Using swirl finder on silver paint

[2L8IWON]

Here is my ride as well as some photos of my progress and setup.

I also included my weak attempt at a 50/50...

The rear panel was just as swirled up as the hood, I think this part came out well.

I also notice that I have hard water etching from place to place, how does one get rid of that?

 

[TLMitchell]

Pretty decent results in the pictures. :xyxthumbs:

I'm going to chalk all of this up to learning, but damn this is a time intensive process... wash, clay, TSR, Polish, Wax.

Now you have an inkling how much some put into the fantastic results they get. I'm betting none of them achieved concours results first time out either, I know I didn't. It's like going to Carnegie Hall.... practice, practice, practice.

FWIW, I've found Meg's Plastic & Vinyl Coating to work pretty well on those black honeycombed grills that are a pain to try and tackle by hand. Decent longevity and any overspray wipes right off the paint clean.

Meguiars Plastic & Vinyl Coating, exterior trim coating, trim dressing, vinyl protectant

I forgot to add that I bought a double 600watt Halogen work light that REALLY helped to show the defects.

600w means 300 in each side. Pick up a couple of 500w bulbs for when the 300s burn out. The 1000w towers are the same, just higher wattage bulbs.

TL

 

[2L8IWON]

Thanks TL. Sorry still learning the lingo, my tower is 1000w total.

Wife saw me struggling in the garage and surprised me when she returned from Wally-world.

I used that vinyl product when the car was new, just had prob finding it lately.

 

[TLMitchell]

......my tower is 1000w total.

Wife saw me struggling in the garage and surprised me when she returned from Wally-world.

She's a keeper! If that's the same yellow tower I have there's a spare bulb in the top center handle when you pull the cap off. Buy more, they don't last long if you use them frequently. I wear MF gloves when I change them. Oil from your fingers is the kiss of death for those bulbs and they take a bit of finagling until you've changed 'em a few times.

I used that vinyl product when the car was new, just had prob finding it lately.

Meg's aerosol Trim Detailer was discontinued, my guess is due to VOC non-compliance. The new Plastic & Vinyl Coating is the replacement product. I work with a problematic Hyundai with that type of grillwork. I'm going to pick up a budget air brush and apply Opti Coat on them after getting them super clean. Saw Rasky doing it on one of his jobs. If Chad uses it, I'm in. :xyxthumbs:

TL