nooB alert: Couple questions to make sure I understand before diving in...
- Thread starter hardisj
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Evan.J
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- Sep 18, 2012
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If your satisfied with what you have thats all that matters :xyxthumbs:
Evan.J
New member
- Sep 18, 2012
- 4,915
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From the polish?
If so where did you get it?
Quick detailer spray will remove it from paint and glass
- Thread starter
- #46
Yes, on the paint and glass.
that's great! lol.
I did a coat of sealant. it actually brought out some of the imperfections a bit more. Though, short of a real custom job, I think I've done about as good as I can. Don't get me wrong... I'm still happy with the results. I'm really looking forward to seeing what it looks like in the sun tomorrow. and then working on the other sections. Couldn't have done it without help from you guys. I really like this forum and attitude of it's members. :xyxthumbs:
cardaddy
New member
- Nov 20, 2012
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Erin,
Good to see you're moving along.
One thing on the Nanoskin pad. (See you already got instructions to break it in. That's a good thing!) 
I'd run it on at least 3½. Keeping up the head rotational speed is something you want to do.:xyxthumbs:
As for the splatter, the Nanoskin will splatter stuff EVERYWHERE.
That's a really easy clean up though. Nowhere near as bad as say, compound. 
Keep on keeping on and you'll get there.
Good to see you're moving along.
One thing on the Nanoskin pad. (See you already got instructions to break it in. That's a good thing!) I'd run it on at least 3½. Keeping up the head rotational speed is something you want to do.:xyxthumbs:As for the splatter, the Nanoskin will splatter stuff EVERYWHERE.
That's a really easy clean up though. Nowhere near as bad as say, compound. Keep on keeping on and you'll get there.
- Thread starter
- #48
I dont' know if it's polish splatter or finish. all I know is somewhere managed to get it all over the place on other parts of the car and it doesn't exactly want to come off easily.
I tried to spread on the product to the pad and car body so there's wouldn't be any to spray. but maybe it just slung off as I would remove the pad or walk around the car with it on (bonehead move I know, now).
I tried to spread on the product to the pad and car body so there's wouldn't be any to spray. but maybe it just slung off as I would remove the pad or walk around the car with it on (bonehead move I know, now).
- Thread starter
- #49
alright, guys. question time again...
I worked on the hood today which is by far the worst offender, at least next to the front bumper. after polishing and finishing I realized I have some severe spots that the job actually brought out. will hitting this area hard with a wool pad or more pressure and time do anything for me to lessen these or am I just stuck with this? some of the spots are deep to the touch. others just look like surface scratches but I'm not having a lot of luck getting them out.
I worked on the hood today which is by far the worst offender, at least next to the front bumper. after polishing and finishing I realized I have some severe spots that the job actually brought out. will hitting this area hard with a wool pad or more pressure and time do anything for me to lessen these or am I just stuck with this? some of the spots are deep to the touch. others just look like surface scratches but I'm not having a lot of luck getting them out.
cardaddy
New member
- Nov 20, 2012
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Yep, looks like rock chips.
Be VERY careful with the pressure though. Removing swirls isn't about putting a lot of pressure onto your paint. It's more about letting your pads and PRODUCT do the work for you.
********
thread drift area.....
When I first started buffing paint (for correction) and it was on one of the 5 cars I own, I'd divide the car into bazillions of "test spots" and test each and every pad I had with whatever products I felt like using. My caddy has a hood the size of a queen size bed. That was good for 8 test spots in and of itself.
I wasn't looking to get "correction" but wanted to know what product worked with what pad, with what paint. I spent weeks on a single car sometimes just piddling around until I tried everything I had, (which was more than my share). Now however I have a CRAP LOAD of products, I mean a freaking LOT!!! :laughing:
drift over.....
********
Be very diligent with keeping up your head speed and watching your arm speed. In fact WRITE - DOWN - what - you - are - doing!
(Not specific instructions, just so you get an idea.)
For instance:
- Area 1; compound used M101, orange CCS pad, machine speed 4.5, 4 section passes, light arm pressure
- Area 2; compound used M101, orange CCS pad, machine speed 5.5, 5 section passes, light arm pressure
- Area 3; compound used M101, yellow CCS pad, machine speed 4, 4 section passes, light arm pressure
- Area 4; compound used Megs UC, foamed wool pad, machine speed 5, 3 section passes, light arm pressure
The thing is, the LITTLE differences between speed 4.5 and 5.5 or 4 passes and 5 passes can make or break what you're trying to do. Then once you have it dialed in you can REPEAT the process over and over and over. You may be amazed at just how little of a difference it makes.:xyxthumbs:
Once you've found the compound stage that gets you where you want to be, THEN do the exact same thing with the polishing stage.
DO NOT expect to get every little thing done with compound and cutting pads only. Not gonna' happen. :nomore:
If you can get to 75%, (especially for a daily driver) then you can finish it with the polishing stage. (Heck, 80%~85% is plenty enough for most daily drivers.) Especially if you want, you can hide little imperfections with a bit of glaze and a fine pad after you are done polishing.
It is looking better though. Nothing like the pride you get from doing it yourself, and knowing you are getting better with it as you go. Keep up the good work Erin!
- Thread starter
- #53
I realize I never updated this thread.
I didn't have a chance to complete the car by October, which was the event I was trying to get the car ready for. Winter rolled in and it was April until I was able to get back to work on the car. Unfortunately, I only took a single picture of the car in the parking lot at work the next day, but I wanted to share something since so many of you were willing to help me out.
I'm very happy with how it turned out. It looks like a new car in most places. Still, there's the mess that is my hood and front bumper:
It's almost sickening to look at. If I had the funds available I'd take it to a shop and get it repainted or just replace the front end but that's a few hundred dollars that I don't have. I'm not sure if there's really anything I can do here; I guess it's just road damage over 150k miles but if there are any suggestions, I'm all ears.
Thanks again fellas! With encouragement from you all, I tackled the car and although it's not the level I know the pros here could manage, I'm very happy with the end result overall and have gotten a lot of compliments on it.
I ordered ReNu to treat the exterior plastics (you can see how bad the windshield trim is in the above picture). I read a lot here and on other forums regarding this product and it's gotten great reviews. So, I'll wait for the summer to pass and get that applied; hopefully bring back some life to the dull roof/door/windshield trim.
PS: I started a new thread regarding cleaning the interior of the car. Namely the seats. That thread can be found here:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-can-my-cloth-seats-salvaged.html#post1138420
I didn't have a chance to complete the car by October, which was the event I was trying to get the car ready for. Winter rolled in and it was April until I was able to get back to work on the car. Unfortunately, I only took a single picture of the car in the parking lot at work the next day, but I wanted to share something since so many of you were willing to help me out.
I'm very happy with how it turned out. It looks like a new car in most places. Still, there's the mess that is my hood and front bumper:
It's almost sickening to look at. If I had the funds available I'd take it to a shop and get it repainted or just replace the front end but that's a few hundred dollars that I don't have. I'm not sure if there's really anything I can do here; I guess it's just road damage over 150k miles but if there are any suggestions, I'm all ears.
Thanks again fellas! With encouragement from you all, I tackled the car and although it's not the level I know the pros here could manage, I'm very happy with the end result overall and have gotten a lot of compliments on it.
I ordered ReNu to treat the exterior plastics (you can see how bad the windshield trim is in the above picture). I read a lot here and on other forums regarding this product and it's gotten great reviews. So, I'll wait for the summer to pass and get that applied; hopefully bring back some life to the dull roof/door/windshield trim.
PS: I started a new thread regarding cleaning the interior of the car. Namely the seats. That thread can be found here:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-can-my-cloth-seats-salvaged.html#post1138420