disappointing Saturday night!

[szjalo]

Well, to be short, I am a newbie in detailing, I have full Meguairs costumer line product, and I spent bloody 6hrs in detailing my car. all work are completely by HAND. with my hands almost fell off, the result was somewhat disappointing.

I have a Blue Mazda, Metallic painting. The painting is generally fine except for few fine scratches and a lot of water spots on hood and elsewhere. And these are my major goal yesterday. Here is what I did

1\ Wash with NXT car shampoo (No prob)
2\ Clay with smooth surface clay
(well it's good to see the clay became dirtier and dirtier, However I cannot feel any difference with my hand, and I didn't see the wax layer was striped away by the clay)
3\ remove fine scratches with Scratch X 2.0, with foam applicator, circular motion, strong pressure, couple times(each time worked for 40-45 seconds then buffed off) --> not working, cannot remove the finnest scratches(those can hardly be seen unless use high power bulb)
4\ remove water spots with ultimate compound, foam applicator, circular motion, strong pressure, couple times--> not working, water spots didn't become even less obvious.
5\ remove fine scratches, and super fine swirls with ultimate compound. --> not working, on scratches, probably worked a little bit on some fine swirls, tho- not working on other swirls
6\ renew the headlight with ultimate compound. --> working, the only thing that worked with ultimate compound
7\ Deep crystal polish: cannot say it made any difference. Made 3 sections comparing: deep crystal polish, ultimate polish, nothing --> honestly cannot tell any difference, tho- I feel deep crystal polish is easier to remove. End up with whole car polished by deep crystal
8\ Wax: nxt 2.0 wax (no prob)
9\ interior detailing and glass detailing

Well, the final result was great, car looks absolutely shinny, although I would say the wash and wax contributed 90% to the result

So two my major goals(remove scratches and water spots) were not accomplished. After I saw so many ppl praising ultimate compound and etc., I really disappointed by my result. Start to wonder whether those thing can really removed with UC, or with my hand? Otherwise, I really need to buy a machine to release myself and make the work done?

thanks a bunch


Feed back pleaseFeed back pleaseFeed back please

 

[kronos]

A machine will produce better and faster results. Have you read Mike's articles?

1-step vs 3-step Hand Polishing

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...plied-abrasive-polish-paint-cleaner-hand.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...asked-questions/20257-man-versus-machine.html

 

[szjalo]

A machine will produce better and faster results. Have you read Mike's articles?

1-step vs 3-step Hand Polishing

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...plied-abrasive-polish-paint-cleaner-hand.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...asked-questions/20257-man-versus-machine.html

I did read that 1step vs 3 step and the hand applied abrasive polish articles but didn't see the men vs machine yet. Thanks I ready it thru

 

[ride5150]

really not sure why the UC wasnt working for you, i love it and its never failed me. maybe try a microfiber applicator pad as UC is definately capable of getting out light scratches and water marks. scratch x is a waste of time if u have UC. UC has a LOT of cut, its almost as strong as meguiars strongest compound (M105, almost strongest at least)
. maybe u werent working it long enough?

PS, consider buying a DA buffer like a porter cable 7424xp, or my recommendation the Griots Garage DA. it will speed up your process exponentially

 

[Flash Gordon]

Sorry you had a bad Saturday night. I've had many of them over the years. It will get better I promise