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Welcome to North American Motoring ! |
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Welcome to North American Motoring,
You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
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06-07-2009, 08:25 PM
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3rd Gear
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NM
Posts: 275
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A-Pillar Swirl removal....Before/After!
Hi Everyone!
Well one of the problems that I had with the car when I took delivery was the condition of the A-Pillars and C-Pillar Black plastic areas. They were swirled insanely on the front and minor swirling on the rear bumper/C-Pillar. This was probably all due to the "detailing" that was accomplished after the car was on the lot for a few weeks.
Here are the before pics:
Here are the after pics:
I had ordered a PC 7424 and pads along with some polishes. I also have some polish, Black Wow, and some other goodies on the way from OctaneGuy as well. I spoke with Richard (OctaneGuy) this weekend and he gave me some advice on how to remove the swirls. He stated that the pillar is plastic and is soft and prone to swirling if you are not careful. He said that the white finishing pad and fine polish should rectify the situation. Boy was he right!  Anyhow I just wanted to show you all that it's pretty easy to take care of this but you NEED to take care with the types of things you place on the pillars....Detailing 101....ensure that you minimize any things that could swirl/scratch your paint.
I am not done by any stretch on the detailing as it will go on over the next week as I have time. Please excuse the dirt on the glass and such as she is not completed yet!
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2009 Clubman S
Horizon Blue/ Black C-pillars, Premium, Cold, Cloth, Anthracite, Piano Black, Armrest, and our beloved ROOF RAILS!!!!
Proud member of the "RED SOX NATION"
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06-07-2009, 08:33 PM
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3rd Gear
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 184
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95% improvement. well done!
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Dnc - A British Expat living in the Netherlands after 2.5 years in Southern California.
'06 MCS - Astro Black on Astro Black: "Black Sunshine"
'02 A6 2.5 TDi Quattro Sport Avant Arctic Silver.
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06-07-2009, 09:23 PM
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3rd Gear
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NM
Posts: 275
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Yup as I said it is not done yet....just wanted to test a few things out with the new "detailing kit" I got. Once I get all of the swirls out (there are a few of them that you see if you get really close), then it's sealant time, and wax!
__________________
2009 Clubman S
Horizon Blue/ Black C-pillars, Premium, Cold, Cloth, Anthracite, Piano Black, Armrest, and our beloved ROOF RAILS!!!!
Proud member of the "RED SOX NATION"
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06-07-2009, 09:27 PM
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Vendor & Moderator :: MINI Camera and Video & c3 club forum
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 7,703
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95%??? Wait, I'd say more like 300% improvement!!  Looks good enough to me..no need to get it 100% when it's just going to swirl out again later. Slap on some Banana Gloss, Amigo, or Hydro to make it 100%. Good job!
Richard
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2003 IB/Wht Cooper(Sold)
2005 Jet Black/JB Cooper S | RMW tune (222.1whp/197.8tq) (202.1/183.4) | RMW Shrty Hdr | RMW Cam | Helix 17% | JCW 380s | DT BPV |TCE Wilwd 12.2 BBK | Invidia Exh | Alta Int | Powerflx | Cross Coils | Nitto NG | Adj Ctrl Arms & End Lnks | Gadgets | Alta OCC | Craven Speed | Hella TC400 TPMS | Cust paint inside/out
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06-07-2009, 10:10 PM
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3rd Gear
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NM
Posts: 275
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Thanks Richard!!! Your advice on the phone on Saturday really helped! Cant wait to continue with this project and then move on to the other vehicles! Can't wait to get the DVD and Black Wow as well!!!! Thanks again!
__________________
2009 Clubman S
Horizon Blue/ Black C-pillars, Premium, Cold, Cloth, Anthracite, Piano Black, Armrest, and our beloved ROOF RAILS!!!!
Proud member of the "RED SOX NATION"
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06-08-2009, 05:25 AM
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Slower Drivers Keep Right
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 8,179
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Yep, A-pillar polishing is one of the most satisfying detailing jobs you can do on a MINI - relatively easy and makes a huge visual improvement, because those black glossy A-pillars just scream "SWIRLS!!!!" in the sunlight when they have them.... then you start seeing all the other imperfections in the car. When they're not swirly, you don't notice them... which is the way it's supposed to be.  |
06-08-2009, 05:29 AM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Eldersburg, Maryland
Posts: 9,613
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Very nice... you're well on your way to being an OCDetailer !
But hey, I'm going to try really hard not to dislike you for wearing a NE Patriots t-shirt. 
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06-08-2009, 05:44 AM
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3rd Gear
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NM
Posts: 275
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SOOOO glad I took the plunge and attacked them...A-pillars that is...LOL. Come on now I grew up in Mass and have been a Pats/Red Sox/Bruins fan for evah.....hehehehe!
__________________
2009 Clubman S
Horizon Blue/ Black C-pillars, Premium, Cold, Cloth, Anthracite, Piano Black, Armrest, and our beloved ROOF RAILS!!!!
Proud member of the "RED SOX NATION"
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06-08-2009, 06:00 AM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Eldersburg, Maryland
Posts: 9,613
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike1968NM
SOOOO glad I took the plunge and attacked them...A-pillars that is...LOL. Come on now I grew up in Mass and have been a Pats/Red Sox/Bruins fan for evah.....hehehehe!
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Okay... as long as you're not a bandwagon fan.
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06-08-2009, 09:58 AM
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6th Gear
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Garage or music room...
Posts: 30,501
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nice job, Mike! that is one improved a-pillar for sure.
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Former R53 Owner.
Currently motoring my other cars...
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06-08-2009, 10:31 PM
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3rd Gear
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NM
Posts: 275
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CR&PW&JB
Okay... as long as you're not a bandwagon fan. |
NO WAY a bandwagon guy! Grew up with my teams going on 41 years now and have NEVER ONCE STRAYED! It stinks when you are out of the "home" market and have to get Sunday Ticket and MLB Extra Innings to be able to see all the games!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan
nice job, Mike! that is one improved a-pillar for sure. |
Thanks Kenchan.....I am actually taking the rest of the week off....have a Dr appt in the AM early and then I will have "Clubbie" up to speed! The only thing I will be missing is the Black Wow but have an order in with OctaneGuy for a few things so if anything the BW can be put on next week if it does not get here this week. I have heard so many good things about BW I had to take the plunge and get a bottle!
__________________
2009 Clubman S
Horizon Blue/ Black C-pillars, Premium, Cold, Cloth, Anthracite, Piano Black, Armrest, and our beloved ROOF RAILS!!!!
Proud member of the "RED SOX NATION"
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06-09-2009, 07:45 AM
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4th Gear
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Stanhope, NJ
Posts: 407
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Mike1968NM 
That is an amazing job you did there. I'm seriously impressed!!! My Mini came like this as do most from where I bought it. These swirls really irk me.
I bought Zaino PC for this and I have yet to try it. Did you work them out by hand or did you buy a motorized buffer?
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06-09-2009, 07:58 AM
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3rd Gear
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NM
Posts: 275
Gallery
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1992
Mike1968NM
That is an amazing job you did there. I'm seriously impressed!!! My Mini came like this as do most from where I bought it. These swirls really irk me.
I bought Zaino PC for this and I have yet to try it. Did you work them out by hand or did you buy a motorized buffer?
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1992...thanks for the compliments! It was 10000000000% easy! I have a Porter Cable 7424 DA polisher that arrived on Friday. At Richard's suggestion I used the white lake country pad that came in a kit and the "least cut" polish that I had on hand....Menzerna Final Polish. I am getting some Swirl from Richard as well for future use. You could probably use scratchx as well on it.
I applied the polish to the pad and dabbed it on the pillar then spread it around. Then I started the polisher at 2.5 and moved up to 4.5 and just worked it in back and forth with no pressure....just the weight of the polisher. Wiped it down after a few minutes and voila! The difference is simply amazing and it is SUPER easy! Next step is to use a sealant and then wax.
__________________
2009 Clubman S
Horizon Blue/ Black C-pillars, Premium, Cold, Cloth, Anthracite, Piano Black, Armrest, and our beloved ROOF RAILS!!!!
Proud member of the "RED SOX NATION"
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06-09-2009, 08:16 AM
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4th Gear
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Stanhope, NJ
Posts: 407
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I don't have a motorized polisher. I'm afraid I might make things worse. I'm wondering if it can be done by hand or if I should just buy a polisher. I might be able to borrow one at least. I know two people that have a PC.
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06-09-2009, 08:47 AM
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Slower Drivers Keep Right
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 8,179
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Borrow one - while you could EVENTUALLY get it done by hand using ScratchX or something similar, it would take a while and you wouldn't have the "wow, that was easy and it looks soooooo good" feeling when done...  |
06-09-2009, 10:50 AM
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4th Gear
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Stanhope, NJ
Posts: 407
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Since I'm not at work today I thought I'd give the Z-PC a try with a polishing microfiber applicator. I spent a good 20 minutes trying to get the swirls out of the right back A piller and I got nowhere. Very disappointed.
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06-09-2009, 01:28 PM
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Slower Drivers Keep Right
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 8,179
Gallery
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I've heard Z-PC is VERY mild... you'll probably never get there by hand with that product. Scratch-X would work better - but not as well as a polisher w/foam pad and polish.
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06-09-2009, 02:46 PM
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5th Gear
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Memphis
Posts: 742
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SwirlX with a PC works good on the pillars as well.
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lil'Black Wow
1988 TOYOTA MR2
