How do I polish my car?

[Gillie]

With the wifes Disco 2 coming on the market in the near future I would like to give it a polish and a detail before we put it on the market.
The problem I have is that the car is a deep metallic burgundy which looks sensational when washed but shows every mark.
I remember the first weekend we got it, I took it up the back shooting only to find scratches running the full length of the vehicle when I got back. The marks are from blackberries mainly and are by no means deep but in the right light are dissapointing to look at!
Consequently it rarely goes off road and I have always gone a flat colour for 4WD's where these marks don't normally show and are easily buffed out.

In the past I have tried a fine cutting compound but you can see the marks that this makes and leaves a most unsatisfactory job.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to polish this car and the best way to get these minor marks out?

I polished the white disco 1 we had and the white Defender 130 in the past and have had no problems with a base colour but I am stumped how to polish metallic paint and get rid of marks. HELP

[ATH]

I've much the same problem as I have a metallic silver plastic Prado which looks terrible when dirty and scratched (OK I know they look terrible to most LR owners anyway) and I feel compelled to clean the damn thing.
That is another reason I'm thinking Defender/Troopy for the near future. Which ever it is will get a good polish to start with then a wash when it rains apart from if we've been on the beach and then it'll get a good clean up.
Apart from spending a lot of dollars on a detailer, what's the best way to get these finishes to look real good for selling?
Just a lot of elbow grease I suspect and good waxing. Damn, I hate hard work.
AlanH.

[p38arover]

I get a professional. He's doing mine tomorrow.

[Gillie]

I get a professional. He's doing mine tomorrow.

the problem with some of these "professionals" is they use a buffer and they then burn the paint through on ridges in the panel work and there come back is the paint was a bit thin there!

hope you get a good one Ron

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

Needs to be done with a machine buff. Metallics are clear coated.
I used do detailing for show cars years ago and won a bunch of show n shines with my Fatboy I had a few years back.
Metallics need specific types of pads to stop the swirl marks when using a buff and high quality super fine finishing cut polishes like 3M Finesse.
Don't use silicone polishes and if you have in the past, you need Prepsol or similar silicone remover before cutting as the silicone will clog the buff pad and make it harder to polish.
If you take it to a pro, and I would go to a specialist panelshop or detailer, let them know if you have used silicone on it previously.
With doing it properly, the hardest part is masking everything off so plastic trim and the like doesn't get stained by throw off polish and get permanently marked by buff pad burns.
*****DON'T USE LAMBSWOOL PADS*****
has to be foam finger pads, basically the foam egg crate looking pads and there are different pads for cut, finish cut and polish/waxing.

Throw some of this at the detailer you choose and you'll stand less chance of getting ripped off or a bodgy job done

Cheers

Andrew


Sent from my backyard TeePee using smoke signals.

[p38arover]

the problem with some of these "professionals" is they use a buffer and they then burn the paint through on ridges in the panel work and there come back is the paint was a bit thin there!

hope you get a good one Ron

I hope so, too. He's done my car a couple of times before.

[MEANZ06]

hope you get a good one Ron

i have a good detailer here but i think it might be cost prohibitive to send him your way...

[Narangga]

With the wifes Disco 2 coming on the market in the near future I would like to give it a polish and a detail before we put it on the market.
The problem I have is that the car is a deep metallic burgundy which looks sensational when washed but shows every mark.
I remember the first weekend we got it, I took it up the back shooting only to find scratches running the full length of the vehicle when I got back. The marks are from blackberries mainly and are by no means deep but in the right light are dissapointing to look at!
Consequently it rarely goes off road and I have always gone a flat colour for 4WD's where these marks don't normally show and are easily buffed out.

In the past I have tried a fine cutting compound but you can see the marks that this makes and leaves a most unsatisfactory job.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to polish this car and the best way to get these minor marks out?

I polished the white disco 1 we had and the white Defender 130 in the past and have had no problems with a base colour but I am stumped how to polish metallic paint and get rid of marks. HELP

If you want it done properly then get it done properly. Check out a repair place locally with a good reputation.

*****DON'T USE LAMBSWOOL PADS*****

Sent from my backyard TeePee using smoke signals.

For the uninitiated I agree.

[85 county]

i have a good detailer here but i think it might be cost prohibitive to send him your way...

WOW

[Gillie]

I get a professional. He's doing mine tomorrow.

What should I expect to spend for somone to come and polish the car?