Fantastic pics, Richard. And a fantastic job, as always (or maybe you only post the pictures of the ones you don't hopelessly screw up... jk, jk )

 

So if I use a electric buffer/ polisher, I would not need a concealer, filler?

 

prima looks good as far as zaino goes i like how it looks but the wet look is a good look for the mini i am going to order some as soon as i am done reading more threads on other stuff..

 

After Hubby oversprayed an area of our house WAY TO CLOSE to my Black '01 Durango I called in a detailing co. I was very happy with the results, but at $275 I could do with out the cost. Molly will be garaged, NO Brushless Carwashes and will either be hand washed and waxed or NOTHING at all. I'm using Meguire products as well as another brands Wax/Dry product. I'm thinking about NXT I've heard it is really good. I also have a co-worder who swears by Griots. Those results with Epic are amazing. Was an orbital used? Why not use White or Blue Terry Towels washed before each use??

 

Thanks! Hahah. Fortunately the only cars that I have screwed up--I can still count on one hand! But they weren't hopeless, lol. But yeah, why bore you guys with regular old cars? I mean next week I'll be doing a black Z4, it not quite the same as the DB9, lol.
Depends on your maintenance routine. I use a buffer for my Jet Black but because it's soft, and swirls easily, if I used it all the time I saw swirls, I wouldn't have much paint, so I balance my buffer use with Hydro and Amigo which act as concealers--and lengthen the time between polishes.

So using a polisher doesn't necessarily mean you don't need to use products with fillers, however if you are polishing paint, that's correct that you don't need to use concealers to hide defects.
Everyone should adopt a system of products. By that, if you're using Meguiar's products, it would do you well to use products they have designed to work well together. You don't always have to do that, but unless you're very familiar with what and how each product works, your best bet is to stick within a system.

Meguiar's makes thousands of products. Why one persons swears over another product is a personal choice. I teach people techniques. People value different qualities. I like ease of use and looks that don't diminish the hard work I put into restoring the paint.

Others want durability or one step applications. Once you understand the importance of prepping the paint using a thorough wash and claybar, then you'll know when and how much to polish, and you'll also know the importance of protecting all that using a wax.

Just my 2cents.

Richard

 

Well OG, your $0.02 is worth like $200.00!

 

Me too! amazing work!!!!

 

i do. well, i use the klasse twins. first the aio then the glaze. then i top with s100 carnauba. looks fantastic. if anyone doesn't know (sure most do) s100 is the same wax as the p21s (from all accounts i've read) except it is marketed for motorcycles. costs a lot less than the p21s though. i picked up a tub for $12 vs $30 or $40 for p21s.

the way i do it is a 4 weekend process with the klasse all by hand:

1st weekend: wash and clay, then i use som zaino pc for swirls and buff off. then i apply the klasse aio and buff off. then apply klasse sg and buff off. wipe on/wipe off method with the sg but i do a panel at a time.

2nd and 3rd weekend: wash, dry, klasse sg. for a grand total of 3 klasse sg coats.

4th weekend: wash, dry, s100 as a carnauba topper.

1st weekend is the only one that takes a long time. but, the results so far are crazy. the klasse gives a great shine on my indi blue. the s100 gives much more depth.

maintenance between klasse appplications is a coat of s100 every 4-6 weeks for about 5-6 months.

 

I like your process. I also enjoy the warmth of a carnauba and like to top with it!

Just as a clarification for those who like the wee details...

P21S Carnauba Wax and S100 Carnauba Wax are made by the same company and are VERY similar although are slightly different.

Yes, they are marketed to different crowds: the P21S to the car enthusiast and the S100 to the motorcycle enthusiast. As such, the composition is slightly different in each to address somewhat different needs/concerns of each crowd.

The P21S has slightly more carnauba in it (no carnauba waxes are actually 100% carnauba... they all contain oils and other chemicals as well) and almost nil cleaner. The S100 has more significant cleaner in it and slightly less carnauba. So, the S100 has the tiniest bit less depth but very slightly more durability.

At the end of the day though, they are so similar enough that it really doesn't matter much which one you use. They both provide a gorgeous depth that I think rivals many much more expensive carnauba waxes.

The S100 is usually less expensive than the P21S. We've been trying to carry both but they are a little wierd about allowing retailers to carry both lines... perhaps for this carnauba difference issue!

Anyway, the differences are so small that probably most of you don't care to even know. Yet I'm sure there are some of you who love these little details so there you go.

-Heather

 

I'm glad I don't know as much about detailing as Heather.

 

Indeed, it is a blessing and a curse!

-Heather

 

She knows it like it's her job.

 

thanks for the clarification on the s100 heather. i'm a loyal "klasse-ist" but, try to support vendors and/or members of this forum when i can. i picked up some of your white waffle weaves from octaneguy (and some black wow too!) so i supported both he and detailers paradise in one shot. i have to say they are the greatest towels i have EVER used! well, worth the price as it seems they will last a very long time. black wow is awesome too!

 

Is a "Klasse-ist" like a fascist?
Well they rhymed.
Actually whitey, DP sells Klasse too so you can get your fascism ... I mean Klassism fix there too.

 

wow, never knew they carried klasse. cool.

no, no fascism here. i just like the klasse ...

 

Thanks for the OG and DP support in one shot! And thanks in general for supporting NAM vendors.

Thanks also for your compliments for the Waffle Weave towels (and Black Wow too of course!). If you can believe it, I was once a skeptic of all this premium product mumbo-jumbo many years ago myself... the Waffle Weave we distribute was my first exposure to "the light." I realized then that there IS a difference between low-mid quality car care stuff and the premium stuff! And the rest is just history...

And yes, we carry Klasse products although we're having a hard time getting more All-In-One (AIO) right now. We do carry the Sealant Glaze (SG) though.

I'm an AIO fan but honestly don't care for the SG anymore. There are other synthetics that are much easier/quicker to use and that last just as long (and have a much better look on dark colors, IMO). Like I said, I do like the AIO quite alot though. It has a great cleanser in it, as well as significant filling/concealing properties. Together, they are a very powerful combo... just not the look I prefer nor do I care for the SG process relative to others for the same power.

-Heather

 

I read with much interest the ways to avoid swirls and appreciated your step by step approach; however, when you got to the waxing part, I didn't see any preferred techniques. Assuming I have Epic and applicators and a mf buffing towel, is there a right and wrong way to apply the wax and buff it off?
When applying, are long straight lines the best method or is a short back and forth scrubbing motion better? I assume circles are to be avoided.

When buffing, what is the best technique with the towel? Light fast back and forth movements?

Thanks.

 

waxing applicator pad?

Hydro + waffle weave towel is all you need.

 

I put Epic on using a combination of PC (black pad) and by hand using a thin blue pad. For removal nothing works better IMO then the DP Monster Fluffy. Removing Swirl is a little tougher so I use a DP gray microfiber.
As for applications - if you are using something that will impart swirls, you're using the wrong thing. If the right applicator is used it doesn't matter which direction you put it on.

 

Agreed, thanks for the support!!
I agree, but I've pretty much fallen in love with the Starfish MF Mitts for final wiping. I still use Monster Fluffies but the Starfish are equally as fantastic!

The DP gray MF aka Dual Pile or Platinum Microfiber is a very useful towel. One of the sides will be easier to wipe off the polish--so it's nice to have that option!

+1 on application method. Direction shouldn't matter. As long as you're putting it on evenly and overlapping and not too think, which direction you apply it won't have any impact.

 

Anyone know of a complete reputable MINI detailer in Northridge, CA? My MINI is 6 weeks old & I just had hand surgery but really want my baby to SHINE! She's BRG, JCW aero kit with the redwood lounge leather interior and the Invisishield.

 

Hmmm you want a complete reputable MINI detailer...that's asking a lot. lol. If I were you I would find the best detailer and not the one most convenient to your location. My last customer (yesterday)drove from Camarillo to have his 06 transformed and I've had MINI owners come from Morgan Hill and Las Vegas and other not so local places.

Richard

 

And totally worth the drive, I might add!

 

82 miles each way and worth every mile and penny
<strike>I will sort through the photos later today and post accordingly.</strike> Here are the photos

 

Thanks for the support Melissa and Nick!!!

Btw, here are pics from an '06 BRG/Silver JCW


to this








See more pix and full writeup here
http://www.showcardetailing.com/foru...ead.php?t=1123