Buffing with Confidence review

[Nica]

As some of you know I purchased the Buffing with Confidence video and after watching the video over and over and over I’m ready to do a review. So here goes:

Well where to start. How about the topics that the video covers:


Paint technology - gives you a nice history on how vehicle are painted and how new technology is helping out the industry. I found this to be very interesting because it showed the different lawyers of protection the vehicle has.
Paint problems - this part I really enjoyed. It literally shows you what problems you can fix and what problems you can not fix. In addition, it gives you a general sense as to what to look out for too.
Paint preparation – at first I thought this a little tedious but it turned out to be a great part, when I saw the video a few times. This section covered the washing and claying and how to do both properly.
Buffing products - this part of the video I found to be very informative and what I enjoyed the most was the variety of products that were shown. No particular product was ever pushed (kind of). It did a good job of explaining polishing products with respect to compounding. Very nice section.
Buffing pads and backing plates - this one was okay, nothing special just general information on the backing plates.
Buffers - I enjoyed this one, the video shows a variety of buffers and the nice thing is it shows you how to use it properly. I really enjoyed the technique he used when using the machine at the lower panels (you know the one’s underneath the doors). I picked up some nice pointers on this one.
Prepping the vehicle - this was one of the parts that really had me sitting at the edge of my chair (no joke). Show’s you how to do a walk through, what to look for, how to tape certain areas…really good part. Show’s how to avoid damaging certain pieces of the vehicle.
Buffing the vehicle – this part I found interesting, it goes through how to use a foam and wool pad(s). It also explains the different types of pads and what each one does. Very informative part. I was very interested in the wool pad.
Swirl marks - this was another good section that I enjoyed. It shows you have you got those swirl marks with the rotary and it shows you how to properly remove the swirl marks very good topic.
Final step - this part is okay, just goes over the sealants/glaze/wax. This section didn’t really impress me too much but it was still interesting to see.
After the buffing is complete - this little insignificant step I found to be a very good topic. Basically it goes through what to inspect when the job is done. Really good pointers as to things that are over looked. I personally really enjoyed this part of it.1/2

[Nica]

2/2


If I’m not mistaken that is about all the topics the video covered. Very nice video.

Okay now for my personal opinion on it:

First of all I really wished I new about this video when I started looking at detailing with a machine because it does an excellent job at walking a new person through detailing. I remember when I was starting to detail I didn’t even know what clay was or what it’s purpose was. What to look for in the paint it’s self, what is possible to correct and what is impossible to correct. These plus many more points would have been wicked to have known from the beginning. Here is my theory on education, the more educated you are the better prepare you are when it comes to completing a job (anything in life for that matter). So if I had this video plus the help from the AG members/videos here I would have been in heaven.

This video showed wicked techniques, tips and tricks on how to improve you’re detailing but here are a few tips/techniques that I really like:


One technique that I really want to master is putting the polish/compound in staggering straight lines and coming with the rotary and scooping it up and working away. This technique is incredible, I’ve been playing around with it and if I spread the polish/compound properly I can do the entire hood, roof or truck with out having to turn off the rotary. Really good technique, when I first started trying it out I was splattering everywhere and there is a trick to pick up and the video shows you how. Show’s you how to approach the straight line of polish/compound and how to pick up with your pad. I’m now trying this technique on door panels and one whole side of a vehicle. This technique is really good when you have large surface areas. I warn you though, with this method there is a potential of wasting product…I know I wastes some product.
The other technique that I was impressed by was how to avoid getting polish in the hard to reach areas, between two panels that meet or the hood and the fenders. I remember when I first started polishing I would get polish everywhere but this simple technique really helped me. After watching the video I thought to my self “this is common sense”…but in reality it was not common sense to me that is.
Another technique was the polishing of the lower panels (underneath the doors). I find the lower panels to be a pain and at first it was uncomfortable trying to polish. The video shows a way of holding the machine, I don’t think I can describe it because I was scratched my head and I had to paused the video a few times to see clearly how it was done…I don’t know I just couldn’t get it. I’ll try to describe it. The rotary or PC needs to have the handle attached to it and you are on your knees and now put your hands straight out, now cross them (to make an x type) and then grab the machine with? That’s the best I can do….I’ll try and get something to help illustrate this technique…if anyone of you know what I’m talking about please jump in. I have tried it and it does help but I just keep going back to my way and that is no handle and the Metabo feels good in any position feels. But just thought it was worth mentioning as it got my attention.
Another thing that I felt I should have known but did not is how to position your body and how to move your body and not your arms. Sometimes you it’s required for you to move your arms but most of the times it’s all on moving around using your legs and being square with what you’re polishing. The video shows you this and gives good tips on how to position your body.
Another point I found useful from the video is that it goes through various types of polishing/compound products. The video explains the difference between polish and compound and when to use and how to maximize on the product, meaning no wasting product. I found this interesting and useful.

So how would I rate this video, out of 10 I give it 8. Why? Three big reasons, well at least to me they were big and significant:


I really wished it had wet sanding, maybe I’m asking for too much but I don’t think I am.
I would like to see some paint gauging action.
The video shows how to clean gum foam pads or gummed wool pads but it does not show to wash them….maybe not a big deal but I just wished it showed more detail on cleaning pads as it’s a big deal when your learning.
Overall, I recommend this video. At first I thought that this video would be best for new people trying to get into detailing with a machine, pads, clay the works but overall this video is good even for the veterans…yes even for Master Toto….maybe a guy like Toto would skip a few chapters but I’m sure even a person with lots of experience would get something out of the video. In my opinion this video is money well spent and the rating I gave it reflects it.

I hope this review helps and sorry if I confused you on the one of the techniques…but I’ll try to make it up with some nice snap shots (pictures of the technique coming soon).

Feed back is always welcome.

Edit - sorry I forgot to post these pics.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Buffing%20With%20Confidence/DSC01449.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Buffing%20With%20Confidence/DSC01450.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/Nica03151979/Buffing%20With%20Confidence/DSC01452.jpg

[Rsurfer]

Nice review Carlos. Where did you get the video?

[pirex]

Thanks for the review! I want that movie to!! Were did you get it?

[alban61]

Thank-you Carlos for taking the time to do that well-written review! :applause:
Was it on DVD? Something I'll definitely look into getting. Awesome review, bro!!

[Gary Sword]

Nice review Nica. How long is the video?

[Nica]

Rsurfer - glad you liked it, google Kleen Car Auto Apperance.

pirex - glad you liked the review...google Kleen Car Auto Apperance.

alban61 - my pleasure buddy, it's the least I can do to help others. All AG memebers here have helped me in many ways. It is a DVD.

Gary Sword - The video is over 2hrs long...if I'm not mistaken about 2 1/2hrs long. Loadid with lots of info.

The person who made the video is Kevin Ferrall he owns Kleen Car Auto Apperance. I've talked to him on the phone really nice guy. He was telling me that he used to or still traines the BMW guys. Very knowlegable person, knows lots about detailing. Glad you guys enjoyed the review, I hope it wasen't long and borring but I tried to be as detailed as possible.

[Truls]

Great review Nica, im googling that one.

[trhland]

that guy who sells that tape lives near me hes a nice guy. the one thing i disagreed with him about is waxing he says that wax doesnt give any shine what so ever !!!!only protection!!! he told me dont belive the hype. his words. i told him i was a member of a/g and told him about the souveran wax and he just keep saying dont belive waxes do anything for the shine . my opinion that is far from the truth. series 2 gives an awesome shine!!!! dont take this the wrong way though he is very noligable . and knows alot about polishing .

[devst8]

thanks for the review Nica, I will try to find a copy :-)

[Nica]

Truls - glad you enjoyed it buddy, to be honest I was really hesitant as to weather to spen dthe money or not but I'm glad I did.

trhland - really, must be nice. He's got a steamer that I'm very interested on purchasing but not right now. Yea he was telling me the same thing, in a way I agree with him because wax is just like putting the cheery on the cake. The more I polish the better I seem to be getting at it and yes polishing is important but wax is as important. Glaze/sealents/waxing they are very important to the final result....it just happens that it protects as well :D

devst8 - happy to help my friend.

[trhland]

Truls - glad you enjoyed it buddy, to be honest I was really hesitant as to weather to spen dthe money or not but I'm glad I did.

trhland - really, must be nice. He's got a steamer that I'm very interested on purchasing but not right now. Yea he was telling me the same thing, in a way I agree with him because wax is just like putting the cheery on the cake. The more I polish the better I seem to be getting at it and yes polishing is important but wax is as important. Glaze/sealents/waxing they are very important to the final result....it just happens that it protects as well :D

devst8 - happy to help my friend.yes polishing is the most important but after waxing it really gives it a nice glow. kevin from kleencar details for profit and charging the price that he charges hes not going to includea 80 wax . and i dont blame him it would cut into his profit . ya that steamer is nice . iwas thinking of taking one of his detailing classes he does over here 3 days for 400. little high for me but i bet i can learn alot in that time ya know.i know. hes really into detailing and he loves to talk about it and give info. i hope to pick up his tape. sounds great thanks for the write up

[Zymol]

Excellent review Carlos. I always love your posts. Great job with the photos as well. And I agree with you about education. Taking what you learn and applying it in the real world dynamically is what its all about.
Carlos, I appreciate how you aren't afraid to tackle any machine including the rotary, and even wet sanding. You just go for it. You are making excellent choices on all the products you have purchased from Autogeek and other places.
I just got my Metabo rotary, a week or so ago. Fantastic machine! Going to get a UDM orbital as well. I already have the Cyclo.
re: the Vapor Steamer / Extractor you mentioned, that is the machine I'm getting as well. You can use it to steam clean even leather upholstery and disinfect the vitalization system in a vehicle.

trhland

I agree with you about applying a good wax or sealant after the compounding and polishing.
Kevin said the same thing to me "wax doesn't give any shine what so ever !!!!only protection!!!" disagree with Kevin on his statement. But its' OK do disagree.
You will find that there tends to be more agreements among the knowledgeable detailers than disagreements.
Kevin Farrell did work with the Optimum (OPT) company to perfect the OPT products. I have most of the OPT line of products myself.

[Nica]

Zymol - Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review. Looking forward to some of your pics buddy...specially of your collection ;) you got lots of goodies ;).

trhland - I love the Glaze with wax on top look...so wet and warm.....that's what gets me through the harsh winters here ;). Everyone will have an opinion on things but I'll always love the wax, wet look...gives me shivers just thinking about it :D. I agree Kevin is a 100% pure bread detailer, I really enjoy chatting with him. What I like the most is that he's always willing to provide tips and pointers. I would love to take his class, but I'm enjoying the trial and error method so far...I'm getting to the point where I can start saying what I like and what I don't like. This video did give me good tips though, if I didn't like it I wouldn't have even bothered posting anything on it but it's quite good I'm glad I purchased it. Glad you enjoyed the review.

[pirex]

Your review got me to buy the dvd! They dident send to Norway, but with a e-mail to Kevin, its all good :D He is a great guy!! Can`t wait to get the dvd :D