new member, need advice

[cubbies21]

hey guys
just got back from college and decided to detail my used 07 monte carlo i bought back in Oct. The cars paint is in good same besides the dealerships inexperience with a buffer that left heavy holograms. Being that it is black, the major issue was heavy heavy swirls

I spent an entire day doing the following process:

1. gold coast wash w/ wash mitt
2. clay bar/quik detailer set
3. DC paint cleaner w/ mf app pad
4. scratch x w/ mf. app pad
5. DC polish w/ mf app pad
6. TECH WAX 2.0 w/ mf wax pad

everything was going good til i applied the wax. i was having a hard time telling if it was dry or not so either i over applied or left it on too long bec it was near impossible to remove. it also seemed to cloud the surface (if thats possible

either or, i can still see many of the swirls still on the surface, being this was my first detail job, im wondering if all my work was wasted by doing something wrong or rushed.

if someone can give me some advice on any further action that would be of great help. one thing is for sure, i wish i could make a career out of detailing bec it is addicting!

thanks guys

i have the pictures from the job in the MC album

[Derrick]

Re: new member, need advice

well if you are still seeing the swirls i believe you may have rushed. Also there was no need to use DC1 and ScratchX. I would go with just the ScratchX. This is what it should be like
1. wash
2. clay which is what you did
3. use a good paint cleaner. Now here is where i think you went wrong. You want to work in small sections around 12" X 12" a little bigger is ok but just keep it small so you can make sure and give each section the appropriate attention. When working with ScratchX you will have to put some passion behind the pad. Remember when removing scraches, swirls, or any other below surface defect mean to remove the paint around it leveling the paint to the bottom of the defect. So you will have to work it hard when doing it by hand. If you just simply applied maybe worked it a little them wiped and moved on then you did not properly work the ScratchX. When working in the small sections make sure you have good lighting preferably halogen so you can see the defects you are working on and make sure they are all gone before moving to the next area that way you don't finish the whole process then look back at it after you already polished and waxed and still see the swirls. Last try a foam app pad and if the defects are hard to remove then you may want to step it up to a terry cloth for more bite. How long did it take you to do this job? if doing the ScratchX by hand then this is an easily 1 to 2 day process. AS for the wax how long did you leave it to dry? Also did you make sure to apply in the shade and on a cool surface?

[Murr1525]

Re: new member, need advice

Be sure to read these as well if you are new, sometimes a bit more general understanding helps:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

In addition to what was mentioned above, at least you got the car shined up a bit. Now you can go back and just focus on one panel a day with ScratchX, then polish and wax over it. It really takes a lot of effort, and a couple applications. The car should almost be rocking on the springs as you work it in.

Once you apply the wax, in a very thin coat, it should take about 20 minutes to dry. When you think it is getting dry, swipe your finger or cloth through the wax, and it should all remove, with no smears, and just leave the shiny surface underneath. Check in 2 or 3 spots around the car, like where you started and finished, and when it is all good, then use your cloths to remove the wax from the whole car.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: new member, need advice

Good luck. to mol.

[Sydster]

Re: new member, need advice