Well, after a 14 hour day Friday with the movers loading the semi, got around to doing the Epic today. Used slick to get the pollen etc off since it hadn't been driven (and it actually hadn't rained) and started with a pretty clean surface (not perfect but was too tired to wash - probably regret that later). Got out the skinny and the Epic. Put on about peasized dab of epic and kept spread it out unti it was basically clear (read that in some post but couldn't find it tonight). One dab like that did about half the bonnet or one side, or the back.

Waited about 40 minutes - no sign of hazing.
Waited another 20 (60 total) - still no sign.
did a the finger swipe test and didn't see any sign of anything!
waited anoth 10 minutes or so and then buffed the car. Looks shiny but not sure how much more shiny.

What did I do wrong? Did i work it in too long and basically buff it out before it cured? Did I use the wrong amount? Looks like I might have to get Richard's DVD (and maybe a PC)

 

your pad either ate the epic more than you though you spread on the car,
or you may have not used enough. not sure.

when i used Epic i used my griot's pad to spread a very thin layer. it
hazed a very light matte color but definitely hazed.

Epic does not appear super wet and deep the moment you remove the
haze. it is after a couple of hours you notice... then after the 24hrs,
WOW.

 

Dang, I think that's the first time we've seen anyone maybe use too *little* Epic.

Agree w/Ken (of course)...let it sit 24 hours and see if it looks better. You can always apply a 2nd coat, using a little more. According to Heather it should take about 1-2 tablespoons of Epic to do the whole MINI...but that's by PC, it's pretty hard to do that by hand.

I like doing a 2nd coat anyway, just to be sure I didn't miss any spots

 

Ok, kept reading post after post about not using too much so I tried to work by hand and thin it out as much as possible. I guess I achieved my goal! Considering getting a PC now but just keep asking myself it is a justifiable expense for just my car and my wifes since I'm not pro (and have no inclination to that effect). Probably won't get a chance for a second coat. Gotta start the long (1100 mile) journey to our new home bright and early Monday. Thanks Ken and ML.

 

yah, you can use your orbital to apply or do it by hand. ive done it
both ways and either way it turned out very nice. the pad is
the biggest difference. i used the Griot's red pad with success, and
over at DP believe it's the black pad you want to use to apply.
the spreading should be effortless.

 

Well it will be pretty hard to get this kind of shine by hand:

No Epic yet, just finished the Swirl tonight. This was after about 2 hours of PC, I'll finish it tomorrow.
Here's another just to give you some motivation:

I've got a car show next weekend and needed to get her in shape.

 

if your car is new and well cared for from the beginning, you can easily
get this level of shine by hand.

 

I agree there. I'm starting to find that once you get your car(s) into very good shape, keeping it there is not that much work. Its just the first time that's really hard. I Epic'd one of my newer cars recently and I probably used more Epic then I should have, or needed, but the finish was unbelievable. Blindingly shiny in the sun. I'd say go back over it again with a little bit more.

 

Just spray your MINI down with a hose. If you get tight beads of water, your Epic took, if not...it didn't.

 

Can Epic be easily done by hand? I don't have a PC and need to get a good base on before winter. Would Swirl followed by Epic be a good choice for a pre winter detailing?

 

YES!

People here put WAYYYY to much emphasis on using a random orbital for wax (including Epic).

The RO/PC is a must-have for POLISHING... but I've applied Epic by hand with NO PROBLEMS - the MINI is so small, and the Epic goes on so easy, it really is no big deal. Some folks say you'll spread it thinner and use less product with the PC - I don't entirely buy this, cause you're using a much larger pad that's gonna soak in some product (even if you mist it first with QD). I use a Paradise skinny applicator and it soaks in VERY little product. And you have enough control by hand that taping isn't necessary if you're not polishing.

When dry I remove and buff with a Paradise Platinum MF cloth or two - and it looks FANTASTIC (24 hours later, as has been said)...

 

Yup! I do have a PC and I still do Epic by hand (the PC is a lot of work for me, waxing by hand is so much easier!).

You can do Swirl by hand too. Just work it in til it turns clear. You'll have an excellent finish for winter if you Swirl then Epic.

 

Went ahead and redid it this morning. Really don't think it 'took' at all and if it did then I just jumped the cure by about 9 hours so hopefully not too bad. Put an ounce in a squeeze bottle and used all but a few drops of it so does that sound about right. Did haze and wiped off pretty easy. There were a few spots that were tougher but I probably (ok, I know I) didn't get it spread out as evenly as possible. Will probably end up getting a PC? Man this detailing cult is expensive!

 

We'll see how it turns out (24 hours) before I give my final judgement. I could certainly use the PC money for more things in the garage!

 

I agree...but someday you'll have swirls and wish you had the PC!

 

When I first got my car my roof was swirl city but you can't see one swirl in it now and all I use is Hydro. I have used swirl on it once but Hydro just kicks a** when it comes to hiding swirls or removing them. I am going to buy a PC sooner or later.

I even converted my father he now washes and Hydro's his car and has given up the autowashes. Just need him to buy his own stash of Hydro

 

I'm planning to give Hydro as stocking stuffers this year. My brother has a PC but is afraid to use it, and my dad doesn't "see" his swirls.

I'll show them both!

 

Yeah same here hydro for everyone

 

i think im going to find a gallon sized stocking..

<= wife...

 

im going to be Hydro'ing my Legacy this afternoon.

and yes, as last time, im going to wash my black car in the sun...but
without getting water spots.

 

BTW very nice job looks awesome.

 

Love those door handles - they look familiar...