my 1st car detail. which should i get done.

nycbluelancer

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so im taking my car in 2 weeks to get it detailed for the first time to remove swirl marks off my 2011 "Octane blue Color "mitsubishi lancer. Should i let them just clay, compound, polish and wax. or just polish and wax. my car n paint is only 1 years old with light swirl marks from car wash,s im takin it to a professional detail place. but im not sure whats best to remove swirl marks ? what your recommend i tell the detailer to do..
 
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Definitely needs to be clayed.
All depends on what kind of a polish they use and depend on your paint. It will also depend on how the polish will be applied. Will they be using a polish with any cutting ability? If so and if your paint is soft, a polish with light cutting ability with a polishing pad can remove swirls if machine applied. There are some basic questions that should be addressed to your detailer and as mentioned before, your paint correctability is also a factor. Without knowing these, it will be difficult to answer your question.
 
The detailer should give you an estimate of what they think needs to be done.

Key word "Should"

Also what are you wanting from your paint, perfection or just cleaned up.

Post pics if able.
 
Save the headache. Use the money your going to pay someone to buy the stuff and DIY. 90% of the time that's the only way it gets done right.
 
i will post pics in a little while. i heard somewhere that yes mitsubishi lancers do have soft paint.
 
i will post pics in a little while. i heard somewhere that yes mitsubishi lancers do have soft paint.

That would be a general statement as my understanding is that even a car of the same MY and color, could potentially have different characteristics. Unless you do a test spot, there is no reasonable way to know definitively.
 
i cant do it my self i dont have a machine, and i dont even have a garage. nor i dont know anyone with a garage , i hear alot polish n waxing should be done in a clean garage , no dust, no sunlight, no wind. not outside.
 
i cant do it my self i dont have a machine, and i dont even have a garage. nor i dont know anyone with a garage , i hear alot polish n waxing should be done in a clean garage , no dust, no sunlight, no wind. not outside.

If that is the case, ask around for a good reputable detailer.
Take the car in and ask them what the car would need. I am sure there are pro detailers on this forum who can provide you with quality service.
 
Where do you live maybe someone here lives near to help.
 
all mitsubishi lancers from 2008 to 2013 have soft paint i looked it up..
 
I sent you a PM.

As I said, I don't know them and never had work done with them but as I mentioned, it would not hurt to check them out.
 
pics of my swirl marks.

heres pics of my swirls its not really noticeable because the octane blue , but its not deep swirls. only noticable in the sunlight
 
Doesn't look too bad.

I work outside on my car all the time. My garage isn't big enough for all my stuff.

So basically, you can do it yourself if you really want to :)

But if you want to find a reputable detailer in your area, definitely post a thread on this forum saying looking for a detailer in NYC.

Any detailer on a forum is less likely to be a hack in my opinion.
 
Those don't look too bad.
If your paint is indeed soft, you might even want to try this yourself by hand. Goto Walmart and pick up a clay kit and I believe Meg's have a polishing kit as well with a small bottle of UC and foam applicator. Find a nice tree shade to work under and get ready to build some muscle!
 
i rather not take the chance of doing it myself i rather take it to detail shop i work all week n tired plus im not the handy type of guy. only thing ill trust my self with is waxing my car thats it..
 
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If that was my car and it indeed had some soft paint, I would do the following

Wash
Clay
AIO - Something like Meg's White Wax apply by DA

Maybe possibily put another layer of wax.
For something like that light, I probably would not even bother with compound and finishing polish.
 
i think thats a good choice C8N , i rather not have some paint missing from my car lol.. yea alot of people say wax by DA is best ,but dont a car needs to be washed again after clay ??? wash, clay, wash, then polish and wax
 
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