Odds and Ends

I've found that my dual 500 watt halogen spot lights work best for silver and white cars. I will put them on the lower power setting for brightness, and either put them right in front of the car or right behind the car, at the headlight or taillight, and adjust it to about that height as well. Then I will look all sorts of goofy like a baseball catcher doing all sorts of odd left-right-up-down stretches as I'm looking down the car to make sure I removed all wax or polish. I do this with the garage doors closed, since it makes things easier without any sunlight glaring in, and so my neighbor doesn't think I'm practicing some sort of detailing kung fu

Well stated, Dan. I use the same "angle" technique with different lights. Gotta do this with lighter colors. Darker colors always have to go out in the sun for QC purposes for me....

I had a customer with a black C6 Vette that I washed almost every Friday.  I would only have to do a light polish about twice a year.  This was long before HGG was created, but it did get either a quick coat of Buttery or Brilliant Glaze about every third or fourth wash.  That customer has since sold that car and moved away, but now I have a new "regular" wash customer with a black BMW M5.  I just had it in for a nice multi-step polish and seal to start it off right, but plan to approach it much the same way as he plans to come by for semi-weekly hand jobs.  
 
I echo what others have said, but will add that applying only as much pressure as necessary combined with a slick surface will be  your best combination for keeping swirls at bay for the longer periods of time.  
 
- Darryl

My initial guess would be that it was a little heavier in those spots and simply didn't get wiped thoroughly.  You didn't mention how you applied it.
 
LPS on Silver and White is especially tricky as it is hard to see when wiping it off.  I own both a silver and a white car and it always catches me by surprise when I walk by one of those cars much later and catch a spot that I missed.  
 
- Darryl

I had a customer with a black C6 Vette that I washed almost every Friday.  I would only have to do a light polish about twice a year.  This was long before HGG was created, but it did get either a quick coat of Buttery or Brilliant Glaze about every third or fourth wash.  That customer has since sold that car and moved away, but now I have a new "regular" wash customer with a black BMW M5.  I just had it in for a nice multi-step polish and seal to start it off right, but plan to approach it much the same way as he plans to come by for semi-weekly hand jobs.  
 
I echo what others have said, but will add that applying only as much pressure as necessary combined with a slick surface will be  your best combination for keeping swirls at bay for the longer periods of time.  
 
- Darryl

^This.  With proper technique and a product that has good lubrication, you should be able to not worry about touching your paint.  I do mostly rinseless washes as well - technique and lubrication is everything, even when you don't have a Master Blaster you can be swirl free.

Welcome to the forums!  I'm only about an hour from you and have most, if not all products in stock all of the time.  Fellow Audi owner, ACNA member and Audi PCC sponsor.  Let me know if I can help you with anything.  
 
- Darryl

Welcome to the forums!  I'm only about an hour from you and have most, if not all products in stock all of the time.  Fellow Audi owner, ACNA member and Audi PCC sponsor.  Let me know if I can help you with anything.  
 
- Darryl

At the $150 range price-wise, the Porter Cable 7424XP is pretty hard to beat. It's a durable, well constructed machine that will be reliable for many years of detailing.

Dont leave out looking at a Flex 3401. I've got 2 PC's, and a Flex,and hands down for cutting power and way less vibration, nothing cuts like the Flex. Takes 7 inch pads and with a different backing plate, will take 4 and 5 in. pads too. 

Per the directions, allow about an hour before layering additional products.  Once it's dry, it's dry, so many times I will apply it with the PC, go home, and then take it off the next morning.  At that point, it's had plenty of time to "cure" and I will apply the second coat immediately after wiping off the first one.
 
- Darryl

H2O Guard and Gloss is actually my new Favorite product.
 
Every time this product gets demonstrated the reactions are priceless.
 
Great protection, amazing shine!
 

I separate mine into 2-3 loads.
Towels that touch paint
Interior and dirty job
Metal polishing

A couple of quick shots of the '87 911 after wiping off the Liquid Paint Sealant:
 

 

 

 

 

This is pretty standard fare for me......
 
It's done, but I haven't had it outside yet.  It's still buried in my work corner.  Here are a couple of quick shots from earlier this morning that I sent to the owner.
 

 

 

 

 

This is pretty standard fare for me......
 
It's done, but I haven't had it outside yet.  It's still buried in my work corner.  Here are a couple of quick shots from earlier this morning that I sent to the owner.
 

 

 

 

 

A couple of quick shots of the '87 911 after wiping off the Liquid Paint Sealant:
 

 

 

 

 

A couple of quick shots of the '87 911 after wiping off the Liquid Paint Sealant:
 

 

 

 

 

A couple of quick shots of the '87 911 after wiping off the Liquid Paint Sealant:
 

 

 

 

 

Because I'm so skinny, I can hide behind the lift post and sneak up on it!  
 
No , seriously, nuthin' fancy......just old school labor and patience.  Flex for the bulk of it and PC7424 with 4" pads for tight spots.  On the older 911 bodies, there are quite a few areas that need done by hand too.  I don't like to break out the Makita rotary on single stage paint......too easy to take paint off edges and contour lines!

This is pretty standard fare for me......
 
It's done, but I haven't had it outside yet.  It's still buried in my work corner.  Here are a couple of quick shots from earlier this morning that I sent to the owner.
 

 

 

 

 

And the '87 911 begins......I'll do all the tight spots with the small machine/pad first.  I think the swirls and scratches are worse with halogens than they were in the direct sun!
 

 
 

Hey gang,
 
Just thought I'd throw this out there......
 
One of my good customers and Capital City G8 Club member is heading down (as he does every year....lol) and has graciously volunteered to bring product.  If anybody wants Adam's products, please get in touch with me before Wednesday (tomorrow) night, let's say 9pm Eastern Time, and I will box up your order, write your name on the box and let you know how to find Bryan.  You can pre-pay me via PayPal or credit card.  Bryan will have the ability to take credit card payments as well.  
 
- Darryl

The new PCP cuts much better than the old SHR.....not really the same product at all.  The only similarities are the color(s).  Plenty of threads discussing this but bottom line is it's a very nice polish.  I would say it falls into a "medium" category as far as the general industry is concerned, but with multiple passes,  very good results can be achieved.  When PCP was released, I did quite a few side by sides with other polishes to get a feel for the cutting power.
 
BTW, Taurus looks good!

Hey gang,
 
Just thought I'd throw this out there......
 
One of my good customers and Capital City G8 Club member is heading down (as he does every year....lol) and has graciously volunteered to bring product.  If anybody wants Adam's products, please get in touch with me before Wednesday (tomorrow) night, let's say 9pm Eastern Time, and I will box up your order, write your name on the box and let you know how to find Bryan.  You can pre-pay me via PayPal or credit card.  Bryan will have the ability to take credit card payments as well.  
 
- Darryl