Pressure washer recommendation

K

KWANG-SEOK

New member
Forgive me, I'm a newbie, but I have a question that I think you folks can help me with. FWIW, I've searched through the forum archives and wound up getting more confused than educated. Anyway...



I have a new Torch Red Corvette and I tried to remove a minor scratch and some swirl marks thoughtfully provided by my dealer. I used 3M Scratch Remover to get rid of the scratch and followed that up with 3M Swirl Mark Remover (over a larger area) to remove the swirl marks left by the dealer and by the scratch remover. The trouble is that now I have a section on my car about 1' by 6" that appears hazy and that has very minor swirl marks when viewed in direct sunlight. I've tried applying Zaino Z-5 to attempt to correct the haze/swirls but haven't had any luck with it. Also, I've applied all of the products mentioned above by hand with 100% cotton terry towels.



I'm concerned with using harsh abrasives to correct this problem because I really had to use some elbow grease to get rid of the scratch (although that was confined to a relatively small area). Since I'm no expert, I don't know whether that should be a major concern or not.



What's the best, quickest way for me to eliminate the hazing I'm seeing? I've already ordered some 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, but I realize that will only be a temporary fix. I've seen Klasse All-In-One and Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion mentioned quite a bit around here...are those products the best bet? If so, how should they be applied? Bear in mind that I'd like to stick to products which can be applied by hand.



Thanks for any help you can provide!
 
Then Zaino Z5 should fill it in with a coat or two. Make sure you dawn wash to remove oils before applying zaino or evaluating. Use Z1 first, press hard with the Z5, and allow it to dry completely. Allow at least 24 hrs cure time before applying layer #2.



Some people have had good luck with Pinnacle paint cleansing lotion to remove that haze.
 
Just to make sure, did you use SMR horizontally or using the circular motion? I had to go back over all the areas that I'd did a circular motion (following the bottle, I guess I'm a doof for it) with a straight motion to bring out the shine. Also with SMR you should not have to press hard, if you are pressing too hard to see results you probably aren't using something abrasive enough. As long as you follow up with less abrasive stuff a cleaner or if absolutely necessary a rubbing compound can be used with little elbow grease to easily bring out a single bad scratch, then follow up with a finer cleaner or polish, then SMR. Use everything in a horizontal motion, it does make a difference.



Also make sure and use some sort of pre-wax cleaner (dawn wash or PPLC) to clean off the oils from the products before re-waxing.



Joseph Kuster

-Just like life, it's all in the details
 
Yes, some areas I used a circular motion, but others I used a horizontal motion, and all have the haze. Should I be using a foam pad to apply the SMR or is a cotton towel good enough?
 
Personally I buy the soft cotton wax applicator pads, cheap enough to toss or dedicate to one specific product, but are soft enough to avoid scratches, ok, not 100% or as well as microfibers, but it is good enough considering you ARE using abrasives on the car paint. Foam pads are "ok" too.
 
I'd really recommend that you use cotton pads for the harsher abrasives, and all of your finishing stuff (SMR or PPCL), wax, etc should be applied with foam pads.



The cotton pads are good to give the cleaners and abrasives a little extra "kick" but soak up too much of other products and don't give you as even an application as foam. If we make sure to only use the finest Charisma towels or MT's to buff, why would we use scratchy cotton pads to rub things into our paint?



Just my $0.02.

puterbum
 
Search this board - lots of good info.



First, SMR is very technique-dependent. Search on "technique matters". Without proper technique it will leave a very hazy finish.



Second, I don't think Z5 is anywhere near as good as other products for filling/hiding swirls. But you are trying to REMOVE them. If SMR isn't enough, try Finesse-IT II white finishing compound. Follow with SMR using proper technique. This should leave a pretty good gloss. You can pump it up further before waxing with a good glaze or polish.



/GH
 
I think your best bet is to determine how well the SMR is removing the swirls, and if not get the next most abrasive product, such as Finesse-it. Remember to user bumper-to-bumper back and fourth motions.

If the car is straight from the dealer then I would think (or hope) that SMR would be strong enough to remove the dealer-caused swirls. Afterwards, do a Dawn wash followed by PPCL. Afterwards if you are a Klasse user the cleaners in Klasse will also help to remove the haze.
 
Steve-

The SMR definitely removed the dealer-installed swirls, but in the process left small, finer swirls/haze of its own. FWIW, my car is a 2001 Corvette, and I've read that the clearcoat is very soft on this car which, if true, might explain why I'm having the hazing problem. Also, as a newbie, I used a circular application technique at first (silly of me to follow the instructions on the bottle :rolleyes: ), so I'm thinking another pass of SMR might be warranted before I move on to a finer abrasive.



Anyway, I'm a die-hard Zaino user, but Z-5 hasn't been able to help me out with the haze up to this point. I'm going to try PPCL and 3M Finish Restorer (I understand both are very, very mild products) and hopefully one or the other will clear up the haze. I'm really hesistant to try a more aggressive product because if the SMR is already creating haze, I suspect the FI2 will just make things even worse.
 
I'm a newbie as well and posted a similar question as well a while back. I recently used the PPCL and it took away the haze. I don't know much about the other products but it seemed to work really well for me.



Nick
 
Finish Restorer? I dunno much about it, but it sounds like its inteneted for a more neglected car than your Vette. Id first work the SMR in the back and fourth motion (it may take you a bit of time), and see how far you get with that. If that doesnt work try 3M Finesse-it. I really dont think your going to need to get any more aggressive than that. Then follow up with a Dawn wash and some PPCL to remove the haze and apply your Zaino.
 
I am in the market for a pressure washer. What make of washer do you guys recommend? It will be used soley for detailing as I already have a big roll around gas unit for driveway, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
96 Z-Ragtop said:
I am in the market for a pressure washer. What make of washer do you guys recommend? It will be used soley for detailing as I already have a big roll around gas unit for driveway, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...

With the little knowledge I have about these things, the one thing I've learned is search and find one with a CAT pump on it. The pump is the most important component and CAT makes the best ones out there. That's about all I can suggest though.

My dad has a Hotsy that his guys use to clean masonry on their jobs and I'm so freaking jealous! It's huge though, not a mobile machine by any means, he moves it around with the BOBCAT. :scared:
 
After years of using cheap electric pressure washers that are more toy than tool I finally upgraded to a Cam spray 1500A... Small, quite, electric and built like a tank....:2 cents:
 
Morning/
The Cat Pump is a good pump/:thumbup:.Another pump that's excellent is ones made by:*ANNOVI/REVERBERI*.They are made in Italy.
My Power Equipment guy said it is a good pump.I had the same pump on my last power washer.
If your gonna use it alot...MOPHO is to possibly look into one w/a Honda Engine.Properly maintained...you should get *Many Years*
of service w/those combinations.Good Luck in your Search/:smile:.
Best Regards/
Raymond
 
I just got a nice electric one from the local Northern Tool, 1700 psi, 15amp, has Comet pump with ceramic plungers. It was $449.00 - works like a champ!
 
*MustangGT/25YRS* said:
Morning/
The Cat Pump is a good pump/:thumbup:.Another pump that's excellent is ones made by:*ANNOVI/REVERBERI*.They are made in Italy.
My Power Equipment guy said it is a good pump.I had the same pump on my last power washer.
If your gonna use it alot...MOPHO is to possibly look into one w/a Honda Engine.Properly maintained...you should get *Many Years*
of service w/those combinations.Good Luck in your Search/:smile:.
Best Regards/
Raymond
Click to expand...

Costco has a whole line of pressure washers now with Honda engines -multi ranging in PSI's, priced from $189-$425. I have no idea what pump they have.
What PSI do you suggest stricly for detailing? Or for a addtl useage around the house, what PSI would be good? Plus, I know they come with like 4 different nozzles but will one of those usually be for foam or what nozzle do I need for foaming?
 

Attachments

  • 100-0003_img.jpg
    100-0003_img.jpg
    70.3 KB · Views: 258
ive been looking into the karcher pressure washers. i mean is it really necessary to have a really high psi pressure washers for cars? unless you clean cars that just came from the mud derby then its understandable. but i think you dont need an overall big machine for cars. what do you guys think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top