Hand Buffed Camry *Pix Inside* - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Super Kaioken · 08-20-2006, 12:48 AM

Alright PB, i returned that buffer and just hand waxed everything today

I was going to use that buffer but oh well. I was sore today so I couldn't rub a lot of the stuff in. The pix i'm about to show you........looks good but you can see.......swirls?
I used Step 1 and 2 of the Meguiar's system and then used the #26 carnauba yellow wax from auto zone.

Looks nice from far away

Here is where you see the nice color but see swirls or whatever you call it.

And PB remember that thread I made about the stuff on my bumper? Well here it is after I did the stuff.

Pb · 08-20-2006, 01:43 PM

In that second pic your paint looks "uneven" you probably need to work the polish more. This is where a good buffer is handy. You need to work the polish until it breaks down and starts to disappear, then wipe off the remaining residue. If the polish is hard to buff off, spray it with a mist of detailing spray and then buff it off. Take your time and really work the polish. I would spend at least 10 minutes polishing a single fender panel.

When polisihing by hand it's best to polish back and forth, from front to back. Not in circles.

Are those small paint chips in your bumper? There's not much you can do about that, except get it repainted.

Super Kaioken · 08-20-2006, 05:58 PM

yeah, like i said, My arms were already sore from working out, so I got lazy

I know i should have worked it in more. that's how you can see the polish so easily.

Front to back? I'll try that next time. What should I do on a regular basis to keep this up? Wash, polish, wax?

Yeah those are paint chips caused by bugs. Nothing can fix it? i guess i gotta get it repainted.

Pb · 08-21-2006, 12:34 AM

Once you have it polished there's no need to polish again until new swirls or scratches appear. The best thing you can do is adopt a good wash technique to reduce new swirls. Then wax it every couple months.

Instead or re-polishing by hand I would just buy a real buffer and go for it. A machine polish job will easily erase that crappy hand-polish job you did.

Polishing your front bumper will certainly make it look better. Lots of those spots might be scuffs instead of actual chips.

Super Kaioken · 08-21-2006, 08:43 AM

yeah that's why i tried to get a buffer. I'll get one pretty soon. The paint looks really smooth. Should i use cleaner wax on a regular basis or just stick to the wash/wax?

I don't see any swirls........it's just that the polish/wax hasn't really been blended into the black so you see the chemical shine on the black. as you can see.

Whelan · 08-22-2006, 10:36 AM

If you really wanna go back to the beginning. One issue I have found with black cars is that a lot of times its not whether you do it by hand or by buffer. I prefer hand myself, never had a bad result on any color car. But with darker paints especially red and black it is CRUCIAL to use a clay bar once the first wash has been completed. I usually wash the car with a dish soap, (Very little) twice a year when I do the big detail 6-8hrs., only because I feel a lot of car wash soaps on the market today inplement some kind of wax element so you really can't get the car to a fresh starting base. Once that is done, clay bar it really good to smooth the paint surface. It makes all the difference in the world.

Also following the directions DIRECTLY is crucial as well. Step 1 of Meguiar's states that you cannot let the product dry, and to remove immediately after application, so do small areas and use two rags, wipe and clean. The Step 2 can stay on a bit longer and when you do the final wax coat (again I use Gold Class), big circles (yeah I do circles unless its a small area) and don't be afraid of overdosing the car. I typically do it in sections, one side, roof/hood/hatch, then let it dry completely before removing, again two rags.

One other thing to helpout is Scratch X from Meguiars, you can do sections or the whole car, I did the whole car this time since it was the first time I got my hands on it after buying it. But it can also help to fill in scratches, blend them and what not so it makes the rest of the polishes and waxes go on and come off smoother. Hope this helps! Anything else feel free to ask.

Super Kaioken · 08-22-2006, 10:42 AM

Is Step 1 of the Meguiar's system the same thing as claying? Also when I was waxing, I let it dry a little, Should I really let the wax dry out before wiping off? The way I do it is, If i can run my finger across the wax and I can see the black paint and no wax.

Whelan · 08-22-2006, 12:14 PM

Here is what I do, I know own a black car as well so the system has not changed, same results.

-Wash car w/ dish soap (very little)

-rinse car and use the clay bar system (comes with a spray to keep car lubricated and clay bar) Run clay bar across the car from front to back motions covering all painted surfaces, spray often to rinse.

-Dry car completely with towels or chamois; door jambs, fuel door, under hood, trunk.hatch.

-Look over the car with a bottle of Meguiar's Scratch X to get noticeable scratches and blend in deep ones. Try rubbing in all directions or circular motion around the scratch to get every part of it. Do not worry about swirl marks at this point.

-Use Step 1 Meguiar's Paint Cleaner, DO NOT LET DRY, rub into a small area, then wipe immediately. For example, the door I two in two sections, top part and bottom half. Hood is in 4 sections, etc. Use two rags so you can wipe it vigorously and then clean off. On a black car if you did the previous steps right you should not notice any filming (i.e. that darker swipe that looks like there is still stuff on the car). Look at the part from a bunch of angles to make sure. This brings the full color back to the car and all metallic fleck and gets rid of deeper swirl marks.

-Use Step 2 Meguiar's Paint Polish. This removes finer swirl marks and gives the paint that wet look, your can let it dry but not completely, slightly less than you would if you were waxing. Once this step is done the car should start to feel very smooth.

-Meguiar's Gold Class Mirror Glaze Wax. I use the liquid as in all my products. I use ciruclar motions, big circles that is and spread it thick all over the car in big portions. Let this product dry completely and rub with one towel then buff with a second. This gives the final mirror coat and protects the car and seals in all the other steps you have done.

I won't get into engine, interior and other detailing that I do as well. But i do this process in full twice a year Spring and Fall and inbetween throw a coat of wax on if necessary. I always use a wet/dry spray wax after each wash to bring the wax job back. I also only use the microfiber towels, they give the best results.

Here are the bottles I use for paint detail:

Meguiar's Scratch X

Meguiar's Step 1 Paint Cleaner

Meguiar's Step 2 Paint Polish

Meguiar's Gold Class Wax