Need some help

[6LS2]

Hey guys, my name is George and I'm new to this Forum. I'm 14 years old and I live in Victoria, Australia. I'm very interested in car detailing and I'm on this forum everyday reading and trying to learn. Recently my dad got a new car, it's a 2006 HSV VZ Clubsport. I know since most of you are in America you would have no idea what this is, but it's similar to a Pontiac GTO. Has 19 inch wheels, 6.0 LS2 Engine making 400hp stock Anyway, the car is black, and I'm very fussy with it. The car has some bad swirls on it and I want to get rid of them but it's new paint so I don't want to damage it. This is how I wash it

- High pressure water the whole car
- Soap the whole car with my soap gun
- High pressure the whole car again to get all the soap off
- Then I get 2 buckets, I will one with soap and water, and I use a cotton towel to clean the car, and in the other bucket I have just water which I put the towel in after doing each panel

Then I dry the car off using a polyester shami ( absorbes water ) yes I know I shouldn't be using this but I don't know how else to dry it.

Here are some pictures I took on the day we got it












The swirls on the car now aren't heavy, but they're easily noticeable. My dad thinks if I polish it now I will stuff up the paint, but I just want something to make the car look as good as it did when we drove off from the dealership. Swirl free and a nice wet glossy look. If you can teach me how to wash/dry the car, which polish is best use for a new car and what pad to use etc I would be very very thankful.

Thanks

George.

[killrwheels@autogeek]

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

I know your car well, and have tracked the HSV upgrades for years to the standard Holden toys. I have several models of your dads car, including some limited editions issued thru Autoart and HSV together, nice ride.

I think most of your swirls are coming from your drying stage. I would highly suggest moving to a WW drying towel, but use it on a slightly damp surface while spritzing with a QD (quick detailer) for added lubrication. Allow it to glide. Use a leaf blower to remove the excess water first.

As for polishing, you dad is wrong. But he likely remembers polishing as compounds and very harsh abrasives. In some cases a finishing polish and finishing pads will do the job. Seriously look at the buffer kits if you dont have one, and they should get you back in shape in no time.

[Surfer]

You Aussies get all the good cars. Our version looks like an overgrown Cavalier, they should have made it 4 doors and more agressive looking. And you have Ford's FPV line there with sweet turbo'd engines and mean V8's. What do we get, friggen Ford 500's lol. And I love how both lines over there had interiors that were great for awhile before Ford and GM finally began putting some thought and quality into their own interiors here, it's like backwards thinking lol.

[supercharged]

Welcome to the forum.
I never knew that in Australia cars have steering wheel on a right side. I thought it was only Japan and England.

[Truls]

Soap, high P and washing (If very dirty high P first too). NXT tech wash, mothers wool/Megs MF mit/chenille mit, Not the same mit all over the car, separate one for feks wheels/rims.

Drying with california WB/water magnet and MF.

Cotton towel? I prefer a washing mit. look at Shmitt or mothers wool mit.

I dont use the blower, but remember, Dont point the blower at the ground, you just end up blowing sand on your car, and thats like sandpaper when you dry it with a WW

And that brand (holden) i have only seen that on GT on ps2, holden is the same as ford? Nice looking car anyway, and 400 bhp should make the trip from coast to coast quick

[killrwheels@autogeek]

http://forums.streetfire.net/showthr...451#post136451

or

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/d...270155f55c.htm

Already on the streets of America ... soon to be at dealerships near us !!

[Truls]

chevrolet Lumina ss, i liked that one. 400 hp, rear wheel drive? i supose. probably 200.000 usd in my (rip off world) Norway. By the way, new tax rules here, my evo just went up 20.000 usd from 1 st January 07. Insane, soon all of Norway will be packed with diesel cars (they just got cheaper) and bye bye petrol cars with more than 90 hp, automatic and 4wd.

Did you have those cars now killrwheels? if so pics please, pretty please with sugar on top.

[ryandamartini]

Originally Posted by Truls

chevrolet Lumina ss, i liked that one. 400 hp, rear wheel drive? i supose. probably 200.000 usd in my (rip off world) Norway. By the way, new tax rules here, my evo just went up 20.000 usd from 1 st January 07. Insane, soon all of Norway will be packed with diesel cars (they just got cheaper) and bye bye petrol cars with more than 90 hp, automatic and 4wd.

Did you have those cars now killrwheels? if so pics please, pretty please with sugar on top.

come to florida! evos are very welcome here!

Ah yes for the newb:

First and foremost the best investment you can make to keep your vehicle looking great and hold some resale value is investing in a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher. It is also sold under the badges of 7336 / 733gSP, and finally the most popular 7424 which is available for purchase right here on autogeek. Great way to take advantage of that 10% off code!

Forgive me, Im just going to reiterate some things maybe but here it goes:

Washing/Drying:
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH how important proper washing and drying is to maintain a swirl free finish.
For this, you want a proper wash mitt and drying towel. For a washmit, I recommend the Schmitt. It is a soft foam with a scrubber for lower areas. It can be machine washed, and many members here have nothing but great things to say about, me personally it’s the best wash mitt ever made.
http://autogeek.net/shmitt.html

And for drying look at the Cobra Guzzler! By far, the best drying towel I have set eyes on. It is 28" x 54" and will dry your beautiful corvette streak free every time. I suggest grabbing one for your big truck! This will help prevent water spots by sucking up the water effectively and completely.

http://autogeek.net/waffle-weave-drying-towel.html

Claying:
about:
http://autogeek.net/clbaandlu.html

My picks:
http://autogeek.net/piulpoclkit.html
http://autogeek.net/wg8000.html



Wax and Sealants:
Now there is a difference here. Waxes are pastes and liquids consisting of either a Carnauba base [natural wax] or a synthetic polymer base [synthetic]. Waxes tend to give the best look of depth and shimmering out of the two, but do not last that long as far as protection is concerned.

This is why a lot of people use both! Sealants form a hard layer on your clear coat to protect your paint. They give a more reflective look to your paint and a very wet look. How do you combine these great elements you ask? Well you use them both. I prefer to lay down a layer of sealant, let it cure for a while and then put a layer of my favorite Carnauba wax on there.

My picks for that black as far as waxes go are thus. Clearkote Red Machine Glaze topped with Pinnacle Signature Series II or DP MAXWAX. Your dad will give you a raise in allowance after that hits the car! Black deserves the best, you will not be disappointed with this combo!

Polishing:
As far as polishing goes, the Porter Cable 7424 is a great tool. While similar to many orbital polishers, it is more powerful than most around. The PC can do astounding corrective work once trained up on it and it a good investment. I suggest you look at the videos on this page as they might help you assess the damage and what polishes you will need on your beauty. http://autogeek.net/xmt.html

As far as pad choices go, I know the price is a little steep for the whole set, but go for the full set of Edge2k pads. They are double sided, so basically 2 in one on each pad. This kit gives you some pad care products, the pads, and buffing bonnets to take off waxes, along with the edge adapter. An EXCELLENT deal! http://autogeek.net/foam-polishing-kit.html

Welcome to car OCD, and we hope you enjoy your ride! Don’t be shy to PM any one of out members for some help if you need it!

[sparkie]

with everybody. You can learn a lot here. Welcome to AG. Your dad car is awesome. I don't understand why GM don't have a car like that over here.

[supercharged]

Originally Posted by Truls

chevrolet Lumina ss, i liked that one. 400 hp, rear wheel drive? i supose. probably 200.000 usd in my (rip off world) Norway. By the way, new tax rules here, my evo just went up 20.000 usd from 1 st January 07. Insane, soon all of Norway will be packed with diesel cars (they just got cheaper) and bye bye petrol cars with more than 90 hp, automatic and 4wd.

Did you have those cars now killrwheels? if so pics please, pretty please with sugar on top.

That's really sad . Here, in California they don't let any diesel imported new cars anymore. New E320 CDI (was thinking to buy one before I got Acura) is illegal in California. But sure sure let one of those 1930-40 car be on the road, which lollute the atmosphere like a million cars.