Do you detail your own car?

[boyRacer]

I want to remove swirl marks like this guy did... worth it to get your own stuff or just have someone else do it so you don't fck anything else?

 

[dartworth]

http://www.autopia.org/

 

[Dirigible]

Oh hell no. But then I don't even wash the car. That dirt is structural, baby!

 

[Mrvile]

Well its one of those things that makes you feel great when you get it done. I personally would if I had a nice enough car and the time.

 

[bootymac]

.

 

[chuckywang]

What did he do to get rid of the swirls?

 

[AdamK47]

That guy needs to try harder. I still see swirl.

 

[Kalvin00]

I wash my truck...it's not worthy of much more...

Wash and wax my bike when needed.

 

[thirdeye]

It's definitely worth it, if you love your car and don't mind spending some time outside (or inside if you're lucky enough to have a nice big garage). I just bought my Porter Cable polisher tonight and can't wait for it to stop raining to give my babies a bath

 

[SVT Cobra]

Yes, but I am a professional detailer so of course.

I would not recomend you trying to remove swirl marks like that your first time detailing. It requires a high speed buffer and a good rubbing compound. Most buffers are over 10,000-15,000 RPM's (as oppsoed to 2,500-5,000 RPM's for an orbital buffer, not possible to use in this case) because they need to warm up the paint to buff out any imperfections. Proper technique is mandatory, for safety (you can break an arm with some of the big industrial ones), and so you do not burn off the paint or cause worse swirl marks and imperfections.

If you really want to undertake this, I suggest you do a lot of reading and buy a nice quality buffer and practice on the hood of a car from a junkyard until you get very good at it. If you have questions along the way feel free to ask or PM me, I can help you with the technique and other tips (bonnets etc), as most detailers do not like to disclose their "secrets".

 

[clickynext]

I wax it and used a claybar before, but taking out swirls is tough... don't even want to attempt it.

 

[PAB]

No way in hell. Have you ever had to wash a suburban by hand?

It's worth it to pay the auction $150 and have them detail everything including dress tires and engine, clay the entire car, wash, wax, and deodorize.

 

[ballmode]

Takes about an hour to wash/wax my integra. If I get a miata I bet it goes down to 30 minutes

 

[ElvishFrost]

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor
Yes, but I am a professional detailer so of course.

I would not recomend you trying to remove swirl marks like that your first time detailing. It requires a high speed buffer and a good rubbing compound. Most buffers are over 10,000-15,000 RPM's (as oppsoed to 2,500-5,000 RPM's for an orbital buffer, not possible to use in this case) because they need to warm up the paint to buff out any imperfections. Proper technique is mandatory, for safety (you can break an arm with some of the big industrial ones), and so you do not burn off the paint or cause worse swirl marks and imperfections.

If you really want to undertake this, I suggest you do a lot of reading and buy a nice quality buffer and practice on the hood of a car from a junkyard until you get very good at it. If you have questions along the way feel free to ask or PM me, I can help you with the technique and other tips (bonnets etc), as most detailers do not like to disclose their "secrets".

From one detailer to another, I appreciate your honesty with bR.

He's very right in what he said, if you are going to take this upon yourself...definately practice, practice, practice on a junk panel before you even think of touching your car. BTW, what color is your car?

 

[mugs]

Yeah.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: ElvishFrost

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor
Yes, but I am a professional detailer so of course.

I would not recomend you trying to remove swirl marks like that your first time detailing. It requires a high speed buffer and a good rubbing compound. Most buffers are over 10,000-15,000 RPM's (as oppsoed to 2,500-5,000 RPM's for an orbital buffer, not possible to use in this case) because they need to warm up the paint to buff out any imperfections. Proper technique is mandatory, for safety (you can break an arm with some of the big industrial ones), and so you do not burn off the paint or cause worse swirl marks and imperfections.

If you really want to undertake this, I suggest you do a lot of reading and buy a nice quality buffer and practice on the hood of a car from a junkyard until you get very good at it. If you have questions along the way feel free to ask or PM me, I can help you with the technique and other tips (bonnets etc), as most detailers do not like to disclose their "secrets".

From one detailer to another, I appreciate your honesty with bR.

He's very right in what he said, if you are going to take this upon yourself...definately practice, practice, practice on a junk panel before you even think of touching your car. BTW, what color is your car?

:thumbsup: For another detailer around here!

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: dartworth
http://www.autopia.org/

Yeah that's where I found that guy. I've never browsed around there before until today... and some of the people there are nuts. :shocked:

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: F22 Raptor
Yes, but I am a professional detailer so of course.

I would not recomend you trying to remove swirl marks like that your first time detailing. It requires a high speed buffer and a good rubbing compound. Most buffers are over 10,000-15,000 RPM's (as oppsoed to 2,500-5,000 RPM's for an orbital buffer, not possible to use in this case) because they need to warm up the paint to buff out any imperfections. Proper technique is mandatory, for safety (you can break an arm with some of the big industrial ones), and so you do not burn off the paint or cause worse swirl marks and imperfections.

If you really want to undertake this, I suggest you do a lot of reading and buy a nice quality buffer and practice on the hood of a car from a junkyard until you get very good at it. If you have questions along the way feel free to ask or PM me, I can help you with the technique and other tips (bonnets etc), as most detailers do not like to disclose their "secrets".

Ok I guess that's a nevermind from me then...

The only paint experience I have is painting my case and even that has orang peel from me being impatient. I have a gut feeling that I'll just burn through the paint.

YGPM

 

[amdhunter]

I had it done to my 1996 Galant. Looked really nice for a few days, even after washing, but after a while, it ended up looking like crap again.

Not worth it IMO, unless you have a hot date, or a paint job that isnt too far gone in the first place.

 

[raildogg]

I have grayish spots on my black car and washing them with water does not help. When it is wet with water you cannot see them but when dry, they are noticable up close. I'm very noobish at cleaning cars. What is a good way to clean a black car and especially the problem I just mentioned?

 

[boyRacer]

Wow... more stuff from this guy...

Text

 

[ElvishFrost]

Originally posted by: raildogg
I have grayish spots on my black car and washing them with water does not help. When it is wet with water you cannot see them but when dry, they are noticable up close. I'm very noobish at cleaning cars. What is a good way to clean a black car and especially the problem I just mentioned?

More than likely acid rain spots... Give the car a good bath with some degreaser like Simple Green (I like how it works, but isn't quite as potent as say purple power, etc.) that way it will strip any old wax that may be on it... Pick up a clay bar kit (usually sold at auto parts stores i.e. Pep boys, advanced A/P etc) I know meguiars markets one in those stores and follow the directions using the spray wax and clay bar to remove some minor imperfections in your paint. easy to do, nothing to really goof up. Try it on a small area where the spots are very noticable and see if it helps any...if you do notice a difference then do the entire car. and then give it a nice coat of carnuba wax. If no difference, stains are in the clear coat deeper, and it needs to be buffed.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: ElvishFrost

Originally posted by: raildogg
I have grayish spots on my black car and washing them with water does not help. When it is wet with water you cannot see them but when dry, they are noticable up close. I'm very noobish at cleaning cars. What is a good way to clean a black car and especially the problem I just mentioned?

More than likely acid rain spots... Give the car a good bath with some degreaser like Simple Green (I like how it works, but isn't quite as potent as say purple power, etc.) that way it will strip any old wax that may be on it... Pick up a clay bar kit (usually sold at auto parts stores i.e. Pep boys, advanced A/P etc) I know meguiars markets one in those stores and follow the directions using the spray wax and clay bar to remove some minor imperfections in your paint. easy to do, nothing to really goof up. Try it on a small area where the spots are very noticable and see if it helps any...if you do notice a difference then do the entire car. and then give it a nice coat of carnuba wax. If no difference, stains are in the clear coat deeper, and it needs to be buffed.

I've got a question for you too...

Once you get rid of those swirls, how do you prevent them from coming back or what shouldn't you do so you don't scratch up the paint again?

 

[ElvishFrost]

Once the problem has been taken care of properly, and the paint is protected by a good quality wax, then it is really in your maintenance and car cleaning routine.. always rinse the car off with however much pressure your hose has...get rid of any loose dirt/dust. I recommend that you don't use your wash mitt or sponge on the bottoms of your rocker panels, or your tires/rims/hubcaps. Use a separate one for those. and either use two buckets one for the majority of the car, one for the tires, rockers, etc. or wash those LAST and don't use the same water on the rest of the car. Never use those wash "brooms" or anything similar, your asking for scratches. Get some nice quality microfiber towels, or terry towels (you CAN scratch the paint with terry towels, if too much pressure is applied, just FYI) I generally use a nice spray wax/detailer after I wash my car to get rid of any left over water spots after I've dried it off with a chamois and taken it for a "drying run" hehe Hope this helps ya.

EDIT** Try to never let your wash mitt touch the ground, and if by chance ya drop it....clean it VERY VERY thoroughly before ya use it on the car again. A little time, and common sense will help you keep your investment looking it's best.

 

[Toastedlightly]

This guy is amazing. Reminds me of my grandpa... he has 3 cupboards dedicated to the tools and books of detailing cars. I gotta go to his "detailing class" someday.