Surbuf pad?
Thanks!
Some Meguiars Degreaser should handle that just fine. Looks like its on the rubber door armrest/pull right?
I couldn't get good pictures with my phone on a white car. It's holograms like you say.
I have a Porter Cable 7424XP and Lake Country pads(Yellow, Orange, Red, and White). Would this be the proper detailing equipment you speak of?
At the time I have Megs Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish(pre-waxing glaze).
I picked the car up last night. How soon can I work on it?
I have a Porter Cable 7424XP and Lake Country pads(Yellow, Orange, Red, and White). Would this be the proper detailing equipment you speak of?
At the time I have Megs Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish(pre-waxing glaze).
I picked the car up last night. How soon can I work on it?
The LT1 engine is quite dirty. I'll probably scrub it with a long handled brush and some Megs APC. I'm more wondering how I should attack the underside of the hood and inner engine bay which is pretty dirty. I don't want to use anything with too much water because these optispark are notorious for failure when they come in contact with water. I'll try and grab some photos soon for you.
As far as the leatherique treatment is concerned, Jeff mentioned that since my leather seats are "coated" that one part of the leatherique treatment would be pointless. Therefore, I ordered only the leatherique pristine clean 32oz cleaner only. Not really sure how to apply it, so I'm hoping he will see this and get back to me. The leather in my 96 formula is limited edition red/black leather that still looks fantastic, but could surely use a nice leather treatment. I'm unsure if I should clean it with leatherique then condition it with ....???....
I'll try and get some pics up tonight after work.
As far as the leatherique treatment is concerned, Jeff mentioned that since my leather seats are "coated" that one part of the leatherique treatment would be pointless. Therefore, I ordered only the leatherique pristine clean 32oz cleaner only. Not really sure how to apply it, so I'm hoping he will see this and get back to me. The leather in my 96 formula is limited edition red/black leather that still looks fantastic, but could surely use a nice leather treatment. I'm unsure if I should clean it with leatherique then condition it with ....???....
I'll try and get some pics up tonight after work.
Just clean the leather, no need to condition it as GM uses coated leather in F-bodies, as in almost all its cars.
Yes. Not a fan. Doesn't cut as much as 105 and it marrs up more. Old school compound. When 105 came out it made both 85 and 95 obsolete.
Two questions...
1) Since my '02 WS6 has coated leather, is it recommended to use 303 Aerospace on it? I used it today after I cleaned the seats with meg's apc and they turned out pretty good.
2) The previous owner did not take very good care of the paint on my white ws6. There are a lot of rock chips in weird places like the spoiler and along the side of the car like the doors. They are easily seen since it's a white car and the chips are black. What would you recommend to fill these in? I was thinking of getting those little 2-in-1 paint repair things like you find at auto parts stores. I saw the GM arctic white one today which is what I would need. Is this a bad idea?
1) Since my '02 WS6 has coated leather, is it recommended to use 303 Aerospace on it? I used it today after I cleaned the seats with meg's apc and they turned out pretty good.
2) The previous owner did not take very good care of the paint on my white ws6. There are a lot of rock chips in weird places like the spoiler and along the side of the car like the doors. They are easily seen since it's a white car and the chips are black. What would you recommend to fill these in? I was thinking of getting those little 2-in-1 paint repair things like you find at auto parts stores. I saw the GM arctic white one today which is what I would need. Is this a bad idea?
The factory touch up paint is a good quick fix when used properly. People constantly over use the paint. Use just enough to fill it, and NO more. Come back in an hour and apply again. The paint shrinks, so don't try too fill in too much at once.
I like the Lake Country gold and red hand pads, and also the Kompressor pads of the same color with the DA.
#1332
I have the center mount exhaust tips and they always get black and dirty real quick. they also fad and don't have the shine to them anymore. What are your ideas on how to keep them clean and bright as new? Is there a polish I should use? Here is a pic of what they look like now.
Dawn (for the start of a detail...not normal washing) is great and foams amazingly. Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss is good too and they have a CG Snow Foam too "Honeydew" I think.
#1333
AWESOME THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!! my car just got a fresh black paint job about 3 months ago and i want to stay "fresh" lol.. thanks to this thread i ordered some products(for now buhaha)
1.Meguiars Shampoo Plus
2.Mothers Genuine Lambswool Wash Mitt
3.Cobra Guzzler Waffle Weave Drying Microfibers
4. BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finish paint sealant
still need to go pick up grit guards and 2 buckets
my question is; did i order the right stuff?
btw thanks gofast908z!
1.Meguiars Shampoo Plus
2.Mothers Genuine Lambswool Wash Mitt
3.Cobra Guzzler Waffle Weave Drying Microfibers
4. BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finish paint sealant
still need to go pick up grit guards and 2 buckets
my question is; did i order the right stuff?
btw thanks gofast908z!
#1334
Thanks for the replies man I'm trying to gather all of this information..
You're going to end up costing me a lot of money. I see a LOT of things that I want to purchase.
This thread is very helpful, also autogeek's forum has answers to a lot of questions and go in depth if anyone in this thread wants to check that out over there!
You're going to end up costing me a lot of money. I see a LOT of things that I want to purchase.
This thread is very helpful, also autogeek's forum has answers to a lot of questions and go in depth if anyone in this thread wants to check that out over there!
#1335
A few months ago I stupidly tried to buff out a scratch with rubbing compound. It didn't do much except for make that area of the paint look very dull. It doesn't have the shine of the surrounding areas.
Is it possible to bring the shine back to this area?
Thanks!
Is it possible to bring the shine back to this area?
Thanks!
#1336
I'm about to use the clay bar on my car. I know the order is
1. Wash car
2. clay bar the car.
But when do I put the swirlx compound on the car so I can buff out swirl marks and such?
And what's a good scratch/swirl remover to use on the car?
1. Wash car
2. clay bar the car.
But when do I put the swirlx compound on the car so I can buff out swirl marks and such?
And what's a good scratch/swirl remover to use on the car?
#1337
what kind of compound did you use?
#1338
I don't think I've seen this asked yet on here, sorry for a repeat if it has. For f-bodies, what's the best way to try and clean out our vents and ventilation system?
I know there's no cabin air filter and all. I'm having a problem with stink bugs getting into my car and I see them around my vents and dash, so I want to try and clean that out good to keep the pests away.
I know there's no cabin air filter and all. I'm having a problem with stink bugs getting into my car and I see them around my vents and dash, so I want to try and clean that out good to keep the pests away.
#1339
M105/m205. After clay you do this.