Detailing Chat & Questions Thread

[Lal B3N]

Just been given a Meguiars polisher but no backing plates or pads.

Where's best to start for backing plates and pads? Usual online places?

 

[Gally]

Just the usual. I do still love i4detailing.

 

[Gorms]

I presumed you were talking about the menzerna polish compounds bundle?
http://i4detailing.co.uk/shop/menzerna-250ml-value-pack.html

If you're considering their pads as well, as tally says ignore the pads and I'd suggest chemical guys Hexlogic

Yeah that's the one, I have a shed load of 3m pads anyway so will keep using them. It's the different compounds I'm lacking. I will get them on order and have a go this weekend.

 

[Inequality Street]

Still sticking with DA or something to use with rotary?

The AF finishing compound was nice, Scholl S30 worked well on the ST although the rest of the range take a bit of getting used to compared to the average compound. I can't remember which of the menzerna finishing polishes I liked since they've changed the names.

Sticking with DA for now. Thinking about trying Rupes Diamond Ultra Fine Gel Polish. Any experience?

 

[Yellow Dave]

Know nothing about anything rupes

 

[Gally]

Sticking with DA for now. Thinking about trying Rupes Diamond Ultra Fine Gel Polish. Any experience?

Only with a rupes machine and it's b****cks.

 

[Inequality Street]

Only with a rupes machine and it's b****cks.

Ah, fair enough! Will stick to what I know then. (205).

Cheers

 

[sburrell93]

Is £65 a decent used price for a DDJ buff daddy? Is it a decent polisher? Or should I just spend the extra and get a das6 pro?

 

[Yellow Dave]

It's the same as the standard DAS6 DA polisher isn't it?

 

[Gally]

I think so. Standard one is okay for basics and learning.

 

[sburrell93]

It would be for learning, but at the same time I'd eventually want to get the paintwork corrected to a half decent standard on my car. Better off with the more powerful das6 pro?

 

[Knuckles]

It would be for learning, but at the same time I'd eventually want to get the paintwork corrected to a half decent standard on my car. Better off with the more powerful das6 pro?

The das6 pro is £105 with the cs discount on clean your car.

No point spending £65 now then £105 later for a bit more power.

 

[Gally]

I'd personally buy a used Das6 Pro. Spend the change on a polish pad/glaze etc.

 

[sburrell93]

Cheers for the help guys will probably do just that Gally. Just need to find one now.

 

[Knuckles]

Wasn't there one for sale on here not long ago with the AF kit? Not sure if it sold or not

 

[Lal B3N]

What's people's opinions on the Meguiars polisher? Been given one but needs backing plate plus pads. Worth ordering the bits for it?

 

[Knuckles]

What's people's opinions on the Meguiars polisher? Been given one but needs backing plate plus pads. Worth ordering the bits for it?

My old one was a g220 copy (the £5 one from the thread) tbh, it was awesome before it broke.

backing plates and pads are universal as far as I'm aware anyway. I use the same backing pad on the das6

 

[Lal B3N]

My old one was a g220 copy (the £5 one from the thread) tbh, it was awesome before it broke.

backing plates and pads are universal as far as I'm aware anyway. I use the same backing pad on the das6

Ah cool I'll get some stuff ordered then. Will have a read up on what's best for starting out with.

Been a couple of years since I used a polisher so not in the know any more.

 

[Knuckles]

gally, I thought I'd reply in here with regards to technique.

I spread the polish round on speed 3

work it with speed 4.5/5

cut with speed 6

finish at speed 3.5/4 trailing off slower if need be



How do you use a DA?

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

gally, I thought I'd reply in here with regards to technique.

I spread the polish round on speed 3

work it with speed 4.5/5

cut with speed 6

finish at speed 3.5/4 trailing off slower if need be



How do you use a DA?

I'm interested in this also. Gonna attempt my dads A3 once the weather let's me.

Goin by that guys videos on YouTube(his name escapes me), he just does it all at number 5? Unless I've missed a bit

 

[Knuckles]

I'm interested in this also. Gonna attempt my dads A3 once the weather let's me.

Goin by that guys videos on YouTube(his name escapes me), he just does it all at number 5? Unless I've missed a bit

That technique works for me but gally said he uses DAs differently to other people so I was curious.

From what I gather you need to break down the polish before it starts to cut, and the highest speed generates the heat for the cut.

I may be wrong but doing it all on speed 5 just seems like it could take a while/not provide a decent amount of cut.

 

[Gally]

You use the zenith technique which is great, especially via DA. My technique is a variation of Junkman's. Spread quickly over entire set section at speed 1-2 then remove from area. Add another 2 pea sized blobs then work at speed 5 until diminished (depending on type of polish) some will continue to work over and over.

I was intrigued simply because the correction work was really good on some tough paint. Revitalise system seems to working for a lot of people.

 

[Yellow Dave]

@gally, I thought I'd reply in here with regards to technique.

I spread the polish round on speed 3

work it with speed 4.5/5

cut with speed 6

finish at speed 3.5/4 trailing off slower if need be



How do you use a DA?

How many passes are you doing at suggested speeds?

If you spend to long working it before stepping up the speed and pressure the diminishing abrasive will already have started to break down to a finer abrasive loosing the level of cut it may be capable of

I only really use the slower speeds for spreading the polish around the panel getting it ready to get straight into the cutting when using a DA

 

[Knuckles]

You use the zenith technique which is great, especially via DA. My technique is a variation of Junkman's. Spread quickly over entire set section at speed 1-2 then remove from area. Add another 2 pea sized blobs then work at speed 5 until diminished (depending on type of polish) some will continue to work over and over.


I was intrigued simply because the correction work was really good on some tough paint. Revitalise system seems to working for a lot of people.

What are the benefits of removing unbroken down polish? (I'm assuming that's what's happening by spreading it and then removing). Do you just continue that process until the desired finish is achieved?

How many passes are you doing at suggested speeds?

If you spend to long working it before stepping up the speed and pressure the diminishing abrasive will already have started to break down to a finer abrasive loosing the level of cut it may be capable of

I only really use the slower speeds for spreading the polish around the panel getting it ready to get straight into the cutting when using a DA

Off the top of my head, it probably varies greatly when I'm doing it but

Two vertical and two horizontal passes to spread it round

one horizontal and one vertical to break it down (tbh I do this until it looks right)

Then two or three vertical and horizontal passes on speed 6

then as many as I feel necessary on a slow speed to buff out my polishing marks

 

[Gally]

The reason you do this is so the polish is spread evenly across the area. All set up ready to bit, this can be done using your technique of course.

Dabbing the polish all across the panel is a similar idea, none of the polish soaks into the pad when you start spreading the polish before working.

It's mearly a different technique, plenty of them work. I just found trying it via DA instead of the Zenith worked well with the polishes and pads I was using.

Looking forward to changing cars so I can get another big detail done.

 

[Knuckles]

The reason you do this is so the polish is spread evenly across the area. All set up ready to bit, this can be done using your technique of course.

Dabbing the polish all across the panel is a similar idea, none of the polish soaks into the pad when you start spreading the polish before working.

It's mearly a different technique, plenty of them work. I just found trying it via DA instead of the Zenith worked well with the polishes and pads I was using.

Looking forward to changing cars so I can get another big detail done.

Ah, I see. Before spreading the polish on a low speed do you dot the pad around (without it rotating) on the panel? I do this but when cleaning the pad I noticed quite a bit of polish had seeped into the pad.

I understood the theory of the zenith technique and liked the results it gave so never looked into any other techniques.

Are there any techniques which are more suited to harder or softer paints or is it all a case of personal preference and variations of working the polish/pressures?

 

[BuCkLeY...]

I'm new to this stuff so bare with me. I'm looking for a wax and have been looking at dodojuice samples. Is there any tips for applying this wax ( by hand ) Also what's the difference between claying a car and waxing.

Thanks =)

 

[Yellow Dave]

Claying removes bonded contaminants from the paint. A wax or sealant provides protection to the paint finish achieved after polishing.

Use a damp yellow foam applicator to apply the dodo juice wax as thinly as possible. A small wipe of the applicator in the little pot will cover the majority of a panel

 

[BuCkLeY...]

Do I have to let it set after or can I polish straight after? And what's best hard or soft wax'

Thanks BTW

 

[Yellow Dave]

Polish is abrasive so will remove any products you put it over. Think you need to start reading the stickier guides at the top of the section

 

[BuCkLeY...]

Haha forgot them sorry

 

[Knuckles]

Cheap swirl spotting torch?

found this in homebargains for £11/12. I thought I'd give it a go.

as mine and the gfs cars are too dirty/swirl free to spot swirls with it, I took to the black panel in the gfs civic and the fridge. Hopefully Chi will bring me something I can test it properly on.

It takes a h3 headlight bulb. So I may upgrade the bulb if it proves to be not powerful enough for swirl spotting on cars

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[Daniel]

Nice work Knuckles!!

I'll have a look on ebay for one.

 

[Knuckles]

I've been on the look out for something like this for weeks!

Fire the link up if you find one on ebay

 

[Al_G]

Just clayed, applied one coat of rejuvenate and finally one coat of desire to the car. Impressed by the results...

How many layers of wax should i put on? How many is enough? 1, 2, 3???

 

[Jack-C]

Rejuvenate and desire is a nice combo.

One layer is good, two layers is even better just to guarantee complete coverage but three layers isn't necessary. Nothing to gain after two layers really.

I usually just apply one layer.

 

[Al_G]

Rejuvenate and desire is a nice combo.

One layer is good, two layers is even better just to guarantee complete coverage but three layers isn't necessary. Nothing to gain after two layers really.

I usually just apply one layer.

Sweet, I'll apply a second coat tomorrow (car is in the garage so I should get away without the need to rewash).

From then on in will one coat per month suffice?

 

[Jack-C]

Yeah will be fine in the garage. That's spot on.

Desire is a pretty durable wax and if your car is garaged regularly it should last around six months. I'd say reapplying once a month isn't necessary. Once the beading and sheeting drops in performance then add another layer then however if you enjoy waxing and want to reapply once a month then go ahead.

I'd recommend reapplying another layer every 3/4 months or so. That's more than enough.

 

[Al_G]

Yeah will be fine in the garage. That's spot on.

Desire is a pretty durable wax and if your car is garaged regularly it should last around six months. I'd say reapplying once a month isn't necessary. Once the beading and sheeting drops in performance then add another layer then however if you enjoy waxing and want to reapply once a month then go ahead.

I'd recommend reapplying another layer every 3/4 months or so. That's more than enough.

Sweet, cheers mate.

When shall I repeat the full clay, rejuvenate, wax process?

My car is always garaged and does around 5k-6k per year.

 

[Knuckles]

Sweet, cheers mate.

When shall I repeat the full clay, rejuvenate, wax process?

My car is always garaged and does around 5k-6k per year.

I do about three big cleans a year, strip everything off, polish and reprotect. Then maintenance washes in between.

for that mileage I think you'd get away with doing it before and after winter.