Looking for more gloss out of my car

[BMW435]

I'm looking to use something to enhance the gloss on my car before I add a sealant. My car is less than a year old and the paint is in good shape. I was thinking of using either Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer or Pinnacle Paintwork Clensing Lotion. But instead of using a white pad, I was thinking of using a green pad. What is everyones thoughts? What are people's experiences with either polish? Thanks

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

Good paint prep will give you the best gloss. When is the last time you polished?

[allenk4]

Post a close-up sun shot

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/68135-how-photograph-capture-swirls-sun.html

[MarkD51]

Sounds to me like you have a DA, mentioning the different Pads. Simple trip to wally world (or here and grab some other goodies) and try Meguiars #205 ultra finishing polish on a white or softer pad will get it.

[JMP]

Green pad... AIO like Pinnacle 360 or Wolfgang UAIO...follow up with Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax.....OMG....!!!!

[Hazcat]

There's no one single answer to get the best gloss from your paint. You're going to need to do an inspection looking for random isolated deep scratches, swirls, halograms, etc.... At that point you'll need to do a test spot to see what combination of pads, compounds, possible sand paper, polishes, swirl removers, etc...that is needed to correct your paint and give you the gloss you're looking for on your car. Once you get it how you like put some sort of last supplied product to help protect it and keep it looking nice along with a maintenance schedule for long term gloss. Close up pictures of all the different types of paint defects your paint includes will give us help in making recommendations. Lastly, use the least aggressive product to correct paint defects. Best Wishes!

[FUNX650]

Start here:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/43190-gloss-starts-first-smooth-surface.html

Bob

[KMdef9]

There's no one single answer to get the best gloss from your paint. You're going to need to do an inspection looking for random isolated deep scratches, swirls, halograms, etc.... At that point you'll need to do a test spot to see what combination of pads, compounds, possible sand paper, polishes, swirl removers, etc..

This.


But a finishing or jeweling pad with a finshing polish, like Menzerna 4500 *could* give you more gloss than than those polishes/pads. Like mentioned by hazcat, this will depend on your paint and paint condition.

[allenk4]

Until you post a picture or very accurate describe the type of defects in your paint; none of the specific suggestions for which product or pad to use are relevant

Hazcat is correct

Bob's link is great info too

[BMW435]

My car has never been polished yet. There are just so many different polishes, pads, etc. to choose from. I had clayed my car and then used Menzerna Power Lock Sealant and then Menzerna Color Lock Wax. So I don't need an AIO. Like other people have said, I know to start off with the less aggressive approach first. I could also start off with Menzerna SF4500 and if that doesnt work, I could move onto PF2500. As Hazcat and others have mentioned, I need to do a more thorough inspection of the condition of the paint and go from there. Trying different combos until I get the results I want. The paint doesn't seem to have any major defects or heavy swirls. I use the 2 bucket wash method and a quality drying towel.

[allenk4]

Until you post a picture or very accurate describe the type of defects in your paint; none of the specific suggestions for which product or pad to use are relevant

Hazcat is correct

Bob's link is great info too

If you will post a good close-up, sun shot that shows the type of defects in your paint, the members of the Forum can give you more targeted information on how to proceed

Tomorrow is supposed to be Sunny
...get to yakin' picks

[Zubair]

Menzerna SF4000 followed by Power Lock.

[HateSwirls]

Start here:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/43190-gloss-starts-first-smooth-surface.html

Bob

+1

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

My car has never been polished yet. There are just so many different polishes, pads, etc. to choose from. I had clayed my car and then used Menzerna Power Lock Sealant and then Menzerna Color Lock Wax. So I don't need an AIO. Like other people have said, I know to start off with the less aggressive approach first. I could also start off with Menzerna SF4500 and if that doesnt work, I could move onto PF2500. As Hazcat and others have mentioned, I need to do a more thorough inspection of the condition of the paint and go from there. Trying different combos until I get the results I want. The paint doesn't seem to have any major defects or heavy swirls. I use the 2 bucket wash method and a quality drying towel.

As you car has never been polished yet and you are planning on doing so, Using any polish will remove the Menzerna PowerLock and ColorLock.

As this is a new car that has not been polished before, I personally would start with Menzerna SF4000 on a white pad and check your results. Not only will this polish the surface to perfection, it will also remove any minor swirling.

[Mike Phillips]

Start here:

Gloss starts first with a smooth surface... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/43190-gloss-starts-first-smooth-surface.html)


Bob


+2




This is the definition of a high gloss finish!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford50.jpg



Gloss starts with a smooth surface this means removing any contaminants bonded to the top surface of the paint.

Clarity comes from removing defects in the paint.

If you haven't already, do the Baggie Test

The Baggie Test - How to inspect for above surface bonded contaminants (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27967-baggie-test-how-inspect-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html)


The full write-up for the yellow truck in the picture above is here,

1954 Ford F-100 - Extreme Makeover - Process and products used (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/42270-1954-ford-f-100-extreme-makeover-process-products-used.html)


Most people that would look at the above truck would think it looks great... but I documented the true condition in the write-up.

The paint job was less than one year old yet look what clay pulled off of just HALF the rook and the roof on this truck is kind of small.





This truck was re-painted approximately one year ago but just from exposure to the outdoors has made the paint vulnerable to air-borne contaminants...

This shot was taken with my trusty, dusty Canon Rebel with the flash on after claying the roof...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford67.jpg


Without the flash on here's what the clay looks like and this is what it looked like in person... The roof and the other horizontal panels pretty much felt like sandpaper before we started.

Ewww....
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford68.jpg



Besides restoring gloss, by removing the film of contaminants off the paint you'll make machine polishing easier, safer and more effective and enable your choice of wax or paint sealant to better be able to bond to the paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford69.jpg








If we can get this type of gloss out of an old Ford truck you can get the same type of gloss from a modern car just remember, gloss starts with smoothness.


:)