When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
How often do you guys have to go over your cars with a fine polish to get rid of stray marring/swirls?
I noticed recently very light swirls appearing in certain areas, I corrected my car way back in like June. I was surprised because I don't drive the car much at all and I always use clean, plush towels on the paint. Maybe my technique is wrong sometimes when waterless washing or using detail spray?
I think I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but I haven't done extensive correction on mine since 2005.....granted, it's only been about 6,000 miles of driving in all that time, but plenty of dustings since then. Swirls and marring during that period have been very limited, but I do use a light cut swirl remover every couple of years - applied by hand to limit sling/mess. It doesn't get rid of everything, but 100% correction isn't really necessary on silver.
Before using a detailing spray, I always go over the paint very gently with a car duster to carefully lift off the worst of the dust. Some people are afraid of car dusters but my experience has been that if the paint is well sealed/waxed, this is less harmful than going straight to a detailing spray without the pre-dust. My technique involves doing this after every drive, so there is never any significant buildup of dust or dirt. I also use multiple car dusters depending on the area of the car and dirt content, etc.
Nice job on that 5.0! How often do you guys have to go over your cars with a fine polish to get rid of stray marring/swirls?
I noticed recently very light swirls appearing in certain areas, I corrected my car way back in like June. I was surprised because I don't drive the car much at all and I always use clean, plush towels on the paint. Maybe my technique is wrong sometimes when waterless washing or using detail spray?
I did a serious paint correction on mine years ago when I first got it, now I just clean it up with a fine polish every couple seasons.
Imo your your slight damage is coming from your waterless wash. There is just no way around it imo, doing very slight damage every waterless wash that piles up.
I am really not a fan of waterless washes.
I love my rupes polishers. I only do my cars and my dads cars. I use menzerna compounds and polishes. I did a lot research on products and technics. I am going to attend a class at esoteric detailing over the winter. They have a you tube channel. also a youtube channel I would recommend is Obsessed Garage. He uses a lot of different products. Has cool cars. Cool story behind the whole channel.
Coatings like anything else have their place. They form a harder more durable form of protection on the paint compared to a wax or sealant.
Coatings take a little more time to apply as some are a little harder to apply. The thing with coatings is that the prep work is what takes time. Think of it as you are locking the shine in like a time capsule as coatings can last about 1-3 years. This is the consumer level coatings that you can get your hands on.
Coatings are not scratch proof. They can be scratched and swirled as well. They are not set it and forget it type products. The paint still needs to be washed. They just deal with harsher elements better and help with wash induced marring. The paint will look glossier, stay cleaner and be much easier to clean.
Lots of companies make good coatings such as Cquartz, GTechniq, McKee's 37.
Coatings like anything else have their place. They form a harder more durable form of protection on the paint compared to a wax or sealant.
Coatings take a little more time to apply as some are a little harder to apply. The thing with coatings is that the prep work is what takes time. Think of it as you are locking the shine in like a time capsule as coatings can last about 1-3 years. This is the consumer level coatings that you can get your hands on.
Coatings are not scratch proof. They can be scratched and swirled as well. They are not set it and forget it type products. The paint still needs to be washed. They just deal with harsher elements better and help with wash induced marring. The paint will look glossier, stay cleaner and be much easier to clean.
Lots of companies make good coatings such as Cquartz, GTechniq, McKee's 37.
Sounds good, are you saying it is glossier/deeper than a wax or sealant ?
Unlike a wax or sealant, can it be layered for extra depth after it has set and fully cured ?
Sounds good, are you saying it is glossier/deeper than a wax or sealant ?
Unlike a wax or sealant, can it be layered for extra depth after it has set and fully cured ?
Coatings give a more glassy type appearance. As if the vehicle was dipped in glass.
No need to layer a coating as it will not add much to the appearance. the second coat will be for even coverage.
Now GTechniq has their combination Crystal Serum Light which can be used as a stand alone. But it can be topped with a layer of Exo V3 to give another layer which will be more aggressive to water behavior in terms of beading.
Did a light paint correction on my T/A and applied cquartz ceramic coating. Imo it was pretty easy to work with. I have not pulled it outside yet but from what I can tell in my garage I love the finish.
Here are some garage pics and will post sunny outside pictures tomorrow. ( if it's not raining )
I just did a paint correction on my TA for the first time and if I was ever to repeat that for someone i would charge no less than $500. It is a one owner car garage kept, stored for winters and I thought the paint was good till i did this. I had no idea the ws6 emblem had a mirror finish underneath...lol.
When ya posting pictures? Looks like it turned out amazing.
What's that trio ( minus the UK ) that you are using there?
Essence primer polish and Cquartz TiO2.
Essence is a finishing polish that leaves a layer of SiO2 for any cquartz coating to bond to. Followed up with UK which cures harder faster and forms a stronger base. TiO2 gives a more stain resistant top coat from things like water spots which is common with coatings.
If you guys haven't already, you should check out Obsessed Garage on youtube and facebook. Matt (the owner) is crazy meticulous about detailing and paint work and often has long and very detailed videos talking about the whys and hows of his process and products. The facebook group has a lot of like minded guys where detailing is an obsession and often give great advice.
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.
