Detailing over factory paint with orange peel

[duffthebluff]

Hey guys, newbie here in the detailing world!

I'm a bit curious as to what would a proper detailing procedure (wash - clay - polish - glaze - sealant - wax) look like in a car with a factory paint (of course with some minor orange peel)? Any of you guys done this? Were you guys able to achieve a "mirror-like" finish on the paint even if it had some minor peel? Adding some pics would be nice

I'm planning to start some detailing and would just like to see some inspiration . Thanks everyone!

 

[Fishincricket]

Like this?

Or these
Before:

After claying:

After Meguiars Ultimate Compound:

After Ultimate Polish:

After a coat of Collinite 845:

After a few days of rain:

Thanks to the AG and reading a few hundred threads (at least).. The search button is your friend!!

 

[Anthony@zerboautoworks]

First of all welcome to Geek!

Yes, with the proper TOOL'S and TECHNIQUE, you to can achieve a show car finish. Read up your in the right place.

 

[hernandez.art13]

I thought mirror finish was when the car got color sanded to zero orange peel?

 

[Fishincricket]

Oops , I got the UC and UP photos mixed up... Too late to edit.

 

[duffthebluff]

Wow thanks a lot Fishincricket! Those truly are some great results!

 

[FUNX650]

First of all:
Welcome to AGO!!

Were you guys able to achieve a "mirror-like" finish on the paint even if it had some minor peel?

I thought mirror finish was when the car got color sanded to zero orange peel?

^^^Good point, Art.^^^

Question:
Is this a DD or a Show Car that you're detailing?


-Surely, 'abrading the paint' with your below detailing-procedure:

a proper detailing procedure (wash - clay - polish - glaze - sealant - wax)

...will enhance the looks of the vehicle to a point. But any orange peel...IMO...
will take away from the smoothness/gloss/reflectiveness that a mirror finish provides.


-OEM CC thickness-specs usually call for it to be applied thin:
~ 1.5-1.7 mils...and getting thinner and thinner all the time, it seems.
[BTW: 1 mil = 25 microns/.001"]

Therefore:
There is very little margin for "abrading-error" as it is, so you're talking about taking
a lot of risk by further reducing the thickness/(thinness) of OEM-CC by sanding it smooth...
including the CC's "built-in" UV protection that may be compromised.


-I still don’t think 'correcting' OEM-CC orange peel is worth it.
To me...
It’s almost like getting a birthmark removed and expecting no scar.




Bob

 

[Fishincricket]

Wow thanks a lot Fishincricket! Those truly are some great results!

Bear in mind that I made no attempt to reduce the "orange peel" necessarily, but I'd call those results "good enough" for a factory clear coat...

 

[hernandez.art13]

If that is the stock (OEM) orange peel then just leave the clear coat. I know how to color sand and I wouldn't do it to a smooth finish unless it had extra layers of clear coat. Because if I did the car to a smooth finish it would be left with thin CC. Need to see pictures but you might get away with just polish and not having to buff it.

Got this picture through my friends FB so wasn't there to see it in person, but I am pretty sure this has a mirror finish. (Smooth) probably like 6 layers or up of CC
View attachment 17473

 

[duffthebluff]

First of all:
Welcome to AGO!!


Question:
Is this a DD or a Show Car that you're detailing?

Hi Bob, thanks for the reply. This is only a Daily Driver car so I won't in any way color sand the car Just want to make it look shiny with deep color and as Fishincricket showed in this thread, you can make out a great work with the factory finish

Bear in mind that I made no attempt to reduce the "orange peel" necessarily, but I'd call those results "good enough" for a factory clear coat...

Thanks Fishincricket, actually I was supposed to ask you that next, if those are truly factory clear coat but I think you read my mind

If that is the stock (OEM) orange peel then just leave the clear coat. I know how to color sand and I wouldn't do it to a smooth finish unless it had extra layers of clear coat. Because if I did the car to a smooth finish it would be left with thin CC. Need to see pictures but you might get away with just polish and not having to buff it.

Got this picture through my friends FB so wasn't there to see it in person, but I am pretty sure this has a mirror finish. (Smooth) probably like 6 layers or up of CC
View attachment 17473

Exactly, I won't in any way color sand the car because it's the stock paint. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Fishincricket]

Absolutely glad to be of assistance!

 

[hernandez.art13]

Cool NP and just do a test spot to see where you stand. Start with polish then look at the results, then you can see if you need to go more aggressive.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Read through this....

How To Detail Your Brand New Car by Mike Phillips


And then read through this...


It's not that hard...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

You don't have to own a show car or anything rare or exotic to get great results. We show people how to get great results on anything.

When I first met Tommy the paint on his old Camaro looked okay... I carefully introduced myself and engaged him in conversation and then gently told him I thought I saw a little room for improvement in the finish quality.

He researched me. He researched Autogeek, he then brought his old Camaro to my Thursday night project class and "trusted" us to do the right thing.

Note: Before coming to Autogeek Tommy had NEVER machine polished any paint before. Now he shows everyone in his car circle of friends how to get the same results we created on his old Camaro...



1970 1/2 Camaro - Show Car Finish by Pinnacle


Before

Swirls, scratches and DA Haze...

Pigtails and Tracers plus lots of swirls...

After

You could do the above to a silver Honda or Toyota too... any car...

 

[duffthebluff]

Cool NP and just do a test spot to see where you stand. Start with polish then look at the results, then you can see if you need to go more aggressive.

Will do man! Thanks for all the advice you guys are giving!

Read through this....

How To Detail Your Brand New Car by Mike Phillips


And then read through this...


It's not that hard...

Wow thank you very much Mike! Didn't knew you had an e-book! I have been watching all your Youtube videos in the past month and there I learned about autogeek. Thanks for all the tips Mike!

 

[spiralout462]

The Tacoma has a pretty significant amount of OEM orange peel. I'm pretty happy with the reflections. I don't know if it's "mirror" but it will do for my drivers with paper thin paint. Welcome to AGO!

 

[duffthebluff]

The Tacoma has a pretty significant amount of OEM orange peel. I'm pretty happy with the reflections. I don't know if it's "mirror" but it will do for my drivers with paper thin paint. Welcome to AGO!

wow!! those really look great! looks mirror to me! thanks for sharing! did you use any glaze products for that one?

 

[yakky]

Some LSPs really do a great job of levelling (the appearance of) paint, Megs NXT and #21 are unmatched in that regard.

 

[spiralout462]

wow!! those really look great! looks mirror to me! thanks for sharing! did you use any glaze products for that one?

No glazes are used. M205 on a white pad with Blackfire Wet Diamond as LSP. Could be Pinnacle Sig Series II on the truck iirc.

 

[Conman50]

View attachment 17592View attachment 17593View attachment 17594New to this forum hi mike Phillips or anyone,I have a 2009 accord that I feel that I take pretty good care of , and I do look to get that mirror look , but is it good to try to buff out the factory paint texture or orange peel ? , I do have a nice good shine and no swirls . And #2. Using a paint thickness gauge which reading is best to use mils or microns ?