| Author |
Message |
P. Thomas (Ferrari_fanatic)
Member
Username: Ferrari_fanatic
Post Number: 494
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 5:05 pm: | |
Always apply and remove product in a straght linear motion. Do not do circles. The circular motion in it self will always cause swirling.
Think of it this way: Anytime you apply friction to your paint you are causing tiny micro-scrathes. The goal is to keep the "lines" going the same direction. Without seeing the paint it is tough to say, but stick to that rule as if it is lore.
Best of luck.
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Jim Hilton (Colo348)
New member
Username: Colo348
Post Number: 43
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2003 - 4:56 pm: | |
Michael,
Talk about a can of worms, but I'll jump-in. Here's a method I use on my Ferrari as well as several of my Ferrari and BMW friends. This method really works to get your finish in good shape. I know that everyone has their own secret way to keep their Ferrari finish in good shape so take this for what its worth.
1. Dawn dish soap to wash and strip the wax/polish. Use sheepskin mitt.
2. Synthetic shammy to remove most of the water after washing.
3. Use special drying synthetic towel (Griot's Garage has them http://www.griotsgarage.com/index.jsp), not to add scratches.
4. Use special clay + distilled water
to remove pollutants.
5. Micro Fiber cloth to remove clay film.
6. Machine 3 polish (Griot's) very fine rubbing compound to remove swirls and fine scratches. Orbital polisher best.
7. Use synthetic Micro fiber cloth to remove polish.
8. Zaino polish plus activator (I use non-clear coat polish). Let set for about 1 hour.
9. Remove polish with orbital polisher or synthetic micro fiber cloths.
10. Dust cover.
This seems like a lot of steps, but if you do not monitor your products, how they are applied and removed then you just keep adding or redistributing swirls and scratches.
Good luck,
Jim Hilton |
James Christian (Jimc)
Junior Member
Username: Jimc
Post Number: 61
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 9:15 pm: | |
Thomas: Thanks for the Kudos! |
James Christian (Jimc)
Junior Member
Username: Jimc
Post Number: 60
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 9:12 pm: | |
Paul:
It seems to be a "hit & miss" as to just who carries the products or not. When you visit, call around before venturing out. I've had good luck finding the Meguiars "Gold Class" at Kragen Auto Parts and Napa auto. The Meguiars "Show Car Glaze #7" is part of their professional line and comes in a tan bottle. It's a bit harder to find, but I've had good luck at Kragens.
Another product I like is called "Quick Detail" It's also sold in the professional line under the name "Final Inspection #34." This is a spray-on product to wipe down your car before a show or whatever. It takes the dust off and leaves a nice shine. Beware: The two products are identical and you will pay more for the Final Inspection. I called and hassled a Meguiars rep. over this fact. I could not get him to tell me the stuff was the same, but he finally justified the difference in packaging and price to market distribution. Whatever...
Cheers! |
Paul Jeffery (Peajay)
Junior Member
Username: Peajay
Post Number: 107
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 6:02 am: | |
James I live in Europe and will be in the US for a trip soon. Are there any well known stores that stock the products you mention ? |
Thomas I (Wax)
New member
Username: Wax
Post Number: 26
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 3:15 am: | |
James Christian - that baby shines on overcast days so much it looks like it could part clouds. |
Verell Boaen (Verell)
Intermediate Member
Username: Verell
Post Number: 1036
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 03, 2003 - 9:15 pm: | |
Mark,
I like the 3M machine glaze w/their buffing pad. Use it with a Craftsman DA air sander.
Then follow it up with RainX wax. Easiest on/off by hand. Then buff with a terry on top of foam w/same DA air sander. Forget liquid, it's like looking into deep red glass when done!
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James Christian (Jimc)
Junior Member
Username: Jimc
Post Number: 59
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 10:53 pm: | |
Dave,
I knew someone would comment about that! I'll make sure to update the photo after this years Monterey event- with the hatch closed! |
dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 1445
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 9:42 pm: | |
James,
looked at the photo, very nice. BTW, you left the engine lid unlatched... :-) |
dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 1444
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 9:42 pm: | |
James,
I agree, first time I used the Zymol cleaner wax on my 308, I had three people come up and ask what I used. When someone found out I used the Zymol cleaner wax from the mass merchant store, they told me that it was made on "contract" by Turtle Wax...who cares? The results proved it was awesome. Some folks are just impressed with fancy packages and expensive prices... |
James Christian (Jimc)
Junior Member
Username: Jimc
Post Number: 58
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 8:59 pm: | |
Has anyone tried Meguires "Show Car Glaze" (in the tan bottle) followed by Meguires "Gold Class Wax?"
I recently purchased an orbital polisher and use it to apply the glaze and then apply the wax by hand.
I simply cannot believe the results. The car looks wet when dry! Consumer based car care products are really becoming top-notch! Although it's not a close up, check out the photo in my profile.
Cheers! |
Thomas I (Wax)
New member
Username: Wax
Post Number: 12
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 7:04 pm: | |
The trick with Zymol cleaner wax comes *after* it has been used on a clean, *dry* surface.
Mist the surface with some water from a spray bottle, buff it out. The water *sets* the finish.
Warning: Results could cause jaws to drop. |
dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 1426
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 6:28 pm: | |
Jim,
I too am a big fan of the Zymol cleaner wax. Has a very mild polishing agent (finely ground peanut shells I think) and works wonders. Was very highly rated by Consumers Reports a few years ago, and is available at every Target, Walmart, Pep Boys, Schucks/Kragen/Checker. Heck, even Costco.
I am still using up some big bucks Zymol Ital wax, but will go back to their cheaper cleaner wax as soon as this stuff is gone. |
Jim Avery (Boxer12)
Junior Member
Username: Boxer12
Post Number: 91
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 6:22 pm: | |
Did you try Zymol cleaner wax? It worked for me. Must rub back and forth, not in circular motion. |
Mark Foley (Sparky)
Junior Member
Username: Sparky
Post Number: 68
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 3:29 pm: | |
For a quick job try Meguires scratch X.
It comes in a tube & goes on by hand.
It worked pretty good for me on a black car.
Mark |
Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Member
Username: Mcharness
Post Number: 792
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 11:57 am: | |
You have two choices... either fill the swirl marks with a glaze if you can, or you polish them out.
My personal preference, if you haven't done it in a long while, is to use Griot's MP-III but BY HAND to polish out the swirl marks. I do have a Porter-Cable from Griot's, but I only use it on large flat panels, and only rarely.
Then use Zaino or Finish First as your polymer-sealant.
www.fca-se.org/concours.htm
|
Mike Florio (Mike_in_nevada)
New member
Username: Mike_in_nevada
Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 10:34 am: | |
My vote is for Girot's Garage Machine Polish III, and a low speed orbital polisher. I make up my own pads out of old, very soft 100% cotton towels.
MP III is so fine I even use it on my plastic eyeglass lenses! |
J R K (Kenyon)
Member
Username: Kenyon
Post Number: 573
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 10:34 am: | |
I use turtlewax colour (red) and then you use autoglym polish and final the 3m hand glaze. The turtlewax colour removes the swirl marks and small light scatches. I recommend it... |
Mark (Markg)
Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 557
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 10:14 am: | |
3M Perfect-III seems to work also, used it on my car with cheap buffer and correct 3M pads (pads cost more then the buffer) - worked OK but sure that with a $200 Porter Cable orbital sander it would work great. |
Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member
Username: Dom
Post Number: 339
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 9:46 am: | |
I also use a porter cable buffer (PC 7336). For swirl removal Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polisher (#83 I think) works great. You need to mail order it from Meguiars.com.
After swirls are removed, cover with wax or sealant of your choice.
Check out www.autopia.org for info on making your car look nice.
Dom |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 725
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 8:56 am: | |
I use MaGuires' swirl remover and an electic buffer by Porter Cable. It is actually an electric sander. Body shops use them. Works for me on a black car. Just be careful where there is little surface area like on a ridge.
I also use sander to apply and remove wax. Been doing it for 10 years on all my vehicles. |
Bruce Wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bws88tr
Post Number: 2493
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 8:52 am: | |
MICHAEL
I USE 3M HAND GLAZE, IT COMES IN A GREY BOTTLE,AND IT WORKS GREAT..IT COSTS ABOUT 9-10.OO
BRUCE |
Michael Calvo (Capt)
New member
Username: Capt
Post Number: 29
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 8:44 am: | |
Folks,
I've been experimenting with several different waxes and polymer coatings (Zaino and Zymol) and have yet to see any of them make swirl marks really dissapear. In talking with several auto body guys I'm coming to the conclusion that the only real way to get rid of imperfections in your clear coat is to polish them out.
Do you folks agree?
What are you people using to removing swirl marks and fine scratches?
-Michael |