First detail on red SLK with products and pics

[TSXWench]

So my folks drive up for a visit and I decide that for a late father's day gift I'm going to detail my dad's red SLK 320. Now I should point out that this is the first real detail that I've ever done although I've been hounding these boards for months and have bought all the latest and greatest products to baby my own TSX.

So the car arrives and all I can see is SWIRL CITY!! I have never seen so many swirls except on before pictures on autopia.

Here is what I did, took a total of nine hours. Like I said, I'm a total beginner.

FK1 paint decontamination. Still needed to clay after this so the jury's still out on this decontamination deal.

Polished with OP using an Edge 2000 yellow pad. This removed about 70% of the swirls. I know, I know this is very un-autopian of me to leave all these swirls behind but my dad was very impressed with the improvement so in the interest of time, I moved on. I guess I need a more aggressive polish or work the OP longer??

Next was FK 303 with an Edge 2000 blue pad. This removed a tiny bit more swirls.

By this time I could see why detailers deserve every penny they make. :bow:

Two coats of Z2pro with Z6 in between.

Finally one coat of FK pink wax with a spray of duragloss AW

then a final spray of FK 425.

Here are the after pics, please don't be too brutal, I'm old.

 

[imported_Denzil]

Great job for your first time! I really see the red. Don't worry about leaving swirls on your first time. I did the same with my car but it always left me wanting to re-detail my car, hehe. Besides, you can't get EVERY swirl out anyway. :nana:

 

[gmblack3]

The red looks very good!

 

[TSXWench]

Thanks! After reading other horror stories on this forum where good panels have been polished into bad, I feel fortunate that I didn't completely ruin my dad's car :nervous2:

I guess the OP is very forgiving.

I also sent him home with a bottle of Aquawax. I'm hoping between that and the loads of other accessories I already bought for him that he can maintain the finish somewhat.

 

[jdlierle]

That's a great looking SLK.



Swirls are/can be a real ***** to get out. Best thing to do, is of course don't get them. But we all get them.



I have never used Zaino, but I have heard Zaino is very unforgiving on swirls. However, Zaino's shine is one of the best out their and their durabitly is legenday.



Even seasoned detailors battle swirls with PCs, and on many finishes unfortunately the swirls can sometimes win under harsh lighting (especially with Zaino). But from experience, working with more detailers with lots of experience and reading on autopia and other forums, you could step up a cutting pad, I'm not going to say what color because every MFG. may have a difference color, but I use Excel Propel pads and use their orange cutting pad, not their yellow pad, and on harsh (or any swirls really) I use it with Optimum polish and also their Optium Hyper Compound (Scott Wax turned me onto this) and this is about as aggressive as you can get. I have read Scott Wax will use the Burgundy Megs cutting pad, but I would not recommend that. WIth the propel pads, and optimum, they for the most part do not mar the finish of most paint, even black, but if you want the perfect finish, always follow up with a polishing pad with your polish of choice, or even Megs speed glaze is really nice for some. But I am pretty convinced to "get out swirls" a rotary" may be the way to go.



But if you try OP Hyper Compound (cutting pad just not Megs, finish with a Op polish) the next time you polish the CLK, I think you may get slightly better results on those swirls. But overall, the car is awesome, and the only one who notices those damn swirls are you. You are now officially cursed with the autopian disease of swirleyes.



Mike Phillips has a video on how to use a PC, not sold thru Megs, do a search and you will find it. But when I first used the PC, I was hoping it would do everything, unfortunately, it has limitations. But with practice, and some different pad/product combos, you might get some even results for your swirl eyes. But for everyone else, that red car already looks sweet!



Doug



So Cal SHine Shop



PS Your Dad is probably not going to take care of that baby as well as you do, so don't sweet the little bit of swirls!!! And the Aqua Wax is a great product for him if he uses it.

 

[TSXWench]

Now that you mention it, I do remember now reading posts here about Zaino being unforgiving in regards to swirls. I did choose it for it's durability since I knew my dad wouldn't be as anal about detailing as I am. I had planned on doing a full Duragloss routine but couldn't get the products in time. (They are on order now). I had also considered the FK 2180 and did actually use the FK 215 on his wheels. Funny thing is, my dad never knew his car had swirls until I polished half the hood then brought him outside to see and then he realized. I think I will have to get some Optimum Compound to add to my polish arsenal. I knew I would only have the time (and energy) to do one polish so I figured the OP would give me good enough results. (Not a very autopian thing to say, I know.) But my dad is absolutely thrilled with the results and I'm quite happy about that :clap: