Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

[cardriver]

Some background info first. Hope you enjoy reading!:

Today my boss gave me his '99 M3 to detail. Began at 9am, "finished" at 3:30pm (had to leave for work--I foolishly agreed to "detail" a vehicle and only allowed myself 6 hours !)

Washed, clayed, 2 passes 105 on 7'' SB2.0 PolPad, 2 passes 205 on 7'' SB2.0 PolPad, then 1 coat of NXT 2.0 on 7'' Black FinPad. At that point, it was already 3PM.
Understand that I skipped many steps and stages that I would normally incorporate in a normal detail, and I squeezed what I could out of the short 6 hours I had today. Stupid move, as I mentioned earlier!

Anyway, boss comes back @ 4pm and I tell him that I'd appreciate more time with the vehicle to try some more polishing, waxing, exterior trim cleaning (lots of old dried white wax streaks on ext. plastic), doing the engine bay, interior, doorjambs, & treating his convertible canvas. He was happy with the turnout (~75-80% correction on the swirls & marring in the clear, but no effect to his front-end with 760,000 rock chips of all sizes), but he graciously agreed to let me keep the car for another day!

So tomorrow, I think I'll probably leave the clear @ 75% status, (QD the car w/ LT 1:1, but I do want to use my #7 on a Polishing & Finishing pad...then I suppose I'll need to NXT all over again with 2 light coats, then perhaps a final coat of DC3 carnauba.

Question is, does today's application of NXT have any implications for tomorrow's polishing steps? What would you guys recommend I do since I have the car for another ~7 hours? Use more 105 or 205?
Open to thoughts and ideas! Thanks .

[Bounty]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Question is, does today's application of NXT have any implications for tomorrow's polishing steps?

Not really...you can use a chemical cleaner like DC1 to remove it or wash it down with Dawn or a citrus-based cleaner for wax removal. You could always polish over it but it can lead to "clumping" and quicker contamination of the pad surface.

What would you guys recommend I do since I have the car for another ~7 hours? Use more 105 or 205?

I'd section off a test area and try another pass of M105 and see where you're at. If you can get another 10% to 15% improvement from that pass than go over the entire vehicle. If not, spend the extra day "detailing" and getting into every crack, crevice, and crease tomake sure it's spotless. Take care of the engine bay, the door jambs, maybe hit some spot-defects with M105 by hand or machine, do the glass, headlights, interior, etc. Make it spotless inside and out and another good layer of NXT and he should be happy!!

[cardriver]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Thanks, Bounty! Always helpful info. (In retrospect, I ...should have saved up the extra $150 and plopped that down on the 3401 which would have saved myself some time and # passes when using 105 & 205. We both know the reasoning ).

I'll take your advice and tomorrow I'll Dawn wash the NXT layer that was applied today, and start again with 105 and finish it out with 205 yet again. Ideally I'll get another 10% correction, and still have time for #7 on (polishing or finishing? I can't decide), plus time for the interior, jambs, engine, headlights, and finally some wax. Another 7 hours' worth! We'll see how it goes.

[Bounty]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Thanks, Bounty! Always helpful info. (In retrospect, I ...should have saved up the extra $150 and plopped that down on the 3401 which would have saved myself some time and # passes when using 105 & 205. We both know the reasoning ).

It's definitely a great machine but on softer paints you can acheive pretty good correction with an orbital polisher like a PC7424 or G110...all depends on the time you want to spend doing it. Don't forget to take plenty of pics so we can share some of your work...

I'll take your advice and tomorrow I'll Dawn wash the NXT layer that was applied today, and start again with 105 and finish it out with 205 yet again. Ideally I'll get another 10% correction, and still have time for #7 on (polishing or finishing? I can't decide), plus time for the interior, jambs, engine, headlights, and finally some wax. Another 7 hours' worth! We'll see how it goes.

As I stated, it's probably better for the overall job (and your back) to put the polisher aside and focus on getting the interior, engine bay, headlights, and door jambs 100% perfect. Since you've gone 4 passes over the entire vehicle I just don't know that the law of diminishing returns doesn't apply here and just one more pass of M105 is going to be substantially different.

I'd probably focus on layering another coat of NXT on the paint and work on the rest. That'll be two solid coats providing ultimate coverage, ideal defect filling/concealment, and the best possible longevity due to the time allowed for product setup and polymer adhesion. Just do a quick wipedown of the surface with a quick detail product to remove any dusting and add that second layer of NXT.

You'll be surprised how fast you chew thru those 7 hours. Figure one for the engine bay...two to three on the interior...another two for wheels/jambs/trim/glass/wax...and you're only left with just an hour or two at most. Definitely not enough time to go over the car again.

If it was my customer, I'd leave the paint alone as 75% correction is usually jaw-dropping to 9 out of 10 customers and get every other facet of the vehicle in tip-top shape. They'll notice a spotless and fresh smelling interior immediately and enjoy it ten times more than another 5% swirl/defect reduction.

[cardriver]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Good tips, actually! My boss was pleased when he stopped by to check on the car after I had put in the first 6 hours, but like you said, he'll probably be even more moved if he sees a fresh interior and a finally-clean engine bay. I'll make those two a priority over another session of polishing. Dawn washing plus one more pass each of 105, 205, and then #7 could indeed take many hours if I were to try to squeeze it all in the 7 hours time I have in this second session this morning...

1) Here's a question. Let's say I had a ton of time, and was working with 105 on the PolPad and 205 on the PolPad. Do you advocate following that up with 205 on the Finishing Pad? Not sure how much return I would get on that extra step.

2) There is a ton of caked-in wax/polish on the(or maybe it's just so faded that it's white) black plastic trim running around the outside of the car. Earlier today before my final wash, I used a terrycloth app pad with some M40 & elbow grease, and it didn't have much of an effect to restore the black sheen or to remove the white residue. Ideas? Vegetable oil? Toothbrush?

I'm definitely not trying APC. I tried 10:1 APC on my friend's black trim that runs along the top of the truckbed on his Tundra, and some of it dripped down and really etched through the paint, leaving almost-permanent liquid streak trails. You may have experienced this is you've seen APC-laden water running down a dashboard or any surface. It "burns" through the surface and leaves a permanent trail .

[Jeff U]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

I'd ask him if he cares about the engine bay.

A lot of us here think that cleaning the engine bay is a big deal and a detail would not be complete with out it.

However, many regular people (not car nuts) never open the hood of the car and think that detailing the engine bay is a waste of time.

It would give you more time for other areas.

[Bounty]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Good tips, actually!

Glad to be of service...

1) Here's a question. Let's say I had a ton of time, and was working with 105 on the PolPad and 205 on the PolPad. Do you advocate following that up with 205 on the Finishing Pad? Not sure how much return I would get on that extra step.

On hard paint surfaces like you're dealing with on that BMW, I would personally skip it. The pass of M205/Finishing Pad would be to heighten gloss and bring some "pop" to the paint. According to your description of the process detailed above you've got 4 passes over the car already (2 of M105 and 2 of M205). That's a lot of lubricating oils on the surface already. For the final M205 pass, I'd skip an IPA wipedown and just go over the finished panel with a clean microfiber. This will leave a nice, wet finish and give you the look you're searching for.

2) There is a ton of caked-in wax/polish on the(or maybe it's just so faded that it's white) black plastic trim running around the outside of the car. Earlier today before my final wash, I used a terrycloth app pad with some M40 & elbow grease, and it didn't have much of an effect to restore the black sheen or to remove the white residue. Ideas? Vegetable oil? Toothbrush?

If all you have is M40 and APC, then I'd mix some Dawn and water in a cup and dip a terry towel in the mixture and scrub the dried wax and polish residue on the trim. If you're looking to buy another product you can try M39 or a "pad cleaner" such as XMT's to break-up the polish residue. I have also seen IPA used in a pinch so feel free to experiment a little.

I'm definitely not trying APC. I tried 10:1 APC on my friend's black trim that runs along the top of the truckbed on his Tundra, and some of it dripped down and really etched through the paint, leaving almost-permanent liquid streak trails. You may have experienced this is you've seen APC-laden water running down a dashboard or any surface. It "burns" through the surface and leaves a permanent trail .

Not a big fan of APC on or too near paint...

[WhiskeyRock-a-roller]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Glad to be of service...
Not a big fan of APC on or too near paint...

Really? I thought APC 10:1 could be used as a wax remover on paint?!?! I've never had any isues with it leaving "trails" or "burning through" paint!?!?

[Bounty]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Really? I thought APC 10:1 could be used as a wax remover on paint?!?! I've never had any isues with it leaving "trails" or "burning through" paint!?!?

I don't like it for that purpose because I do not like it going everywhere....on trim, plastic, rubber, glass, and potentially drying or spotting on the paint surface. Can it be used? Yes. Do I prefer it? No.

Especially when wax removal products abound such as citrus-based cleaners, Dawn, the claying process, chemical pre-wax cleaners, etc. I too have never seen it "burn" thru paint surfaces but if it dries on the surface it does create an extra clean-up step to remove hazing or streaking.

[cardriver]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Really? I thought APC 10:1 could be used as a wax remover on paint?!?! I've never had any isues with it leaving "trails" or "burning through" paint!?!?

Well, to see for yourself, find a "test" car that you don't like very much...doesn't matter if it has or has not been detailed recently, or whether the surface is clean or dirty, or whether it's a dashboard, interior door panel, or exterior paint.

Spray some 10:1 APC/APC+ and let it dwell for 10 seconds or more (not that we are supposed to spray onto the surface--We're usually supposed to apply it to an app pad and go to work; I know). Watch the liquid run down, now wipe clean. You'll probably have some run APC stains to clean. Try it out if you must see for yourself .

Anyway, today (on the 2nd 6-hour session I had with the BMW), I began with 10:1 APC/terrycloth app on the interior vinyl then M40/foam app, then for the leather I used BlueMagic leather cleaner/Meg's Leather conditioning wipes. Went over all interior surfaces w/ MF to reduce shine & greasy feel. This was my first time with M40, and I quite like it for the tires (applied it on top of day-old Hyper Dressing on the tires ). For the interior vinyl, it's still too greasy for my taste, but that's why I have HD.

After that, I went to work on the engine bay with 4:1 APC+, "rinsed" with h20/spray bottle, dried w/ MF, then applied 4:1 HD w/MF. Turned out nicely.

At this point, I only had time to use my Sonicare toothbrush + M40 on the exterior plastic trim, followed by harsh scrubbing w/ M40/MF towel, and that finally removed old wax remnants and restored the black finish. Then of course, I washed with NXT, and finished with a coat of DC3 on top of the NXT that I applied yesterday. Turned out very well.

Overall, a fun learning experience (this is my first customer for this hobby--It's only a hobby for now! ), and I think the most improvement for me can be gained in the polishing phase, where I'm trying to figure out how to get better results, and with less time (since after 3 different vehicles with 105 & 205 on yellow 7'' SB2.0 pads is yielding me no greater than ~80% correction and I seem to have hit a glass ceiling!)

[Bounty]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

Well, to see for yourself, find a "test" car that you don't like very much...doesn't matter if it has or has not been detailed recently, or whether the surface is clean or dirty, or whether it's a dashboard, interior door panel, or exterior paint.

Spray some 10:1 APC/APC+ and let it dwell for 10 seconds or more (not that we are supposed to spray onto the surface--We're usually supposed to apply it to an app pad and go to work; I know). Watch the liquid run down, now wipe clean. You'll probably have some run APC stains to clean. Try it out if you must see for yourself .

It can definitely be nasty stuff if not treated properly...especially in the extremely hot and humid South Florida climate. Hence our warnings to other readers.

Anyway, today (on the 2nd 6-hour session I had with the BMW), I began with 10:1 APC/terrycloth app on the interior vinyl then M40/foam app, then for the leather I used BlueMagic leather cleaner/Meg's Leather conditioning wipes. Went over all interior surfaces w/ MF to reduce shine & greasy feel. This was my first time with M40, and I quite like it for the tires (applied it on top of day-old Hyper Dressing on the tires ). For the interior vinyl, it's still too greasy for my taste, but that's why I have HD.

Had an issue with the NXT interior dressing as it also can leave a greasy feel even after wiping down with a clean microfiber. I've since moved to the GC Supreme Shine and the GC Quik Interior Detailer for the vinyl/plastic/interior trim inside the vehicle.

After that, I went to work on the engine bay with 4:1 APC+, "rinsed" with h20/spray bottle, dried w/ MF, then applied 4:1 HD w/MF. Turned out nicely.

We need pics! A well detailed engine bay can really make a car standout...especially one like that M-car which has a lot of black plastic under the hood and an engine worthy of the job.

At this point, I only had time to use my Sonicare toothbrush + M40 on the exterior plastic trim, followed by harsh scrubbing w/ M40/MF towel, and that finally removed old wax remnants and restored the black finish. Then of course, I washed with NXT, and finished with a coat of DC3 on top of the NXT that I applied yesterday. Turned out very well.

Told you that you'd burn thru those extra 6 hours real quick! Glad you were able to find the solution to the wax and polish residue issue with the tools you had at hand.

Overall, a fun learning experience (this is my first customer for this hobby--It's only a hobby for now! ), and I think the most improvement for me can be gained in the polishing phase, where I'm trying to figure out how to get better results, and with less time (since after 3 different vehicles with 105 & 205 on yellow 7'' SB2.0 pads is yielding me no greater than ~80% correction and I seem to have hit a glass ceiling!)

There's still some room for added corrective power with your polisher. Before moving up in machine you might want to try moving down in pad size. You can pick up some nice corrective ability by making the switch to 5.5" pads. You also have the added option of changing to a more mechanically abrasive pad like the 7" burgundy cutting pad (if you're sticking Meg's) or the LC CCS Orange pads (ADS or PAC spec) if you're going for the smaller pads.

[cardriver]

Re: Polished & Waxed today, but wants to polish more tmrw?

I'll definitely have to order some smaller pads, plus one burgundy cutter for good measure before changing to a stronger DA . Will probably try Meg's first, then go for the Orange CCS ~5.5'' if Megs doesn't cut it.

Boss picks up his car tomorrow morning, so I'll try to snap a few "after" pics in the shade if I can get a hold of my sister's point-and-shoot camera. No high-quality camera here! I'd take a picture of the paint in the sun, but with 20% of the scratches remaining in the direct sunlight up close, I think that's all that needs to be said about that .

If one day I can correct a car to the point that the sunlight and the Brinkmann don't reveal any imperfections (like the many wonderful detail stories posted in this forum), then I'll be comfortable enough to post those sunlight shots!