Any 370Z specific DA Polishing tips?

haris73 · 05-04-2017, 10:33 AM

Hey everyone,

I was going to clay/compound/polish my car this weekend using a dual action polisher and was hoping that a member with experience could chime in on any advice they thought would be relevant for the 370z (something that is perhaps not standard, which may catch a beginner like myself off gaurd).

For the raised body lines on the hood, I plan to go right up to them but not over. Is this an ok strategy? How did you guys deal with any such difficult angles on the car? I.E right under the spoiler/window panes/etc

Thanks

RDAVIS247 · 05-04-2017, 06:56 PM

Make sure you have patience, 370Z clear coat is made of unicorn fur and titanium making it hard to correct. So make sure you have plenty of time and a good compound to use when you go after it. Keep the machine as flat as possible, use painters tape to tape off trim pieces so you don't scuff them.

For body lines, I went over them but used only as much pressure as it took to hold the machine on the surface. DA polishing is very user friendly.

SouthArk370Z · 05-04-2017, 07:23 PM

Check out Junkman's paint care videos. He's Junkman2008 on this site and, IIRC, Junkman2000 on Youtube.

old guy · 05-05-2017, 08:40 AM

junkman is fantastic ( a little long winded but very knowledgable ) unless you're car is in poor condition I would avoid compound ( too agressive ) try a polish first, and a less aggressive pad. Then work twords more aggressive pads / compounds as needed! Let the machine do the work & watch you're pressure. Use quality products and enjoy you're results

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

Check out Junkman's paint care videos. He's Junkman2008 on this site and, IIRC, Junkman2000 on Youtube.

Nixin · 05-05-2017, 09:47 AM

The Z is not a huge vehicle. I say use your muscles and forget the dual action polisher. Too many chances to F something up, especially if you are inexperienced. Practice on someone else's car.

Damn, I wax my Tahoe and Z by hand.

Chuck33079 · 05-05-2017, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixin

The Z is not a huge vehicle. I say use your muscles and forget the dual action polisher. Too many chances to F something up, especially if you are inexperienced. Practice on someone else's car.

Damn, I wax my Tahoe and Z by hand.

It's really hard to damage paint with a DA polisher. It's also really hard to get a good polish by hand. The final product is much better with the power tools.

Nixin · 05-05-2017, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

It's really hard to damage paint with a DA polisher. It's also really hard to get a good polish by hand. The final product is much better with the power tools.

Common sense is not common and nothing is fool proof! Damn I've even seen folks choke drinking water! There is always a chance, albeit small, of an inexperienced detailer with a DA polisher wrecking clear coat or paint. If it is that simple and the OP wants to take a chance on their Z, especially an inexperienced weekend detailer, then I say dig in and shine her up. Just please do not start a new thread with the title being;
"Help! I screwed up my paint, what do I do now?"
IMHO, sometimes it is better to be a bit cautious and of course gain experience while polishing a s#!t box.

Chuck33079 · 05-05-2017, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixin

Common sense is not common and nothing is fool proof! Damn I've even seen folks choke drinking water! There is always a chance, albeit small, of an inexperienced detailer with a DA polisher wrecking clear coat or paint. If it is that simple and the OP wants to take a chance on their Z, especially an inexperienced weekend detailer, then I say dig in and shine her up. Just please do not start a new thread with the title being;
"Help! I screwed up my paint, what do I do now?"
IMHO, sometimes it is better to be a bit cautious and of course gain experience while polishing a s#!t box.

That's very true. My statement should have included "for a non-retard", as this forum is now being overrun by people who have extra chromosomes and coat hangar scars.

Nixin · 05-05-2017, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

That's very true. My statement should have included "for a non-retard", as this forum is now being overrun by people who have extra chromosomes and coat hangar scars.

It's not only this forum that's being overrun, it is everywhere now; globalization, political correctness and inclusion of all including the alphabet-sapiens.

haris73 · 05-05-2017, 07:33 PM

lol relax

Nixin · 05-05-2017, 08:03 PM

Ok, if you say so Frankie Goes to Hollywood(North)

RyanWest · 05-06-2017, 02:17 AM

First of all you need to invest in ALL the proper tools if you want to paint correct.

-Proper Lighting
-DA Pad cleaner
-Microfiber Buffing Pads
-High Quality Microfiber Towels

PM me ill help ya out!

MacCool · 05-06-2017, 08:26 AM

Double action polisher does a MUCH better job in a LOT less time. Only way to go. Completely safe. If you relegate yourself to muscle power only, the PITA factor will cause you to polish your car only rarely.

Junkman2008 · 05-06-2017, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nixin

The Z is not a huge vehicle. I say use your muscles and forget the dual action polisher. Too many chances to F something up, especially if you are inexperienced. Practice on someone else's car.

Damn, I wax my Tahoe and Z by hand.

Sounds like you have subscribed to the old wives tales and boogie man's forum. For anyone thinking like you, I present these two videos. By the way, DUAL-ACTION polishers are not for novices, ORBITAL polishers are. There is a BIG difference and if you are the type of person who can damage your paint with a ORBITAL polisher, then you probably are a candidate for a security helmet in your daily travels.

Nixin · 05-06-2017, 11:33 AM

Great videos, thank you for enlightening us mere wax-by-hand mortals Junkman.

05-04-2017, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
haris73 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Toronto + Iowa Posts: 23 Drives: '11 370Z Rep Power: 8	Any 370Z specific DA Polishing tips? Hey everyone, I was going to clay/compound/polish my car this weekend using a dual action polisher and was hoping that a member with experience could chime in on any advice they thought would be relevant for the 370z (something that is perhaps not standard, which may catch a beginner like myself off gaurd). For the raised body lines on the hood, I plan to go right up to them but not over. Is this an ok strategy? How did you guys deal with any such difficult angles on the car? I.E right under the spoiler/window panes/etc Thanks

05-04-2017, 06:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
RDAVIS247 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Louisville, CO Posts: 26 Drives: '16 370z Base Rep Power: 10	Make sure you have patience, 370Z clear coat is made of unicorn fur and titanium making it hard to correct. So make sure you have plenty of time and a good compound to use when you go after it. Keep the machine as flat as possible, use painters tape to tape off trim pieces so you don't scuff them. For body lines, I went over them but used only as much pressure as it took to hold the machine on the surface. DA polishing is very user friendly. haris73 likes this.

05-04-2017, 07:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324198	Check out Junkman's paint care videos. He's Junkman2008 on this site and, IIRC, Junkman2000 on Youtube. Chuck33079 likes this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

05-05-2017, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nixin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: GWN Posts: 3,488 Drives: Goodbye Z! Rep Power: 19833	The Z is not a huge vehicle. I say use your muscles and forget the dual action polisher. Too many chances to F something up, especially if you are inexperienced. Practice on someone else's car. Damn, I wax my Tahoe and Z by hand. Smashley likes this.

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05-05-2017, 07:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
haris73 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Toronto + Iowa Posts: 23 Drives: '11 370Z Rep Power: 8	lol relax

05-05-2017, 08:03 PM	#11 (permalink)
Nixin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: GWN Posts: 3,488 Drives: Goodbye Z! Rep Power: 19833	Ok, if you say so Frankie Goes to Hollywood(North)

05-06-2017, 02:17 AM	#12 (permalink)
RyanWest Track Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tamp, Fl Posts: 714 Drives: 2009 Nissan Rep Power: 33	First of all you need to invest in ALL the proper tools if you want to paint correct. -Proper Lighting -DA Pad cleaner -Microfiber Buffing Pads -High Quality Microfiber Towels PM me ill help ya out!

05-06-2017, 08:26 AM	#13 (permalink)
MacCool A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,349 Drives: 370Z PW 2014 Rep Power: 16	Double action polisher does a MUCH better job in a LOT less time. Only way to go. Completely safe. If you relegate yourself to muscle power only, the PITA factor will cause you to polish your car only rarely.

05-06-2017, 11:33 AM	#15 (permalink)
Nixin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: GWN Posts: 3,488 Drives: Goodbye Z! Rep Power: 19833	Great videos, thank you for enlightening us mere wax-by-hand mortals Junkman.