[TheNforcer]

Spent my day off yesterday washing, troubleshooting dead-misfires after cleaning the engine, claying, getting friendly with my new Flex and all 3 Chemical Guys Compounds and polishes (V34, V36, V38, then waxing with CG 50/50.

I must say, I am very impressed with how she came out. Granted, it's an 8 year old car that was owned by atleast one guy that had no idea what the **** he was doing with soap and a wash mit, yet alone proper cleaning of a black car, and didn't know how to drive by anyway other than feel (dings and scrapes all over front and rear bumpers).

And I am very impressed with the Flex, wonderful machine and worth every penny.

[Truck Driver]

My car is black, 8 years old and has never had a buffer used on it, It has some swirls that are only visible in full sun. I'd really like to not have those swirls, but as far as I know I have ceramic clear coat. Is the process for buffing them out radically different than it is with a normal clear? I guess my question is, when I decide to have it detailed, should I be seeking out someone who has experience dealing with cermiclear finish?

[Etfren]

Mmmmm, just got my order for more detailing supplies. Fresh new microfibers are the best! Plus I just happened to order it all on the last day of their Labor day sale so I got 15% off (which basically just covered shipping) and some free goodies.

I know what I'm doing this weekend!

[Alan777]

Originally Posted by Truck Driver

My car is black, 8 years old and has never had a buffer used on it, It has some swirls that are only visible in full sun. I'd really like to not have those swirls, but as far as I know I have ceramic clear coat. Is the process for buffing them out radically different than it is with a normal clear? I guess my question is, when I decide to have it detailed, should I be seeking out someone who has experience dealing with ceramic finish?

What kind of car? Ceramic usually takes longer to correct, but there's products designed for ceramic clears (Menzerna)

[Truck Driver]

S-500, my biggest fear is that I might go somewhere, and have them do it and end up with either holograms all over or have my shine be gone

[Alan777]

It can definitely be hard to find a reputable shop. I'd ask if they have experience with ceramics. If they ask what a ceramic is, or say no I'd avoid going there. I'd ask about their buffing process, what products they use and what they charge.

[Truck Driver]

What kind of answers should I be looking for, I don't really have any knowledge of the actual process or "high end" products.

[Alan777]

WHen you correct paint you compound to get rid of the heavy stuff, then polish to remove swirls and give the paint it's shine. Menzerna makes products that are designed for ceramics, although other brand products can be used with success.

You buff ceramic clears the same way, it usually just takes more work because the clear is much harder. You want to make sure the products they use don't have "fillers." Some brands/products use fillers to hide the swirls instead of actually removing them. A lot of dealerships and bad detail shops use these products

[Truck Driver]

Awesome, thanks for the help.

[atomicbadgerman]

Makita polisher 'died' today. The trigger switch sticks in the on position. Local tool shop will replace it for $30, but can't have it done until next week. Meanwhile, I had to buy a harbor freight POS polisher/sander because I've got nearly 10 cars waiting for correction.

That being said, it's not a bad polisher. It's loud. Like...****ing loud. You can definitely tell the difference between a brushed/brushless motor on these things. Also, if you're looking for a buffer...splurge on a nice one, like a makita. I've been using this one nearly daily for 4 years, and this is the first problem I've had with it, and it's a pretty minor thing.

[razz]

how do you not have back problems? i detail just my own car and being hunched over for a couple of hours kills me. i could not imagine doing that daily

[atomicbadgerman]

I use a chair. The only thing I hunch over to do is the hood, really. Doing it daily is a labor of love lol. I can't lie and say my back hasn't been stiff after 8 hours of buffing, though.

[Alan777]

My back gets sore a lot when I buff

[TheNforcer]

Flex...

...Alan knows what I'm talkin bout, lol.

[Alan777]

Has anyone ever dealt with the polished aluminum trim on the exterior of audi's?

I have an 04 Audi A4 in and the polished aluminum trim around the windshield is really bad, it has a ton of water spots. I've tried Menzerna IP, and metal polish, but nothing is removing the spots. Any reccomendations?

[peacob]

Originally Posted by Alan777

Has anyone ever dealt with the polished aluminum trim on the exterior of audi's?

I have an 04 Audi A4 in and the polished aluminum trim around the windshield is really bad, it has a ton of water spots. I've tried Menzerna IP, and metal polish, but nothing is removing the spots. Any reccomendations?

I'm assuming you have the 3.0 since you have the polished trim, i'm just not sure what you mean by around the windshield? If you meant the windows, Just buy matt black dinoc or vinyl tape and tape over it. It would look a lot cleaner.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Y-(INEXPENSIVE)

[atomicbadgerman]

Originally Posted by Alan777

Has anyone ever dealt with the polished aluminum trim on the exterior of audi's?

I have an 04 Audi A4 in and the polished aluminum trim around the windshield is really bad, it has a ton of water spots. I've tried Menzerna IP, and metal polish, but nothing is removing the spots. Any reccomendations?

Petroleum based water-spot remover and a coarse towel.

[Alan777]

It's a 1.8t vert. There's brushed aluminum trim around the windshield, not the windows. Not my car, it's my uncles.

Thanks atomic I'll try that

for example :

[peacob]

Originally Posted by Alan777

It's a 1.8t vert. There's brushed aluminum trim around the windshield, not the windows. Not my car, it's my uncles.

Thanks atomic I'll try that

for example :

ahh didnt even think about a cabby

[TheNforcer]

I'm not sure if the Cabby's are different than say the trim around a sedan side windows, but when I detailed my exterior I ran over that trim with my medium cut compound and they cleaned up nicely.

Now, I also did the same thing on my brushed aluminum mirror caps, and it did jack ****, but they're pretty beat anyway.

[atomicbadgerman]

water spot remover work alan?