Hi Everyone-


Given that I'm in the Northeast and we're going through a punishing winter I'm bored and was wondering how hard is it to polish a car.


I've got really fine scratches in my paint, and I was wondering how difficult is it really to polish these out.


There are plenty of instructive videos on Youtube and most of the products are available either online or at auto supply stores.


What's the deal with self detailing? Any tips, or should I just wait until spring and take it to an auto detailer and let them take care of it?


TAC

 

I've found detailing is almost always a process that starts out with me being excited and full of energy, and ends with me being frustrated, sore, and disappointed with my results. The only time I've ever done a "real" detail job was on a black S2000 I owned around 2005. I spent around 8 hours, with a buffer, 3-step menzerna process, convertible top restoration, etc. It looked fantastic, but was a hell of a lot of work.

Even when I do something as simple as wax my daily driver, I find I start out really excited for a few panels, and then realize there are still 8 more to go and stop enjoying it as much. It starts as a fun thing, but quickly becomes work, and work that my skills frankly don't justify.

I'll be taking my vantage to a local place in spring around the time I get my annual maintenance done. Will have them remove the old clear bra, do an entire paint correction, CQuartz finest, and then a new full clear bra put on. I'll have them CQuartz the calipers, and thoroughly clean and condition the leather and interior, too. That's at least a few days of brutal work, and it's one of those things where if I didn't pay someone else to do it, I wouldn't do it myself.

YMMV with how you feel about the labor of course. I definitely enjoy washing my car and keeping it very clean. But detailing gets mundane very fast in my opinion.

 

I love to detail my cars! It's one of my favorite weekend / driveway activities for many years. My wife says "You're a wierdo!" I say "It keeps me out of the strip clubs and casinos!" (JK - I don't go there)

It is hard work, and a very precise activity - especially with these beautiful cars. With no disrespect intended, it might not be a great idea to learn the process on your Aston.

If you do gain some skills, it can be very 'zen-ful' and relaxing. Cheers and good luck.!

 

I also find detailing interesting and rewarding. I would say start small in case you don't like it. Instead of buying everything upfront, start with just clay bar, a "polish" that just fills the scratches and wax/sealant. I also first practice and test the products on my family SUV first.
Aston is a pretty small car so it doesn't take too long. I always worry if taking it to a shop they might take off too much clear coat.

 

For those of us **** types detailing is a passion. It does help to have a good polisher, the right pads, lots of microfiber towels, and quality polish. There are several good sponsors on this sight that I have purchased from. Another wonderful source is Chemical Guys. Polishing is not difficult and the results can be amazing but it is not a fast job. I plan an entire day to properly wash, clay, heavy polish, finish polish, pre-wax, and then wax a vehicle.

 

I also enjoy detailing my cars and agree that it can be a "zen'like" experience. I think you will figure out quite quickly if you enjoy it or not. If not, definitely leave it to the pros.

When I purchased my Aston last year I did a full 3 stage polish on it myself and the results were great! I used 3M products and also had the specific polishing pads for each of the polishes. The right products will make the job much easier and the results much better. In regards to the Aston the paint is quite "soft" so don't linger with the buffer. Also prior to buffing mask/tape areas that you want to protect from the buffer and cover the wipers and windshield from the fine spray of the polish as it is mighty tough to get off of those places. Don't ask how I figured that out

 

Thanks for the replies. Seems polishing and paint correction is made out as some super skilled task, but it doesn't seem that way to me.


In fact, I seem to spend more time cleaning excess polish from the cracks of the car after having someone detail the car for me. This is simply annoying. I figure I can do no worse that that.

 

I recommend paying for a paint correction, followed by cquartz/22ple application. You can then just put on protectants and enjoy the car. Removing scratches is HARD! not to mention one bad move can cause deep paint layer removal

 

Before / After paint correction - astounding differences

 

jcpca356
Thanks for the pictures, but my car is no where near as bad as your door in the first picture.


I have these tiny, tiny scratches that are very, very hard to detect. They are there though, and I'd just like to give a had at trying to get them out.


The nice idea is to practice on another car. I've got a little Fiat 500 that I'm beating around in for the winter. Perhaps, I'll "learn" on that!

 

Its really not rocket science, but does take some effort to do a good job. Learn on the Fiat, or better yet, find a friend with the polisher, pads, etc. get them to teach you, and maybe supervise your first attempt. This will tell you weather you want to do this on a regular basis, before you invest in all the materials

 

yeah, it never looked that bad to the naked eye but under them white lights, it showed. you probably have tons of those and frankly, i wouldn't trust myself.

 

^^^^^ What would make you think his car has tons of scratches? It's only a few months old.

 

 

touche~