[jonw]

What's the cost of a good polish/detail ?
Is it silly money ?

[Chris100]

You have to have the issues that are already there removed by having a "paint correction" done by a professional, this will cost around £350 for a good job.

You then need to use the correct products and method of washing to prevent the issues returning, you cannot stop this altogether but you can reduce it by using some simple washing methods.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27

[jonw]

Thing that gets me about all this relatively new car cleaning thing is nobody was arsed going to these extremes about 6 or 7 years ago.
Can understand if a car is a showpiece or stuck in a collection but generally most people are not really arsed claying, polishing, waxing, top coat of wax etc etc.
And £350 for polish is a bit ott.

[Dizzle]

To be fair its not just a polish its would be a correction detail for that sort of money, with protective layers of wax, sealant and glaze

[xenon]

Originally Posted by jonw

Thing that gets me about all this relatively new car cleaning thing is nobody was arsed going to these extremes about 6 or 7 years ago.
Can understand if a car is a showpiece or stuck in a collection but generally most people are not really arsed claying, polishing, waxing, top coat of wax etc etc.
And £350 for polish is a bit ott.

Yes but 6 or 7 years ago we probably still had cellulose or acrylic paints instead of this water-based shite.

[creepy coupe]

No offence Ian, but you don’t strike me as the type to wax your car every few weeks, with the latest Doo Doo Wank Juice and a wash mitt, made from a Norwegian fjord Fairies pubes. Chances are it will show swirl marks in the future, even if corrected. You could always use a filler wax from time to time.

[xenon]

None taken Del, you're absolutely right - I'm not the type. As well as being a lazy arse.

But I do like the car to look nice but I suspect, as you say, unless one gets really anal it will still show marks in the future.

[Chris100]

Originally Posted by jonw

Thing that gets me about all this relatively new car cleaning thing is nobody was arsed going to these extremes about 6 or 7 years ago.
Can understand if a car is a showpiece or stuck in a collection but generally most people are not really arsed claying, polishing, waxing, top coat of wax etc etc.
And £350 for polish is a bit ott.

Do not mistake a proper paint correction for a polish or valet, it is so much more and if done correctly takes about a day and a half.

And as for cleaning the car in this way really depends what you want your car to look like, when I traded my E46 in for my current E92 it had better paint work and it was 4 years old and the E92 was brand new. I only ever wash my car at home it never goes near a car wash and the only other person that gets near it to clean it is the detailer that I have used for years.

I'm not a person who just keeps the car in the garage I use it every day, I'm just really fussy when it comes to keeping it clean. my wife actually says I have OCD because I clean everything to the same standard

[HighlandPete]

I can understand a few enthusiasts having show condition cars, but I must say, even though mine is clean and polished, (my neighbour says it always looks like new) I can't get excited about the poor finish, or a bit of paint marking. Not worth the worry or stress, IMO.

Don't you guys use the same sort of roads as me, car gets peppered with road grit all year round, and everything imaginable during winter time. Plus I have to use car parks, (even with picking parking positions) still have to endure the careless behaviour of other car users. Then the bird dirts, tree pollen, etc., etc.

After all, aren't most of us just getting from A - B, albeit in a reasonable quality motor.

Flame suit on....

HighlandPete

[xenon]

You're absolutely right HP, in my opinion. It's just annoying that a car so new and with only 1400 miles on already shows marks. As you say though, my wife (like your neighbour) doesn't know what the fcuk I'm on about and says things like "if you were as concerned about the bathroom as you were that bloody car, etc. etc....."

[creepy coupe]

HP. I think you should leave the forum for good, immediately.

I can’t understand owners who don’t take the upmost care of something likely to be THE most expensive purchase after their house.

Nothing wrong with wanting to look after something you work hard for IMO

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

HP. I think you should leave the forum for good, immediately.

I can’t understand owners who don’t take the upmost care of something likely to be THE most expensive purchase after their house.

Nothing wrong with wanting to look after something you work hard for IMO

Nah, you need someone to bring a touch of reality to car ownership.

To be brutal, we really live in a fools paradise (dont we?) when we buy expensive cars for driving around in. Once out the show room we are just waiting for the first ding or scratch. My wife reckons the paranoia settles after the car gets its first 'bruising'.

I'm all for looking after things I purchase, much of my original toolkit is still like new, and I purchased it over 40-years ago.

BTW, in a previous career I ran a car bodyshop (Rover/Triumph days), so do understand paint finishes and how car owners feel about the blemish free finish.

HighlandPete

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Nah,
BTW, in a previous career I ran a car bodyshop (Rover/Triumph days), so do understand paint finishes and how car owners feel about the blemish free finish.

HighlandPete

Ah- Now we're getting somewhere, once you do something as a career, you become desensitised.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Ah- Now we're getting somewhere, once you do something as a career, you become desensitised.

Plus I'm older and hopefully wiser.

I'm told, I'm still OTT with the polishing. She's always right. Plus "it's only a car".

HighlandPete

[jonw]

Originally Posted by xenon

As you say though, my wife (like your neighbour) doesn't know what the fcuk I'm on about and says things like "if you were as concerned about the bathroom as you were that bloody car, etc. etc....."

I have that comment made all the time.

not from your wife though !

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

She's always right. Plus "it's only a car".

HighlandPete

I think she needs to go HP

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by MattOz

I wet sanded my whole car and the finish is so much better...

Brave move, are you not worried at the resultant loss in clear coat thickness? What grit did you use and what did you do afterwards to re-shine and protect.

Edit: just followed your links to Detailing World - excellent work.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by xenon

Not quite sure I follow that reasoning. I love BMWs having had 4 from new but I agree that the paint is shit. It doesn't stop me buying one but I agree with the OP that there is no excuse for it.

Quite agree, especially when you see better looking paintwork on much cheaper cars.

[Jon D]

Originally Posted by xenon

I guess "enhance / correct" would be the right terminology. The car is only 2 months old so it's not like the X5 but when I wash it and chamois in the traditional manner it does look like there are feint swirl marks...

The problem might be with the chamois. I regularly used one on my Le Mans Blue E92 and despite taking the utmost care, the car ended up covered in swirl marks. Poorboy's Black Hole Glaze and Natty's Blue Paste Wax did a reasonable job, but never fully restored it to a swirl free shine.
Nowadays I use a lambswool mitt for washing and lightly dry off with one of these: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...owel-cat5.html followed by this: http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...owel-cat5.html
I'm also very tempted to get a Black Baron Air dryer, but at £235, it ain't cheap.

[MattOz]

Originally Posted by Jon D

Brave move, are you not worried at the resultant loss in clear coat thickness? What grit did you use and what did you do afterwards to re-shine and protect.

Edit: just followed your links to Detailing World - excellent work.

Thanks Jon

I do always check for thickness when I'm sanding. I start with 3000 grit and if that doesn't work, then go down to 2000 and then refine with 3000 and 4000. A full sand will usually take 3-5 microns off at most, so reckon on 3-5% of total depth of clear, perhaps less. It's certainly better to sand than to try and polish marks/orange peel out without sanding first.

[Fox530]

My E39 is 9 years old and yet has better quality paintwork than my E92. It also doesn't have stupid plastic front wings which flex every time you touch them either. Sigh.

[Stufos]

Don't want to get OCD on this topic but....

When washing by hand you must use two buckets.

One for rinse water and one for wash water.

Doing this will minimise swirls etc

Watch this guy.