I hate detailing...

FC · 11-13-2005, 08:47 PM

..and I suck at it.

I don't have the patience nor the inclination to do it as often or as thouroughly as I should.

After properly cleaning the paint last Sunday, and touching up/sanding (w/ 2000 grit paper) a few deep chips during the week, I finally got around to using my new PC orbital an polish/wax the car today.

The polish didn't seem abrasive enough. Even #1 Machine polish didn't completely blend the sanded areas nor remove some deep "clearcoat scracthes". I used #2 on the areas where I used #1, and then used #3 on the whole car.

The car looks VERY nice. Glossy, etc. But some of the deeper swirl marks didn't go away.

Maybe I should have used #2 all over to remove the deeper swrils. But still, I was dissapointed that the #1 didn't quickly blend the light sanding.

Maybe I did something wrong. Wrong pressure, speed, motion, amount of polish, etc

Whatever. The car looks good and it's nicely waxed. It was dark by the time I finished, so no pics. Maybe tomorrow (though my wheels are dirty).

I want to get the most durable freakin' wax on earth next time so I don't have to do this often.

OT: MY car sounded like farm equipemnt after not being used for a week. Rough idle and engine light. It was fine after a few minutes.

11-13-2005, 09:06 PM

I'm assuming you mean 2000 grit not 200. What color is your car?

bren · 11-13-2005, 09:17 PM

Sounds like you are using Griots polishes. They are very gentle, for deep scratches/swirls you will definitely need something more aggressive.

dan · 11-13-2005, 09:21 PM

Yeah I thought Griot polishes sucked.

rumatt · 11-13-2005, 09:49 PM

His car is ZHP red.

FC · 11-13-2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

I'm assuming you mean 2000 grit not 200. What color is your car?

Yes, 2000.

I'd need more than polish to buff 200 grit out out.

FC · 11-13-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Sounds like you are using Griots polishes. They are very gentle, for deep scratches/swirls you will definitely need something more aggressive.

Interesting. I may try something else in the spring then.

FC · 11-13-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

His car is ZHP red.

ff · 11-13-2005, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Sounds like you are using Griots polishes. They are very gentle, for deep scratches/swirls you will definitely need something more aggressive.

I'd much sooner live with the swirl marks (which fill in nicely with a simple coat of wax...) and the occasional deep scratch, than wear away large amounts of clearcoat. I use Mothers carnauba cleaner wax, and that's about as aggressive as I ever care to get.

lemming · 11-14-2005, 12:02 AM

yeah.....i'd agree with ff.

i'd rather opt for a new clearcoat application in the aftermarket than to deal with deeper scratches with 'consumer strength' products. unless you're using industrial strength stuff, and it's still dicey, it would be really hard to permanently fill in and cover a deep scratch.

11-13-2005, 09:21 PM	#4
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	Yeah I thought Griot polishes sucked. __________________ "There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie

11-14-2005, 12:02 AM	#10
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,612	yeah.....i'd agree with ff. i'd rather opt for a new clearcoat application in the aftermarket than to deal with deeper scratches with 'consumer strength' products. unless you're using industrial strength stuff, and it's still dicey, it would be really hard to permanently fill in and cover a deep scratch. __________________

11-13-2005, 08:47 PM	#1
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,264	I hate detailing... ..and I suck at it. I don't have the patience nor the inclination to do it as often or as thouroughly as I should. After properly cleaning the paint last Sunday, and touching up/sanding (w/ 2000 grit paper) a few deep chips during the week, I finally got around to using my new PC orbital an polish/wax the car today. The polish didn't seem abrasive enough. Even #1 Machine polish didn't completely blend the sanded areas nor remove some deep "clearcoat scracthes". I used #2 on the areas where I used #1, and then used #3 on the whole car. The car looks VERY nice. Glossy, etc. But some of the deeper swirl marks didn't go away. Maybe I should have used #2 all over to remove the deeper swrils. But still, I was dissapointed that the #1 didn't quickly blend the light sanding. Maybe I did something wrong. Wrong pressure, speed, motion, amount of polish, etc Whatever. The car looks good and it's nicely waxed. It was dark by the time I finished, so no pics. Maybe tomorrow (though my wheels are dirty). I want to get the most durable freakin' wax on earth next time so I don't have to do this often. OT: MY car sounded like farm equipemnt after not being used for a week. Rough idle and engine light. It was fine after a few minutes. Last edited by FC; 11-13-2005 at 10:12 PM.

11-13-2005, 09:06 PM	#2
Doug Guest Posts: n/a	I'm assuming you mean 2000 grit not 200. What color is your car?

11-13-2005, 09:17 PM	#3
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Sounds like you are using Griots polishes. They are very gentle, for deep scratches/swirls you will definitely need something more aggressive.

11-13-2005, 09:49 PM	#5
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	His car is ZHP red.