tuscarora dave
"Luck" Residue of design
OK, as Promised. Here is a write up with just a few pics.
First I would like to thank Kief for giving me the opportunity to come over and do what I love doing, detailing and teaching. I really need to take a minute to give Kief props for keeping such an immaculately clean vehicle. I have never showed up to do a job or to just give a hand to witness such a clean machine. So a :bigups to you Kief.
Here are a few pics I took shortly after I arrived.
As Kief stated above, we spent about 7 hours teaching, testing and learning. (I learn something on every job)
We covered a lot of ground in those 7 hours. We talked a lot about theory and also got a little shop time as well.
We talked about how a car is painted, man vs. robotics, the effect that gravity has on wet paint as the car is painted (the thickness of the paint on horizontal panels, vertical panels and of course the different edges.)
We talked about the differences and similarites of holograms, swirls and marring and how each are instilled in the car's finish.
We covered the dynamics of polishing. What really is occuring during the polishing process, the leveling of the clear coat, the thickness or rather thinness of the clear coat and how many times a car can be polished using good technique vs. hacking the paint.
We discussed the importance of the 2 bucket wash method and using quality microfiber mitts and towels. We also discussed and possibly rationalized the use of the California Car Duster. :yikes:
We talked about the differences between a chemical paint cleaner, a diminishing polish, a non-diminishing polish and a pad dependant polish. We also took a look at all in one polishes such as PB PWS or PWC.
Kief got to see, hold and feel the weight of the different machines and observe the different actions of the different types of polishing machines and pads. He also learned that a Rotary can de a dangerous tool in the hands of a novice and exactly why.
We talked about the heat, friction and fast cutting action that can get one in trouble while using a rotary. (even a pro) We looked at how the pad and abrasiveness of the polish reacts on flat surfaces vs. edges and how important it is to consider the direction of the rotation of the pad in relationship to certain sharp edges. I showed Kief how a pad can and will conform and situate itself into the gap between a door and a fender and cut through the paint on that edge.
Next we discussed how a $5 roll of painters tape is cheap insurance against very costly paint repairs which not only might still be seen, but can be the difference between the car's status being in excellent or just good condition effecting resale value.
So here is what Kief was dealing with since delivery of this beautiful car from the dealership. It really is a shame that a dealership of a high end car such as BMW would find that delivery of a brand new car in this condition is acceptable.
I showed Kief the edges that he should be taping over until he gets the hang of polishing the car and we taped off a test section.
We started polishing the test section using the least aggressive method first (SSR1 on a finish pad using the G110V2) which yielded no results but for educational purposes we did it anyway.
We talked about stepping our way up the abrasive polish/pad ladder and how it would leave a resulting haze. So next we stepped up to SSR 2.5 and an orange pad and this was our results after many passes.
We then stepped back down the scale of abrasiveness to yield these results.
Then we had a look and discussion about the safety of a diminishing polish vs. the speed of a non diminishing product such as M105. By this time Kief had learned a lot and we wanted to wrap this session up so after Kief got to run a few passes with a few different pad and polish combos to see really how safe and tedious it can be to polish his own car, to show Kief how fast correction can be accomplished, I ran out the rest of the hood using M-105 on the Flex at speed 6 using an orange Poorboy's World Variable Contact pad.
I followed that pass, again using the Flex at speed 6 with a white Poorboy's World Variable Contact pad and SSR 2 breaking the polish down fully.
I finished up using PB PWS so Kief could see what kind of results can be had with such a nice product. Here are a few pics of the finished out hood.
Here is a shot of Kief comparing the difference between the finished out hood and the rest of the car.
To summarize this story,Kief was a wonderful and very focused student. He is a really nice guy with a passion for great looking cars. The reason Kief and I got together on this was so that he, or we could work out a process for a beginner that is safe but will yield the results that he desires and to eliminate the fears that he had in thinking about putting a machine to his car's paint for the first time.
I have to say he did real well for his first time, he had a naturally correct arm speed and a perfect overlapping pattern. We decided that the PC with the Poorboy's World SSR line (excluding SSR3) and an array of flat pads would be best for him to get started with and of course Natty's blue.
I think that after our educational experience together, Kief will have a much better understanding of what he reads here at DC. I am sure that he will learn the best way to correct and maintain his BMW. I have encouraged him to read and study the threads here at DC and to feel free to call or PM me with any questions and to POST UP!!! We love pics here at DC Keif so post many questions and post many photos!!! Don't be a stranger. TD
First I would like to thank Kief for giving me the opportunity to come over and do what I love doing, detailing and teaching. I really need to take a minute to give Kief props for keeping such an immaculately clean vehicle. I have never showed up to do a job or to just give a hand to witness such a clean machine. So a :bigups to you Kief.
Here are a few pics I took shortly after I arrived.
As Kief stated above, we spent about 7 hours teaching, testing and learning. (I learn something on every job)
We covered a lot of ground in those 7 hours. We talked a lot about theory and also got a little shop time as well.
We talked about how a car is painted, man vs. robotics, the effect that gravity has on wet paint as the car is painted (the thickness of the paint on horizontal panels, vertical panels and of course the different edges.)
We talked about the differences and similarites of holograms, swirls and marring and how each are instilled in the car's finish.
We covered the dynamics of polishing. What really is occuring during the polishing process, the leveling of the clear coat, the thickness or rather thinness of the clear coat and how many times a car can be polished using good technique vs. hacking the paint.
We discussed the importance of the 2 bucket wash method and using quality microfiber mitts and towels. We also discussed and possibly rationalized the use of the California Car Duster. :yikes:
We talked about the differences between a chemical paint cleaner, a diminishing polish, a non-diminishing polish and a pad dependant polish. We also took a look at all in one polishes such as PB PWS or PWC.
Kief got to see, hold and feel the weight of the different machines and observe the different actions of the different types of polishing machines and pads. He also learned that a Rotary can de a dangerous tool in the hands of a novice and exactly why.
We talked about the heat, friction and fast cutting action that can get one in trouble while using a rotary. (even a pro) We looked at how the pad and abrasiveness of the polish reacts on flat surfaces vs. edges and how important it is to consider the direction of the rotation of the pad in relationship to certain sharp edges. I showed Kief how a pad can and will conform and situate itself into the gap between a door and a fender and cut through the paint on that edge.
Next we discussed how a $5 roll of painters tape is cheap insurance against very costly paint repairs which not only might still be seen, but can be the difference between the car's status being in excellent or just good condition effecting resale value.
So here is what Kief was dealing with since delivery of this beautiful car from the dealership. It really is a shame that a dealership of a high end car such as BMW would find that delivery of a brand new car in this condition is acceptable.
I showed Kief the edges that he should be taping over until he gets the hang of polishing the car and we taped off a test section.
We started polishing the test section using the least aggressive method first (SSR1 on a finish pad using the G110V2) which yielded no results but for educational purposes we did it anyway.
We talked about stepping our way up the abrasive polish/pad ladder and how it would leave a resulting haze. So next we stepped up to SSR 2.5 and an orange pad and this was our results after many passes.
We then stepped back down the scale of abrasiveness to yield these results.
Then we had a look and discussion about the safety of a diminishing polish vs. the speed of a non diminishing product such as M105. By this time Kief had learned a lot and we wanted to wrap this session up so after Kief got to run a few passes with a few different pad and polish combos to see really how safe and tedious it can be to polish his own car, to show Kief how fast correction can be accomplished, I ran out the rest of the hood using M-105 on the Flex at speed 6 using an orange Poorboy's World Variable Contact pad.
I followed that pass, again using the Flex at speed 6 with a white Poorboy's World Variable Contact pad and SSR 2 breaking the polish down fully.
I finished up using PB PWS so Kief could see what kind of results can be had with such a nice product. Here are a few pics of the finished out hood.
Here is a shot of Kief comparing the difference between the finished out hood and the rest of the car.
To summarize this story,Kief was a wonderful and very focused student. He is a really nice guy with a passion for great looking cars. The reason Kief and I got together on this was so that he, or we could work out a process for a beginner that is safe but will yield the results that he desires and to eliminate the fears that he had in thinking about putting a machine to his car's paint for the first time.
I have to say he did real well for his first time, he had a naturally correct arm speed and a perfect overlapping pattern. We decided that the PC with the Poorboy's World SSR line (excluding SSR3) and an array of flat pads would be best for him to get started with and of course Natty's blue.
I think that after our educational experience together, Kief will have a much better understanding of what he reads here at DC. I am sure that he will learn the best way to correct and maintain his BMW. I have encouraged him to read and study the threads here at DC and to feel free to call or PM me with any questions and to POST UP!!! We love pics here at DC Keif so post many questions and post many photos!!! Don't be a stranger. TD
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