Newbie needs some advice

[rig_man]

Hi, so I am new to detailing myself and could use some advice from the experts. I have a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero, that I bought about 5 months ago. When I bought it the paint seemed in really good condition like the rest of the car. The front bumper was repainted by the dealership I bought it from because there was extensive salt damage from the previous owner. They did a bad job the first time, and I had them fix it. I got it back the second time and I still wasn't completely satisfied but it was just one isolated spot and they fixed most of it. Well after a rough winter, living in Connecticut, my paint has taken a beating from salt and sand, and have now noticed some minor swirl marks on the body that I didn't see before. I have been doing some research to find out what to do to fix and protect my paint, which led me to here. I have purchased some Wolfgang products like the claying kit, polish enhancer, paint sealant, and tire and wheel cleaner, but I know that won't fix any of the problems. I was hoping to get some advice from the experts around here as to what products or techniques to use. I already know the procedures of a proper detailing, and it looks like this car has suffered from a poor detail. I'm guessing from the body shop at the dealership. I am also hoping to do it by hand because I am on a bit of a budget.

Pictures of my car just after a wash only.

8057 This is my hood, the small speckles are mostly dust and pollen. The larger white spots I can catch a nail on. You can also see the swirls in the reflection of the flash.

8058 The large white spot here is a chip in the paint.

8060 My bumper is littered with little chips in the paint I'm assuming is salt and sand damage. It's a low bumper so I'm not surprised.

8061 This is the shotty paint job on the bumper I was talking about.

8059 How do I get the spots off of the plastic molding?

8062 My wheels after using Wolfgang Wheel Cleaner. How can I shine up these type of wheels?

I hope I haven't asked too much. Any advice would be appreciated. I know I won't be able to get it perfect without redoing the paint or touching it up, but anything would be an improvement. Thanks in advance. I have already learned so much just by reading other threads.

[Mike Phillips]

The wheels look clear coated and the brown is staining from built-up brake dust and road grime. You should be able to hand apply some automotive, clear coat safe paint cleaner with a microfiber and remove it safely.

The swirls should be an easy fix, read through these two threads especially the first one as I put a lot of information together to show pretty much the entire process....

All the tips and techniques in the first thread below will work with any foam pads, any good quality swirl removers and finishing polishes and any DA Polisher, even a Rotary Buffer...


Two Part Success Story

Getting my Griot's DA Polisher today and need some direction? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/35518-getting-my-griot-s-da-polisher-today-need-some-direction.html)
Getting a feel for the Griots (pics) (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/35563-getting-feel-griots-pics.html)
These are specific to Wolfgang...


New - Wolfgang Twins (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wolfgang-car-care/34641-wolfgang-twins.html)

Lessons I learned from a Black 2009 BMW 550i (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/33599-lessons-i-learned-black-2009-bmw-550i.html)

How To Remove Horrible Rotary Buffer Swirl Marks out of a 350Z using the Wolfgang Twins (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/21413-horrible-swirl-marks.html)

Proof You Can Do It! - Joe The Detailer - Black Porsche Turned into Black Pearl! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/25226-proof-you-can-do-joe-detailer-black-porsche-turned-into-black-pearl.html)





The rock chips are a good candidate for after you remove all the swirls and get the paint back to where you want it.

Dr. Colorchip System (http://www.autogeek.net/dr-colorchip-paint-chip-repair.html)


Cool car....


:)

[rig_man]

Great, thanks for the info! Is it possible to get those results by hand? I don't own a polisher, and am on a budget.

[Mike Phillips]

Great, thanks for the info! Is it possible to get those results by hand? I don't own a polisher, and am on a budget.

Sure! With a product designed to abrade the paint.

I recently tested Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover by hand on sanding marks... the thing is you need to work small sections at a time in order to "effectively" abrade the paint enough to level the surface.

Removing Scratches By Hand (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/31475-removing-scratches-hand.html)


You're post states you have the Wolfgang Paint Polish Enhancer, it's not for removing defects but for cleaning the surface of the paint, in other words it's a very light paint cleaner.

Read through both of the below threads, they will outline what you need to do...


How to use a hand applied abrasive polish or paint cleaner by hand (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/26612-how-use-hand-applied-abrasive-polish-paint-cleaner-hand.html)

How to clay, clean and wax paint by hand with Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion and Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/25218-how-clay-clean-wax-paint-hand-pinnacle-signature-series-ii.html)



:xyxthumbs:

[rig_man]

Looks like I have some more research and testing to do. I'll post pics of my progress if I get a chance. Thanks again.

[rig_man]

So I managed to get most of the swirls out by using Meg's Ultimate Compound and a lot of elbow grease! After using Wolfgang paint polisher and sealant, the car is shining and looks a lot better. However there are still some spots that after a few passes I couldn't remove them. Things like water etching, larger surface scratches, and some other unidentified blemishes. It looks like I might need to get some power tools involved? I'm thinking of maybe taking it to a local detailer to get that done since I don't own a polisher. I took some pictures of my work after the compounding and of the blemishes I couldn't get out. Thanks again.

Before/After
8147

After compounding
8146
8149

Some water etching and scratches
8151

Unknown blemish
8150
8145