Just witnesses factory installed swirls first hand.

Cholleman · 10-01-09, 08:14

NatGeo is running the Lambo factory special right now. I've seen a bunch of threads in the Pro section about cars right from the show room with less than flawless paint.

after the paint and clear stage, they specifically showed the workers polishing the cars. from this amateur's eye, the worker basically dipped a brush in some "polish", dabbed 4 or 5 spots on the fender, and then whipped a rotary around. i'd be pretty pissed if i was spending that much money.

Scottwax · 10-01-09, 08:45

I detailed a BMW X6 that got spot polished at the factory, leaving holograms on the right rear pillar, right front fender and on the left side of the hood. I believe all European factories use rotaries on the line, domestics use air powered dynabrade DA polishers.

ToadWart · 10-01-09, 09:12

what's the point of them "polishing" anyway? isn't the paint flawless when it's first sprayed? orange peel?

WhyteWizard · 10-02-09, 05:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadWart

orange peel?

Exactly. They have to colorsand, which means using a rotary polisher. Often, I find not just swirls but sanding scratch on top end cars. I know those scratches came from the factory because they, factories, generally sand with orbital sanders and there's almost no way a dealership would hand an orbital sander to their get ready detailer.

I colorsand too and I always charge enough for a second look and re-detail of the car. After thirty years, I've just given up expecting to get it all in one try. Lighting changes, fatigue, etc. make getting it right almost impossible in one try. I generally only take one day too. If I was taking two or three, the second pass would be included automatically. I like to cut and polish and leave the car without wax, then spray and wipe with wax remover, look again, and finish. That usually works.

Robert

Kean · 10-02-09, 08:03

....I saw the same episode (Extreme Factories.....or something along those lines). In all fairness, the shot you speak of was very brief and didn't show the process in any real detail.

carlsson · 10-02-09, 05:45

I saw the same program twice. You are making a false assumption.

paintxpert · 10-02-09, 06:45

Amazing what goes on out there aye? Correcting the paint after these monsters get a hold of a vehicle is the challenge. Doing the job without losing your shirt is the other challenge. I know I can only spend 3 to 4 hours on such a job. My labor rate is usually 65 to 80 an hour. I try not to do these wrecks if I can avoid it. Every job I do is done the same day. No two day details for me.

Scottwax · 10-02-09, 08:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToadWart

what's the point of them "polishing" anyway? isn't the paint flawless when it's first sprayed? orange peel?

Orange peel, dirt nibs, stuff like that.