question-detailing after comercial car wash

[welcome2thedawn]

i've been taking my car to a typical commercial car wash every couple weeks...i came across a close up pic of a car so shiny, at first i didn't even realize what i was looking at...i couldn't believe paint could look this good, and was inspired to learn how to make my car look like this....after doing a bunch of reading and watching videos, i went and bought some deep crystal car wash, clay kit, swirl x, deep crystal polish, deep crystal carnauba wax, and a $25 orbital buffer....i realize this isn't the best option, but all i can afford right now.....i washed my car twice using the two bucket method, dried with a microfiber towel, clayed, used the swirl x....and then i started on the polish....i started with the hood ...i put on a thin layer using the buffer, let it dry, and started to wipe it w/ a microfiber towel...it didn't seem to be coming off, even with a good amount of pressure....i went ahead and removed it using the buffer with a microfiber bonnet....at this point it is dark, and i have 2 work lights set up....i notice that there are now marks that can best be compared to the hologram/tracer pics...i tried to re-wipe with a towel...it didn't really help...i decided i needed to re-evaluate this process.....i started thinking about it, and am wondering if maybe the spray wax/sealant they use at the commercial car wash is still on there, and effecting the outcome............i guess long story short.....should i re-wash with something that will strip it off, and start over...if i go ahead with the wax, will that polish it out? thanks in advance

[Murr1525]

Re: question-detailing after comercial car wash

Well, if the car wash caused marks, you could be seeing those more clearly now.

Also, the polish should not dry, so made it harder to remove.

Do they seem like scratches/swirls, or smudges/streaks?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: question-detailing after comercial car wash

You should apply the polish, one section at a time. Then remove it. Then go on to the next section.

Sometimes you will also need to apply the swirl=x more then once to the same area. Remember you have to apply some "passion" to achieve best results.

[Dubbin1]

Re: question-detailing after comercial car wash

Do not use that cheap orbital buffer for polishing, it will not work. Apply the polish/swirlX by hand but don't expect great results with the products you have.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: question-detailing after comercial car wash

It may well be that you didn't get all of the Deep Crystal Polish off the surface. It should be applied to a small area (roughly 2' x 2') for just a couple of minutes and then wiped off while still wet. Letting it dry will only make it difficult to remove, as you have experienced first hand.

Try going over a small area that appears to have the markings you mentioned with some SwirlX, and wipe it off while still wet. That should easily remove any left over product that might have been left behind.

There is, however, another possible scenario. If what you're seeing really are holograms, then it is quite possible that the dealer prepped the car using a rotary buffer and did less than a stellar job of it. This process could very easily leave holograms behind, which might then have been covered by some other product used by the dealer. Your process of claying and SwirlX would have effectively removed that concealing product and the holograms are once again visible. Any chance you can get us a picture or two?

[welcome2thedawn]

Re: question-detailing after comercial car wash

i can take some pics a little later...it didn't show up until after removing the polish...it doesn't look exactly like the hologram pics...just the best comparison i could think of...it looks like there is still polish on there, and the buffer left marks in the polish that is left...i thought the directions said to apply to the whole car, let dry, remove....sounds like maybe letting it dry is what i did wrong...i will take some pics first, but i think maybe what you suggested, michael, may be the way to go... and no, i don't expect professional results with what i'm using....just to make the car look as good as i can with what i can currently afford to use...thanks for the feedback

[CieraSL]

Re: question-detailing after comercial car wash

i can take some pics a little later...it didn't show up until after removing the polish...it doesn't look exactly like the hologram pics...just the best comparison i could think of...it looks like there is still polish on there, and the buffer left marks in the polish that is left...i thought the directions said to apply to the whole car, let dry, remove....sounds like maybe letting it dry is what i did wrong...i will take some pics first, but i think maybe what you suggested, michael, may be the way to go... and no, i don't expect professional results with what i'm using....just to make the car look as good as i can with what i can currently afford to use...thanks for the feedback

You may have gotten a mislabeled bottle of polish. See this thread: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41328

[welcome2thedawn]

Re: question-detailing after comercial car wash

mystery solved....i double checked...my bottle does say to do the whole car, let dry, and wipe off...i'm glad i decided to test the results on the hood only