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**LoveBlackPaint** · Jul 24, 2013, 05:16 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

The products your using is fine, it can be done by hand but takes much longer then using a polisher.
Work ojepamel at a time , get it as you want it that way you know what you'll need to do with the rest of the panels.

Work a 2x2 area only, this will help you to not allow product to dry on you.

**Murr1525** · Jul 24, 2013, 05:45 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

I'm surprised an 03 wouldn't want clayed..

**jarred767** · Jul 24, 2013, 06:10 PM

I was thinking the same thing in the clay, has it been flayed recently? Where did you do the bag test?

If your going through the trouble of doing all these steps by hand (my arm hurts just thinking of that) then it would be worth your time to clay the car first (unless its been recently clayed)

After that, yup, power tools is where you should shift your focus to. Preferably a DA.

**Murr1525** · Jul 24, 2013, 06:17 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

Possibly something like TRIX as well for a little extra decontamination.

But it does look pretty good right now. There is a maximum at some point.

**Cleantacoma** · Jul 24, 2013, 08:04 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

Tonight..... last 5 hours....

Just for fun and since I love punishment I washed and have clayed the hood and 1/2 the drivers side to see if any difference happens.....
nope the clay comes out almost 100% clean after claying those areas I revisited the compound and polish then wax the resaults seem the same which is real disappointing.
I have been talking to and a huge thank you to Mike Phillips! he has recommended the DA as well but in all honesty I am scared to death of hurting the paint. Tonight I washed the whole truck and
used ALOT of water to help cool it way down that seemed to help with the products not drying, also as Per Mike I went from a 2X2 area to less than a 10inX10in that seemed to help a bunch too

What is a cheap DA how do I use it and what will it do for me I found out today I have the spiderweb look at high noon after re doing the hood tonight I wonder if it went away

Thanks Guys - Brice

**Cleantacoma** · Jul 24, 2013, 08:06 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

Originally posted by jarred767 View Post

I was thinking the same thing in the clay, has it been flayed recently? Where did you do the bag test?

If your going through the trouble of doing all these steps by hand (my arm hurts just thinking of that) then it would be worth your time to clay the car first (unless its been recently clayed)

After that, yup, power tools is where you should shift your focus to. Preferably a DA.

Last clay unknown I bagged over just about everywhere its smooth as glass I bagged the neighbors car to see what something else felt like and his was BAD

**Cleantacoma** · Jul 24, 2013, 08:30 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

I also forgot and this may be it.....
For compound and polish I am using these http://vikingcarcare.com/item.aspx?i...id=Applicators
Its all I could find in town (nothing else AT ALL)
I bought the ULT wax kit so it has the black foam pad and black towel I am using that for the wax
also I bought these they su ck but its all I can get http://vikingcarcare.com/item.aspx?i...2id=Microfiber
I did get a nice towel with the clay kit so I am using that and the black one for the final wipes and the others for the wipes to get the stuff mostly off

How do yall clean your pads and towels I have been washing them out with the hose then putting them in the wash machine with just laundry soap on cold the better half is pissed but I got to have clean stuff

**jarred767** · Jul 24, 2013, 09:42 PM

Try runnin a business, the towels I run through our wash machine are both high in volume, and often quite disgusting (usually from interiors). My better half finally gave in about 6 years ago, so it's all good now.

So it sounds like you're definitely good on the clay, (nice work comparing it with the neighbors!) And for compound and polish you're using the ultimate line, right? If so, and you're having the bad luck you are, you're probably up against some pretty hard clear coat. You're probably at the point of needing a DA. These are very safe machines, watch a couple YouTube videos from guys who know what they're doing and you should be on your way. Use these forums as there's a ton of great info, but you're on the right track. Good luck man!

**BillE** · Jul 25, 2013, 04:29 AM

Re: Mirror Finish

Seeing that you mentioned Mike Phillips, watch a bunch of his videos. The 'Junkman' also has some great vids over at You Tube (also on here MOL, just 'search').

Bill

**dwg51357** · Jul 25, 2013, 06:43 AM

Re: Mirror Finish

Brice - I had a similar experience with my black Saab Aero. Dark finishes really show any imperfections. I did mine all by hand - Swirl X (I bought it used, and it showed quite a bit of swirling in direct sun), ultimate polish, ultimate wax. I couldn't get that deep, rich look I wanted - and when the car was in direct sun, you could still see swirling and hazing.

Following the advice of guys here, I bought a DA. Mine is a Porter-Cable, but I'm sure the Megs one would work just as well. Got lots of good advice from guys here on how to use it. The difference is amazing. It is virtually swirl free, deep, glossy black.

**Cleantacoma** · Jul 25, 2013, 11:46 AM

Re: Mirror Finish

Some more pics at high noon you can see the spider webbing (these are still all on the hood that I have compounded 3 times for hours)

Now these are on the doors and it irritates me real bad I cleaned and waxed the truck 2 weeks ago it looked good but I wanted more (the reason I am on here and using compound and polish)
so the sprinkler hits the few week old wax and I get this.......

WATER SPOTS! bad ones UQD will not take them off I am having to use compound to get them off I thought wax would protect from this kind of thing.........

**Cleantacoma** · Jul 25, 2013, 11:47 AM

Re: Mirror Finish

Originally posted by dwg51357 View Post

Brice - I had a similar experience with my black Saab Aero. Dark finishes really show any imperfections. I did mine all by hand - Swirl X (I bought it used, and it showed quite a bit of swirling in direct sun), ultimate polish, ultimate wax. I couldn't get that deep, rich look I wanted - and when the car was in direct sun, you could still see swirling and hazing.

Following the advice of guys here, I bought a DA. Mine is a Porter-Cable, but I'm sure the Megs one would work just as well. Got lots of good advice from guys here on how to use it. The difference is amazing. It is virtually swirl free, deep, glossy black.

Hey thanks for the input man! see the pics in full sun I am thinking I will go DA been watching many VIDS on how to do it

**dwg51357** · Jul 25, 2013, 12:35 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

Yep, your pics show it. Mine looked pretty much the same way in direct sun - only my jet black paint showed the swirls more. They are pretty much entirely gone now.

The water spot thing is a pain! One trick I learned here and on other forums is to dry with a leaf blower, then use MF towels to dry any remaining water. I typically follow that with a quick going over with Megs ultimate liquid. When I'm in a hurry and don't have time to dry properly, mine looks exactly like yours - and I must have hard water, bc getting the spots off is impossible w/o using polish. Grrrr.

**Cleantacoma** · Jul 25, 2013, 12:44 PM

Re: Mirror Finish

Originally posted by dwg51357 View Post

Yep, your pics show it. Mine looked pretty much the same way in direct sun - only my jet black paint showed the swirls more. They are pretty much entirely gone now.

The water spot thing is a pain! One trick I learned here and on other forums is to dry with a leaf blower, then use MF towels to dry any remaining water. I typically follow that with a quick going over with Megs ultimate liquid. When I'm in a hurry and don't have time to dry properly, mine looks exactly like yours - and I must have hard water, bc getting the spots off is impossible w/o using polish. Grrrr.

Ya we have real HARD water up here although I will say as I found out last night take any end off of your hose and just floor your car top to bottom the volume of water pulls any water off and leaves only a handful of drops to be dryed I am going to wash again tonight I will post a pic

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