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SubieMonte

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Hi!

I am getting the bug to learn how to detail my vehicles so I've been stalking autogeek. I've watched some videos and it seems like something I could tackle. Unfortunately, I didn't have the funds to invest in what I wanted, so I found a local "expert" to help me out. Welp....I'm not sure helped me out.

My car is a 2005 Subaru WRX, obsidian black pearl paint. As you may know, and from what I've read, Subaru paint is soft. I haven't taken the best care of my car...it's a daily driver...and I've had other priorities. I wanted to do some type of paint correction and decided to farm it out rather than to wait.

So the result is that my car now has very nice swirls all over the place courtesy of a rotary and what I think was an inexperience detailer. Based on what you see here, and I know pictures don't do it justice, is this something I can correct with a DA? If so, what are some recommendations for pad and product combinations?

I really appreciate all your help and look forward to learning more!

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Wow...well the good news is you should be able to repair it. I would recommend the Porter Cable D/A. As far as pads...I like Lake Country flat pads...you can get a 6 pack for 31.99 I would recommend 2 yellow...2 white...1 orange and one black. Others may recommend different?? I've found hyper compound and hyper polish pretty easy to use...they have very long working time. Start with the least aggressive on a test spot and work your way up until you get the desired effect. Megs 105 and 205 are also good for beginners...but you do tend to get some dusting. This is my humble opinion. Technique is as or more important than product. Watch as many videos and ask any questions you may have and you should do great!
 
What exactly did this detailer do and charge you for?
Was he doing paint correction? If not, is it possible these were already there?

Otherwise, I would try to get my $ back.
 
MaxT said:
What exactly did this detailer do and charge you for?
Was he doing paint correction? If not, is it possible these were already there?

Otherwise, I would try to get my $ back.
Click to expand...

He used a rotary with a yellow foam pad that looked pretty beat up and 3M (don't know what product specifically). I asked him to assess the paint and compound/polish etc as necessary. Sadly there is no way they were there before. I've owned the car since new and have done a poor job of maintaining. Prior to this there were spider webs (?) surface scratches over the whole car.
 
DaveT435 said:
Wow...well the good news is you should be able to repair it. I would recommend the Porter Cable D/A. As far as pads...I like Lake Country flat pads...you can get a 6 pack for 31.99 I would recommend 2 yellow...2 white...1 orange and one black. Others may recommend different?? I've found hyper compound and hyper polish pretty easy to use...they have very long working time. Start with the least aggressive on a test spot and work your way up until you get the desired effect. Megs 105 and 205 are also good for beginners...but you do tend to get some dusting. This is my humble opinion. Technique is as or more important than product. Watch as many videos and ask any questions you may have and you should do great!
Click to expand...

Yea...he didn't do a test spot. Hmmm...

As a beginner, I've been leaning toward the PC. Some have recommended the Flex as well. I hear the Megs 105 and 205 mentioned alot. Seems the way to go.

In other forums, we newbies get blasted for asking newbie questions. I really appreciate the help!

It seems to me that pad color is associated with its cutting ability. Would I start with a less aggressive pad with a more aggressive product?
 
I will say that i started out with a PC and have no complaints, but i do wish i had gotten a Flex from the start, I really want to try one out. On the other hand, i really want to see what a rotary is all about as well. I may end up with a nice rotary before the flex, just cause i want one.

In reality, i have issues and most of the people on the forum with more than just 1 polisher do more than just their personal cars.

Shawn
 
What is wrong with people? Someone charged you for that service? That looks terrible. I'm pretty much convinced, detailing is a DIY job if you want great results. Unless your lucky enough to stumble on a pro that actually knows what they are doing. Best advice is to save the money and learn how to fix it yourself correctly. That way you'll never have this issue again.
 
We were all new once but thanks to this forum along with a few cars to work on we become experienced pretty quickly. I recommended two yellow pads because this is probably the pad you are going to need with the 105 to do the correction. The orange in case there are some real bad spots that need a little more cut. I'm sure you know from the videos that you can clean on the fly then after a while you want to switch pads out. Two white pads (polishing pads) you'll want to use that with the 205 since your using the megs...and that will bring out a nice smooth, glossy finish. The black pad you would want to use for glaze, wax, sealant etc. You said money was an issue...if it is still kind of an issue this would be the least expensive way out. If money isn't so much an issue anymore it would be better to have three of the yellow and white pads and two black and maybe a blue. You will need several microfiber towels...more than you would think lol I would say at least 12. You need to decide what you want to use to protect the paint when you are done. You can look at the meguires waxes...or there is a large selection of waxes and sealants on here. Then you need to have what you will need for your washing system when you are done so you don't end up putting scratche sor swirls in the paint.
 
SubieMonte said:
So the result is that my car now has very nice swirls all over the place courtesy of a rotary and what I think was an inexperienced detailer.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum! I wouldn't say he was an inexperienced detailer, I'd say he's just like most detailers, he just hasn't learned anything since the first day when he learned to hack up cars like that.

Yes, you can fix it yourself or find a detailer through the forum who can fix it for you.
 
Welcome to Autogeek.

I just finished a car that had a similar experience. I'm a relative newb to the hobby, done about 5 of my own cars over the years, and have done 5 cars for others in the past months.

I used a PC to fix this stuff. As you mentioned, the photos dont do it justice.

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All done with the porter cable. using...
Meguiars ultimate compound and orange and white pad depending on the area - Speed 5 on PC
Meguiars 205 and white pad - Speed 5 as well.
Chemical Guys Butter wet wax (at owners request) by hand... I'd have used something else, but he brought it over so... whatever.

IDK what products you have, but I really love Megs Ultimate Compound. Its great for "beginners" like us and many pros use it as well... yields really great results, and is easily (and cheaply) available at Autogeek as well as some local auto stores if you cant wait, or run out mid detail (a problem many newbs like me will have from time to time)

As far as Megs 105 goes, I have some of that as well, and i find the ultimate compound to have a little longer work time with less dust, but as a newb i may be doing something wrong with the 105... but i dont think so. Ultimate is derived from 105 with diminishing abrasives... its good stuff. and again, easy to find.
 
SubieMonte said:
Yea...he didn't do a test spot. Hmmm...

As a beginner, I've been leaning toward the PC. Some have recommended the Flex as well. I hear the Megs 105 and 205 mentioned alot. Seems the way to go.

In other forums, we newbies get blasted for asking newbie questions. I really appreciate the help!

It seems to me that pad color is associated with its cutting ability. Would I start with a less aggressive pad with a more aggressive product?
Click to expand...
I would go more aggressive pad...then product. I really like the hyper polish. Changing the pad changes the amount of cut you get from it quite a bit. I would say the hyper polish on the yellow pad should do everything you need...and it finishes pretty nicely. It wouldn't take much to finish it out when you go back over it with the white pad. Again this is my opinion.
 
Thanks for all the quick feedback! Yea...I totally should have and now need to do this myself. I'll definitely look into the The Junkman's video (I was actually just browsing those) and the pad recommendations. I have a couple of options for local product supplies, but only one has a PC and it was too expensive compared to what I've seen on AG. So I'll be saving money to buy from AG.

Now...how to cover these embarrassing swirls in the meantime!

(Nice pics Moose...like OMG nice).

:buffing:
 
DaveT435 said:
I would go more aggressive pad...then product. I really like the hyper polish. Changing the pad changes the amount of cut you get from it quite a bit. I would say the hyper polish on the yellow pad should do everything you need...and it finishes pretty nicely. It wouldn't take much to finish it out when you go back over it with the white pad. Again this is my opinion.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave...I'll use a more aggressive pad over product. I think I should start with a yellow.
 
Welcome to the forum! Dang, those are some nasty holograms!!! It upsets me to see "pro detailers" hacking up cars like that... Where are you located?

I would recommend one of the PCXP DA polisher kits. The Pinnacle kit with some CCS pads might actually be all you need to get the job done. Also, check into the Meguiar's Microfiber pad system and D300 correction compound. It is amazingly easy to work with.

Good luck! :dblthumb2:
 
DaveT435 said:
I recommended two yellow pads because this is probably the pad you are going to need with the 105 to do the correction. The orange in case there are some real bad spots that need a little more cut..
Click to expand...

Dave do you have these backwards? Isn't the yellow pad a more cut pad than the orange pad?
 
I just bought the flex 3401 and used it on my 35' RV. It is quite the machine, I was going to get the PC but after calling AG Ray recommended the Flex. I love it, but it is hard to get into tighter spots. I also have a boat I wanted to use it on next, but if I only had a car to do I might look at the PC or the GG6 as it has a lifetime warranty look at AG for the kits available (Griots Garage Swirl Remover Kit). Iv'e spent plenty of money on bad details myself thats why I did what you're doing. Do lots of research, watch Mikes videos all you can and you'll get a lot of info to be able to fix this. Pay attention to your messages from Megan as they just had a 15% off sale for forum members no exclusions. Free shipping over $95.
 
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