Opening the can again: Detailing

[CatmanV2]

Just my thoughts - and if I were to do it it would be a complete disaster - to date it is a skill that evades me.

Knowing our limitations is a good thing. Something I find I get better at as I get older

C

 

[Sam McGoo]

If you want something quick cheap and effective. Wash and clay mitt the car and then either borrow a DA from a local to you member or do it by hand with just the turtle wax ceramic polish and wax. Excellent results even by hand but a massive step up with a DA with a single application. 1.5 to 2 hrs total including washing and drying the car.

Not sure when i will be down your way next. But hopefully at some point this year.

I can't believe turtle wax had a product that a detailer recommends! I haven't used a turtle wax product since waxing my dad's 260z as a child. Lol

Will have to have a look at it.

 

[RoaryRati]

Fellow 4200 owner from RetroMarques has asked me if anyone is interested in joining a half-day cleaning/detailing session - google Revive Autoapothecary for more info if interested.

 

[RoaryRati]

Knowing our limitations is a good thing. Something I find I get better at as I get older

C

Agreed - but then I keep forgetting!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Just having a quick read through this thread reminds me why I'm very happy getting an expert to look after mine. It's up at https://www.cambridgeautogleam.com/ as I type. Expert polish. PPF where the old stuff had been pealing. Gtechniq stuff. Stored until the roads aren't **** again. If I tried to do it myself I'd massively **** it up and would end up with some rather fetching bare metal patches. I know my limits.

Mrs Crud's car, however, would be a great training ground.

 

[GeoffCapes]

I bought all the gear about 2 years ago with the intent on teaching myself to 'detail' however, I seem to lack the time or the urge to do it.

At some point I think I'll just buy an old banger for a few hundred quid to practice on.

 

[Ebenezer]

Should have sold the gear to Catman!
Eb

 

[Scaf]

Should have sold the gear to Catman!
Eb

Should have practiced on the car before he collected it

 

[linescanner]

I bought a DAS 6 and all the bits. I find it very therapeutic. Does take some time to get results, but is satisfying if you have the time. NC headphones on, some good tunes and away you go.

showed what I managed on the GC to a mobile detailed that was in the area and he was very complimentary. Plenty of videos on YouTube on how to do it.

 

[philw696]

I mentioned in the Good Morning thread that I had bought my first after watching and reading many reviews and professional detailers in action and it really is a game changer.
What a minefield with the products available but seeing what many body shops use I went for a selection of Menzerna products.

 

[zagatoes30]

One of those skills I would like to learn, might consider using the BMW or Lotus as a practise ground

 

[lifes2short]

bought a compact milwaukee M12 cordless polisher last year and it's great for panel work and polishing out scuffs/scratches and buffing etc

Milwaukee M12BPS-421X Polisher Sander 1-12v-4Ah + 1-12v-2Ah REDLITHIUM Batteries

M12BPS-421X Polisher Sander 1 x 12v x 2Ah + 1 x 12v x 4Ah REDLITHIUM BatteriesMilwaukee Power Tool

www.powertoolsuk.co.uk

 

[GeoffCapes]

bought a compact milwaukee M12 cordless polisher last year and it's great for panel work and polishing out scuffs/scratches and buffing etc

Milwaukee M12BPS-421X Polisher Sander 1-12v-4Ah + 1-12v-2Ah REDLITHIUM Batteries

M12BPS-421X Polisher Sander 1 x 12v x 2Ah + 1 x 12v x 4Ah REDLITHIUM BatteriesMilwaukee Power Tool

www.powertoolsuk.co.uk

I noticed a scuff on the Merc yesterday where someone has caught the rear bumper in a car park.
Can you get away with just polishing up a small area or is it a case of 'that's where you start and have to do the whole thing!'?

 

[lifes2short]

I noticed a scuff on the Marc yesterday where someone has caught the rear bumper in a car park.
Can you get away with just polishing up a small area or is it a case of 'that's where you start and have to do the whole thing!'?

that's exactly what these little polishers are designed for, noticed my local BMW main dealer using one last year on the wife's car to polish out a bumper scuff, was impressed so I bought one and works a treat on localised areas, suppose you could do complete panels if need be, I've been using Farecla G10 finishing compound

 

[lifes2short]

this stuff

G10 Finishing Compound - Farécla

Farécla G10 Finishing Compound is ideal for removing light scratches or swirl marks, especially on darker colours. It will also restore older paint work and bring the true colour back.

www.farecla.com

 

[Chimaera500]

I have had a DAS 6 for over 10 years and its been great, despite it being at the cheaper end of the scale when it comes to DA polishers.

I recently finished correcting my Virage which had very swirly Onyx black paintwork. Many many hours work but its now looking very nice (for a DIYer anyway)
I tend to do a bit at a time over a number of weeks. I think you would need 4 or 5 solid days to do a good job including coating at the end.

I used Rupes polishing pads in three grades (Cutting down to polishing) along with the associated Rupes compounds
Finished with Gtechniq Crystal light ceramic coating and 2 coats of Gtechniq EXO. Should be good for a number of years now if taken care of properly. Finish is now like glass and the shine from the coatings seems way more than I ever managed to get from a wax!

You need to be careful, but to be honest you need to try really hard to cause any issues with a DA. Just take care around the edges as paint can often be quite a bit thinner in these areas.

 

[spkennyuk]

One of those skills I would like to learn, might consider using the BMW or Lotus as a practise ground

If your concerned buy a scrap panel like a wing or boot and practice on that first. Just make sure its got a decent section of rust free paint you can practice on.

 

[EnzoMC]

Mr C
where are you based ? I have test panel and can show you a few methods on difference machines / compounds ?

alternative if you want to drop the car to me I'll do it for you any funds in exchange I'll donate to RSPCA

 

[Simon1963]

I find detailing a car very therapeutic. I’m shut away in the garage, music playing and Mrs 1963 will pop in with a coffee from time to time to make sure I’m still alive.

 

[allandwf]

You can buy all the bits and try, but if you aren't one of those people who relish spending hours washing and cleaning a car, as I hate doing it, just pay the detailer lol.