Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: beemerdevil on 27 November 2008, 20:11:49

Title: professional polishers???
Post by: beemerdevil on 27 November 2008, 20:11:49

hi guys....i know this is a bit of a mundane question, but do any of you know the PROPER method for polishing a car with a power polisher? and the proper stages to do it in?? - do i 'clay' it first then polish then wax??....would really appreciate expert advice so i can get a 'showroom' deep shine on my black meega  8-) :y :y  TIA

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: VX1 on 27 November 2008, 20:19:17

Quote

hi guys....i know this is a bit of a mundane question, but do any of you know the PROPER method for polishing a car with a power polisher? and the proper stages to do it in?? - do i 'clay' it first then polish then wax??....would really appreciate expert advice so i can get a 'showroom' deep shine on my black meega  8-) :y :y  TIA

First wash the car then leather dry. Then you should start with the clay treatment, once you have done that then use the polish that comes in the kit and use the professional buffer on a high speed, then you can wax the car and you could use the buffer again or just use a lint free cloth to remove the wax. Then stand back and look at the end result.
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1222540249

Paul  :y

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Jay w on 27 November 2008, 20:36:45

first wash the car with a hose to get off the really loose stuff......
then get two buckets of hot water, one clear, one with car body shampoo
using a wash-mitt (not a sponge as that can hold grit and scratch the paint)
wash with soapy water
rinse with clear water
use the micro-fibre cloth to rinse, i don't chamois as it marks the paint
Go over the car with a PTG (paint thickness gauge) in order to see where the high and low points of the paint are
Mask the trims
Use a professional polisher (by that I mean something like a silverline orange or blue) not one of these cheap ones you can get halfords that has a woollen mitt on it.
Using a polish like G3 go over the entire car, taking care not to breakthrough the paint
once you have polished using the polisher then seal the paint using something like a carnuba wax
and finally use something like autoglym extra gloss protector

if done correctly you will have a paint finish that will look very deep

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: RolandL on 27 November 2008, 21:17:38

Try this web site

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_clean.html

 :y

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: albitz on 27 November 2008, 21:17:53

Are these professional polishers always air tools or are there electric versions available  :question

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Chopsdad on 27 November 2008, 22:16:04

Quote

Try this web site

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_clean.html

 :y

Roland - I couldn't see the website as your avatar is huge  :o  

Best to resize it before TB does  :y

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Chopsdad on 27 November 2008, 22:24:19

I've just come across a guide with 22 pics of how to clean a black car on the Tiscali homepage  :o

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/galleries/view/motoring/howcleanisyourcar/browse/244823

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: razzo on 27 November 2008, 22:33:19

Quote

Are these professional polishers always air tools or are there electric versions available  :question

leccy mate


www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tools/Silverline+Power+Tools/SL406+HiSpec+Sander+Polisher+240v/d40/sd2670/p37104

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 27 November 2008, 22:33:38

Quote

Quote

Try this web site

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_clean.html

 :y

Roland - I couldn't see the website as your avatar is huge  :o  

Best to resize it before TB does  :y

Are you going to resize yours whilst your at it. ::)

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: hotel21 on 27 November 2008, 22:45:50

Quote

Quote

Try this web site

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_clean.html

 :y

Roland - I couldn't see the website as your avatar is huge  :o  

Best to resize it before TB does  :y

Roland - your avatar was mahoosive!!  I have deleted the link in your profile meantime until you manage to get it shrunk to within the guidelines.  Sorry to be brutal but there have been a few probs on the site of late due to big avatars and new forum software updates.  Thanks.... :y

Chopsdad - yours needs a trim as well, mate!   ;D

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: zippo on 28 November 2008, 00:10:40

i don't think you'd go far wrong having a look a detailingworld . hth

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Albatross on 28 November 2008, 07:50:30

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1206352142/

Quote

Anyone about to give their car a full on clean ready for the summer may be interested in the following links:

I know I'll be studying them in detail (pardon the pun), but the results in some of the pictures is amazing.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/index.php

It's all a bit full on and confusing but the following key links (taken from there) just about sum it up:

Good washing guide (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637)
Detailing clay bar starter's guide (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4829)
Basic waxing & polishing guide  (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4)
Guide to Rotary Polishing (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=13655)
Porter Cable Polisher Importing Guide (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=136)
Slow Cut Method (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=7478)
Back to basics interior cleaning (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=225)

Stone Chip Repair Guide (Quite astounding, if your brave enough!) (http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=20127)

This isn't from detailing World, but is a useful "decoding" page to help you understand the detailers' unique tongue. :y

Detailing Terms & Acronyms (http://www.autopia.org/forum/faq.php?faq=secret_decoder_ring)

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: bighed on 28 November 2008, 08:06:22

On the above website (least think it was that one) a bloke 2000 wet and dried his car all over then went through the polishing stages and it looked rather awesome. Just like looking in a mirror  :o

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: beemerdevil on 28 November 2008, 09:41:20

thats billiant guys......loads of very good tips - thanks very much................hmmm, should soon be driving around in a black mirror - lol   8-) :y

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 28 November 2008, 10:11:06

Quote

first wash the car with a hose to get off the really loose stuff......
then get two buckets of hot water, one clear, one with car body shampoo
using a wash-mitt (not a sponge as that can hold grit and scratch the paint)
wash with soapy water
rinse with clear water
use the micro-fibre cloth to rinse, i don't chamois as it marks the paint
Go over the car with a PTG (paint thickness gauge) in order to see where the high and low points of the paint are
1 Mask the trims
2 Use a professional polisher (by that I mean something like a silverline orange or blue) not one of these cheap ones you can get halfords that has a woollen mitt on it.
3 Using a polish like G3 go over the entire car, taking care not to breakthrough the paint
4 once you have polished using the polisher then seal the paint using something like a carnuba wax
and finally use something like autoglym extra gloss protector

if done correctly you will have a paint finish that will look very deep

Good brief..I want to add some more points..

Using a professional polisher (I use Hitachi) always stay at the lowest

possible rpm..dont stay at the same point more than 1-2 seconds or

you will burn the paint  or at least you will erase the laquer (clear coat)

and dont hurry to complete the car quickly..give breaks between the

parts..always do the polishing longitudinal to the part and use

overlapping on traces..dont forget to wet the polish head initially and

dont use too much G3 at one time..(double your toothpaste amount)

if in one point you see traces or scratches, you can use 2000

grid sandpaper with soapy water (will be easier and less risky to burn

the paint) ..And there's also a limit for the scratches to be cleared..if

you feel the scratch with your finger nail dont try to clean it

totally..Clear coat layer is tiny and in old cars risky to sand or polish

deeply..so no more than total 40 seconds of rubbing with sand paper

on a fix point(by hand)..the rest is danger zone and only for

professionals or experienced ..

Now after G3 job s finished and you see it started shining there may

be some small traces left.. Now you can do the rest with a very soft

polish head and very soft creamy wax and paste mixture..(really mix

them).. or also you can do with the hand again longitudinally..and not

using high force and with a soft cotton..

ps: never do the polishing under direct sun light..

pps : during your work,always  stop from time to time (lets say 3-5

minutes) and check the paint condition

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Bacon Butty Man on 28 November 2008, 10:20:49

excuse my thickness, WHATS A CLAY KIT????????????

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 28 November 2008, 10:21:48

Quote

excuse my thickness, WHATS A CLAY KIT????????????

I never use it , but my car is still shiny :D ;D :y

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Bacon Butty Man on 28 November 2008, 10:25:42

Quote

Quote

excuse my thickness, WHATS A CLAY KIT????????????

I never use it , but my car is still shiny :D ;D :y

but what is it

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 November 2008, 10:27:33

Quote

Quote

Quote

excuse my thickness, WHATS A CLAY KIT????????????

I never use it , but my car is still shiny :D ;D :y

but what is it

http://www.performancemotorcare.com/cgi-bin/ss000001.pl?page=search&SS=clay+kit&ACTION=Go%21&PR=-1&TB=A

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 28 November 2008, 10:32:56

Actually clay kits are cheaper alternative..but to reach satisfactory

results machine polishers are time efficient..

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 November 2008, 11:03:59

I realy rate the clay bar kits...and can be used regularly unlike machine polishers which actualy remove the paint.

Remember that clay bars remove the surface contaminents though, they dont restore the paint work by removing a layer of laquer as per a machine polisher

As for the wax, I rate the modern synthetic wax better then carnuba wax products as it has a deeper shine and lasts considerably longer.

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 28 November 2008, 11:16:34

yep..machine polishers must be usued really rarely ..

but if you use waxes ona regular basis they wont be necessary to use

frequently unless you park under a tree or somebody scratch the car..

    imho even the clay bars must remove some surface to make

correction..

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 November 2008, 14:56:09

Quote

yep..machine polishers must be usued really rarely ..

but if you use waxes ona regular basis they wont be necessary to use

frequently unless you park under a tree or somebody scratch the car..

    imho even the clay bars must remove some surface to make

correction..

Not if properly lubricated....

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: beemerdevil on 28 November 2008, 17:17:48

well thanks to ALL of you for all of your comments; very helpful and imformative. I have read loads of info on the subject.........seems like it is quite a professional art - one site actually advised NOT to undertake the 'detailing' task with a power polisher, (unless trained) or if you hadnt done it before, or had never used a power polisher.................................hmmmmm...think i'll stick to good old elbow grease...otherwise i could be driving round in a blotchy miggy !!!!! lol   ;D ;D ;D

PS - i would appreciate any recomendations for a GOOD polish and a good wax - TIA  :y :y :y

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: miggy on 28 November 2008, 18:12:31

Quote

hi guys....i know this is a bit of a mundane question, but do any of you know the PROPER method for polishing a car with a power polisher? and the proper stages to do it in?? - do i 'clay' it first then polish then wax??....would really appreciate expert advice so i can get a 'showroom' deep shine on my black meega  8-) :y :y  TIA

Send it to me, i will give it the miggy touch... ;D ;D. i use the full treatment, i find the Meguires very good, 3 stage treatment, i also do the claying in 2 stages, i spend about about 6 - 7 hours to do the full treatment but some say thats extreme, but thats me, i also remove the wheels and do the plastic inner wheel arch covers and full engine bay...i used to use the Autoglym but found the resin polish a tad abrasive and left swirl marks... i have tried many waxes over the years and i find the Carnauba wax very good, i usually pay in the region of £38 a tin...again this can be purchased cheaper.

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: beemerdevil on 28 November 2008, 19:33:39

thanks for that miggy  :y :y :y

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: Albatross on 29 November 2008, 08:56:39

Quote

well thanks to ALL of you for all of your comments; very helpful and imformative. I have read loads of info on the subject.........seems like it is quite a professional art - one site actually advised NOT to undertake the 'detailing' task with a power polisher, (unless trained) or if you hadnt done it before, or had never used a power polisher.................................hmmmmm...think i'll stick to good old elbow grease...otherwise i could be driving round in a blotchy miggy !!!!! lol   ;D ;D ;D

PS - i would appreciate any recomendations for a GOOD polish and a good wax - TIA  :y :y :y

[size=20]MEGUIAR'S[/size]


(http://www.meguiars.co.uk/images/news/BS_08front-cover.gif)

http://www.meguiars.com/

You can buy their stuff in Halfrauds.

They do a matching clay bar kit too. Clay bar will really help you. Keep it lubricated, but the way it works is a bit like using a big lump of blue tack to clean biscuit crumbs off a carpet.

The clay bar pulls all the contaminants (such as brake dust) out of the surface of the paint and leaves it glass smooth then allowing you to wash, hand polish and wax properly.

I would disagree slightly with the advice that "using a clay bar is as good as polishing", they are different and a clay bar is preparation for polishing. They are both as good as each other, and you need to do them both; clay bar first followed by polishing to do a professional job. The clay bar ensures that you are not polishing contaminants into the paint.

Another good thing to try to get hold of is some industrial strength traffic film remover ("TFR" to those in the trade). This stuff cuts through road film such as tar spots, tree sap, insect guts like nothing else and really gives you a good clean foundation. I'd do this bit 1st, then wash, then clay bar, then wash again then polish, then rinse, then wax.

BOTTOM LINE:

The hard and really worthwhile bit is the foundation (i.e. get it very, very clean and very very smooth) and the rest falls into place.

You can give a fair or reasonable clean and then wax a car to your heart's content, but it will never look as shiny and smooth as a car which has been cleaned properly 1st.

Those links to the detailing world pages are really it all in a nutshell.

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 29 November 2008, 10:05:14

if you dont use clay bar like me  (because not existent here) ,

after washing, I spread mixture of wax and paste on the paint wait

some minutes then clean tar,resin and other contaminants as these

become softer with mixture..

        But as I wax the car frequently this cleaning process not

required most of the time..So if required I can go polishing directly..

Title: Re: professional polishers???
Post by: beemerdevil on 29 November 2008, 21:26:04

once again folks, thank you all for your advice/comments on polishing.....lots of good info.............will post some pics when ive done it - lol (might be couple or so weeks) lol.... ;D ;D :y :y