UC question

[Axall]

Hi all, I am new to the forum and about to get started on my Jet Black bmw 325ci. The car has many swirls and holograms very noticable in direct sun. I purchased the car and they included some kind of paint protection but did a horrible job. I have decided to give it a go by hand using the Ultimate compound. I have done a small test spot (after washing the car) worked in the UC with a foam applicator and wiped off before it dried but I see very little if any improvement in the paint compared to the rest of the car, am I doing something wrong?

[Axall]

Re: UC question



Here are some pics of the paint, ant help or suggestions much appreciated.

[agp56]

Re: UC question

Pictures of the car would be VERY helpful. If your BMW is as swirly as you say, you will need several passes with the UC working by hand to get it where you want it to be. Also, I would suggest using a cotton terry cloth towel as your applicator to give you some more cut.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: UC question

agp56, Axall's pictures were temporarily held in moderation since he's a new member.

So Axall, welcome to MOL!!

But ouch. Looks like someone at the dealership needs a bit more experience with the rotary buffer.

It doesn't sound like you're doing anything really wrong, you've just got a pretty serious mess on your hands and it's going to take some equally serious effort to correct. While it is possible to correct this by hand, it is going to be tedious and difficult task at best. Some BMWs have extremely hard paint - not all, but some, and if this is one of them then fixing this by hand is going to be a tall order.

If you do insist on working this through by hand, then we would suggest confining your work area down to about 1' x 1' at a time. Work the product with a good deal of energy for a couple of minutes, and wipe off before it dries - as you've been doing. You may need to experiment a bit with the amount of pressure needed but odds are you're going to need at least a couple of passes over each area, and maybe 3 or 4, to really correct this.

Honestly, a D/A would be a life saver here. They are extremely easy to use, very safe, and can speed through this mess in fairly short order. Compared to the time and effort required to go over this entire car by hand 3 or 4 times, a D/A is almost a no brainer. You can also more easily achieve a more uniform finish with a D/A than you will by hand. Certainly something to consider.

[Poki]

Re: UC question

I had some swirls and cloudy areas on my 02 Saturn..dark red. UC did almost nothing to correct it. Today I used M105 and a cutting pad..I know, I know....but it finished to a diamond like finish!! That M105 is fantastic! Looking at your photos...Personally I would not attempt that correction by hand. You'll have to buy a new set of arms. Consider getting a DA machine and some M105.

[Ravi_1992]

Re: UC question

Hello and Welcome to MOL

Yea that's gonna take a ton of elbow grease to do by hand, A DA is the best investment Ive made for detailing.
Get something like a Porter Cable 7424xp or Meguiars G110v2

But make sure you get it online and not from canadian tire, here's why

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/CarWashingCleaning/CarPolishers/PRD~0475940P/Porter%252BCable%252B6-in.%252BRandom-Orbit%252BPolisher.jsp?locale=en

Compare that to the porter cable link ! BTW the PC7427XP is the newer improved version of the original PC7424


Both Bill from Detaildepot.ca and Chris from Eshine.ca are great guys to deal with if your buying online

[Axall]

Re: UC question

Thanks for the replys so far, I just got back from picking a a DA polisher from a friend and I am now going to get started on a test spot. I will post a pic when Im done the test spot.

[Axall]

Re: UC question

Just finished the hood, I couldnt stop once I saw the result. Let me know what you think. The polisher I borrowed is a rotory not orbital so I am using some caution being a novice but it seemed to work pretty good. Here are a couple of shots of the hood in the gararge and outside.

[Poki]

Re: UC question

WOW, night and day difference! Way to go......and it will for sure drive better now..right?

[agp56]

Re: UC question

Gas mileage will improve as there will be less wind resistance.....

[Ravi_1992]

Re: UC question

Very nice results Good Job

[Axall]

Re: UC question

Well, here is the finished product, lot of time and patience but I am happy with the outcome. Unfotunately there is cloud cover today so I cant take any sun shots but here are a few out side shots.

I have a bit of smudging after applying NTX2 any suggestions on how to get rid of it ( I let wax dry for 1 hour before removing) Can I use Quik Detailer or should I let the wax set for a while first?














Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

[Ravi_1992]

Re: UC question

Good job, the car looks 10x better now, it looks like many other people are having the same problem with the smudging thing, I think it happens only with the NXT waxes, this has never happened for me with gold class wax. Anyways, quick detailer should get rid of the smudging, just wiping it with a MF towel works for me. IMO, you have to use a few MFs to remove NXT, I usually use at least two for a small car

[Bill Davidson]

Re: UC question

IMO, you have to use a few MFs to remove NXT,

Particularly with black.

Be sure to fold your MF in quarters. Wipe a section, turn the MF to a fresh section and then go over it again. Once you've done the entire vehicle in this manner, look it over and remove what you may have missed.

[Ravi_1992]

Re: UC question

Particularly with black.

Be sure to fold your MF in quarters. Wipe a section, turn the MF to a fresh section and then go over it again. Once you've done the entire vehicle in this manner, look it over and remove what you may have missed.

+1 Exactly right