Paintwork detail
 

Well it has taken me over 3 years of scoob ownership to realise that I know absolutely bugger all about how to look after car paintwork. I wash my car with a sponge most weekends and treat it to a wax every few months, it can think it's self lucky it gets that :D Surprisingly the paint is in pretty good condition but I have noticed swirl marks recently.

So....I have 2 questions:

1. Is it now too late in the year to do a full paintwork detail on the car? would I be better off waiting until early next year?

2. If not is there anyone willing to give me a hand for a few beer tokens? Preferably someone with the stuff needed, I don't mind buying car wash or waxes etc but I wouldn't know a snow foam lance if it bit me on the arse :D

I always do a big one about now and get a good few coats of wax on for the winter, then do another big one about march.

Going to be undertaking the same job on mine for the first time in my ownership, got all the gear apart from the orbital polisher, looking to borrow one off a mate.
Been watching loads of videos on YouTube about it, seem to be quite helpfull

screw that, I just used elbow grease !!!
did take me a whole day though

Careful with orbital - much better off with a DA polisher, less chance of 'burning' the paint

I'm back from Portsmouth in a week if you can hold on I'll come down and give you a gOod few hours hand helping you out buddy

Ok, ta for the tip, quite nervous about doing it in case something like that happens

2nd best time of year to do it dude! Mainly because some of the summer heat has gone and its cloudy most of the time so it virtually stops any of the polish or residue baking and staining the paint.

Depends what you want to do paint wise, you can fill the swirls and scratches and itll give the car great protection over the winter period (about 6 months) or you can get rid of them completly. In my opinion it would be best just to fill them mainly because of all the salt and grit on the road even with the most carefull of washing some of it will eat into the paint and youll have to do it all over again when the winters over.

As andy-m says you can use elbow grease but itll take you virtually an eternaty and you wont be able to cut the paint enough to get rid of all the swirls and scratches, You can pick up a DA very cheap and itll last for years but also give you a better finish.

Up to you at the end of the day dude, a simple fill, polish and protect will last you well over winter and give you a good base to start off with next year :ok:

Do it on the lower speeds mate to get a feel for it, the pads normally "explode" before thy start to burn through the paint, better to add more polish to the pad than more paint to the car.

Andy WRX knows his stuff, he's worked mine before

Thanks all, brilliant advice! I'l make sure I check out you tube.

I'l stick up some before and after photos.

Agreed, that dude knows his stuff! Thanks Andy

Amazing, that would be awesome mate, no rush. I'l send you a PM :ok:

Once its done, might be worth ording some bits to keep up the finish as long as possible, the maxi suds is really good shampoo and wont strip the wax, and the petes53 is a great long lasting wax thats easy to apply in the colder weather.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washin.../prod_165.html

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/wax/ch.../prod_337.html

Never seen that site before, some awesome stuff! Thanks again Andy

Good site that. I could spend a fortune!!

www.detailingworld.co.uk › ... › Technical › Detailing Guide

Check out D A polishing from their website- 3rd sticky down. :ok:

Will need to click on detailing guide. :smile:

Hi guy! Sorry, only just seeing this thread from a sunbed in Portugal!

If you haven't got things sorted yet and can wait until I get back from my hols next week, you could always bring it over to my factory one Saturday for a session?

Steve :ok:

Portugal- lucky bastard :lol:

Cheers mate your a gent, i'l let ypu know though as mylilscooby may be giving me a hand. I'l let you know though dude :ok:

It's Fookin hot too! Apparently it's Portugese air thats going to cause the heatwave at the end of the week, Just in time for me coming home too :cool:

No problem fella! :ok:

Give me a shout if you need any further help, I'm sureyou have got it sorted though :nod:

Could we make that a "Group" session Steve?

Not really unfortunately Mate! With paint correction it's hard to estimate times, it's pretty much one car a day job, if you get done quicker you can spend time on your own car! Could perhaps sort something out with yourself if you wanted:ok: