Paint detailing tips
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Wytheville Virginia
Paint detailing tips
The paint is the most fragile thing to clean on a car, what are the best methods to make the exterior sparkle like a diamond without damaging the paint, i just got a DA polisher from Walmart that attaches to the drill, and i have noticed it has been marring and putting scratches in the clear coat, should i use it, am i doing something wrong? Tips are greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,052
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The paint is the most fragile thing to clean on a car, what are the best methods to make the exterior sparkle like a diamond without damaging the paint, i just got a DA polisher from Walmart that attaches to the drill, and i have noticed it has been marring and putting scratches in the clear coat, should i use it, am i doing something wrong? Tips are greatly appreciated.
.
Last edited by Studying4boards; Feb 24, 2016 at 07:45 AM.
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My suggestion is post this in the Car Care section - there are some very knowledgeable people over there when it comes to detailing a car and they can give you some very good tips.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Landenberg PA
Lots of good info at many sites on detailing. I would start with Autogeek.net, great place to learn about many different techniques and products.
Any machine application has the potential for damaging paint on any vehicle. Read up on the subject then you can decide if you want to take it on or leave it to the pro's.
Any machine application has the potential for damaging paint on any vehicle. Read up on the subject then you can decide if you want to take it on or leave it to the pro's.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Wytheville Virginia
I have been using turtle wax rubbing compound and polishing compound, its just not working well, the other day i bought meguiars ultimate compound haven't had a chance to use it yet, should i just use good ole elbow grease
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A drill is way to fast !!!!! This is what you should use !!!!
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P.c 724xp is what I use. Go to adam's polish website. He has 20 plus how to videos.
Team Owner
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If you came here because of your concern, you should never use a standing drill to buff your finish... there is no precise hand control for such delicate work... You may have already done damage to the clear coat. Professionals get between 200 and 1500 for professional detailing. its not about not having the time to do it, its about doing it right.
Amateurs can approach a reasonable result, with a lot of experience.
As you said, a paint finish is delicate work... you said that, and then went out and used a drill. Just a little tough love.
If you haven't already done irreparable damage, visit our Car care section, and do some research first.
Many of us with a lot of experience with detailing ( 55 years for me ) use a porter cable variable speed polisher. it sits at a right angle for controllability, and has variable speed to control the amount of force.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET
Zaino
No one has ever touched my finish, but me. its 17 years old, and has 100,000 + miles.
Amateurs can approach a reasonable result, with a lot of experience.
As you said, a paint finish is delicate work... you said that, and then went out and used a drill. Just a little tough love.
If you haven't already done irreparable damage, visit our Car care section, and do some research first.
Many of us with a lot of experience with detailing ( 55 years for me ) use a porter cable variable speed polisher. it sits at a right angle for controllability, and has variable speed to control the amount of force.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET
Zaino
No one has ever touched my finish, but me. its 17 years old, and has 100,000 + miles.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Feb 24, 2016 at 01:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,311
Likes: 386
From: Toronto Ontario
Ouch man, I really hope your not using this stuff ?
It is WAYYYYYYYY too strong for the clear coat, ask me how I know.
Thankfully I only used it on a small area of my front bumper before realizing how course it was.
Also I wouldn't recommend a drill attachment, you need a quality dual action system like griots or porters cable, or meguirs etc..
Then purchase meguirs 105 and meguirs 205 polishing compounds and you will be good to go.
Don't worry the meguirs 105 and 205 SHOULD be able to polish out the damage you did with the turtle wax, unless you burned right through the clear coat, which I doubt.
It is WAYYYYYYYY too strong for the clear coat, ask me how I know.
Thankfully I only used it on a small area of my front bumper before realizing how course it was.
Also I wouldn't recommend a drill attachment, you need a quality dual action system like griots or porters cable, or meguirs etc..
Then purchase meguirs 105 and meguirs 205 polishing compounds and you will be good to go.
Don't worry the meguirs 105 and 205 SHOULD be able to polish out the damage you did with the turtle wax, unless you burned right through the clear coat, which I doubt.
Last edited by 1Willy1; Feb 24, 2016 at 01:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
A drill is way to fast !!!!! This is what you should use !!!!
PORTER-CABLE 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher - Power Polishing Tools - Amazon.com
PORTER-CABLE 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher - Power Polishing Tools - Amazon.com
Last edited by Fcar 98; Feb 24, 2016 at 01:15 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 112
If you came here because of your concern, you should never use a standing drill to buff your finish... there is no precise hand control for such delicate work... You may have already done damage to the clear coat. Professionals get between 200 and 1500 for professional detailing. its not about not having the time to do it, its about doing it right.
Amateurs can approach a reasonable result, with a lot of experience.
As you said, a paint finish is delicate work... you said that, and then went out and used a drill. Just a little tough love.
If you haven't already done irreparable damage, visit our Car care section, and do some research first.
Many of us with a lot of experience with detailing ( 55 years for me ) use a porter cable variable speed polisher. it sits at a right angle for controllability, and has variable speed to control the amount of force.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET
Zaino
No one has ever touched my finish, but me. its 17 years old, and has 100,000 + miles.
Amateurs can approach a reasonable result, with a lot of experience.
As you said, a paint finish is delicate work... you said that, and then went out and used a drill. Just a little tough love.
If you haven't already done irreparable damage, visit our Car care section, and do some research first.
Many of us with a lot of experience with detailing ( 55 years for me ) use a porter cable variable speed polisher. it sits at a right angle for controllability, and has variable speed to control the amount of force.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET
Zaino
No one has ever touched my finish, but me. its 17 years old, and has 100,000 + miles.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
Ouch man, I really hope your not using this stuff ?
It is WAYYYYYYYY too strong for the clear coat, ask me how I know.
Thankfully I only used it on a small area of my front bumper before realizing how course it was.
Also I wouldn't recommend a drill attachment, you need a quality dual action system like griots or porters cable, or meguirs etc..
Then purchase meguirs 105 and meguirs 205 polishing compounds and you will be good to go.
Don't worry the meguirs 105 and 205 SHOULD be able to polish out the damage you did with the turtle wax, unless you burned right through the clear coat, which I doubt.
It is WAYYYYYYYY too strong for the clear coat, ask me how I know.
Thankfully I only used it on a small area of my front bumper before realizing how course it was.
Also I wouldn't recommend a drill attachment, you need a quality dual action system like griots or porters cable, or meguirs etc..
Then purchase meguirs 105 and meguirs 205 polishing compounds and you will be good to go.
Don't worry the meguirs 105 and 205 SHOULD be able to polish out the damage you did with the turtle wax, unless you burned right through the clear coat, which I doubt.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
If you came here because of your concern, you should never use a standing drill to buff your finish... there is no precise hand control for such delicate work... You may have already done damage to the clear coat. Professionals get between 200 and 1500 for professional detailing. its not about not having the time to do it, its about doing it right.
Amateurs can approach a reasonable result, with a lot of experience.
As you said, a paint finish is delicate work... you said that, and then went out and used a drill. Just a little tough love.
If you haven't already done irreparable damage, visit our Car care section, and do some research first.
Many of us with a lot of experience with detailing ( 55 years for me ) use a porter cable variable speed polisher. it sits at a right angle for controllability, and has variable speed to control the amount of force.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET
Zaino
No one has ever touched my finish, but me. its 17 years old, and has 100,000 + miles.
Amateurs can approach a reasonable result, with a lot of experience.
As you said, a paint finish is delicate work... you said that, and then went out and used a drill. Just a little tough love.
If you haven't already done irreparable damage, visit our Car care section, and do some research first.
Many of us with a lot of experience with detailing ( 55 years for me ) use a porter cable variable speed polisher. it sits at a right angle for controllability, and has variable speed to control the amount of force.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET
Zaino
No one has ever touched my finish, but me. its 17 years old, and has 100,000 + miles.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
