Detailing your vehicle (Exterior)

[private_number]

Ive never heard of that brand before, what is it exactly? keep in mind im from the land down under..australia. haha

[humanoid]

Originally Posted by private_number

Ive never heard of that brand before, what is it exactly? keep in mind im from the land down under..australia. haha

The brand is Porter Cable and the model # is 7424XP.

[eyezack87]

Thanks humanoid. My review on it after owning the normal PC7424 and using the 7424XP on a Black Maserati Quattroporte is: Its worth the upgrade and price

[searle]

Originally Posted by private_number

Hey fellas, i bought myself a bottle of swirl X the other day and tried it out. I only worked in an area of about 10cm by 30cm on the trunk lid and i noticed it working before my eyes. though it took me about 15mins of working that area to notice a change.

Though the product work, in the 15mins or so of working the product in by hand i noticed there are still some scratches/swirls that remain. When i used the product, i noticed the scratches and swirls reduced by 90% but with further action, the scratches and swirl marks that remained wouldnt come out. Will they eventually come out?

Also, whats your oppinions on using a drill with a drill bit end that contains the polishing pad instead of using a Dual action orbiter?

I would not use the drill, it is likely to not give even pressure/application. Continue by hand or get a proper (even if cheap) DualAction Orbital polisher.

By hand, SwirlX can be hard because it is so mild. If you want or need more aggressive defect removal, step up to ScratchX or even UltimateCompound (and then, optionally, consider a quick SwirlX at the end to give finest finishing results). SwirlX is only for very minor swirl removal, and anything more takes repeated applications and lots of "passion". UltimateCompound is more agressive, but still suitable for consumer hand-application, just dont use as much "passion" with it and dont use it every week.

If you use ScratchX or UltimateCompound and DONT finish with ScratchX (which is both a cleaner and ALSO contains glaze oils) then consider finishing with either DeepCrystal-2 or ShowCar-07 glaze/oils. Of course the last step is a good wax. Exactly same concept applies if you use Mothers or other brands, but the previous details are for your Meguiars brand.

[private_number]

Thanks for that searle. Ive actually already tried using scratch X 2.0 but had next to no luck removing the swirls. it was only when i stepped down to swirl x where i noticed results. I tried using scratch x after swirl x to remove any scratches that were not removed but no luck. I have concluded that i need more time on removing it and possibly using a dual action orbital polisher will hopefully do the trick.

At this point in time though, i will still try by hand because for me its all about money money money (saving for lip kit) Maybe after ive got the body kit or when i win the lotto ill consider buying one. haha

[searle]

Originally Posted by private_number

Thanks for that searle. Ive actually already tried using scratch X 2.0 but had next to no luck removing the swirls. it was only when i stepped down to swirl x where i noticed results. I tried using scratch x after swirl x to remove any scratches that were not removed but no luck. I have concluded that i need more time on removing it and possibly using a dual action orbital polisher will hopefully do the trick.

At this point in time though, i will still try by hand because for me its all about money money money (saving for lip kit) Maybe after ive got the body kit or when i win the lotto ill consider buying one. haha

Did you try ScratchX or ScratchX-2.0? The older ScratchX is very mild, even milder than SwirlX. ScratchX-2.0 is more aggressive than SwirlX, and should be a little better at removing swirls. UltimateCompound is even more aggressive still, but is still very good when hand-applied. *IF* you eventually step up to a DA polisher, be sure to step DOWN to a less aggressive cleaner (at least initially) since the DA polisher has much faster speed than your hand and will be more aggressive.

If you used ScratchX-2.0 and that was not enough, then try the UltimateCompound. Even hand-applied it should remove most swirls. After it use SwirlX (which has some glaze in it) or DC2 or ShowCar-07 glaze, then your wax.

PS: Many folks find that the inexpensive DA polishers dont really do any better job of swirl removal than by hand, but that seems to vary between folks, so you are probably not giving up anything by using UC by hand (with a little controlled "passion").

[private_number]

I used scratch X 2.0 originally to try remove the swrils, sorry i didnt make it clearer before. Though as i stated previously in this thread, scratch x 2.0 removed scratch marks such as the key marks underneath the door handles but it did not notice it removing finer swirl marks and scratches

Just to make this clear..friday last week i used scratch x 2.0 to attempt to remove swirls and scratches by hand. did not work. but it did remove more obvious scratches.
Last thursday i bought myself swirl x and notice the swirls removing. though after 20mins of working on a small section of about 10cm x 30cm, i noticed the 10% of swirls/scratches that remained were not coming off. So i decided to try scratch x 2.0 and it still did not work.

What i dont understand is how can scratch x 2.0 remove more noticeable scratches such as the scratches left by keys underneath the door handle but it cant remove similar but less noticable scratches that swirl x can not? The less notciable scratches that swirl x cant remove, and from trying it out, scratch x 2.0 cant remove aswell can only be seen when placed underneath artifical light.

[searle]

Originally Posted by private_number

I used scratch X 2.0 originally to try remove the swrils, sorry i didnt make it clearer before. Though as i stated previously in this thread, scratch x 2.0 removed scratch marks such as the key marks underneath the door handles but it did not notice it removing finer swirl marks and scratches

Just to make this clear..friday last week i used scratch x 2.0 to attempt to remove swirls and scratches by hand. did not work. but it did remove more obvious scratches.
Last thursday i bought myself swirl x and notice the swirls removing. though after 20mins of working on a small section of about 10cm x 30cm, i noticed the 10% of swirls/scratches that remained were not coming off. So i decided to try scratch x 2.0 and it still did not work.

What i dont understand is how can scratch x 2.0 remove more noticeable scratches such as the scratches left by keys underneath the door handle but it cant remove similar but less noticable scratches that swirl x can not? The less notciable scratches that swirl x cant remove, and from trying it out, scratch x 2.0 cant remove as well can only be seen when placed underneath artifical light.

Extremely strange. It is impossible for any product to remove more serious scratches (which are deeper/wider) but yet not be able to remove lighter swirls. Any chance your applicator pad had grit in it and was re-introducing swirls as you worked? Some extremely fine swirls may be left by the more aggessive cleaners (like ScratchX-2.0 or UltimateCompound) which is why many detailers then follow those with a pass or two of SwirlX to remove the very finest remaining swirls. Similarly, if your wax applicator pad or wipe-off towel had fine grit you would re-introduce swirls. And lastly, if you then washed your car but did not use the two-bucket method with grit guards then you will re-introduce swirls over time.

As I said in earlier post, after your cleaners use DeepCrystal-2 or ShowCar-07 glaze BEFORE you seal with a synthetic sealant (like NXT-2.0) or carnuba wax (like DeepCrystal-3 or #26 carnuba). And as in my earlier post, the above references your Meguiars products but the exact same applies to Mothers products, etc.

If you are truly finicky about not having any tiny swirls, be scrupulous about clean pads, and only use micro-fiber towels (not wool towels) for wipe-down. And, be really careful to always use 2-bucket washing (to avoid fine grit in wash mitt) and careful micro-fibre drying technique. See: 2-bucket washing and drying technique.

PS: Eventually swirls will re-appear unless your car lives in a protective bubble. But you should still be able to remove them and delay their re-appearance (with cleaners and good technique and clean pads/towels).

[nesto]

Hey,

I just wanted to know if anybody knows a really good 3M Place in Calgary, Dealers charge way to much money for the paint protection. A friend told me of a place Calgary Shield.
stoneguard.ca

Anyone know of this?

thanks in advance

[am-radio]

Originally Posted by nesto

Hey,

I just wanted to know if anybody knows a really good 3M Place in Calgary, Dealers charge way to much money for the paint protection. A friend told me of a place Calgary Shield.
stoneguard.ca

Anyone know of this?

thanks in advance

Hi, Call Reagan at DaVinci's Workbench. He is a registered 3M installer in Calgary. He is very anal and does amazing work. All his 3M is done freehand. He does not buy kits for each type of car. He custom covers your vehicle and goes under headlights and hides all "the lines" of 3M under the headlights. His price is not cheap, but competative with other 3M installs. His number is 403-613-9546

[nesto]

I actually got it done by Calgary shield, it was easy, i phoned, they came to my place and put it on, looks great, good price too, cheaper that anyone i phoned. They put on 3M top coat film on with a 10 year warranty. awsome !! i totally reccomend them to anyone looking to have this done. !!

Cheers

Originally Posted by am-radio

Hi, Call Reagan at DaVinci's Workbench. He is a registered 3M installer in Calgary. He is very anal and does amazing work. All his 3M is done freehand. He does not buy kits for each type of car. He custom covers your vehicle and goes under headlights and hides all "the lines" of 3M under the headlights. His price is not cheap, but competative with other 3M installs. His number is 403-613-9546

[Tech1984]

I just used a spray on car wash product for the first time. Never washed the car in the garage before. Not a drop of water used.
I used it on the '10 Camry MGM, and I'm really impressed. Left the finish with a very smooth feel to it. It wasn't super dirty, but dirty enough for a good test. Glass and everything sparkle!
Got this kit from Griots Garage. Thought I'd share.

[hawkman71]

Man, that was a lot. Can you repeat all that? Thanks.

Oh wait, I just scrolled back to the top..