Needing some more tips on Technique

[Johnson]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Got started on detailing the car tonight after work. I am loving this garage. Awesome lighting and the heat works good! and my boss tells me times are tough..

I think I was going over the car more then needed with the clay bar it took me a hour and a half..

I have never buffed in a garage that had so much light. After washing it with ultimate wash and wax, it really looked good. Running your hand across it, very rough but with some claying it was looking good.

The question that I am needing help with, I had a hard time finding swirls. (I know thats the goal) I did see a few sctraches here and there and deeper sctratches that would need sanding down and repainting. I dont believe after not being touched for a year, it would look this good as it does. It seems like when the sun was out this summer, I seen all kinds of swirls and scratches. Is there a trick to find them in a good lighting shop?

Which brings me to my next question. I am using swirlX with the buffer. being that I claim it looks pretty good. Just the hood alone took me 45 mins to do. Is that a little to long? I need to see the pad speed and movment speed to see if I am moving like a old grandma, or if I can speed it up a little?

[Murr1525]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

The UW&W, having some wax, could be hiding things.

You may want to look do a search for "The Swirlfinder"... see which model Brinksman flashlight it is. It is pretty cheap, and people indoors like it.

Can you get any pics for us?

[Johnson]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

I had a LED flashlight with me. I still didnt find much It was more just little line scratches and chips.

I can try to get some pictures tomorrow!

[Murr1525]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

I dont think LED shows a lot.

[tguil]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Good golly. Just do what Michael Stoops suggested and get the heck out of the plant. ColorX or M20 will "git-r-dun" good enough...even for South Dakota. On my Ram, I can apply and remove ColorX in just a little over an hour.

Tom

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

The question that I am needing help with, I had a hard time finding swirls. (I know thats the goal) I did see a few sctraches here and there and deeper sctratches that would need sanding down and repainting. I dont believe after not being touched for a year, it would look this good as it does. It seems like when the sun was out this summer, I seen all kinds of swirls and scratches. Is there a trick to find them in a good lighting shop?

There is a difference between "a lot of light" and "good light for swirl detection". While the Brinkmann dual xenon is a fantastic swirl finder light, if you don't have one right now it's not a lot of help! Sometimes a good LED light can help a lot, but so can an inexpensive set of halogens. Lots of guys use these 500 watt halogens, either on a stand or the floor style, when detailing inside. You can usually pick them up at larger hardware stores for about $30.

Which brings me to my next question. I am using swirlX with the buffer. being that I claim it looks pretty good. Just the hood alone took me 45 mins to do. Is that a little to long? I need to see the pad speed and movment speed to see if I am moving like a old grandma, or if I can speed it up a little?

Well, if you can't see any swirls to begin with, 45 minutes for just the hood does sound like a lot of time.

Good golly. Just do what Michael Stoops suggested and get the heck out of the plant. ColorX or M20 will "git-r-dun" good enough...even for South Dakota. On my Ram, I can apply and remove ColorX in just a little over an hour.

Tom

This does seem to be a pretty valid point, seeing as how Johnson started this thread just wanting to do a quick clean up before winter! But it's understandable that when you all of a sudden have a nice facility to work in, and you're a bit new to this, that you make the most of it and start experimenting and playing a bit. Can't say that we blame him, really!

Johnson, have you read through D/A Buffing 101 – An Introduction to the G110v2 and similar tools
yet? That should help you out quite a bit.

[Johnson]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Yeah, I have bought the movie and done a bunch of reading on here to be more efficent on using the buffer. That is my weakness. I more or less need someone to tell me I am doing it right or wrong. Because the swirls are hiding from me, It makes it worse not knowing how many passes I need to make. Am I making any progress, can I move on to the next section. When I did half of the hood last night, I really couldn't tell that I did any buffing between the two sides. It felt cleaner, but looking at them, I couldn't tell that I buff this side and not the other

[tguil]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

I think that you will have a really hard time finding swirls on your yellow Monte Carlo. I suggest not worrying about finding them. Assume you have a few and buff accordingly. I make 3 or 4 passes with the buffer and polish and hope that it is good enough (and it usually is). I apply wax in the same way. Based on your pics, it appears that you have a "daily driver" not a "show car". "Daily drivers" attract swirls...some you can see, some you can't. Better "git-r-dun" before the next go around of your wonderful winter weather.

Tom

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Yeah, I have bought the movie and done a bunch of reading on here to be more efficent on using the buffer. That is my weakness. I more or less need someone to tell me I am doing it right or wrong. Because the swirls are hiding from me, It makes it worse not knowing how many passes I need to make. Am I making any progress, can I move on to the next section. When I did half of the hood last night, I really couldn't tell that I did any buffing between the two sides. It felt cleaner, but looking at them, I couldn't tell that I buff this side and not the other

As strange as this may sound, if you can't see the swirls then why stress over whether you're removing them or not? Sure, you mentioned being able to see them in strong, direct sunlight during the summer but now, under current conditions, you can't.

What you need to ask yourself at this point is "what's more important right now - removing swirls that can no longer detect, or just getting the car prepped for winter?" Our guess is the latter, with the added bonus of getting some experience using D/A in the process. Once spring comes around you'll be better able to detect the defects (some of which are likely to develop over the winter anyway) and then you can go at full tilt and get that yellow Monte just gleaming.

If you've watched the video on D/A buffing and read through the article we linked to earlier, just follow what you've learned from them. Don't get caught up over thinking things here. Detailing is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy!

[tguil]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Amen!

[Johnson]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Thanks for all the help guys! Really Appricate it. I think if I did a car that was much worse then mine and can see the swirls, I think I would do better knowing that I am doing it right because I see the results infont of me!

I went back to the basics and just did little sections and the 3-4 passes. I felt pretty good at what I was doing. I just need some work on buffing around all the obstacles on a car. The emblems and the spoiler and tomorrow night, the bumpers. I have noticed I am missing a lot of scratches around the small area's were you cant get with a buffer any tips? besides getting a smaller buffing pad!

The one issue I have had all along and just wondering what I am doing wrong
This picture is from my phone. I will try to remember the good camera to take those
I just buffed the roof of the car. This is all the dust that is left after doing so. Should I be getting all of that dust particles when buffing?


Is there anything I can clean up that dull black rubber strip around the window

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Some dust is common but you can minimize by cleaning the pad regularly, and not over using product to begin with. Over using product can quickly lead to a build up of dried product on the edge of the pad, and a little tap against some trim or something will knock it all off and send it flying all over the car. Plus, over using product starts to load up the pad and diminish the overall effectiveness of the whole buffing process.

Firmly press a clean terry towel against the pad and switch the tool on for a few seconds. That will force excess product out of the pad and into the towel and help remove some of the dried material around the edges. Do this after every second pass or so, and get into the habit of doing it regularly. Many people overlook this important step.

For that faded trim, give Ultimate Protectant a try. Again, a little goes a very long way so go easy on it, and work it in very thoroughly.

Nice to see you making some good progress overall on the Monte now!

[Johnson]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Dang, it feels good to have a clean freshly waxed car again. i cant wait to drive it!!

I just need to apply the 2nd coat of wax tomorrow after work. Just wondering if the cold will play a roll if I don't let the 2nd coat set up before I pull it out of the garage in to the blistering cold weather.

In the Video, they apply uqw right after waxing, is there any benefits by doing that?

[Johnson]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

Just wondering if the cold will play a roll if I don't let the 2nd coat set up before I pull it out of the garage in to the blistering cold weather.

In the Video, they apply uqw right after waxing, is there any benefits by doing that?

Bump

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Needing some more tips on Technique

If you apply the wax/sealant in the warm garage and buff off the hazed product as you normally would, then going out into the cold should have no adverse effects.

There is no real benefit to applying UQW immediately following a proper wax job, although some might use UQD or similar just to make sure they've gotten any missed wax residue removed.