Some advice on how to approach this?

[SiliconX]

Well, i'm getting ready to polish my 06 Civic Si this weekend. Been invited to a car show next weekend and I want to make sure she's looking her best.

I'm going to use XMT #2, followed by #1 and then XMT Finishing Glaze topped with Pinnacle Souveran Paste. The swirls look fairly light so I figure that should take care of them.

But since it's my first time polishing, i'm a little apprehensive on certain areas of the car. I have the full compliment of LLC 6" pads as well as 4" pads and the polishing pal, and backing plates for the PC7424. Couple pics to show what I mean:

I'm really terrified of burning the paint and if you look at the pictures, there's a curve that comes down from the window to the door panel. It's a fairly deep curve, but is something I really need to hit as swirls on the bottom line reflect badly, and it almost looks like a lightning bolt. I'm also a bit concerned about on the front, above the headlights but to the left/right of the hood, there's curves too.

Will the PC 7424 be ok with these? I'm assuming 4" pads would be preferable, but do these spots need to be done by hand?

 

[orngez]

with the pc and 6 inch pads you will be fine...no need to worry about burning paint....

 

[SiliconX]

with the pc and 6 inch pads you will be fine...no need to worry about burning paint....

That's a relief. I was a little scared because I just put a pad on the PC, and started it up and touched my hand to it, and it felt really hot.

I also forgot to ask:

My front end is covered in the 3M front clear plastic film. There's no swirls so I don't think i'll polish that, possibly MAYBE with the #1 just to clean off some marks on there from bugs and then hit it with the glaze.

Advisable?

 

[Nica]

Hey...I got an idea...I don't have plans this weekend how abut CalgaryDetail, sneek, your self and my self all hook up and gang up on that bad boy..huh...huh...I got two rotary's and the Cyclo, sneek has a PC...CalgaryDetail has a rotary too man I'll bet you we can get that vehicle done in like an hour hahahahahaha.

We could call it Calgary's mini detail fest....with VIP members only :righton: hahahahaha

 

[budman3]

I think you should be good to go... the XMT 2 will be good to use if you are using a polishing pad... maybe a light cut pad but try a polishing pad first. No need to worry about burning the paint. Nice color and good luck.

 

[Nica]

Actually on second thought if your as picky as me I wouldn't let anyone near my vehicle...so...don't worry I won't feel bad if you pass on that idea.

I agree with the advise here though, start off with very light products and pad and work your way up. XMT #2 should do the trick with something like a blue or maybe even an orange pad but start off with the blue pad and work your way up.

Well just my $0.02

 

[SiliconX]

Actually on second thought if your as picky as me I wouldn't let anyone near my vehicle...so...don't worry I won't feel bad if you pass on that idea.

I agree with the advise here though, start off with very light products and pad and work your way up. XMT #2 should do the trick with something like a blue or maybe even an orange pad but start off with the blue pad and work your way up.

Well just my $0.02

Are you kidding? I'd kill for that. I'm probably going to take it to work tonight and jack it up and do the wheels/wheelwells up nicely and do the engine. I don't care if I polished it while everyone stood around wacthing and drinking some beer (which i'd gladly bring). Just having some experienced people giving pointers would be worth it a thousand fold in my opinion.

 

[klumzypinoy]

I've read that people used plastic polish on their clear bras

 

[Al-53]

I would take Nica up on his offer....he is dam good...and has the best products for your needs....I would let him loose on my truck while i sat and drank beer watching him...lol...he is good...and a perfectionist

Al

 

[pirex]

I would take Nica up on his offer....he is dam good...and has the best products for your needs....I would let him loose on my truck while i sat and drank beer watching him...lol...he is good...and a perfectionist

Al

Have to agree with AL here, Nica is a darn good detailer! Even I would let him play around with my cars If he is up to it, take his offer I would :cheers:

 

[A1monky]

I have a clear bra. If you are going to polish it, tape eveything of very well!
And, yes you should be safe with the #1. Be careful not to get to close to the edges, you DO NOT want to get polish in the edges of the bra. I use the 4in pads becuase the offer more control.
Do not worry about burning through the clear. But, u might want to use alittle less pressure.
And try using the grey pad, instead of the white. The less aggresive you go the better.

Mike

 

[SiliconX]

I actually just got back from Nica's place. Met him for the first time

Shot the #### with him for a bit, he offered advice on how to do certain areas of my car, some advice on products (Note to self: gonna hafta pick up some PB's Bug Squash).

Such a nice guy, modest too. I was gawking at his Volvo he was doing. Thanks everyone for the comments, feel much more confident now

 

[joe.p]

Nica,great idea..you guys would have a good time hanging out together..
knock out the detail..you could end the day with a small party,good food,drinks and some crazy conversation

btw..Al and I are up for the task and post plenty of pics

 

[Nica]

Oh come on guys, I'm no better then any of you...besides it's you guys that helped me be the way I am now. It wasen't that long ago where I said "there is no way I'm ever going to use a rotary" hahaha look at me now...two rotarys a cyclo and a room full of products hahahaha. But thank you for the kind words guys.

SiliconX - The offer is still there bro, if you want to come on down you got my number. You saw the garage we could get it done in no time and make it looks perfect...oh yea for all of you Silicon has a nice ride...man I love the exaust...very nice sound. Besides I got no vehicles this weekend, BMW is not going to happen this weekend that's okay...so if your up for it just give me a call...besides I know sneek (if he's not busy that is) is more then up for another tagteam detail (I hope ). It was a pleasure meeting you too and I'm serious your more then welcome to come by just phone me.

<edit> remember if you get stuck you got my number too, oh and sorry I totally forgot to offer the help when we were chatting...I just get all wraped up in detailing conversations...you know I mean it when I say if you need help just phone me...I'll be doing some yard work...yay..woohooo

 

[SiliconX]

Oh come on guys, I'm no better then any of you...besides it's you guys that helped me be the way I am now. It wasen't that long ago where I said "there is no way I'm ever going to use a rotary" hahaha look at me now...two rotarys a cyclo and a room full of products hahahaha. But thank you for the kind words guys.

SiliconX - The offer is still there bro, if you want to come on down you got my number. You saw the garage we could get it done in no time and make it looks perfect...oh yea for all of you Silicon has a nice ride...man I love the exaust...very nice sound. Besides I got no vehicles this weekend, BMW is not going to happen this weekend that's okay...so if your up for it just give me a call...besides I know sneek (if he's not busy that is) is more then up for another tagteam detail (I hope ). It was a pleasure meeting you too and I'm serious your more then welcome to come by just phone me.

<edit> remember if you get stuck you got my number too, oh and sorry I totally forgot to offer the help when we were chatting...I just get all wraped up in detailing conversations...you know I mean it when I say if you need help just phone me...I'll be doing some yard work...yay..woohooo

:cheers:

I may take you up on that, your setup is so stylin.

The rest of the day has gone downhill though. After I left your place, I noticed my brake and gas pedal felt like it was sticking to my sandal. Look down and sure enough, I had stepped in gum and it was smeared ALL over my brake and gas pedal. Spent a good 20 minutes with a brush, an old MF cloth and some GooGone trying to clean that up.

And then I go to jack the car up and remove the wheels and my socket for the locking lugnut is gone. I pray I can find it tomorrow or get a new one from Honda quickly because the wells are impossible to clean without removing the wheels and I can't roll into a show and shine with those wells

Haha ugh.

 

[Nica]

Oooh gum...yea it can be a pain to remove. Well just give me a call. I just go to take my little princess to piano early in the morning then on the way back home stop by the grocery store and pick up some goodies and then home..this all happens really early in the morning. So just give me a call I'm more then happy to help...very nice car and we can definetly get it show ready..mmmm...oh remember you wanted your vehicle to glow....WE CAN DO IT!!!

 

[D]

Nica, Nica, Nica!!!!! Haha. Wish I knew some guys like him around here!

 

[SiliconX]

Nica, Nica, Nica!!!!! Haha. Wish I knew some guys like him around here!

You should see him in person, dudes got serious pipes. I don't think he actually uses the Cyclo, but buffs everything by hand!

 

[SiliconX]

Oooh gum...yea it can be a pain to remove. Well just give me a call. I just go to take my little princess to piano early in the morning then on the way back home stop by the grocery store and pick up some goodies and then home..this all happens really early in the morning. So just give me a call I'm more then happy to help...very nice car and we can definetly get it show ready..mmmm...oh remember you wanted your vehicle to glow....WE CAN DO IT!!!

Sounding more and more like a detailing gathering. Well I certainly won't complain if it's my car! I'll bring the detailing products and the refreshments and the food.

:cheers:

 

[Nica]

Man you were up early, yup we can definetly make it to a little detailing gathering, nothing like a group of guys talking detailing and working on a vehicle.