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Tips for getting that Show Car shine.
User avatar
By civic-pete
#3229453
I have begun the slow process of detailing my car. I'm hoping to achieve something between a full correction and an enhancement, it depends how happy I am with the result and how much time I have. I opted for a DA with a selection of pads and cutting compounds. The paintwork was incredibly dull, full of swirls and rds. It definately looks like a 10 year old car. I took it through all the wash stages except for iron x (probably use that on my next project) including a good claying. Although it has been clayed a few times before.

A couple of pics of the paintwork before.

Image

Image
This is pretty typical of what the entire car looks like under light, but i will add more pics later.

Here is a 50/50 shot of the drivers door. The reflection in the corrected side is blurred from the plastic sheeting I put up in my lean-to garage to make it a bit more air tight and more bareable in this colder weather. Excuse the polish dust.

Image

The next pic is of my boot having had the compounding done, a coat of sealant and some supagard i had left lying around and finally a coat of wax over that. Unfortunately I got a bit carried away and forgot the before pics but the earlier pics should give you an idea.
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That last pic tells me I need a hair cut! It was taken in a bit of a rush as it was darn cold.

I am going to continue working a panel a time when ever I can, which is evenings and weekends. I will add more pics of a panel start to finish. Hadnt realised how few photos I actually took, time just flys when out there polishing.

Some pics of finished nearside wing
Image Image Image
Last edited by civic-pete on Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
By N77
#3229554
Looks a nice job mate, I have got to start mine but the weather is crap to be doing this.

You can see why places charge what they do, how long it takes but its more satisfying doing it yourself :D

Carl
User avatar
By josh897
#3229574
im starting to gather bits for myself, not sure if i want to wait another month though as the road salts and weather is pretty shocking in n.i at the moment, so far i have the likes of
Pwasher with snowfoam
Da6 polisher
variety of pads
claybar
quickdetailer(lube)
variety of compounds/polishs
wax

how are you finding working with a da?? even for a pretty strong guy like me i find the vibration can be pretty bad and sometimes finding it hard to keep the pad flat with the panel, will just take practice i suppose as the likes of the roof/bonnet is fine but side panels like doors i feel its using the sides of the pad at times which i dont want
User avatar
By civic-pete
#3229823
Luckily I dont use my car much at the moment and have a garage to park it in, so I can get out there and work on it when it isnt stupid cold.

Using the da is fine, its more about flowing with it rather than trying to be too rigid and fighting any unwanted movement and applying lots of pressure. The side panels can take some time getting used to but just working small areas at a time and varying speeds really helps.

It is a long process but well worth the time spent and the results are unbelievably satisfying :-D
User avatar
By beefy
#3230015
Whats the best DA polisher to get for a novice if you dont mind me asking and also what pads and polishes etc too get and where from, thanks. :salut:
User avatar
By beefy
#3230017
civic-pete wrote:I have begun the slow process of detailing my car. I'm hoping to achieve something between a full correction and an enhancement, it depends how happy I am with the result and how much time I have. I opted for a DA with a selection of pads and cutting compounds. The paintwork was incredibly dull, full of swirls and rds. It definately looks like a 10 year old car. I took it through all the wash stages except for iron x (probably use that on my next project) including a good claying. Although it has been clayed a few times before.

A couple of pics of the paintwork before.

Image

Image
This is pretty typical of what the entire car looks like under light, but i will add more pics later.

Here is a 50/50 shot of the drivers door. The reflection in the corrected side is blurred from the plastic sheeting I put up in my lean-to garage to make it a bit more air tight and more bareable in this colder weather. Excuse the polish dust.

Image

The next pic is of my boot having had the compounding done, a coat of sealant and some supagard i had left lying around and finally a coat of wax over that. Unfortunately I got a bit carried away and forgot the before pics but the earlier pics should give you an idea.
Image

Image
That last pic tells me I need a hair cut! It was taken in a bit of a rush as it was darn cold.

I am going to continue working a panel a time when ever I can, which is evenings and weekends. I will add more pics of a panel start to finish. Hadnt realised how few photos I actually took, time just flys when out there polishing.

Some pics of finished nearside wing
Image Image Image
Cracking job by the way. that blue speck has really come back. [smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
User avatar
By civic-pete
#3230450
beefy wrote:Whats the best DA polisher to get for a novice if you dont mind me asking and also what pads and polishes etc too get and where from, thanks. :salut:
Look on either clean your car or polished bliss at the package deals on da's. I have the meguiars g220 with a selection of menz polishes and sonus pads. I also have 3m polishes which are great and lime prime which I'm still not sure about! It comes down to budget, personal preference and experimenting. If you have the time and patience then give it a go.
User avatar
By civic-pete
#3247434
Made use of the good weather today and now bonnet, front bumper and both wings are done.

Image

Image

Some water beading after a heavy dew early in the morning.

Image

Will be doing passenger door and quarter next with some before and after pics.
User avatar
By civic-pete
#3278023
Completed passenger door, rear quarter and rear bumper. Image

Image
After 3m fast cut and menz 2500

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After menz 4000 final gloss

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Getting there, only a few more panels to go.
User avatar
By beefy
#3280224
civic-pete wrote:Yep just the same as any other panels, if its been painted it can be polished :)
cheers mate, keep up the good work. [smilie=karls_thumb.gif]
User avatar
By civic-pete
#3280235
Well even if its not been painted it can be polished. I ran it over my rear lights while doing the bumper and it brought them up nice. Will wet sand and polish headlights soon as well.
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