What have you done to your car today?

2409688 Views 16711 Replies 1302 Participants Last post by RayBans2111, 2 d ago

Blueribbon

Discussion Starter · Apr 26, 2012 (Edited)

I am starting this thread to see a daily progress of everybodies cars without having a new thread for every person to try to keep the site from being cluttered.I don't care if its a fresh tank of gas or a turbo install, lets see what ya got. Please include pics of what ever you did or purchased for your ride.Today I gave my car a nice wash, and a coat of zymol.

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RayBans2111

· #16,701 · 6 d ago

Do you guys polish the car after using clay? I'm thinking of using a clay bar on mine, but unsure if I have to get the car polished right after the clay application. I'm looking into learning how to polish, but unsure how to start and what tools to buy and such.

I'm between getting the polishing tools or a cool drone to take some pictures and video.

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TenZen

· #16,702 · 6 d ago

Clean12Coupe said:
They that hard to find?
I need a new hood too lol

Seibon don't have squat for hoods.

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RedRocket

· #16,703 · 6 d ago

Clean12Coupe said:
Oh wow man you gave that thing the TREATMENT! proper I like it… I was going to ask you how you got all that done in a day but I just had to keep reading haha.
I think I’m going to do something similar this summer - I really need a full on paint correction but at least to clay it and then reseal
Got any pics of final product?

I can get some pics tomorrow. I wish that I had some experience in paint correction because it could definitely use it. I'll probably do that next time. Also, I forgot to mention that I filled in about 50 paint chips after the cleaning stage.

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TenZen

· #16,704 · 6 d ago

RayBans2111 said:
Do you guys polish the car after using clay? I'm thinking of using a clay bar on mine, but unsure if I have to get the car polished right after the clay application. I'm looking into learning how to polish, but unsure how to start and what tools to buy and such.

I'm between getting the polishing tools or a cool drone to take some pictures and video.

Clay IF you need to. You'll know if you take your hand, put a plastic bag around it and drag your hand across the paint after you wash it thoroughly. If it still feels rough, then clay it.

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RedRocket

· #16,705 · 5 d ago

RayBans2111 said:
Do you guys polish the car after using clay? I'm thinking of using a clay bar on mine, but unsure if I have to get the car polished right after the clay application. I'm looking into learning how to polish, but unsure how to start and what tools to buy and such.

I'm between getting the polishing tools or a cool drone to take some pictures and video.

You can polish after claying if you want to. It would help get rid of swirl marks and etching, but you don't need to. If you are going to polish though, I wouldn't do it without claying first. Otherwise you're gonna be breaking those contaminants free while polishing, and grinding them into the paint. Either way, if you're claying it, whether you polish or not, make sure to get some sealant on there afterwards, and wax.

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kev604

· #16,706 · 5 d ago

RayBans2111 said:
Do you guys polish the car after using clay?

If your going by the book than yes you absolutely need to polish. Polishing by hand is better than nothing but you really need a decent DA polisher for real results.

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kev604

· #16,707 · 5 d ago

RedRocket said:
I wish that I had some experience in paint correction because it could definitely use it. I'll probably do that next time.,

Takes proper tools, proper products and practice. I remember the first time I tried my results were meh but with more and more practice my results started to improve. The last time I detailed a couple of months ago my results were amazing.

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Clean12Coupe

· #16,708 · 4 d ago

Personally I would just because that’s the best time and claying correctly takes a lot of effort so your already halfway there lol - but yes just like these guys said definitely put some sort of sealant on it

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RayBans2111

· #16,709 · 3 d ago

looks like I'll probably get a random orbital polisher machine for my birthday / christmas this year then. I've helped my dad sand wood down using a orbital sanding machine, so I would assume the process is about the same, just different pads, compounds, and less pressure.

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TenZen

· #16,710 · 3 d ago

RayBans2111 said:
looks like I'll probably get a random orbital polisher machine for my birthday / christmas this year then. I've helped my dad sand wood down using a orbital sanding machine, so I would assume the process is about the same, just different pads, compounds, and less pressure.

I bought a Griot's DA and had no issues with it, especially as it's the first time I ever used a DA. It comes with a 6" backing plate, a pad or two, and some polish. I would recommend doing a one-step process instead of two.

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kev604

· #16,711 · 2 d ago

RayBans2111 said:
looks like I'll probably get a random orbital polisher machine for my birthday / christmas this year then. I've helped my dad sand wood down using a orbital sanding machine, so I would assume the process is about the same, just different pads, compounds, and less pressure.

You do need a decent polishing machine nothing crazy expensive but not a cheapo one either. I'm using a Potter Cable 7424XP dual action polisher it's an excellent machine for intermediate level.

Unless your pretty skilled at polishing get a dual action polisher rather than a orbital. Dual action is much more forgiving and easier to work with.

I use 3D One as my go to polish. It's an all in one cutting and finishing compound. Results are amazing but practice makes perfect.

Even for a small car like the Civic you'll need 5-6 pads. Once the pads are soiled you'll need to switch pads. It is also a good idea to get a smaller backing plate with smaller pads to get to hard to reach or small areas. You'll also need to buy the proper type of pad from pads that are more for cutting to pads that are more for finishing. I use Lake Country pads.

If you're doing paint correction and cutting you do need to apply a decent amount of force that was my mistake in the beginning if your applying a finish than you don't need as much force.