I'm done detailing. Forget it.

[davey g-force]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

Thank for the pics. Car looks pretty swirled up but nothing which can't be easily fixed.

If I were you (and since you've already booked it in), I would take it to your detailer this first time just to get a "clean slate" then do any further maintenance yourself with the guidance of folk here.

[Agent 99]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

Thank for the pics. Car looks pretty swirled up but nothing which can't be easily fixed.

If I were you (and since you've already booked it in), I would take it to your detailer this first time just to get a "clean slate" then do any further maintenance yourself with the guidance of folk here.

Exactly right. Once I have a clean slate, it'll be easier in the future and I'll know what damage I caused so I can change technique if need be.

[greg0303]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

From my experience with German paint systems: non-metallic colors have much softer clear coats, including Jet Black.

It's really a shame that dealerships damage paint on new vehicles so often by wrong technique while doing basic washing and waxing.

I also recommend one of reliable D/A polishers (Meguiar's G110v2, Griot's Garage 6", Porter Cable 7424 XP) for polishing and waxing jobs on your Golf.

[Agent 99]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

I'll consider a DA but what do you recommend that's pretty much foolproof in terms of burning paint/causing damage. Also I don't currently have a garage. Can those be used outside?

[ffboy]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

It sure can, but the bigger issue will be the potential for the compounds to dry up while being worked into the paint, and can make removal a bit harder, and with a DA, it's pretty much safe, no risk of burning. For the paint correction compounds/cleaners, you can go the consumer products that are pretty much ideal to be paired with a DA polisher. With the compounds/cleaners, you should do a test spot to gauge the softness of the paint and the amount of work you have to put in to get swirl free, clear and shiny results.

Ultimate Compound-if the swirls/imperfections are bad

Follow up with:

SwirlX or Ultimate Polish-SwirlX is milder than UC and can be used to refine the initial results left by UC. Ultimate Polish is similar to SwirlX, but has more polishing oils that will add even more depth and "wet look" to the paint.

[h_bomm]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

I agree about investing in a DA polisher. Don't worry about burning through your paint, a DA is pretty much designed not to, but I guess I should also add that anything is possible, however unlikely. If you are concerned that you have soft paint you should check out "the challenge of delicate paint" article in the hot topics section (not sure how to post links,sorry!). I personally have the Meg's DA and I can't say enough good things about it. It's very easy to use and makes life so much easier. I never used a DA before this, only a "flying saucer" style random orbital so to use the old cliche, if I can do it anyone can do it. Do yourself a favor and pick up a DA, some Ult Compound some Ult Polish and your wax of choice and make a day of it. Maybe in the future do most of the "heavy" work in the fall or spring when it's not so crazy hot outside! Hope this helps! Good Luck!

[ajb39oh]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

You will like a DA. I've seen videos of Richard Griot putting his weight down on a DA and it not burning the paint.
In an apartment complex setting,I would recommend rinseless washes or a waterless wash. You can control the washing process better.

[umi000]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

I'm wondering whether you might be better off having one of the new ceramic coatings applied to your car, if the paint really is as soft of your detailer says.

[ffboy]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

Honestly (well, in my opinion anyway) the swirls you have aren't that bad. I've had worse swirls than that, used Ultimate Compound and majority of it was gone, done by hand. Imagine what you can do with a DA polisher. Much better and faster results. Coatings are a very good option, just make sure that when you correct your car, to remove any oils left by the compound/cleaner to ensure good bonding. Too bad Meguiar's doesn't sell their Deep Crystal Coating there, here where I live it is sold by the main distributor. A bit pricey, but I am pretty happy with what I have and application is a bit different. There are other coatings available anyway, it can help you with the issues you have.

[Agent 99]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

Honestly (well, in my opinion anyway) the swirls you have aren't that bad. I've had worse swirls than that, used Ultimate Compound and majority of it was gone, done by hand. Imagine what you can do with a DA polisher. Much better and faster results. Coatings are a very good option, just make sure that when you correct your car, to remove any oils left by the compound/cleaner to ensure good bonding. Too bad Meguiar's doesn't sell their Deep Crystal Coating there, here where I live it is sold by the main distributor. A bit pricey, but I am pretty happy with what I have and application is a bit different. There are other coatings available anyway, it can help you with the issues you have.

Right the swirls arent that bad for a 1 or 2 year old car. Mine is 6 days old!

The detailer already has me scheduled, but instead of him correcting and waxing it should I ask he corrects then SEALS it? Wax or sealant?

PS- I noticed in my professional detailers work area, NOTHING BUT MIRROR GLAZE stuff!! Yay he believes in Megs!

[davey g-force]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

I would say he'll use a sealant anyway. The terms "wax" and "sealant" are often interchanged.

But yeah, get him to seal if if you're after durability..

[ffboy]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

Right the swirls arent that bad for a 1 or 2 year old car. Mine is 6 days old!

The detailer already has me scheduled, but instead of him correcting and waxing it should I ask he corrects then SEALS it? Wax or sealant?

PS- I noticed in my professional detailers work area, NOTHING BUT MIRROR GLAZE stuff!! Yay he believes in Megs!

Oh, 6 days old, I would still say the same thing. Invest in a good DA Polisher, use the correct techniques and compounds and those swirls will be removed. Just remember to use proper washing and drying techniques to mimize marring or swirling on the paint.

Yup, even here most detailers I know use Mirror Glaze products, not sure which particular ones on some shops I know, but Mirror Glaze has the advantage of offering a wide range of cleaners and compounds that can suit many types of cars/paint jobs. One shop I know of uses M85, M83, and M26 as their finishing wax.

[umi000]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

Oh, 6 days old, I would still say the same thing. Invest in a good DA Polisher, use the correct techniques and compounds and those swirls will be removed. Just remember to use proper washing and drying techniques to mimize marring or swirling on the paint.

Yup, even here most detailers I know use Mirror Glaze products, not sure which particular ones on some shops I know, but Mirror Glaze has the advantage of offering a wide range of cleaners and compounds that can suit many types of cars/paint jobs. One shop I know of uses M85, M83, and M26 as their finishing wax.

I believe they use mostly the M8x line, due to cost - that's what a friend of mine who owns a detailing shop says he uses, as well as another detailer friend who's friends with the owner of Meg's PH.

[ffboy]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

Yes, exactly what the detailer I know told me. They say the newer ones (M105. etc) was too expensive for their particular detailing jobs, and I guess they always had favorable results even with the "old-tech" cleaners/compounds/polishes, so it's basically "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality. And why not? For me, I would personally try out the newer compounds if I had the time and if I had lots and lots of old panels to experiment on.

[ironbark]

Re: I'm done detailing. Forget it.

I picked up my new car yesterday and the dealer also used sandpaper to wash it with, even though I told them not to.

Swirl remover helped fix most of it, show car glaze and the a wax did the job.