Trying to find a place to start....

DetailKitty

DetailKitty

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Just joined this forum.
I have a TON of questions and things to learn. I'm trying to read through all of this and figure out where to start and am a little overwhelmed.

So I'll ask a few questions, and if you want to chime in, please answer or say, "hey, there's a discussion already started HERE".
I don't mind being redirected.

Ok, so I've always liked a clean car. But it's only been the last 1-2 years where I've wanted to take the next step in detailing. It started about 1.5 years ago when I bought my current car. It's 7 years old and was pretty scratched up when I got it.

Initially I had paid someone to really clean it up for me (paint-wise), but then I realized that I want to learn and do it myself. So I have, but there are still things about the paint that annoy me and I want to work on them:

First, I have an '06 MINI Cooper S that's BRG. It's a really pretty color. I never realized how much fleck is in this paint!

Ok,
1. It has some deep scratches in the clear coat I'd like to work on getting out.
2. There are a few spots from bird crap or something in the cc I'd like to work on.
3. I touch up chips in the paint as I see them, but I'd love to blend them in.

So those are my main issues.
Paint is not oxidized. Car is garaged.

Current products?
Lots of Prima products (Swirl, Epic, Banana Gloss, etc.) P21S Carnuba wax, and I just ordered some Dodo Juice to try out.
I have and use a Flex 3401 VRG with foam pads (tho I could use an education on different pad types).

I think that's about it.
 
id say just browse the site extensively...

that way you will learn the categories and the regs in each one....

The search function is great also..... that way yore not duplicating many posts over and over

Also, introduce yourself in the newbie thread and jump in and talk..

Youd be amazed what can happen when you just jump in. Asking intelligent questions is one of the best assets on a board such as this...

oh and WELCOME to AGO!
 
I knew I was going to get these answers..... and that's cool.

Was trying to jump-start some answers but I guess I have too many topics in one thread here anyway.

Trust me, I'll poke my nose into discussions :D

Thx for the replies.
 
c8n said:
Looks like you will need to touch up and wet sand assuming the deep scratches and bird poop etching are fairly deep. Can you feel them catching on your finger nail?

Below is a good read

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/43535-key-repair-step-step-procedure.html
Click to expand...

The scratches aren't through the cc. They are "ridges" for lack of a better word in the cc. Not sure if my nail catches or not.... i will have to check.

Thx for the link. There are some tiny scratches on the boot that may need that type of work.
 
DetailKitty said:
Current products?

Lots of Prima products (Swirl,

I have and use a Flex 3401 VRG with foam pads (tho I could use an education on different pad types).
Click to expand...


We used Prima Swirl on this project with the Flex 3401. We were using PFW or Purple Foamed Wool pads for our cutting pads but you could use a foam cutting pad in their place.

1972 Corvette Stingray - Extreme Makeover - Process and Products Used



Then we tested Prima Cut and Prima Swirl with 6.5" Purple Foamed Wool Pads on Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polishers and also using small prototype buffing pads on a Flex PE14 using an extension adapter.
1972Corvette014.jpg




1972Corvette068.jpg


1972Corvette069.jpg


1972Corvette070.jpg



1972Corvette026.jpg





Start with the basics,

Wash, dry, inspect for above surface contaminants and if discovered, clay the paint.

Then use the Prima Swirl with a foam cutting pad and buff on the problem areas. If you're new to machine polishing, start out just trying to visually improve them, not remove them.

Factory clear coats are pretty thin so often times you're safer to simply improve them to the point you can live with them and then polish and wax the rest of the paint on the car.


:)
 
BTW... if you have never wet sanded, I strongly urge to get a panel from the junkyard and practice first. There are tons of threads regarding people breaking thru the cc on this forum.

Light scratches can certainly be leveled with your Flex and something like M105 compound. Important... test spot first starting from the least aggressive method first.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

In addition, I wouldn't wet sand without knowing the paint depth.
 
c8n said:
BTW... if you have never wet sanded, I strongly urge to get a panel from the junkyard and practice first. There are tons of threads regarding people breaking thru the cc on this forum.

Light scratches can certainly be leveled with your Flex and something like M105 compound. Important... test spot first starting from the least aggressive method first.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

In addition, I wouldn't wet sand without knowing the paint depth.
Click to expand...

Nope, never wet-sanded before. But would LOVE to learn how.
I def would NOT try it on my car first time out.

Ah, your post brings up another question I have.... compounds... what are they and what do they do?
More research for me on here. I was planning to search and read on that one.
 
Get Mikes book. It's a "must-have" to understanding the detail process. It doesn't cover wet sanding, but it will give you a great start on the basics of recognizing paint conditions, typical methods to deal with correcting paint using a dual action polisher, tools of the trade, etc. It's worth it, trust me.
 
Thank you Mike and everyone!

I got some watching and reading to do :props:
 
If you are anywhere near the Harrisburg/York PA area, I could show you some techniques, talk products and guide you through a few more advanced processes when the time is right. I dig the one on one teaching and have folks at my shop from time to time learning the basics.
 
^ wow... now i wish i was in PA
So much one can learn from tuscarora dave
 
tuscarora dave said:
If you are anywhere near the Harrisburg/York PA area, I could show you some techniques, talk products and guide you through a few more advanced processes when the time is right. I dig the one on one teaching and have folks at my shop from time to time learning the basics.
Click to expand...


:applause::wave::applause:

That's a real nice gesture Dave!

Bill
 
Yes it is!

I will definitely take you up on this :xyxthumbs:
 
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