Detailing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 25
From: West Lafayette IN
Detailing
My car has several swirls marks in it and the bumper has lost some of the luster.
Anyone want to give me thier opionion on what the best options are to help with the swirls and general lack of major shine?
Anyone want to give me thier opionion on what the best options are to help with the swirls and general lack of major shine?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 14
From: Minneapolis MN
A very common problem and also fairly easy to fix with the right products.
I worked in a detail shop through high school and now work at a body shop and have been at a few shops in between as well and most places use 3M compounds and polishes. I would recomend 6064 Swirl Mark Remover, it looks like this: http://edge.shop.com/ccimg.shop.com/...--17020651.jpg
3Ms lineup of buffing products includes a compound, swirl mark remover, and ultrafina SE. Compound is most aggressive and the ultrafina swirl eliminator is just a light glaze. So I would start with the swirl mark remover and evaluate the finished product and then adjust where neccessary. If it doesn't come out like you want then chances are the scratches are deeper and you will need to step up to compound.
It should be mentioned that these products are designed to be used with a buffer, specific pads, and at a speed ranging from 1000 to 2500rpm. If you don't have experience with a buffer it is fairly easy, even with just a polish, to mess up the paint beyond repair.
If you don't want to fix them yourself you can always have the car detailed and make sure it includes exterior buffing. Good luck.
I worked in a detail shop through high school and now work at a body shop and have been at a few shops in between as well and most places use 3M compounds and polishes. I would recomend 6064 Swirl Mark Remover, it looks like this: http://edge.shop.com/ccimg.shop.com/...--17020651.jpg
3Ms lineup of buffing products includes a compound, swirl mark remover, and ultrafina SE. Compound is most aggressive and the ultrafina swirl eliminator is just a light glaze. So I would start with the swirl mark remover and evaluate the finished product and then adjust where neccessary. If it doesn't come out like you want then chances are the scratches are deeper and you will need to step up to compound.
It should be mentioned that these products are designed to be used with a buffer, specific pads, and at a speed ranging from 1000 to 2500rpm. If you don't have experience with a buffer it is fairly easy, even with just a polish, to mess up the paint beyond repair.
If you don't want to fix them yourself you can always have the car detailed and make sure it includes exterior buffing. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 28
From: ontario Ontario
A very common problem and also fairly easy to fix with the right products.
I worked in a detail shop through high school and now work at a body shop and have been at a few shops in between as well and most places use 3M compounds and polishes. I would recomend 6064 Swirl Mark Remover, it looks like this: http://edge.shop.com/ccimg.shop.com/...--17020651.jpg
3Ms lineup of buffing products includes a compound, swirl mark remover, and ultrafina SE. Compound is most aggressive and the ultrafina swirl eliminator is just a light glaze. So I would start with the swirl mark remover and evaluate the finished product and then adjust where neccessary. If it doesn't come out like you want then chances are the scratches are deeper and you will need to step up to compound.
It should be mentioned that these products are designed to be used with a buffer, specific pads, and at a speed ranging from 1000 to 2500rpm. If you don't have experience with a buffer it is fairly easy, even with just a polish, to mess up the paint beyond repair.
If you don't want to fix them yourself you can always have the car detailed and make sure it includes exterior buffing. Good luck.
I worked in a detail shop through high school and now work at a body shop and have been at a few shops in between as well and most places use 3M compounds and polishes. I would recomend 6064 Swirl Mark Remover, it looks like this: http://edge.shop.com/ccimg.shop.com/...--17020651.jpg
3Ms lineup of buffing products includes a compound, swirl mark remover, and ultrafina SE. Compound is most aggressive and the ultrafina swirl eliminator is just a light glaze. So I would start with the swirl mark remover and evaluate the finished product and then adjust where neccessary. If it doesn't come out like you want then chances are the scratches are deeper and you will need to step up to compound.
It should be mentioned that these products are designed to be used with a buffer, specific pads, and at a speed ranging from 1000 to 2500rpm. If you don't have experience with a buffer it is fairly easy, even with just a polish, to mess up the paint beyond repair.
If you don't want to fix them yourself you can always have the car detailed and make sure it includes exterior buffing. Good luck.
Been polishing cars for years. If you don't have experience practice on some junk yard car scraps or DD beater cars where it doesn't matter if paint gets burned. A vette is not a car to learn on
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,287
From: Central Ma
The above people are referring to a rotary buffer which can accomplish amazing results, but as stated can also prove to be disastrous in the wrong hands.
Look into the flex DA polisher. Very user friendly and very safe.
IMO everyone should have a polisher, this is the key to a good shine.
I'll post up what I recently did soon.
Look into the flex DA polisher. Very user friendly and very safe.
IMO everyone should have a polisher, this is the key to a good shine.
I'll post up what I recently did soon.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,287
From: Central Ma
This is a little over kill, but this is what I recently did.
Regardless of products, the steps should be the same.
Wash, clay, wash, machine polish, protect.
The biggest debates are about the protect part. I use and recommend Z products, but the steps prior to that are the most important in the end.
Good luck.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/car-...tail-pics.html
Regardless of products, the steps should be the same.
Wash, clay, wash, machine polish, protect.
The biggest debates are about the protect part. I use and recommend Z products, but the steps prior to that are the most important in the end.
Good luck.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/car-...tail-pics.html
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
If you can get to the Chicago area... there is a magician named Jason you need to see....
He is a true master at clear coat restoration. http://www.jasonsautospa.com/ccr.html
He is a true master at clear coat restoration. http://www.jasonsautospa.com/ccr.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 25
From: West Lafayette IN
I don't live far from Chicago. Lafayette, IN. Might see about it, but its a drive up there that's for sure.
So what Flex Da do you recommend? I really want to make this car shine better before the next group show.
Shane
So what Flex Da do you recommend? I really want to make this car shine better before the next group show.
Shane
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,287
From: Central Ma
I forget the exact #, xg3501?
Check the geek and you'll see it. Not cheap for the initial investment, but well worth it.
< 300 for the machine, but you will need several orange and white pads, and I'd say one finishing pad. I think some of the kits have too much stuff in them.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
http://www.autogeek.net/flex-car-polishers.html
thanks for the referral, the Flex 3401 is certainly the best Random Orbital Buffer to date. Please call or email as wanted for help .... dont be afraid of buffing, for the price of one good detailing session you can have all the items needed for years of personal car care and its actually a hobby to some.
thanks for the referral, the Flex 3401 is certainly the best Random Orbital Buffer to date. Please call or email as wanted for help .... dont be afraid of buffing, for the price of one good detailing session you can have all the items needed for years of personal car care and its actually a hobby to some.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 25
From: West Lafayette IN
Thanks for all the great info. I"m not going to be able to get the orbital buffer real soon. So guess for this run around of detailing I might just do a mothers 3 step with a clay bar first.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,093
Likes: 1,599
From: Edmond Oklahoma
http://www.autogeek.net/flex-car-polishers.html
thanks for the referral, the Flex 3401 is certainly the best Random Orbital Buffer to date. Please call or email as wanted for help .... dont be afraid of buffing, for the price of one good detailing session you can have all the items needed for years of personal car care and its actually a hobby to some.
thanks for the referral, the Flex 3401 is certainly the best Random Orbital Buffer to date. Please call or email as wanted for help .... dont be afraid of buffing, for the price of one good detailing session you can have all the items needed for years of personal car care and its actually a hobby to some.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 3
I just used a DA on my Black Vette and removed most of my swirls and light scrathces with the Wolfgang line and I was very pleased. I started with the Wolfgang Total swirl remover on an orange pad. Then used the Wolfgang Finishing Glaze on a grey pad. And finihsed with their Deep Gloss Paint Sealant on a Blue pad. You may want to wash and clay the car before these steps to ensure a clean fresh starting point. Here is a good video help.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...q=porter+cable
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...q=porter+cable
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
You might also consider using a AIO like our Pinnacle XMT360 which does all this rather well in one bottle. Its no replacement for polishing but certainly a nice choice is a quick AIO product.
http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-360.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 25
From: West Lafayette IN
Great, Thanks for the choices. I believe the wife is going to order the orbital for me as a birthday present after we get back from Las Vegas in Aug. Till then I will just try and keep her shinning a little.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
