How Good is Good Enough?

[bradipock]

I detailed by black Silverado this weekend to remove some swirls and minor scratches. Process on the paint was:

Wash with Gold Class
Clay where needed
1X 80 on 8006
2x 82 on 9006
2x Nxt 2.0

Worked much better than before and considering it is the second time I have tried this, I am very pleased with my efforts. Nice reflection and good clear paint (in my opinion). I still have some minor scratches that did not come out, but are much less obvious. All of the swirls marks are gone.

I have looked at the pics some of you post and was wondering: When you are done with a detail, is the paint 100% perfect or is it 100% better than it was?

[tguil]

Re: How Good is Good Enough?

I detailed by black Silverado this weekend to remove some swirls and minor scratches. Process on the paint was:

Wash with Gold Class
Clay where needed
1X 80 on 8006
2x 82 on 9006
2x Nxt 2.0

Worked much better than before and considering it is the second time I have tried this, I am very pleased with my efforts. Nice reflection and good clear paint (in my opinion). I still have some minor scratches that did not come out, but are much less obvious. All of the swirls marks are gone.

I have looked at the pics some of you post and was wondering: When you are done with a detail, is the paint 100% perfect or is it 100% better than it was?

If you are satisfied, it is "good enough". However, I owned black vehiles for thirty years and I know how hard they are to bring to 100%

You can probably get more of the scratches out if you use a different process and one more product -- #83. #83 with a pc is quite safe. I suggest:

Wash -- any good car shampoo.
Clay as needed.
#83 as needed with an 8006 pad
#80 as needed with an 8006 pad
NXT with an 8006 pad (I like the little bit of extra polishing action this pad gives with NXT.)

I find that with #80, I do not need to follow up with #82. You can't layer NXT so the only reason for two coats is to make sure that you have covered everything.

Once you get your truck in the shape that you want it to be in, you can probably get by with using just the NXT if you wax once every couple of months.

Another great maintenance wax is ColorX - one step and quick to use.

Have fun.

Tom

[bradipock]

Re: How Good is Good Enough?

I had a feeling that is the response I would get. No problem. Just was wondering if it is possible to get 100% perfect or if you have to settle for much, much better condition.

I had to do the 82 on the 9006 to remove the marring from the 80. ScratchX wouldn't work for me on the DA. This was reccommended and worked so that's what I used. May try your way next time.

[BlueZero]

Re: How Good is Good Enough?

For a daily driver especially one in black I don't think perfect is really an option. I did the best on could on my last black truck but now with the Jeep since it goes off road I just go for 95% lol. Hey it still looks better than most of the other black vehicles I see on the road.

[cwcad]

Re: How Good is Good Enough?

This is the nemisis of all black vehicle owners. Polish until you are satisfied and one takes the chance of polishing it through the clear coat. No, not the first time or the second. It is the culmulative effect of polishing that effects the paint.

Washing techniques will mitigate marring but if your vehicle is a daily driver marring occurs everyday and there is nothing you can do about it.

Polish to your satisfaction. The more experience the better your corrective sessions will become. Just do not expect the first time that you polish will be the best that you ever will do. Experience plays a part in every corrective session. Then cover your paint with a good wax or sealant or both. You will be surprised at how it gets better and looks better as well. Good Luck!!

[alkemyst]

Re: How Good is Good Enough?

You'd be surprised the defects you'd see in some really well done cars. In the end it's what you are comfortable with.

If one is getting paid to make it perfect then they'd get as close as possible (the condition of the paint being the limiting factor).

The thing is with a 'perfect' job, chances are just driving around will introduce some problems. It's a losing battle on a daily driver. Still you can get it to 90%+ which is lightyears ahead of most other cars you'd see.

I did my wife's saturn...it's 8 years old living outside in s. florida its whole life. We went to the post office in it and it was probably the best looking paint in the lot save one big black SUV with huge wheels...and even then it was close. I am not done with her car, it was my second detail after doing nothing for 5 years