Ask A Professional Detailer

[Holden_Caulfield04]

As a new member of LX Forums, I would like to give you a full introduction and brief summary of my qualifications. In short, I have a passion for detailing like others do for fine wine, woodworking, or music. This is what I live and breathe. It stands to reason, then, I might know what I am talking about. :D

My business, Apollo Detailing, has been around for nearly two full seasons now. For the most part, we concentrate on paint correction. Paint correction, briefly, is the process by which defects, swirls, and scratches are removed from the paint.

This is an example of a panel that has received paint correction. Note the vast difference between the corrected and the uncorrected sides.






Here are a few examples of my work:


Picus & Holden_C04 - Polishing Perfection - Autopia.org

Apollo Detailing: 2007 Porsche Cayman S (35+ Photos) - Autopia.org

2006 Volkswagen GTI (56k = :hairpull) - Autopia.org

Apollo Detailing: Full Correction Imola Red '05 BMW 330ci ZHP - Autopia.org

Apollo Detailing: 14hr Correction! Black 2001 BMW 540i - Autopia.org



I hope to be a helpful contributor to this forum. Now, feel free to ask any question you like. I have yet to be stumped.

[Junior]

Salinger fan?

Welcome aboard.

[Higshemi]

Best way to get those really fine scratches out of my clear coat. Only visible at certain angles and certain lighting?

[Holden_Caulfield04]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Junior
	Salinger fan? Welcome aboard.

Indeed.

Thank you.

[Holden_Caulfield04]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Higshemi
	Best way to get those really fine scratches out of my clear coat. Only visible at certain angles and certain lighting?

What you are seeing are swirl marks. The only permanent way to remove them is to polish your paint.

There are two types of polishing, machine polishing and hand polishing.

Hand Polishing

This is the way most people start off. It's back-breaking work but it can be done and you can get serious results if you are extremely patient.

This is basically what is possible with hand polishing:


http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...oval-hand.html

Keep in mind, that is several passes over a single area. With this method, you may be able to perform a complete correction over 2-3 days.

This is a guide on how to perform hand polishing:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7011

Machine Polishing

This is the most effective and time efficient manner of polishing paint. There are two forms of machine polishing, D/A polishing and rotary polishing.

D/A Polishing

This is common among detailing enthusiasts because of its extra, built-in safety margin. Unlike a rotary polisher, a D/A buffer such as the Porter Cable will oscillate under pressure. This dramatically reduces the possibility of burning the paint or achieving a strike-through (removing the paint through to the primer).

The downside of this method of polishing, is its limited abilities. It is unable to burnish paint to achieve the highest gloss, and it has a much smaller motor. The smaller motor means it has difficulty cutting through hard paint, and repairing deeply marred surfaces.

Nevertheless, I recommend this method of polishing for beginners. Here is a great guide to read up on.

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=63859

Rotary Polishing

This machine has a much more powerful motor and needs to be treated with a tremendous amount of respect. It is recommended for professional use.

This machine is capable of leveling paint in seconds, and burnishing paint to a high gloss. Its' abilities are without equal. However, it is a much heavier machine and can be difficult to use on side panels. It also does not have the safety measures of the D/A polisher.

Here's a great rotary polishing guide:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=66024

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

[BuckeyeRT]

Welcome!
I think you will find many people here very passionate about detailing as well. This might be the finest collection of OCDers on the the Internet.

[BuckeyeRT]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Higshemi
	Best way to get those really fine scratches out of my clear coat. Only visible at certain angles and certain lighting?

2 great links to read up on
By DA: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2965
By Hand: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7011
Both by Mike Phillips @ Meguiar's

[marksw59]

While I can't say I share your apparently favorable opinion of Salinger or his most famous character, I do appreciate and look forward to any tips suggestions on detailing you might have.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum!

[bookeem]

Welcome Holden, i see your work all the time on Autopia,as im a O.C.Detailer myself..

Heres my latest battle with my O.C.D. lol

http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=127083

[Holden_Caulfield04]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by BuckeyeRT
	Welcome! I think you will find many people here very passionate about detailing as well. This might be the finest collection of OCDers on the the Internet.

That's very welcome news.

[Holden_Caulfield04]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by marksw59
	While I can't say I share your apparently favorable opinion of Salinger or his most famous character, I do appreciate and look forward to any tips suggestions on detailing you might have. Oh yeah, welcome to the forum!

Well, to be fair, I didn't come here to talk about a book.

And thank you!

	Quote:			Originally Posted by bookeem
	Welcome Holden, i see your work all the time on Autopia,as im a O.C.Detailer myself.. Heres my latest battle with my O.C.D. lol

Always nice to see another Autopian.

[imannmsrt8]

i would like to now how can i take out fine scraches out of my wheels

[Holden_Caulfield04]

	Quote:			Originally Posted by imannmsrt8
	i would like to now how can i take out fine scraches out of my wheels

You can try hand polishing them as shown in this guide but I can't guarantee perfection.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7011

[Holden_Caulfield04]

Good news! All the links are place.

[Spali32]

Talk to us about etched in waterspots?? I know alot of us bought our cars brand new to see a layer of etched waterspots on the top of the car. I tried alot of products by hand (white distilled vinegar, Low cut leveler, medium cut leveler) and nothing wants to get it off. I think I am stuck with this. Don't want to wet sand the clearcoat, I'll live with it.