Detailing thread- Q&A Welcome!

[hamish_023]

First ones look like deep scratches, they can be rounded off by a machine polisher so they don't look obvious and visible.
Second one you will need to use touch up paint on as it's gone past the clear,top and primer coats.

Never used that black and decker model but the cheap (<$250) polishers are normally pretty average at removing much from modern paint, even soft subaru paint. Plus the 10" pad is way overkill! I would be using a 4-6" max It is was me

[chris12]

Thanks for all of that Hamish. Yeah, my Dad just picked up the 10" one because it was $30 I think... haha. It's alright for the bigger areas of the car, but it's a bit difficult around the smaller areas which I've just done a bit by hand.

Do you think the Meguiars Ultimate Compound would be any benefit for me for the first picture?

[SH30RB]

Not sure what you mean by that question?

as in, how much you would charge "yourself" or how much, say, final inspection would charge you? how much money are you saving by detailing your own car as opposed to someone else?

[hamish_023]

Stay tuned for a 2 day intensive restoration:

[t.renshaw34]

Ouch! That is bad. Upsetting to see such a nice car in such poor condition.

[hamish_023]

It's worse in person, a detailer has butchered the paint and has bad marring all over the finish. As well as heavy washing swirls

[t.renshaw34]

That paint must look so dull in person, but nothing a rotary can't fix.

[hamish_023]

Some sections are so bad had to use 3500g wet and dry to refinish the paint. Still heaps of clearcoat but something has attacked the paint. So far 11 hours and estimating another 6 or so to go.

[t.renshaw34]

Nice, guessing you did all your prep/wet sand today, then compound, polish and finishing glaze tomorrow?

[vp920b]

Just did my GF car, a tiny good car, KIA Picanto.

Brand new car with a bad swirls but the paint is way too soft(easy to make mark even with a bare skin).

Anyway steps only Wash, Clay, Compound 1 step, then wipe off with IPA 50/50 and LSP using Cquartz.

Results







Cheers

[hamish_023]

Very nice Naldo ! Need more before shots of your work Cquartz is great, had it on my car for about 8 months and sheeted like the day I applied it. bit of a pain applying it, making sure it's all straight even lines etc.

[hamish_023]

Here's the BMW M3 (2 day restoration inc some wetsanding to refinish marks from a soccer ball etc)

Wash:



Before:









The deep scratches from ball (top right):



During:











Before:



After:









(Soccer ball abouut 80% fixed, still deep cuts slightly evident)

[psy]

Hamish. Simply wow. That looks like a completely different car. Great job!

[hamish_023]

Hamish. Simply wow. That looks like a completely different car. Great job!

Cheers, In the sun you couldnt even tell it had blue mettalic in the paint, just looked like a dull grey from the swirls and buffing trails

[hamish_023]

Not sure how If you can flip the video so it fits the horizontal frame but here's a quick video of the 50/50 swirls under a light that brings up everything.