O.c.d

keith

keith

Member
Messages
638
Wink O.c.d !!


It never fails to surprise me how Obsessive I become over even the smallest of scratches or chips on my car.
My car was dropped off yesterday at a Detailer to have light swirl marks removed, the remains of a scratch already mostly wet sanded out to be improved, and a couple of micro chips on the bonnet also to be improved.
The detailer in addition pointed out a few other issues:-
1. An all but invisible scratch on the top of the front bumper moulding. Given that its under the surface of the lacquer and paint, we are of the view that the scratch is in the plastic from manufacture.
2. A small mark on the leading edge of the rear door/ driver side. Can't imagine how that got there, I can only presume I caught it when I got in the car. That has all but polished out.

To the majority of owners such issues would be totally insignificant, yet for me it bothers as if I have failed in keeping the car in perfect condition!!
Obviously logically its crazy to think you can own and drive a car and not pick up marks here and there in normal use, yet given the fact I have only covered 1,700 miles in 9 months I was hoping I could avoid such issues.


No doubt any Psychologists on this forum will be happy to provide their services!!!
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,631
Nope you are the same as a lot of us on here. For me half the enjoyment of owning such a car is fettling and detailing them.

Keep it up.
 
P R

P R

Member
Messages
1,388
I need mine detailing, it has light swirl marks and the odd slight scratch, but like you I hate it and want it perfect. Mine does get a bit more use than yours though, currently on 33k miles!
So does the detailing work on removing swirl marks effectively?
 
iainw

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
Does anyone know where to get it done for a reasonable price? Some quotes I have had are eye watering!
 
keith

keith

Member
Messages
638
Absolutely. Swirls can be removed completely by a two stage machine polish.
A good detailer should be able to remove scratches. I picked up a very deep scratch abt an inch long nr to the roof by the C pillar. All that remains is a faint line in the lacquer top coat, which is almost invisible unless you know where to look. Even then you would struggle to see it unless in strong light.
I used a London based company, Topaz Detailing, whilst not cheap the quality of work is excellent.
I hope to post some pictures.
 
keith

keith

Member
Messages
638
image.jpg

Providing it's worked, and to continue my obsessiveness I have attached a picture of my stone chip!!!
It's on the left of the reflection of the strip light as two specs. To give it some prospective they are about 2mm in length.
However under strong light with polished surroundings they show up!
I will attempt to attach some pictures of the work of Topaz. Unlike other detailers they are relatively large, and whilst my car was there,they were working on a Bugatti Veyron and a number of Ferrari's Rolls Royce's as well as Porsche and McLaren.
They seemed particularly active in providing clear protection wraps, and pride themselves on avoiding visible edges.
 
spkennyuk

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,960
Spend 20 hours or so detailing your car and you quickly become aware of every little defect, blemish or previous touch up on the paint work.

Swirl marks are easily removed and for around £175 you can get a decent DA machine and enought coumpounds to correct the paint on 5 or 6 cars.

Two stage correction is around 10 to 12 hours and 3 stage is around 18 to 20 hours as a rough guide but it does depend on the size of the car, shape and weather conditions if your outside.

Im not suggesting i can get the same results as the pros but i would say im 85 to 90% there and the cost for the kit is about a third of a pro detail.

Like highlander i enjoy working on my own cars. It can be difficult to get the time and weather available at the same time to do it.

If your afraid of giving it a go on your pride and joy then i would suggest either starting on a run around car or bike or even an old door from a scrap yard or metal bodied lawn mower and go from there. It is easy enough once you get the hang of it and can be very rewarding.
 
highlander

highlander

Member
Messages
5,223
^^^^whs^^^^
I thoroughly enjoy the process and seeing the shine build, it can be a joy to behold if doing yourself.
I started learning with picking up a door and a bonnet from an old fiesta from the scrapie to practice ( then moved onto Fiona's boxster before doing Marci ;)) and soon realised that with a DA you have to fall asleep on top of it at full speed to do any damage.......and even then, I'm not convinced a DA will do damage.
 
D Walker

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
For those wanting to learn go to you tube and watch the Junkman series of videos, plenty of good advice, bit long winded at times but I have watched a couple twice.
 
Steve GS

Steve GS

Member
Messages
1,526
What polish and wax do you guys recommend I use auto glyn. Most of the time. It's ok but I've seen a lot better sines on cars. Or do I just need to put a bit more effort in.
 
EnzoMC

EnzoMC

Member
Messages
1,999
Steve GS said:
What polish and wax do you guys recommend I use auto glyn. Most of the time. It's ok but I've seen a lot better sines on cars. Or do I just need to put a bit more effort in.
Click to expand...

as entry level wax I would recommmend raceglaze 55 or Zymol Concours - if sealants then Gtechniq C1 and Exo if you can - only one word - wow

wax will get the shine and sealants will provide protection

or drop the car an mine :)
 
D Walker

D Walker

Member
Messages
9,827
EnzoMC said:
as entry level wax I would recommmend raceglaze 55 or Zymol Concours - if sealants then Gtechniq C1 and Exo if you can - only one word - wow

wax will get the shine and sealants will provide protection

or drop the car an mine :)
Click to expand...
How hard is it to apply the GTechniq to apply or is best to let a pro do it!!
 
keith

keith

Member
Messages
638
image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg

I have attached some pictures following the efforts of Topaz. I use Zymol Concours and the car has been given three coats in the photos.
 
Steve GS

Steve GS

Member
Messages
1,526
I got some different cleaning products today much happier with the results image.jpgimage.jpg
 

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spkennyuk

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,960
Steve GS said:
What polish and wax do you guys recommend I use auto glyn. Most of the time. It's ok but I've seen a lot better sines on cars. Or do I just need to put a bit more effort in.
Click to expand...

I used the auto finesse 123 system. Mainly because that is what came with my starter kit. The pads are colour coded to each compound. For swirl marks stages 2 and 3 will remove them with ease and bring back the shine. If it needs more and the car hasnt been done for a while then do the stage 1 through to 3.

Waxes i use either farecla G3 easy to put on but takes a bit more effort to get off. I also used dodo juice supernatural which is a hybrid wax. Harder to put on but easy to take off. The hybrid waxes are longer lasting but you can layer up with a softer wax and apply a quick detail spray over the top if you want the liquid gloss look.
 
EnzoMC

EnzoMC

Member
Messages
1,999
D Walker said:
How hard is it to apply the GTechniq to apply or is best to let a pro do it!!
Click to expand...

C1 is ok just best done inside to check for left over product as once it dries it's harder to remove, take your time and it will be fine working on small patches, exo on the other hand is easy similar to wax.
 
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