I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

[APR Tuned]

Good morning, MOL. I just kinda want to vent a little. Feel free to bail if you want.

Every time I look through the "Show off your latest detail" section, I get more and more frustrated. A lot of you guys do absolutely amazing and stunning work. The before and after pictures just say it all. I've been working on my Black S2000 but I'm wanting to just give up. I read so much on here about techiniques using the DA, I buy pads, products, etc. but just cannot duplicate or even come close to the results you guys get. I mean, you guys can literally take any paint type in any condition and make it look close to if not flawless.

I follow the advice of many of give me directly or give the members of the board in general but the results are just not happening. I really do love detailing my car, but it's gotten to the point where I inquired with a detailing company (who does great work), and was quoted OVER $600!!!! There's no way I'm paying that much. Although my paint isn't perfect, it is FAR, FAR from being in the condition most of you guys work with. There's very few swirls but the paint just looks hazy. It's got no POP or clarity, especially in the sun. I've tried everything from an aggressive approach to a non-aggressive approach using a variety of pads and products. The finish will look good usually right after but gets worse after a few washes. I'm super careful with washing too. Two bucket method, clean and soft microfibers, quick detailer to dry to keep lubrication, etc.

Anyway, enough rambling. I just wanted to vent a little but more so, commend the detailers out there for the amazing work you do. I've seen hundreds of SOYLD threads and I'm blown away every time. It never gets old. As for me, I guess I'll keep cracking at it until I find that perfect combination the my Honda paint actually likes.

[greg0303]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

After you wash and clay your car the most important step of detailing cycle begins - cleaning/ surface preparation.

Claying takes care of above surface bonded contaminants and cleaning/ prep deals with below surface defects. Things like swirls, scratches, water spots, oxidation unable you to get this perfect reflection. If you look at any car paint under magnifying glass it's not flat, it has hills and valleys. It also causes reflection distortions. You want to flatten it as much as possible.

When you clean/ prep your vehicle don't rush this step, take your time. Divide each panel into small areas and really work on them before moving to next one. When we hear car polisher's motor spinning fast we have a tendency to move our arms fast as well over the paint surface. Wrong. Cleaning step really requires slow arm speed. There's the only way to fully benefit from abrasive action of car care chemicals. Because cleaning car paint requires removal of small layer of clear coat high machine speed and moderate down pressure are needed.

Product/ pad selection play important role in this process as well. Yellow polishing pad usually provides enough cutting action for below surface defect removal. I really like Meguiar's SMAT products as they don't require any abrasive breaking and completing long buffing cycle to trigger polishing action. Ultimate Compound, SwirlX and Ultimate Polish are extremely user friendly products. How to choose the right liquid for your project? You need to experiment and perform test spots to dial the whole process in.

As for polishing step, before waxing, I think it's hard to beat those rich polishing oils in products like Ultimate Polish or M205 Ultra Finishing Polish. They guarantee super gloss.

Once car paint is well cleaned and polished your wax/ protection will reflect this perfect surface below. If you experience problems with short life of your protection use one of synthetic waxes (NxT Tech Wax 2.0, Ultimate Wax or M21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0), gentle car soap, like Gold Class Shampoo/ Conditioner and try to spray surface with Ultimate Quik Wax after washing as wax booster.

[wifpd4]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Many of us feel your pain.

It can sometimes be a rough road to the end result and there are so many talented people on this forum and it comes naturally to them and they make it look so easy.

The problem seems to be finding that right combination of products, pads and speeds. Easy...no, much experimentation...yes.

I glanced at the photos of your car when you got it. What do think changed since then, what have you tried over the years??

I would suggest after MOL comes back online today you post some current pictures of your car over on Detailing 101. Explain your difficulties and what you've done to correct them.

In the mean time, go do something you enjoy for a bit.

[Murr1525]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

You dont mean orange peel, no haze, do you?

[APR Tuned]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Many of us feel your pain.

It can sometimes be a rough road to the end result and there are so many talented people on this forum and it comes naturally to them and they make it look so easy.

The problem seems to be finding that right combination of products, pads and speeds. Easy...no, much experimentation...yes.

I glanced at the photos of your car when you got it. What do think changed since then, what have you tried over the years??

I would suggest after MOL comes back online today you post some current pictures of your car over on Detailing 101. Explain your difficulties and what you've done to correct them.

In the mean time, go do something you enjoy for a bit.

Thanks for the reply. You may have been looking at my old car. Was it the Civic? I don't think I ever posted pics of the S2000 on MOL. The Civic was a bit easier to work with because I bought it new and never really had to contend with a lot of swirls, etc. I maintained it very well from the day I got it. The S2000 was "detailed" by the previous owner right before he sold it to me. Looked good when I got it but after a few washes, swirls galore. I got one more combination to try before I lose my mind but I just don't want to keep abusing the clearcoat.

You dont mean orange peel, no haze, do you?

Surprisingly, orange peel really isn't that bad on this car. I can live with that. The finish is just kind of hazy. Like, it does shine fairly well but it just doesn't have that depth and clarity that I want in a black car.

[greg0303]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Surprisingly, orange peel really isn't that bad on this car. I can live with that. The finish is just kind of hazy. Like, it does shine fairly well but it just doesn't have that depth and clarity that I want in a black car.

Without removal of below surface defects it won't happen.
You can check orange peel level using a ruler. It will show you reflection distortion well.

[RDVT4ME]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Maybe there is a MOL member who lives near the OP who can stop by and check out what he is doing. Sometimes you just need an adjustment in technique. We have thousands of members here, surely someone lives in that area.

[greg0303]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

[QUOTE]Maybe there is a MOL member who lives near the OP who can stop by and check out what he is doing. Sometimes you just need an adjustment in technique. We have thousands of members here, surely someone lives in that area.[QUOTE]

We're gonna try to figure out together what that paint likes, Bob. We already exchanged PMs.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Can you describe in detail your "non aggressive" approach - liquids, pads, tools, tool speeds, etc?

Working on delicate paint can be a huge challenge as it often seems any time you work a product against it you remove defects but leave a hazy, dull finish behind. Trying to remove that haze then becomes doubly frustrating.

Have you read through this article - The Challenge of Delicate Paint - you might find it beneficial.

[APR Tuned]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Can you describe in detail your "non aggressive" approach - liquids, pads, tools, tool speeds, etc?

Working on delicate paint can be a huge challenge as it often seems any time you work a product against it you remove defects but leave a hazy, dull finish behind. Trying to remove that haze then becomes doubly frustrating.

Have you read through this article - The Challenge of Delicate Paint - you might find it beneficial.

Mike,

Basically used a G110v2, UP, speed 5, LC 5.5" Blue finishing pad. It helped but maybe I just need to go over it one more time. Mike, by the way, I picked up M20 on your recommendation. If you recall, I was having issues with NXT 2.0. I absolutely LOVE M20. Tried my first application last week. Dried fast and was SO easy to wipe off. No streaking, no issues. Thanks a lot!

Greg

[RDVT4ME]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

[QUOTE=greg0303;479288][QUOTE]Maybe there is a MOL member who lives near the OP who can stop by and check out what he is doing. Sometimes you just need an adjustment in technique. We have thousands of members here, surely someone lives in that area.

We're gonna try to figure out together what that paint likes, Bob. We already exchanged PMs.

Outstanding! This is what make MOL great.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Mike,

Basically used a G110v2, UP, speed 5, LC 5.5" Blue finishing pad. It helped but maybe I just need to go over it one more time. Mike, by the way, I picked up M20 on your recommendation. If you recall, I was having issues with NXT 2.0. I absolutely LOVE M20. Tried my first application last week. Dried fast and was SO easy to wipe off. No streaking, no issues. Thanks a lot!

Greg

Glad you like the M20, Greg!

OK, UP on a finishing pad at speed 5...... hmmmmmmmmmmm.

How about giving it a go first on a polishing pad at speed 4 to 5, then following up with a finishing pad at speed 3 to 4. Maybe even swap out for M205 as it provides more cut and therefore more refining ability than UP, and it seems that the clarity M205 can give is perhaps what you're really looking for.

[APR Tuned]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Thanks, Mike. TBH, I'm hesitant to go back to M205 because for some reason I have massive dusting issues with it. Literally, even with a primed pad, the first section I do there's product dust flying everywhere. It's a great product, don't get me wrong, and I know everyone loves it, and I like it too because it does give great results, but the dusting is really holding me back. Especially with the convertible top. I had VERY MINOR dusting issues with UC when I tried it. Some dust got on the top and didn't go away for weeks, even after a couple washes. If sheer quantity of dust from 205 gets on the top, I'm gonna freak out. One reason why I bought UP was because it's more user friendly. I had barely any dusting at all when I used it. The extra cut from 205 is tempting, though. Maybe I'll give that a go on a polishing pad at speed 4 and hit it with UP on a finishing pad at speed 3. That sound ok?

[rapport25]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

Not had chance to post on here for a while. All I can say APR these guys know there stuff!!!! And before you say it Greg I will post some pics of the XJ8 I worked on along with the Honda S2000.

Right back to the car in question an S2000. I recently worked on a Honda S2000 single stage paint red in colour and my findings are a real challenge. Not like the usual problems with hard clear coat and black like my VW but a real challenge in its own right.

I did the usual on the bonnet and taped it off in 6 sections and practiced various combo's.

U/C speed 5 yellow megs pad heavy pressure
U/C speed 5 yellow megs pad medium pressure
U/P speed 5 yellow pad heavy pressure and so on........

After 6 sections to compare I decided the best combo was U/P speed 5 yellow megs pad heavy pressure. Followed by U/P speed 4 black megs pad medium pressure. Followed by U/P speed 3 light pressure and 2 coats of U/W.

If after U/P speed 5 yellow megs pad heavy pressure defects still remain. Then step up to U/C speed 4 yellow megs pad heavy pressure. I had to do this on a few panels but the results were excellent!!!


Hth's

Rappy

[rapport25]

Re: I don't know how you detailers do it...but I commend you

With ref to the hood either cover it up with newspaper or an old sheet.