car wash

[nadz325i]

hi all

ive got a diamond black sport, condition of paint is very good, no fades etc etc.

ive run out of car wash/shampoo, was using the megs nxt shampoo but was wondering if any of you guys can recommend another/maybe better one (if there is one? zymol?p21?).

also i have some (abot 4 5) tiny tiny drops of bird poo ( . ..like this)i think it is, i tried clay with the lube but its still stuck on there, whats the best way to get rid of them?

i have scratch x, clay bar, dc 1 2.

thanks.

[craigieeb]

zymol all the way, iv just came in from washing mine and it's come up realy nice mate, and it smells lovley too mmmmmmm banana nd coconut mmmmmmmm

and for the bird shite, warm water+the zymol will do the trick

[c76jon]

if you have tried the clay and lube and its not coming off you are not using the clay correctly

that is if it is bird crap

do you mean the actual crap or the etching mark that it has left in your paint??

john

[nadz325i]

first of all thanks for both replies, will take zymol into consideration infact will pick up form local halfrauds this weekend...

jon the marks are small . (dot .) on the bonnet, theres about 4-5 of them ,

one or two did come off with the clay but not easily, did circular and long/straight movements with the clay, i could definetley feel the lump . through the clay tho.

im sure there bird crap or maybe tree sap/bug/tar (sometimes have to park under trees on the road for uni ) but there strong, if i was to peel it off with my nail they would but no way im i gonna risk damaging/scrathing the paint work, not if i can use stuff like clay/scratch x etc correctly.

there is another place by the badge with some bird poo etching, how do i get rid of this?

all i can think of at the moment. hope it helps for a solution.

ill try getting some pics.

thanks.

p.s. thinking of buying zymol autowash? is this a proper zymol product or just halford based zymol? zymol autowash vs zymol clear?

[doug325i]

Get that bird crap off asap - will damage your paint otherwise.

That sounds like some tough stuff... You sure its not white paint?


Doug

[nadz325i]

its actually black dots . . might be some tree sap/tar crap, not white its comming of asap thoo

im thinking about buying this kit http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-sfxpol-kit.html its got very good reviews from the megs forum and what you get for the price is a bargain. but you have to purchase the tranformer for UK, will make polishing life more easier and quicker.

[craigieeb]

just buy yourself either a normal grinder or a 9ins grinder and get an attachment for it to work as a buffer, infact im sure you can buy a 'proper' buffer from the likes of motorfactors/hellfrauds etc etc
no need to go buying an american one as it's basicly just a grinder that you can get from B&Q for a fraction of the price mate

[c76jon]

hi
amazing bit of kit!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have had one nearly 4 years and its the best bit of kit i have ever bought ever!!!!

sonus has some good reviews tho i have some on the way to me to test i havent used it yet but it does look good
i may well use theior abrasives for surface prep and zaino for polish

yes i use a transformer its no real hassle
just cut usa plug off and put uk one on

you will not be dissapointed with it
the finish you can get with this is as good as it gets
as long as you use it and the correct pads correctly



this was done by a friend in florida using porter cable and zaino with 3M swirl mark remover for surface prep after clay



this black bonnet was done by me using porter cable with zaino ZPC after clay and one coat of ZAINO Z2 and one spray/wipe of Z8 GRAND FINALE SPRAY

it is possible if you select your products correctly to create a flawless finish and a really really wet look to your paint
secret is take your time and surface prep needs to be done properly and remove every blemish before topping off with your chosen finishing product

heres one of my car with surface prep with 3M swirl mark remover using porter cable after clay and 2 coats of Z2 pro ZAINO polish and spray/wipe with Z8 FINALE SPRAY
bear in mind this paint is 17 years old so the sky is your limit!!!



if you buy it and i can help just give me a shout ill help all i can

john

[c76jon]

just buy yourself either a normal grinder or a 9ins grinder and get an attachment for it to work as a buffer, infact im sure you can buy a 'proper' buffer from the likes of motorfactors/hellfrauds etc etc
no need to go buying an american one as it's basicly just a grinder that you can get from B&Q for a fraction of the price mate

this is not the case at all!!!

it is not just a grinder
it is not a grinder full stop

this bit of kit spins off centre unlike a grinder and a bodyshop mop

if it spins staionary ie remains in the same place when applied to paint surface then masses of heat is produced in one spot and unless you are very very good with a mop then you can cause some disatorous results.even if u dont go to primer you can put masses of swirl marks into your paint

the porter cable not only spins and has an amazing control of speed ie its very finely adjustable it spins off centre so the pad is not stuck in the same place ie offsetting the heat build up.

also the choice of pad and size is important

you work up your grades of pad much as you would do if you were sanding.ie more abrasive to non abrasive as you apply your final product.
i use this for everything
this allows you to apply products far more evnly and with detailing and any product on paint LESS IS MORE and with the finishing pads you can a really really fine covering which you cannot replicate by hand

john

[craigieeb]

i understand what your saying john, but can you not get one from here rather than getting it from the states, im sure iv seen just a normal grinder used with the pads on and it also spun off center, and the result was amasing no swurling in the paint or anything

[c76jon]

iam not gunna say you cant because i dont know for absolute sure but i reserarched it a lot when i boght mine which i did when i was in states

all the top detailing guys in states use them and all the accesories that are made are made for the portercable ie backing plates remembering they have all imperial fittings and ours are metric and the amount of pressure needed to be used with it to flex pads and backing plate for contours take into consideration of weight of porter cable

i have a mop ie static spina nd its enormous!! another good thing is its size

maybe dewalt or someone similar makes one but porter cable is a very very high quality brand and because its not made here guess what........its not likely to break down!!!

i personally think its worth it even with the 110v issue tho i had a transformer anyway so that wassnt an issue.

yes you can get results with other bits of kit but with some the skill needed is high and for the home user/amature detailer starting to move into serious car prep it realkly is a "safer" way to try out serious paint prep.

john

[nadz325i]

wow your m3 is gorgeous, excellent results, i would love those on my sport infact i dont think it would be that hard to get them, the paint work on my sport in my opinion very good, comes up a treat when ive just washed it using nxt..

my car is a daily driver, use it to commute to uni and round here and there.. with those results and british weather would be a shame but i wont let that stop me because it will protect at the same time as well as make it looking top.

jon i want to go ahead with the porter cable kit, can you recommend what what to buy, the pads bit confuse me sfx vs das?? i will be looking to order this within the next 2 weeks..

..