DI Kit and results of pre winter treatment

[danewilson77]

This is my initial contribution. Definetely NOT a DI pro....but I am learning, and it really isn't that hard, if you're willing to spend the time, and make the effort.

So...with winter approaching, and only a couple of months till winter....I wanted to paint correct my car, and get it ready. I purchased the below kit at Detailedimage.com for around $200....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMG_20101006_220642.jpg

....But....was directed by the pro's that doing this prior to winter may be a bit of a waste, due to the harsh winter conditions.

I will use the above kit in the Spring for my paint correction, and post results and how I did it, and anything I learned.

What I did do though, was buy some Wolfgangs paint sealant, and Dodo Juice hard candy wax. I was instructed that this would be very good paint protection for the winter.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMG_20101102_175401.jpg

To use the above, I simply....

1. Washed the car.
2. Ensured it was dry.
3. Pulled it into garage, outta the sun.
4. Clayed car.
5. Applied the Paint sealant in accordnace with the directions using the yellow foam applicator pad.
6. I did the entire car....and allowed it to haze.
7. Buffed out using a MF towel.
8. Then applied the wax....but only did this one panel at a time.
9. Final buff with nice clean MF towel.

Thats what I did.....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/DSC03577.jpg

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/DSC03599sz1200.jpg

[Alphatek45]

Looks great. Nice post. Please Let us know how those products hold up after a few weeks.

[danewilson77]

Finished the DI, on horizontal piece of trunk lid, and hood.

All the swirls came out. I will post better pics tonight...

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMG_20101121_184716.jpg

[jjcools]

Nice, want to come to California?

[zhp43867]

Nice Dane! How's the rest of your car (in relation to swirl marks)?

[danewilson77]

Nice Dane! How's the rest of your car (in relation to swirl marks)?

Bad

I will be spending 2-3 hours on each panel.

[adb1028]

I'm tempted to do this, but I think I might spend the $200 and have it done by a pro

[danewilson77]

You won't get a good paint correction for 200 bux. If you do....tell me.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I'm tempted to do this, but I think I might spend the $200 and have it done by a pro

Dude, how close are you to Detailers Domain? Talk to Phil. See how much they charge. They are awesome.

[zhp43867]

"Professional" detailers are sometimes good, and sometimes screw up more than they fix. I'd say it's a 50/50 shot unless you have feedback on the shop.

[MrMaico]

"Professional" detailers are sometimes good, and sometimes screw up more than they fix. I'd say it's a 50/50 shot unless you have feedback on the shop.

That's what I'm afraid of and I've never heard any feedback on anybody around here that does it. If I knew I would be getting a good job done I'd probably rather spend $300 or so. I also have to take into consideration that I've never done it....I'd hate to screw up my paint. But any more than that and I'd have to invest in a PC kit and maybe a junkyard hood to practice on. When Dane mentions spending 2 to 3 hours a panel though my back hurts just thinking about it.LOL......I'd have to take my time and stretch it out over 4 or 5 sessions.

Barry

[danewilson77]

You absolutely can not screw up your paint with the kit I bought. I promise.....unless you're a complete dumba$$.....

I spent the 4 days over Thanksgiving, fully correcting my car. Someone said it looked like candy last night. Pretty happy with that. Now that I have the tools...and one complete session under my belt...I can do it annually to keep it looking perfect and to help protect that perfectness.

Let me know if you wnat more info.

I will be doing it again in spring to remove any light swirls I acrue over the winter....

[MrMaico]

You absolutely can not screw up your paint with the kit I bought. I promise.....unless you're a complete dumba$$....

Well, depends who you ask.LOL

Ya, from the videos I've watched etc. it looks pretty idiot proof. I'll be sure to contact you if I have any questions Dane but there is definitely no shortage of online DIYs on detailing.

Maybe I'll try and talk a buddy of mine with a black Nissan to go in with me on a kit and we can help each other out.

[zhp43867]

Only place I'd be mindful is the ridge of the roof line next to the gutter, and the edge of the back of the trunk. The porter cable can burn through paint, it's just very hard to do. My roofs ridge has about a 1 inch strip of burned clear coat, probably from a rotary buffer used incorrectly at some point.

[danewilson77]

It's not the tool......it's the pad that won't allow the burn through...according to my peeps....

[zhp43867]

Are you using the lake country pads? They can burn through paint. It needs a catalyst thought to increase the heat, and the ridge on the roof is a perfect example of what that could be. While polishing your trunk lid, etc. it would probably be darn near impossible as you say.

[danewilson77]

Yup...lake county.

[zhp43867]

They are perfectly fine and you can't burn the paint in normal circumstances. I'm guess I'm saying keep in mind that anything is possible.

[Washburn]

Damn I've been slacking - working too much! hope it's not too late to get my pre-winter wash/detail still.... :(

[mwscircle]

nice work keep it up dan

[M0nk3y]

Bad

I will be spending 2-3 hours on each panel.

Do you have halogen lamps yet?

This is the best way to determine correction

[danewilson77]

Nope...no halogens yet.

It wasn't hard to see if what I was attempting to correct...got corrected. I may get a halogen lamp for my Spring session, as this is when I will make it 100% perfect.

I've had two sessions thus far. The first session...I was merely learning, removed some of the gross swirls, and protected the paint with the sealant and the dodo juice.

The second session went much better (still learning though), and removed, maybe 90% of the swirls. There are still some really fine ones I'll need to hit in Spring. Parts of my car are perfect like the trunk lid, front fenders, and doors. Other parts are not...like the roof and hood. I think the people that had the car before me...

1. Never waxed it....and..
2. Ran it through auto car washed (not touchless).

Anyway....it will come and is a ton of work...just like you taught me, sinsei....

Pic after last session. Not a close up....but it's all I have....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMG_20101121_141153-1.jpg