MK5 Golf GTI
General => Detailing => Topic started by: GTiBEER on April 03, 2011, 06:12:42 pm
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Hi all, I have just started getting into detailing my car after being an avid clean freak I have realised how poor my paintwork really is. I have used claybars/wax and got the surface really smooth. I really think it is more glossy than i have ever seen her in the past 6 months but she is not quite there. Still lots of swirl marks and those horrible little scrathces that wont buff out by hand.
My question is 'can I borrow anyone's polisher'?
Having a look on some of of the detailing forums it looks like i need a 'random orbital buffer' because it is less likely to cause damage for a newbie like me. I get the whole concept and would like to try it out before actually purchasing one.
If anyone is near the Guildford/Woking area I would be very appreciative of the good nature but I understand if everyone thinks im a bit cheeky, just say so.
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Have you thought about investing in one?
clicky (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/dodo-juice-buff-daddy-dual-action-polisher-and-free-pads.php?cPath=71&osCsid=4f617193f91ef9f9562c6e62f84deda7)
clicky (http://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/kestrel-das-6-menzerna-polishing-kit.php?cPath=71&osCsid=4f617193f91ef9f9562c6e62f84deda7)
A dual-action polisher is what you mean. Can be bought reasonably cheaply and great for beginners.
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Hmmm not a bad price really. I just wanted to try before I buy but the easiest way would be to invest hey :happy2:
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If you have the space and time to polish a car, then it's worth buying your own. Even if it's just a finishing pad and minimally abrasive polish, you can get a nice finish. If you don't, it'd be better to get it done professionally.
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If you have the space and time to polish a car, then it's worth buying your own. Even if it's just a finishing pad and minimally abrasive polish, you can get a nice finish. If you don't, it'd be better to get it done professionally.
You say if you have the space - do you mean a garage ?
I was thinking of buying one myself, but I don't have a garage. Can you use outside when there's decent weather ?
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If you live on a main road, it'd be more difficult, though not impossible.
A drive way is gonna be better and means you can work around the car.
A large enough garage means you are protected from environmental dust etc which is important in paintwork correction.
When I used to live down south, I used to polish my car around the back of the maisonette. I lived on the ground floor and had access to the garage next to it. There wasn't much in the way of vegetation and the area was well protected from the main road so it was ideal for machining.
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If you have the space and time to polish a car, then it's worth buying your own. Even if it's just a finishing pad and minimally abrasive polish, you can get a nice finish. If you don't, it'd be better to get it done professionally.
You say if you have the space - do you mean a garage ?
I was thinking of buying one myself, but I don't have a garage. Can you use outside when there's decent weather ?
Yeah I have the space but it is surrounded by horse fields with no roads, which im guessing if it is sunny and not windy should be as good as it gets (unless you have a double garage with sunlight strips everywhere)?
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popular idea is going halfers (50/50) with someone else share the cost.
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popular idea is going halfers (50/50) with someone else share the cost.
Im going halves with my old man now. good idea sharing the cost as you will not use it that much in a year really will you!
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been thinking about this more and more.
i wont be able to afford a pro detail on either mine or my gf's golfs so its def an investment i could make.
but i need to watch youtube/detailing world and pester some knowledgeable guys on here into teaching me......stealth??? :drinking: lol
so where does one learn to do this without ruining the car..altho my sons old clio will be the ginny piggy then the gf's which needs serious help, and then the mk5,if and only if i like the results i,m getting.
thanks OP for making me re think this whole thing!
matsu
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theres another thread about a poss group buy for the kestrel mate....
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27180.0.html
if u and dad wanna jump in....???
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i wont be able to afford a pro detail on either mine or my gf's golfs so its def an investment i could make.
An enhancement would be around £150 mark. It's paintwork correction that's expensive as it takes the most time and money.
but i need to watch youtube/detailing world and pester some knowledgeable guys on here into teaching me......stealth??? :drinking: lol
I wouldn't mind going over a few things with you but TBH you're best getting the knowledge you need from a professional. I lack the experience that they have. Some of the detailing companies do sessions - in fact I think one of them has one next week (but I cannot find the thread at the mo) - this would be far more beneficial as you get to play with all of the detailing equipment on scrap metal/test vehicles etc which is exactly what you want.
altho my sons old clio will be the ginny piggy then the gf's which needs serious help, and then the mk5,if and only if i like the results i,m getting.
thanks OP for making me re think this whole thing!
I started pretty much everything on the Golf GTI. I had ago at 2BM wash and claying on my old car, but it was the GTI where I started really getting into things.
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what sorta basic shopping list would i need mate.. i think i,m gonna have a play with a das pro on some old bangers and then get some lessons like you say.
thanks buddy
matsu
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what sorta basic shopping list would i need mate
Depends on what you have!
I presume you already know how to wash a car with 2BM and clay it. I also assume you have a glazing agent/sealant/wax.
I'd go polisher + pads + polishes - you can buy these in various packs/deals so you don't have to hunt around.
3M blue tape and lots of it. Maybe two rolls. You need to tape off bits like rubber trim etc.
Extension cord for polisher.
Some quick detailer spray - to moisten the pad so the polish doesn't dry out.
Optional:
- smaller backing plate and pads for those trickier/smaller areas like boot lip.
- IPA so you can mix it with water and wipe down the paintwork to remove polish residue.
Can't think of anything else at the moment.
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And read this guide: click (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,308.0.html)
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thanks mate
ill take a look and list what i have already and then perhaps you can bung them in order of preference or to bin them lol.
yep this is looking expensive already lol
thanks mate.
it will be over wkend tho.
cheers
matsu
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ok here is the shopping list i just puurr-chased
DAS-6 Dual Action Polisher - Menzerna Kit-
1 x 250ml - Menzerna Power Gloss (S100) Cut 5.0 Gloss 1.0
1 x 250ml - Menzerna Power Finish (PO203S) Cut 3.5 Gloss 3.0
1 2 x Menzerna Compounding Pads (5")
2 x Menzerna Polishing Pads (5")
2 x Menzerna Finishing Pads (5")
x 250ml -Menzerna Super Finish (PO106FA) Cut 2.5 Gloss 5.0
CleanYourCar - Fluffier 24" x 16" Towels Pkg/2
3M 3434 Masking Tape
Width - 25mm
Isopropanol Alcohol (IPA) 500ml
Chemical Guys - Synthetic Quick Detailer
Dodo Juice - Purple Haze (30ml)
Stoner Tarminator
Ultimate Ultra-Plush Buffing Cloth 16" x 16"
Clay Magic Perfect Finish Kit (100g clay)
i also have at home some AG bits and lusso oro wax and also the FinishKare 1000P and some poorboys swirl remover and odds and sods.
so i wash/clay.de-tar...........wash again.......
and over to stealth lol :drinking: :ashamed:
matsu
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ok here is the shopping list i just puurr-chased
Nice list! :happy2:
Biggest help you could do is hang around on detailingworld. Use the search engine and search for your products - you'll see pics and how-tos of other people using them. I always go on to DW the night before I do any details. It helps focus my mind when I get up in the morning.
If you have a prerinse/snowfoam, start off with this. Otherwise, start off with 2BM wash and rinse.
I'd wash the wheels at this point too if you haven't already - wash, dry and seal. Can be clayed and polished before sealing.
Use the tarminator to remove tar spots.
Clay the car, rinse down and dry.
Tape up all of the bits where the polish could get caught, or where it could drag dirt out on to the panel. This means places like window seals, top of the windscreen, headlights and rear lights, badges etc
Mentally divide each panel into something like 12"x12" square. Quick spritz of QD on pad. Apply four pea sized spots of polish on the pad. Apply to car and start the machine on the lowest speed. First time you want to spread the polish over that region. Then you slowly work it up. That guide on DW is immense. Ideally you need to assess the paintwork regularly, but there's no reason why you can't start with say a finishing pad and super finish polish and just work that over the car. It'll give you a feel for how to use the polisher and it'll do minimal damage if anything.
Wipe down the panels with IPA to remove the residue. Remember to polish all of those bits you can't do with a pad like the front of the car.
Take off the tape and make sure there's no polish residue trapped anywhere. Now's a good time to do stuff like windows, trims etc.
Apply your glaze/LSP. LSP - you can use jetseal or lusso or purple haze, then buff.
Remember to take pics before and after to show us your handiwork.
Honestly matsu, it isn't horrendously difficult - you just need to give it a bash. You'll figure things out like making sure the cable is over your shoulder and not touching the paintwork, keeping the pad moist, how hard to press and how slowly to move the pad. There's videos on youtube too.
Remember, there's loads of people on here who are into detailing and have the time and space to put the effort in. I'm just a beginner! :signLOL:
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thats awesome and why i asked you, i think you have consistently been one of the most helpful and enthusiastic dudes on here and this thread confirms what i think!
cheers mate
i really appreciate all the input.
my sons clio wont know whats hit it next week lol.
then the GF's mk4 anni which is the real prob car-awful paintwork but it has done 110k.
and ill take some pics,mostly to embarrass myself but id#f it could help the next newbie numpty then ill be glad to do it!
big fanx stealth!
matsu
one last thing do i hand buff(ooo-er) the wax at end or evwentually can i machine buff it....but then will i need diff pads?
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I'd stick with hand buffing. You need a microfibre buffing bonnet to put on the pad, or a finishing pad that doesn't get used for anything else.