How to get the metallic to sparkle?

959drew

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Hi there this is my first post but have been a member for a while.

I have a BMW in sparkling graphite metallic that i have just detailed. I used a whole clay bar which was filthy when i finished with it. Poor car has probably never been detailed properly in its life.

So after claying i compounded with turtle wax scratch and swirl remover then used mothers step 2 glaze and polish and then covered with collinite 845. Im a little disappointed as the car is clean pure reflection but the metallic is not sparkling.

Just wondering should i have used a pure polish after the scratch and swirl correction?

I have read collinite 915 is better for darker colours than 845. Would this make a difference? Collinite 845 of my previous iridium silver merc looked amazing so im surprised with the different result.
 
I assume you're using a DA?
Stop with the Turtle Wax and Mother's abrasives. Both those companies have some great products, but for abrasives go with Meguiar's.
 
A glaze typically has fillers in it to temporarily hide imperfections. I think it may be preventing the metallic from popping as well. I would use a fine polish only after the compounding. I personally don't think the wax matters much.
 
Yes I am using a DA. I used the turtle wax as it was cheap and available where I am. I had a closer look at the mothers product and it says its a "sealer and glaze" so im guessing i havent actually polished the paint at all. I compounded it then went straight to sealer/glaze.

What polish do you recommend? I see pinnacle is sold by autogeek as a recommended one.

Also whats the best way to remove the wax? Or can I just start polishing and this will remove the wax?
 
if you want to stick to otc products, then pick up some megs UC and ultimate polish or swirlx instead. they will deliver better results and are formulated to be used with the DA. also (assuming you're new to DA machine polishing) is to move the polisher slowly and not tackle too big of an area which will not yield the desired results...

here's one example on how slowly (not too fast) you should be going...
[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAPN4I2Oo4o[/video]

btw, he is using a GG6 and you can tell the amount of torque/power it has for those who are on the fence of purchasing one...
 
Megs is available locally. My car is scratch and swirl free now so i might go for a polish only.

There is Megs ultimate polish and deep crystal polish. The ultimate polish says its designed for removing swirl marks, hazing, and light scratches. The deep crystal polish says: "Deep Crystal system Polish is a pure polish specially formulated for dark-coloured cars. The formula creates a dazzling, high gloss finish by conditioning and nourishing the paint, making dark colours darker and eliminating fine hairline scratches for perfect swirl-free reflections. It is that extra step necessary to create the ultimate, wet-look show car shine."

So i should be better off with the deep crystal polish it seems.
 
If you compound you then need to polish as your finish will be hazy
 
Megs is available locally. My car is scratch and swirl free now so i might go for a polish only.

There is Megs ultimate polish and deep crystal polish. The ultimate polish says its designed for removing swirl marks, hazing, and light scratches. The deep crystal polish says: "Deep Crystal system Polish is a pure polish specially formulated for dark-coloured cars. The formula creates a dazzling, high gloss finish by conditioning and nourishing the paint, making dark colours darker and eliminating fine hairline scratches for perfect swirl-free reflections. It is that extra step necessary to create the ultimate, wet-look show car shine."

So i should be better off with the deep crystal polish it seems.
No, get ultimate polish.

What is this "pure polish" that your mentioning?
The ultimate polish is a very fine polish.
 
That sounds like a glaze to me. Just go with the Ultimate Polish.
The reason you need to hit it with the UP is that there are very small scratches (marring from the Turtle Wax compound) preventing the best shine possible. The UP will further refine the paint.

That deep crystal stuff sounds like a glaze.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I will get the UP and hopefully will make the paint sparkle.

Will the UP remove the wax?

Once I have done the UP should I then go over with the mothers sealer glaze? And then wax? Or straight to wax?
 
That deep crystal stuff sounds like a glaze.


I think the Deep Crystal Polish is a version of M07 show car glaze. I agree with the Ultimate Polish, with a light polishing pad it leaves a flawless surface ready to wax. No need for the Mother's Sealer Glaze afterwards.
 
Will the UP remove the wax?

Once I have done the UP should I then go over with the mothers sealer glaze? And then wax? Or straight to wax?

Ultimate polish will remove wax for sure ^^
I personally prefer to apply wax straight after polish. Some even choose to wash off polish residue before any wax. A rinseless wash works great for this case:
meguiars D114.
 
Any product with glazes, fillers, etc. will mute the metallic flake. The oils used to fill in fine scratches and make the surface look smooth also darken the paint above the top surface and that also mutes the flake below the surface. Think of it as a "tint" of sorts. The refraction of light thru the oils is different than thru the clear paint surface.
 
HD Speed / HD Poxy topped with WG Fuzion and the metallic flake on this 2015 435i coupe was popping big time!





 
If you really want the flake and gloss (less depth), I would suggest WG Deep Paint Sealant. It is has more clarity compared to some others.
 
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