Great job!!!!!

 

any direct comparison shots? all the afters are shaded

 

wow!

What a result!

 

Thanks again guys. I tried like mad to get some full direct sun after shots, but the last fender shot was as close as it got. That actually WAS a full-sun shot, but it blew out. There are (or at least WERE) basically no swirls left in the car. There were some deeper scratches that were sufficiently reduced as to be seen only from 1-2 feet.

I will try to catch the car with some full sun, but it's been a while since this was done and I don't know that the owner's wash regimen has been what I told him it should be

 

yeah that really was a pimp job

 

A Berlina brought back from the dead

 

What DO you recommend for weekly/bi-weekly washing? I live in an apartment with no spigots outside, so I must use a local pay-wash.

I just use basic stuff for now, until I move into a place with a garage.

1) Simple Green on wheels, terry towel
2) Mothers bug/tar remover, terry towel
3) Quick rinse
4) RainX car wash, sheepskin mit
5) Thorought rinse
6) Spot-free rinse
7) Meguiars waffle-weave drying towel
8) Mequiars NXT tire dressing
9) Mothers billet/aluminum polish for exhaust tips, terry towel
10) Mothers carnuba cleaner wax, Mequiar's rectangular microfiber applicator pad
11) Remove wax, microfiber towel
12) Windex, newspapers
13) Interior duster (California something)
14) Maguiar's interior dressing, terry towel
15) Vacuum
16) Armor-All leather dressing

 

When you say "pay wash" you mean the place with the high-pressure hoses and such? It sounds like you've got a pretty good regimen going so far. I'd recommend using the 2-bucket method of washing or picking up a large 5-gallon with the grit-guard insert (keeps the grit and dirt at the very bottom and your mitts/rags out of that stuff).

Another thing you might consider is getting some QEW (Quick and Easy Wash). You can fill a couple of 3-5 gallon buckets, (one rinse, one QEW's) with water and do the car at your home (in the shade), as it doesn't require a hose to rinse off. Basically wash and go.

You may want to add in an annual or bi-annual claying and use a regular non-cleaner wax. Reserve the cleaner wax for every other month and use a pure wax for your regular waxing. I actually prefer a sealant on white (Klasse, Zaino) since the main benefits of a pure carnauba (wetness, depth) are wasted on white (IMHO). The sealants give GREAT reflectivity (much better than a wax), which is really the best aspect to shoot for with white.

Some folks might have different opinions on your choice of leather and interior dressing, but those seem like okay products.

Thanks!

 

^ Thanks for the advice. I actually just bought the cleaner wax last night (friend with a black Cooper S just bought some and loves it).

I rarely have money in my bank account (I use cash for most items). I know Zaino isn't available in stores (which is my favorite), what about Klasse? Suggestions on a readily-available wax? Don't like Meguiar's NXT or Zymol liquid waxes, nor do I Meguiars'd regular paste wax.

I also need suggestions for a good polish to get rid of swirls...i may have it done professionally, though.

BTW, what is a PC, and what is the WOWO method?

 

A PC (Porter Cable 7424) is a machine - a random orbital buffer, used with various grades of polishing pads and polishes to remove swirls, correct paint, etc. It's a pretty safe machine, but is slower and less agressive than a rotary polisher (which is more prone to cause problems if you don't know how to use it). As far as a polish, it depends on your swirls. Often times you'll need multiple grades of polish as well as pads. The SFX polishes I used on this black car would be ideal, but Meguiar's sells some that are available at auto stores.

Klasse is sold at some Porsche and Audi dealers, I believe. You can often find S100 (very much the same as P21S - same container even, but half the price) at some Harley and other motorcycle dealers. Most of my favorite real waxes aren't found anywhere but online. However, you could do the Klasse AIO (red bottle) and seal with Klasse Sealant Glaze (SG - silver bottle) as your final coat (multiple coats, if you like).

WOWO - wipe on/wipe off (wax on wax off ) ... basically applying and immediately removing a wax or sealant.