Two stage buff out- could use some advice

[Dave Medvic]

I just completed a two step buff out of a 2006 Black Silverado, the results were spectacular, mirror like shine.I claybarred then used my Flex D.A. with the Blue LC Hydrotech pad and Meg's Ultimate Compound for the first step. Then the Orage Hydro Tech polishing pad with Meg's 205.
Here's the problem, the customer just stopped over to show me the hood, it has various little slight scratch marks and round spots (tree sap damage) that they did not notice before. I saw no evidence of tracers or anything caused by my work. I explained that I thought what took place was this, I removed the top layer of clear and in doing so exposed imperfections that were not as noticable as they are now. Even the rock chip damage stands out now, no other areas of the truck show these little etches, etc that go down to the primer. All I can think is to suggest a Black wax product to help hide the imperfections.Sorry I don't have a pic.Feed back please

 

[af90]

How did you wash the car? If you used a strip wash then clay that should have removed any glazes/filling waxes and such and exposed the true nature of the surface.

My opinion
1) Since they got it detailed they now are looking more closely and now noticed them even though they were there before.
2) Depending on severity if you polished it to the 80-90% that last bit remaining may not be worth chasing after for a truck that's 7 years old and a daily driver and you can explain this if you feel appropriate.

But I will say rock chips and such do show much more clearly on clean paint as compared to dirty paint.

 

[Dave Medvic]

How did you wash the car? If you used a strip wash then clay that should have removed any glazes/filling waxes and such and exposed the true nature of the surface.

My opinion
1) Since they got it detailed they now are looking more closely and now noticed them even though they were there before.
2) Depending on severity if you polished it to the 80-90% that last bit remaining may not be worth chasing after for a truck that's 7 years old and a daily driver and you can explain this if you feel appropriate.

But I will say rock chips and such do show much more clearly on clean paint as compared to dirty paint.

Thanks for the reply, I didn't use Palmolive or anything to strip it with. I'll say this though, the scattered random pattern of various minor paint defects are indicitive of typical road wear on a hood, nowhere else like that on the vehicle. I think I exposed all the rock scrapes, etc. but they all look white, like his primer. I finished it with a 9 month sealant, but may need to use a 10/90 alcohol mix to strip and try waxing with "Blackbox" or something similiar.
thanks again

 

[rmagnus]

I guess what you are saying is you want your customer to be happy. That being the case you'll need to re-polish the hood. M205 should be enough.

Not sure what you used for the sealant but there are some waxes that can go that distance. I'm thinking you could hit it with glaze then Col845.

I would not recommend chasing tree sap etchings. Those usually are deep.

 

[Dave Medvic]

I guess what you are saying is you want your customer to be happy. That being the case you'll need to re-polish the hood. M205 should be enough.

Not sure what you used for the sealant but there are some waxes that can go that distance. I'm thinking you could hit it with glaze then Col845.

I would not recommend chasing tree sap etchings. Those usually are deep.

Thanks Ralph, Your right, the tree sap spots were deep, I didnt have much effect on them. The customer described "these little spider web " isolated spots, when I looked at it, they seem like paint damage. I have to google these things, they do look little miniscule spider webs and go below the clear coat surface. In his mind he wonders why he did not notice them before and feels it may have been my D.A.

 

[Pureshine]

I have done way to many cars after polishing them rock chips and other imperfections show up that can not be fixed with polishing. If you use a glaze its not going to fix the problem just hide for a short time. I agree with Ralph I would try to redo the hood again to make the customer happy.

 

[Dave Medvic]

I have done way to many cars after polishing them rock chips and other imperfections show up that can not be fixed with polishing. If you use a glaze its not going to fix the problem just hide for a short time. I agree with Ralph I would try to redo the hood again to make the customer happy.

Thanks Todd, I contacted the customer today and plan on using Dawn and Paint cleaner to strip his hood. Then Use a Menzerna finishing polish before using a Black Wax product to help hide the little White imperfections. My cutting pad was not compromised and no other panel shows what the hood shows. I have to admit that my confidence took a shot at first, I bounced back when I sat back and realized I've never had a problem in the past. It's my first total Buff Out though.

 

[Kevin Cullen]

I had an issue like this on a black Sierra, it was rock chips. The customer wanted to help so.we started and low and behold half the hood was completed and he said what are all these white marks. At that point I showed him they were rock chips and explained now that the paint was clear of scratching the deep imperfections would stand out. I also asked if he did not like what he saw we should stop NOW. Once he realized what was going on he was fine with it. Just goes to show that when paint is polished correctly the damage from.daily driving shows up and is now the focal point.

 

[Dave Medvic]

I had an issue like this on a black Sierra, it was rock chips. The customer wanted to help so.we started and low and behold half the hood was completed and he said what are all these white marks. At that point I showed him they were rock chips and explained now that the paint was clear of scratching the deep imperfections would stand out. I also asked if he did not like what he saw we should stop NOW. Once he realized what was going on he was fine with it. Just goes to show that when paint is polished correctly the damage from.daily driving shows up and is now the focal point.

Thanks Kevin, that's exactly what I feel happened. I'm glad you guys all responded to this, it makes me feel like other guys have my back. Before threads like this existed, detailers must have spent a lot of phone time talking about "curveballs" they run into.
The customer reassured me that my name was good with him still and loves how the rest of truck looks. He is now sending two more jobs my way. At first he was thinking the hood had to be repainted.

 

[BillE]

I don't know if this will help or hinder what you are dealing with.

Wife has a black car, got behind a 'gravel truck', lotza rock picks!

When I waxed it, of course all those little picks showed up like little white light bulbs.

I use a small SOFT tooth brush and GENTLY cleaned out all the wax that I could. Then re-polished, and used Meguiar's Ultimate LIQUID Wax. Because the liquid variety doesn't 'dry white', it did a pretty good job of hiding most of the rock picks.

Bill

 

[Dave Medvic]

I don't know if this will help or hinder what you are dealing with.

Wife has a black car, got behind a 'gravel truck', lotza rock picks!

When I waxed it, of course all those little picks showed up like little white light bulbs.

I use a small SOFT tooth brush and GENTLY cleaned out all the wax that I could. Then re-polished, and used Meguiar's Ultimate LIQUID Wax. Because the liquid variety doesn't 'dry white', it did a pretty good job of hiding most of the rock picks.

Bill

Funny thing Bill, I started out this season using that as my sealant wax for every detail. But since Meguiar's does not sell it in bulk ( trying to cut down cost per job) I switched to STS 3000 from a company in Pittsburgh. After struggling to get it off the last 2 cars I did, I decided to temp. switch back to Ultimate wax liquid. The STS has great staying power but does leave a white residue, especially if you hit the trim.
I felt like it is a little insulting that as you finish a hard detail, that your wax/sealant is making you work extra hard to come off the paint, especially in the Summer heat. I have a Black Tahoe with chips, I'll give that a try on mine, thanks!

 

[rmagnus]

Thanks Kevin, that's exactly what I feel happened. I'm glad you guys all responded to this, it makes me feel like other guys have my back. Before threads like this existed, detailers must have spent a lot of phone time talking about "curveballs" they run into.
The customer reassured me that my name was good with him still and loves how the rest of truck looks. He is now sending two more jobs my way. At first he was thinking the hood had to be repainted.

That's awesome about getting more referrals. That means you put your customers first. Something to consider is getting permission to use something like the Dr Color Chip system to cover the rock chips up. Filling the voids will be a better solution than trying to use different waxes to avoid the white stuff.

Even with a detailed inspection when you quote the work these imperfections are hard to find because of the dirt on the car but it does underscore taking the time to do the evaluation with the client.

Awesome thread. Keep up the good work.

 

[Dave Medvic]

That's awesome about getting more referrals. That means you put your customers first. Something to consider is getting permission to use something like the Dr Color Chip system to cover the rock chips up. Filling the voids will be a better solution than trying to use different waxes to avoid the white stuff.

Even with a detailed inspection when you quote the work these imperfections are hard to find because of the dirt on the car but it does underscore taking the time to do the evaluation with the client.

Awesome thread. Keep up the good work.

Thanks again Ralph...I was just looking to see what AutoGeek charges for Dr. Colorchip before I checked the threads! By the way, if you served with the Corps, thanks for your service, we came from a Marine Corps household and when I was little, my dad had me reciting the Marine Corps hymn before I knew the pledge of allegiance. I really thought Heaven's streets were guarded by U.S. Marines. I didn't go in when I was younger but I would change that if I had a 2nd go round

 

[rmagnus]

. I really thought Heaven's streets were guarded by U.S. Marines.

Who said they are not?

I'm a second generation Grunt my Dad now 89 was in the wing during WWII.

 

[BillE]

Funny thing Bill, I started out this season using that as my sealant wax for every detail. But since Meguiar's does not sell it in bulk ( trying to cut down cost per job) I switched to STS 3000 from a company in Pittsburgh. After struggling to get it off the last 2 cars I did, I decided to temp. switch back to Ultimate wax liquid. The STS has great staying power but does leave a white residue, especially if you hit the trim.
I felt like it is a little insulting that as you finish a hard detail, that your wax/sealant is making you work extra hard to come off the paint, especially in the Summer heat. I have a Black Tahoe with chips, I'll give that a try on mine, thanks!

Ain't that the truth!

Bill