How do I do a light machine polish?

[Pitts Pilot]

I have a metallic black SL350 that was machine polished by MB Reading when I bought it 6 months ago.

Over that time it was taken to a hand car wash once. My mistake; completely stupid thing to do, just didn’t think about the barrels of dirty water they would wash the car with

Since then I have tried to get up to speed (using this forum) and learn the previously unknown art of “Detailing”. I’ve been washing my car myself using a jet spray then the two bucket method, microfibre mitts, drying towels, etc.

This brings me to my question. The car has got a few very light swirl marks but is still looking pretty good since its polish. However, I would like to do a gentle polish back to the mirror finish it first had, but I need some help.

a) What orbital machine and accessories should I buy for use as a novice? (I’ve found a special offer on a Kestrel DAS 6 Dual Action Polisher @ £75. Would this be suitable?)

b) What products and pads to use?

c) Do I need to clay bar the car before polishing?

d) How often can one do a light polish before you are in danger of removing too much paint?

Thanks for your help

PS. I am going to ‘practise’ on a light blue Renault Laguna first. It’s 10 years old and has some serious swirl marks, so I would be grateful for your advice on different pads and compounds.
Thank you

 

[Dr-Nab]

Hello Robert, sorry to hear that your SL has been butchered a bit by the local hand car wash types!

Practising on another car is always a great way to refine your skills.

I'm no expert by any means compared to the guys who post their work on here but have picked up quite a bit from looking around here and detailing world forums.

So my answers to your questions would be:

a) The Kestrel machine is a good choice, great value for what it does. I got a good deal on a Meguiars G220v2 and have been impressed with how it works. Many clips on youtube on how to use machine polishers but practise makes perfect!

b) products - Pad wise, I use Lake Country CCS pads Lake Country - CCS Technology or Lake Country CCS 6.5" Foam Buffing Pads I use the yellow pads for deeper swirls/marring and the white pads for lighter swirls. Polish/cutting compounds - for the heavier swirls using the yellow pads I use 3m fast cut plus compound 3M Perfect-it III Fast Cut Plus Compound #50417 and for the lighter stuff on the white pad I use Dodo Juice Lime Prime Dodo Juice Lime Prime Pre-wax Cleanser Glaze with mirco-abrasives 250ml

c) yes you would need to clay and de-tar the car as best you can (de tarring Trix is good for this - CarPro Trix 600ml Spray) Clay - something as simple as the meg's quick clay kit will do the job Meguiar's Quik Clay Detailing System Kit - Buy online from i4detailing.co.uk

d) light polishing or any machine polishing I'd not do it more than twice a year, too much polishing will cut the clear coat down and ruin the paint anyway, usually just once a year and maintaining it well will keep the paint looking great

Hope that helps a little, there will be others who have their views/methods but I've found that what I have learned works pretty well but again is nothing compared to how the pro's do it.

Nab

 

[adam87]

^^Great reply!


Make sure you go over to A world for detailers... if you haven't done so already and have look around there, but be warned it could a few days if not weeks to absorb all the information and its addictive!

 

[Chrishazle]

Megs clay is expensive, especially as they say use QD spray as lubricant! Go for Bilt Hamber clay - water as lubricant, and use 1/4 of the bar - that will do windows, then car, then wheels before you have to bin it (unless you drop it on the ground - in which case bin it immediately!).

I have a DAS6, had never used a DA before, found it easy to use and a great labour saver! However, it does not "polish off" so you still need a supply of microfibre cloths and elbow grease!

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Hope that helps a little

That's extremely helpful, thank you

I'll get ordering the kit!

Cheers - Rob

 

[300CE]

Hi Robert, top advice from the chaps above - i have a Kestrel DAS6 and machine polished mine for the first time last year - i've attached a copy of the thread for you:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/detailing/111702-started-clean-300ce.html

Once i finished polishing, i used a Meguiars NXT Detailer to remove any residue that remained. I bought some microfibre towels off of eBay (these are a good price):

MICROFIBRE CLEANING CLOTHS 10 LARGE 16"X16" CLOTHS IDEAL FOR HOME,CAR,GARDEN USE | eBay

There are plenty of options for wax, i'm currently using Dodo Juice Blue Velvet as i have a dark coloured car. I find it really easy to apply and buff off - and it smells like Hubba Bubba!!