polishing.......

[carter.gsd]

Think ive just about got the jist of this detailing. Cleaning my car i must admit is quite theraputic for me, so quite looking forward to trying some of the new methods ive seen in here.

Just a quick question though, whats the general technique for polishing then?

Ive always used two cloths one to apply and one to rub off/buff, kinda like the old "wax on wax off" is this the "done" way and should i be using the same types of cloths?

[Conker]

The pro detailers use machine polishers, but you can get some good results by hand too. By the way, good ol' Autoglym Super Resin Polish (SRP) came out tops in a recent test of hand polishes, so don't think you need to spend mega-bucks to get results.

Here's my technique when I'm a doing a "big polish"...


1) Good thorough wash, then dried with a microfibre towell (like this: http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=21_60_62&products_id=539)
2) Clayed with sonus green and poorboys spray and gloss
3) SRP'd with a hand pad (like this: http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/terry-applicator-pads-twin-pack.php?cPath=21_60_63)
4) SRP dries quite quickly so you can buff off and check the results almost straight away. In the handpolish test good results were only possible with 2 or 3 repeated passes. I do circular motion buffing to start followed by straight strokes to remove any marring afterwards.
5) Topped off with collinite 476s wax (SRP is NOT a good enough wax for protection)
6) For quicker washes I top up the wax with Optimum spray wax (its absolutely awesome and worth every penny)

[dubber36]

I'm halfway through sorting my latest Mk2 Golf, and have borrowed a Porter Cable from a mate to see how I get on.

This is the method I have used with very good results.

1. Wash with AG Shampoo and dry with Megs water magnet
2. Megs clay with diluted shampoo as a lube.
3. Wash again as stage 1
4. Poorboys light swirl removal polish
5. Zymol cleaner wax
6. AG High Definition Wax by hand
7. Leave for 24 hours
8. Megs quick detail spray and wipe over
9. 2nd coat of AG High Definition Wax

Stand back and admire the flawless finish in the O/S  , then walk round the N/S and realise how bad the previous owners paintwork is and get it booked in to be re done

[carter.gsd]

Thanks for the tips guys, will be updating my cleaning kit this weekend.

[Dan J]

would highly recomend getting some sonus de wonder buffing towels, they're big and have thicker microfibre on one side for buffing and shorter pile microfibre on the other for removing polish or wax etc, money well spent.