Joined
·
2,118 Posts
I could use some advice, opinions, and guidance to car care it seems. At least when it comes to this car in particular. Its a babied but driven 2001 SL500 in what MB calls Black Opal but in reality its a metallic pearlescent dark blue.
Swirl marks developed over time so I took her to a detailer who was highly recommended by my bodyshop (who did a great job on the front bumper). He explained that he was going to use this polish and that polish and the marks would disappear. Well, sort of. She looked great when I picked her up, but I could still see a few hints of swirls. About a month later more swirls appeared, eventually looking like no work was actually done. Being touted as the number one detailer outside of Boston, I began to feel like there is actually no such thing as a professional detail shop.
So naturally I thought I would take maters into my own hands. Enter Griot's Garage and lots of fancy bottles of car care products I never knew existed but desperately needed. Here is my cleaning arsenal:
Griot's Garage: 6" random orbital, Machine Polish 3, Best in Show Wax, red pad, orange pad, microfiber wax removal pads, chrome polish, cotton pads, interior cleaner (absolute junk) clay bar, & speed shine.
Autogeek.net: Cobra "Guzzler" microfiber drying towels, P21S bodywork auto shampoo (smells better than mine), & DP interior cleaner (smells like sickly bubblegum but does a darn good job).
I watched the G. Garage DVD, followed instructions, took my time, and finished with swirl marks (found by Maglite not the harsh reality of the Sun yet) in places that didn't have swirl marks before. Some areas look more like haze or grime than a traditional swirl, but they are still new.
So what might I have done wrong? Is it possible for mere mortals following directions and common sense to actually remove swirl marks? Should I try Machine Polish 2? Is this weirdly soft paint that will always be easily marked? Any thoughts are appreciated.
Swirl marks developed over time so I took her to a detailer who was highly recommended by my bodyshop (who did a great job on the front bumper). He explained that he was going to use this polish and that polish and the marks would disappear. Well, sort of. She looked great when I picked her up, but I could still see a few hints of swirls. About a month later more swirls appeared, eventually looking like no work was actually done. Being touted as the number one detailer outside of Boston, I began to feel like there is actually no such thing as a professional detail shop.
So naturally I thought I would take maters into my own hands. Enter Griot's Garage and lots of fancy bottles of car care products I never knew existed but desperately needed. Here is my cleaning arsenal:
Griot's Garage: 6" random orbital, Machine Polish 3, Best in Show Wax, red pad, orange pad, microfiber wax removal pads, chrome polish, cotton pads, interior cleaner (absolute junk) clay bar, & speed shine.
Autogeek.net: Cobra "Guzzler" microfiber drying towels, P21S bodywork auto shampoo (smells better than mine), & DP interior cleaner (smells like sickly bubblegum but does a darn good job).
I watched the G. Garage DVD, followed instructions, took my time, and finished with swirl marks (found by Maglite not the harsh reality of the Sun yet) in places that didn't have swirl marks before. Some areas look more like haze or grime than a traditional swirl, but they are still new.
So what might I have done wrong? Is it possible for mere mortals following directions and common sense to actually remove swirl marks? Should I try Machine Polish 2? Is this weirdly soft paint that will always be easily marked? Any thoughts are appreciated.