Buffing...is it bad?

NXTAZEE · 07-08-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Maybe...

But, this is the guy's site:

Auto Haven Mobile Detail, LLC

Check his photo gallery.

So...$275 is cheap?

I looked at all of the photo's and none of them show his work. There are no sun shots or 50/50 pics like the one's above. Dark photos and photo's with out direct sun really show nothing. I'm not saying he isn't doing fantastic work, I'm just saying you should see for your self before you commit. $275 in and out is a very good deal if he knows what he is doing. Keep in mind that an exterior detail takes 6 - 8 hours to perform properly, plus another hour or more for the interior on a Z. So if he is going to do all this in a handful of hours I would be very concerned.

NXTAZEE · 07-08-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celcius

Buffing CAN cause swirl marks, but most of the time it's either intentional or because you're doing it wrong. Always make sure you have a clean buffing pad. NEVER use a pad after you drop it on the floor or let it come in contact with anything soiled with any sort of grit. Make sure you're using the right pad for the right application, and make sure you're using the correct compounds.

I have a hard time believing that someone would "intentionally" polish your car so it would have swirls after

. No, it's because they have no f@#$ing idea what they are doing. Most if not all high volume shops really don't perform a quality detail. The reason isn't always because of lack of knowledge, it's because you can't charge a reasonable price and spend all day properly detailing a car. It's not profitable, you would go broke. If it's a small operation with little to no overhead, it's doable. You have to charge serious amounts of money to run a big business like that. Just something to keep in mind. You should never let someone detail your car until you have seen their work first hand. It's a very good idea to use someone that someone you know has used and is very happy with.

NXTAZEE · 07-08-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpawnAeroJohn

Buffing does not cause swirl marks. Its the dirt and dust that gets cought in the buffer do to lack of attention of where you put the pads, that causes the swirl marks.:

That is not correct. Now I'm not saying that dirt doesn't cause swirling in paint from a pad that has dirt on it, because it will, but 99.99% of the time it's from incorrect pad and polish and or compound combination with poor technique that is the cause. If, for example, you are using diminishing abrasives and you don't brake them down properly you will never get a swirl free finish. There are so many variables involved in getting a perfect finish. That is why it takes patience, knowledge and experience to achieve a perfect finish. Most detailers will not spend the time and research needed to perfect the art of polishing. They do it for the wrong reasons, all they see is $$$.

kannibul · 07-09-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

I looked at all of the photo's and none of them show his work. There are no sun shots or 50/50 pics like the one's above. Dark photos and photo's with out direct sun really show nothing. I'm not saying he isn't doing fantastic work, I'm just saying you should see for your self before you commit. $275 in and out is a very good deal if he knows what he is doing. Keep in mind that an exterior detail takes 6 - 8 hours to perform properly, plus another hour or more for the interior on a Z. So if he is going to do all this in a handful of hours I would be very concerned.

Hmm, that's exactly, what I assume he and his partner, are doing. If they are attacking it with 2 people that'd cut down on the labor time, so that knocks it to 3-4 hours given your timeframe listed, and he said it takes a couple hours - so maybe 3 hours isn't that far off.

I imagine with the high-dollar vehicles that he's worked on, probably aren't daily drivers (mine is also not), and were in good condition when he started (which mine is), so if it looked horrible when it was done, I'm sure he and his partner would be out of work.

I'll see if I can find out more about the products he's using, to see if there's a scratch filler to it or something.

kannibul · 07-09-2009, 09:44 AM

I sent them an email - wonder if I'll get a reply?

My apologies for asking this after we’ve already scheduled an appointment…

Could you give me some contact info for references of your work?

If it’s possible, can I see your work first-hand?

I know I’ve spoken a bit about the products you use (not Zaino, some Griot’s Garage), could you be specific about them?

This is the first detail for my 370z – this car is my “Porsche”, my “Lamborghini”, my “Corvette”…I want this to be the foundation for the life of the car. The paint is noted by many 370z owners as being soft and fairly fragile, and I don’t want to take any chances on it getting screwed up and having to have it repaired…again

NXTAZEE · 07-09-2009, 11:38 AM

Kannibul, asking for a reference is a wise move. You could also go over there and have a look at a vehicle that they have just finished detailing as well. I noticed that they used random orbit polishers in the pics. Thats reassuring, as this cuts down on the chances of swirling the paint and burning edges.

nogoodname · 07-09-2009, 11:42 AM

True, random orbit polisher cuts down the chance to swirl.
There's a new model Porter Cable out now.

kannibul · 07-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Kannibul, asking for a reference is a wise move. You could also go over there and have a look at a vehicle that they have just finished detailing as well. I noticed that they used random orbit polishers in the pics. Thats reassuring, as this cuts down on the chances of swirling the paint and burning edges.

They replied back...since you seem to know a LOT more about it, I'll PM the info they sent to see if any of it makes sense to you

Thanks for the info...

RITDR · 07-09-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname007

There's a new model Porter Cable out now.

Thanks for mentioning this....... maybe its time for me to upgrade mine.

NXTAZEE · 07-09-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RITDR

Thanks for mentioning this....... maybe its time for me to upgrade mine.

Have a look at Flex. They make a really nice machine.

nogoodname · 07-09-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RITDR

Thanks for mentioning this....... maybe its time for me to upgrade mine.

PM me if you need more info about it.

NXTAZEE · 07-09-2009, 12:46 PM

Just go to Autogeek.net. They have the Porter Cable as well as the Flex polishers.

RITDR · 07-09-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Just go to Autogeek.net. They have the Porter Cable as well as the Flex polishers.

Thanks, I'll check them out!

av370 · 07-10-2009, 01:30 AM

Autopoia is a excellent website for detailing, lots of product reviews from around the world, this is where the best detailers in the world discuss methods on how to do it right. I spend hours on end there, it's where I first learned about zano.

FricFrac · 07-10-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXTAZEE

Yes, very wise grasshopper.

Yea I just figured it out all by myself :P

Another thing that impressed me about the job NXTAZEE did on my friend's G35 was his concern for the longevity of the paint. Its easy to take the clear down but it takes skill and patients to take the optimal amount off to allow for multiple future compoundings. NXTAZEE takes measurements of the thickness of the paint to maximize the life of the paint and prevent clear coat failure. Something else to be aware of when shoping for a detailer....

07-09-2009, 11:38 AM	#51 (permalink)
NXTAZEE Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 530 Drives: 2010 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 17	Kannibul, asking for a reference is a wise move. You could also go over there and have a look at a vehicle that they have just finished detailing as well. I noticed that they used random orbit polishers in the pics. Thats reassuring, as this cuts down on the chances of swirling the paint and burning edges. __________________ 2010 Carbon Silver 370Z 7AT charcoal int. sports package \| Clear Bra \| Invidia Gemini CBE \| CF B-Pillars \| CF Fangs \| CF Z emblems \| Swift Springs \| 20mm & 25mm Spacers \| SPC Camber Arms \| Brushed Aluminum shift knob

07-09-2009, 12:46 PM	#57 (permalink)
NXTAZEE Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 530 Drives: 2010 370Z 7AT Rep Power: 17	Just go to Autogeek.net. They have the Porter Cable as well as the Flex polishers. __________________ 2010 Carbon Silver 370Z 7AT charcoal int. sports package \| Clear Bra \| Invidia Gemini CBE \| CF B-Pillars \| CF Fangs \| CF Z emblems \| Swift Springs \| 20mm & 25mm Spacers \| SPC Camber Arms \| Brushed Aluminum shift knob

07-09-2009, 09:44 AM	#50 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	I sent them an email - wonder if I'll get a reply? My apologies for asking this after we’ve already scheduled an appointment… Could you give me some contact info for references of your work? If it’s possible, can I see your work first-hand? I know I’ve spoken a bit about the products you use (not Zaino, some Griot’s Garage), could you be specific about them? This is the first detail for my 370z – this car is my “Porsche”, my “Lamborghini”, my “Corvette”…I want this to be the foundation for the life of the car. The paint is noted by many 370z owners as being soft and fairly fragile, and I don’t want to take any chances on it getting screwed up and having to have it repaired…again

07-09-2009, 11:42 AM	#52 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1765	True, random orbit polisher cuts down the chance to swirl. There's a new model Porter Cable out now.

07-10-2009, 01:30 AM	#59 (permalink)
av370 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: antelope valley CA Posts: 70 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 264	Autopoia is a excellent website for detailing, lots of product reviews from around the world, this is where the best detailers in the world discuss methods on how to do it right. I spend hours on end there, it's where I first learned about zano.