"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
07/08/2018 at 20:11 • Filed to: Oppohelp
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"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390)
07/08/2018 at 20:11 • Filed to: Oppohelp | 2
| 13 |
I have a compulsive need to try and get a showcar, borderline concours finish for my daily driver Mustang.
Grabber Blue is my favorite blue, but it hit me today that it’s got one horrendous flaw as a daily driver: When swirl free and polished up it looks absolutely stunning. But because it’s non-metallic, there’s absolutely nothing to hide the lightest of swirls and scratches
These are the swirls and scratches that drive me crazy and make me think I’m driving a hoopty; even if the car looks better than pretty much every mundane commuter car on a given day.
What happens is the lighter and more visible marks hide deeper and more numerous swirls and scratches and it’d take multiple passes with my DA to get them out, unless I burn through the clear then I’ve got a whole other problem.
Honestly, this is because of my overly critical nature of taking everything and anything I do too seriously. I think of my cars as an extension of myself (image, value, happiness): if my car looks like crap, I’m probably crap for some reason. But there’s no way a car that sees all seasons, road debris and freeways regularly will ever be perfect. Yet I strive to get as close as possible.
Unfortunately, corporate america (again) is so draining, I can’t find the time or energy to spend a couple hours and do a full paint correction and de ta il, and that makes me sad. I just cannot find my compromise.
Stephenson Valve Gear
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/08/2018 at 21:18 |
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I don’t have quite the same compulsion to keep my Mustang’s paint perfect as it seems you do, but I can still relate to it. Although I don’t daily mine, I bought it primarily for fun driving and road trips and the paint definitely takes a beating on the long trips. I do my best to clean it up in between, but the little chips in the paint from semi trucks kicking up gravel just grate on my nerves. I just keep telling myself that the imperfections are part of the cost of truly enjoying the car... and there are even days that I sort of believe it. But they still bother me to some degree.
I rarely put my plain old Mustang in a car show, but there is a local cruise-in that I attend from time to time. I usually put this sign on my dash just for fun :
M.T. Blake
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/08/2018 at 21:19 |
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Your job is draining your life away. Quickly; take off all your clothes and run into the nearest forest. Learn to live off the land and forage for food! Fashion spears from hickory with tips of obsidian. Eat the beating hearts of wild boar that you kill. Then and only then may you understand mans need to be rid of the corporate chains. With your new skills, return from the wild and challenge your boss to a fight to the death.
KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/08/2018 at 21:19 |
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As much as you wan’t to be constantly obsessed over this, take it from the owner of a black car. Unless you do this shit professionally and have your own business to take the time to do it , or a rich retiree with a weekend car and lots of free time, take it easy with any car that is a daily driver. Once or twice a year is fine. 85 % is good enough.
My car is pristine for about 10 mins max now matter how much I clean it. I have given up on swirls and minor scratches completely. I would get it professionally corrected once every other year but otherwise there is only so much you can do to a DAILY driver.
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> M.T. Blake
07/08/2018 at 21:25 |
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Now see, I am insane and crazy, but not that mental, thank god....I haven’t even had the chance to finish my nether portal and slay the ender dragon.
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M.T. Blake
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/08/2018 at 21:31 |
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You’ll get there.
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
07/08/2018 at 21:35 |
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The question is, what is “85%”? That number can vary for literally everyone and anyone. And I don’t have a gauge or reference for it.
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> Stephenson Valve Gear
07/08/2018 at 21:38 |
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It’s only with the modern cars I’ve owned this has been a problem. Any classic, I just make it look better than when I bought it and call it good (patina is my excuse) . Is that strange? I mean if you look at mine in person, it obviously looks well taken care of, but to me it’ll always look like a barn find until I get it to where I want it to be.
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KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/08/2018 at 21:43 |
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Concurs level Show car finish is 11 0%. minor swirls present are 85% IMO. A good wash clay and light polishing with a cleaning wax/ sealant t p opped off with a carnauba wa s pl us waxed wheels and cleaned tires is good enough for me.
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
07/08/2018 at 21:55 |
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Then I guess I’m at 70-75%? Could be wrong though.
Jayhawk Jake
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/09/2018 at 08:17 |
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You should really be careful to not overdo it.
Each time you polish with a DA and any kind of polish, not just wax, you’re taking off some clear coat. I’m sure it takes a lot to wear it down completely, but the more you do it the more susceptible you’ll be to deeper scratches.
Correct it well, then seal it with a good sealant. Ceramic coating would be best left to a professional, but Collinite 845 does a good job of s ealing for a long time. Hydrosilex seems to be getting some attention, I have no experience with it but may try it for myself soon.
Also, it kinda looks like you are working in direct sunlight. Don’t do that.
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> Jayhawk Jake
07/09/2018 at 12:47 |
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Yeah...All of what you say is right. I just need to get it to a point where I can just live with it and be happy.
Compared to this car I park next to every day, mine looks like a damn concours show car. I just gotta get use to seeing all the things I see and do my best to keep it clean. Working in the sun is what I usually do to see swirls and scratches, but I’ll see how well I can get along with shade and an LED flashlight
I’m not touching the car with compound again, I’m just doing AIO sealants (polish/cleaner/wax in one) and topping it off with wax. Had “meh” feelings about the longevity of Collinite 476, so I’m trying Griots Best of Show and it’s been great so far. Might’ve been my dislike for paste wax vs liquid, 845 may’ve been a better choice.
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Jayhawk Jake
> K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/09/2018 at 14:40 |
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Saying you’re trying to make it a concours quality finish while using a single bucket and working in the sun is like saying you’re trying to quit smoking by chewing tobacco.
Start by getting your methodology to be better, at a minimum meeting the basic standards of any professional detailer.
It reminds me of a guy I coached at an autocross once. He was a bottom tier driver, usually last 10 positions at an event. Drove a Mustang. Told me he had done coilovers, a tune, changed swaybars, changed tires, etc...nothing worked to make him faster. He asked me to ride with him and tell him what modification he should make next.
I hopped in the car, we went for a run, and he was just slow. The car felt fine from the passenger seat, he just wasn’t driving quickly. Half throttle, braking early, basically coasting. He was blaming the equipment when it was really just user error. Once I pointed out that he could push it harder, he shaved 6, 8, even 1o seconds off his times just by driving faster.
An all in one polish/cleaner/wax is still a polish, if you’re applying it with a DA and I presume a foam pad it’s going to be thinning your clear coat. Not much, but enough that you probably shouldn’t do it every single time you wash the car. And if you aren’t happy with the finish after polish/cleaner/waxing in the sun, perhaps you should try not doing it in the sun. Then move on to different products, find what experienced professionals recommend and give it a try.
Collinite 845 is amazing. Yes it’s a liquid, but it goes on incredibly thin. It’s also very easy to apply by hand, if of course you don’t do it in the sun. Get some foam pads ( like these ), and use like 1-2 drops per panel. Apply it thin, let it rest on the cool, shaded surface for a few minutes, then buff it off with a microfiber towel.
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K-Roll-PorscheTamer
> Jayhawk Jake
07/09/2018 at 21:14 |
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Yeah. Though I’m not trying to imply that’s my end goal, I’m just comparing it to that car above. Your point still stands.
I’ll try the two bucket method, and I’m using a friend’s acquainta nce’s warehouse tomorrow evening for what I hope will be my last round of polishing on the car for a long long while. I’m just gonna clay, polish as light as I can, put a coat of wax on top and accept the results I get.