First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

[roushstage2]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

I skipped some posts, so if I am retouching on a point, forgive me. I see you used SwirlX. If your technique was good or you develop it and SwirlX still isn't cutting it, it may also be that you need a bit of a stronger cleaner. For example, to really get all of the swirls and such out of the paint on my Mustang, I need M105.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

Virtually every issue we've seen with Ultimate Compound has been in the application method. The use of terry cloth or sometimes even microfiber applicators, especially on soft paint, has a high probability of hazing the paint, but it's the applicator that's causing the haze.

Our call center fields these "complaints" all the time. Probably the most common involves ScratchX and it always comes down to the use of a terry cloth applicator. When they have the customer go over the exact same area with the same product but a foam applicator, the haze is cleared up.

This is also a big part of the reason we don't recommend using a cutting pad on the D/A - it tends to be too aggressive for that tool and has a high probability of hazing paint.

[jkk7479]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

Michael,

Thank you for your very informative post. It definitely could have been that I didn't work the product in enough. Although...one area I did let it go for quite some time and saw no results. I think I will do the recommended steps you stated above as well as trying it with Ultimate Compound. Since it can't hurt my finish....I figure it's the way to go! I even did the swirl x by hand for a little bit and saw no results....so I really think Ultimate Compound should do the trick. I did see some people have problem with Ultimate Compound which makes me nervous....but I am going to do a test spot....probably in August or September...and see how that comes out!

Thanks again!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

A couple of things that have not been touched on here that might help you out.

• Make sure you're running the tool on speed 5 when doing defect correction. A lot of people new to this are leery of spinning the tool that fast so they run at speed 3 or so, then are disappointed at the result (or lack thereof). You need that speed to get the power down, and you're not going to cause any problems doing so.
• Move the pad slowly over the paint. This is your "arm speed" and a lot of people try to keep up with the sound of the machine, so to speak. We often see people move the tool in quick, sweeping motions and the product just doesn't have the time to work on the paint in a given area like this.
• Use moderate pressure on the pad. You want enough pressure to deform the pad pretty well, but not enough to stop it from rotating. You need the rotation and oscillation from the tool to get the most out of any paint cleaning product you might be using. Again, many new users don't use much pressure at all, out of fear of damaging the paint.
• Work just small areas at a time, generally no larger than roughly the size of a microfiber towel. We've seen people refer to "a small area" as half the hood - of a full sized pickup truck! That is not "small". Confine your work space so that you aren't spreading out the effort over a huge area.
• Work the product sufficiently. Paint cleaners need time and energy behind them to get the job done (which is what all the above points have in common), so don't just wipe 'em on and wipe 'em off. Diminishing abrasive products should be worked until the abrasive has broken down fully but the remaining film is still "wet". Non diminishing (or SMAT) products like SwirlX & Ultimate Compound don't really break down, but as you work them their film on the paint does become thinner in appearance. This is in part due to a drying of the "carrier" liquid as well as some absorption into the pad. Nonetheless, it will appear as a very thin film on the surface, but still "wet", and that is when you should stop buffing and wipe it off. One of the beauties of a SMAT product is that you can continue to effectively buff almost as long as that wet film is present. Ultimate Compound, SwirlX and especially M205 have very long buffing cycles. Take advantage of it.

Since you're using a G110 and the correct foam pads, you shouldn't worry for a second about UC messing up your paint. But we would still recommend using the above suggestions with SwirlX, if you feel you haven't been buffing exactly as described above. If you feel the above notes perfectly describe your technique, then it probably is time to step up to UC.

A note on paint hardness: you can easily have two different examples of the same make and model car, one with soft paint and one with hard. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to change paint systems from one model year to another, or even mid year. We've seen BMWs with very hard paint and BMWs with paint that was super easy to correct. Among various Japanese brands we generally see paint on the softer side, sometimes annoyingly so, but there are those with pretty hard paint.

[Brook]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

I would say that where I allowed myself to be misled on the topic of paint correction is when I watched (many times) the "How to Remove Swirls" video on the Meguair's website. The demo shows a severely swirled car being treated with SwirlX and a hand applicator pad. After working on what appears to me to be a fairly large area using a hand applicator pad, the swirls are completely gone in just a few seconds (or so it appears on the video). The commentator even uses the word "easily."

I've learned that it ain't necessarily so! After reading many, many of the posts on the Forum it appears that it actually takes hours of work with many passes and applications of product on very small sections--and that with a DA, not by hand.

I, too, will go back to the drawing board on a very small test section and go over and over and over that section until I see results. Based on what I have read here, doing so won't cause any damage to the paint (assuming the use of a DA with the consumer product line).

Perhaps the videos should be changed to indicate that defect removal is not all that easy.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

I am a little cautious to use 105...and would be more comfortable using UC. I don't want to cause any more swirls or marring into the paint by using something called ultimate cut compound. I have the Old G100 and the Polishing and Finishing pads. I don't want to use a cutting pad. That sounds a little out of my league. If I don't get better results next time with UC....I will take it to a professional. In the meantime, I am up for the challenge.

UC and 105 are almost the same, but UC is in the consumer line. Ive never used the Cutting pad because in most cases is not necessary. Heres the deal G100, G100a, G110, G110v2... They all do the same. One has a lilttle more power than the other but still do the same Job.

Thats good you are up to take challenges because not only in detailing but in real life, life is all about challenges. Never be affraid to try new things.

Keep it up


Ryan

[jkk7479]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

Determination is a part of the art, your not happy till you get it done. Great way to think.



It seems he goes by the Consumer line, remember the UC is like a derivate from 105 and swirlX from 205, so maybe that combo UC and SwirlX might do it.

But i agree with you, 105/205 is the solution for any car surface defect i love it.

I talk a lot about my works and stuffs but i havent uploaded a single Pic. Im going to have to upload some pics.

I am a little cautious to use 105...and would be more comfortable using UC. I don't want to cause any more swirls or marring into the paint by using something called ultimate cut compound. I have the Old G100 and the Polishing and Finishing pads. I don't want to use a cutting pad. That sounds a little out of my league. If I don't get better results next time with UC....I will take it to a professional. In the meantime, I am up for the challenge.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

I am determined.

Determination is a part of the art, your not happy till you get it done. Great way to think.

Not sure how this will relate to your Maxima. This past Thursday, I did a full detail on my 09 Altima. Same color as your Maxima.

I tried out a couple of products doing my test spot. I was satisfied with the results using #105, with a 8207 pad. I had to work the product in very thoroughly. I then used #205 with a clean 8207 pad to rid the surface of any micro-marring.

Then applied 2 coats of #16.

The Altima finished up looking very good. Maybe the 105/205 combo is what you need.

I think your Maxima looks very good. Congrats.

It seems he goes by the Consumer line, remember the UC is like a derivate from 105 and swirlX from 205, so maybe that combo UC and SwirlX might do it.

But i agree with you, 105/205 is the solution for any car surface defect i love it.

I talk a lot about my works and stuffs but i havent uploaded a single Pic. Im going to have to upload some pics.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

Not sure how this will relate to your Maxima. This past Thursday, I did a full detail on my 09 Altima. Same color as your Maxima.

I tried out a couple of products doing my test spot. I was satisfied with the results using #105, with a 8207 pad. I had to work the product in very thoroughly. I then used #205 with a clean 8207 pad to rid the surface of any micro-marring.

Then applied 2 coats of #16.

The Altima finished up looking very good. Maybe the 105/205 combo is what you need.

I think your Maxima looks very good. Congrats.

[jkk7479]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

Wow man, your car looks pretty clean a nice, for a grey colored car. Nice Job man. Next time take the power cord out of your beautifull picture.

What dress did you used in the wheels?

Thanks Bro....I used the NXT Insane Tire Shine. I removed any excess with a cheap microfiber app from pep boys. I will definitely remove the power cord in the future....still a noob here! The car definitely looks pretty clean....just wish I could have gotten some of those circle swirls out....you can't really see them in the pics. I will get those swirls next time....I am determined.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

I said that Swirlx appeared very mild on my finish, not aggressive by any means.

Paint on MINIs is soft? I thought the paint was hard. MINI was bought by BMW not too long ago and if I have been reading correctly, the paint on BMWs is hard. Swirlx takes like 3-4 applications on ym car before I see even slight improvement so I was under the imporession that the paint was hard. BTW, I also have a red MINI!! Are you sure you didn't detail mine?

Just for fun, what year was the one you detailed? Mine is '08 so maybe I am doing something wrong.

The one i worked on was a '02 mini, chinese red. And i doubt was yours because i live in DR

I hate living in this little country where you have to do a complete detaile for arround $100 or less.

I frequently go to the US at least 3 times a year... I go to my Gmom house and i detail her car for fun, she loves how i make it shine.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

Wow man, your car looks pretty clean a nice, for a grey colored car. Nice Job man. Next time take the power cord out of your beautifull picture.

What dress did you used in the wheels?

[jkk7479]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

And my favorite shot....looks pretty sweet if I say so myself....

[jkk7479]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

[jkk7479]

Re: First time Detailing...a little dissapointed

sorry...here are some bigger ones...