Hello everyone! My first post.

clnfrk · 01-24-06, 04:23

Hello everyone. This is my first post here and I am really into this detailing thing. In fact I just recently started working at a car wash doing exactly this. Granted, it really isn't full on detailing, but more of like an express service. We do waxes, high speed buffing and clean interiors.

I recently applied three coats of SG on my own personal vehicle after claying, polishing with 3M FI2 with a PC and AIO. It took me a couple of days to polish it, but in the end it was worth it as there is virtually not a hairline scratch in the paint. There was pretty much no scratches that were visible anyhow, only a very few amount under intense lighting. I've always been extremely careful on proper washing techniques with the absolute cleanest wash mitts and drying items. Now I'm about to apply a coat of S100 over the SG. I doubt the shine will improve any, since its already gleaming like a jewel, but we'll see.

Also, there is a girl at my job who scraped the underside of her front bumper pulling into a driveway. Youcan't see it unless you get down on your knees and crawl under there, but she still wants to know what can be done about it. Any recommendations?

eyeguy1 · 01-24-06, 05:48

This place is great! Tons of answers from everybody and everybody's supportive. Your friend might be out of luck. If she has a piece underneath that bolts to the bumper she can replace that part easily. If its the bumper itself and its a plastic bumper you may be able to smooth it out with some sandpaper and hit it with some touch up paint. Since its not noticeable, that may be the best route. If its not metal, you could just reassure her its not visible and won't rust. Others will chime in and add some more. Again, welcome.

Neothin · 01-24-06, 06:20

Your going to have to get under the car and feel the scrapes. If you can't feel the scratch with your finger, it can be removed completely. If u can feel it, you can diminish it, but not completely remove it w/o touching it up. I wouldnt really worry about it though, unless the car is a concours vehicle that everything has to be perfect on, no one is going to see it anyways.

twitch · 01-24-06, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by clnfrk

Also, there is a girl at my job who scraped the underside of her front bumper pulling into a driveway. Youcan't see it unless you get down on your knees and crawl under there, but she still wants to know what can be done about it. Any recommendations?

If she knows you can't see it until you are down that low I think she was flirting with you man

But that's just me

Welcome to the site and open your mind to be able to suck up the wealth of knowledge contained here!

Take care.

MorBid · 01-24-06, 07:02

A painted panel meeting the road is going to be very hard to repair (IMHO) with even an aggressive polish and a wool pad. Besides, how would you do it? It's one thing to be able to look under there and another to work. You would need to get it in the air or take the bumper off.

I'm thinking on plastic or urethane it's gonna be a repaint. Best to let it alone.

ohh I almost forget.. Welcome my friend....

Tusin · 01-25-06, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by clnfrk

Hello everyone. This is my first post here and I am really into this detailing thing. In fact I just recently started working at a car wash doing exactly this. Granted, it really isn't full on detailing, but more of like an express service. We do waxes, high speed buffing and clean interiors.

I recently applied three coats of SG on my own personal vehicle after claying, polishing with 3M FI2 with a PC and AIO. It took me a couple of days to polish it, but in the end it was worth it as there is virtually not a hairline scratch in the paint. There was pretty much no scratches that were visible anyhow, only a very few amount under intense lighting. I've always been extremely careful on proper washing techniques with the absolute cleanest wash mitts and drying items. Now I'm about to apply a coat of S100 over the SG. I doubt the shine will improve any, since its already gleaming like a jewel, but we'll see.

Also, there is a girl at my job who scraped the underside of her front bumper pulling into a driveway. Youcan't see it unless you get down on your knees and crawl under there, but she still wants to know what can be done about it. Any recommendations?

Tell your firend to buy a truck.

Seriously, scraping the front bumper is a part of life in the car-world. You should see the underside of my bumper, it looks like hell!

Denzil · 01-25-06, 09:43

Welcome!

I hope you enjoy your stay here and have the mental capacity to absorb all the knowledge held within these forums.

Oh and about your friend, I wouldn't worry too much about the underside of the car. No one really sees it anyway. It'll probably happen again...

Accumulator · 01-25-06, 01:54

clnfrk- Welcome to Autopia!

If the panel on your friend's car is painted, as opposed to black plastic, I'd have it repainted. Maybe she learned her lesson and won't make that mistake again (I scraped the bottom of the S8's front bumper cover once in 2001, haven't done it since). It'll be her call as to whether the cost is justified, but that's almost always the only solution to this kind of damage.

Neothin · 01-25-06, 02:31

I'm going to have to start living with scrapes myself soon enough... my christmas present, tein s-tech lowering springs, are getting installed next week. 2.4" front and 2.0" rear drop = lots of scraping

Accumulator · 01-25-06, 02:47

Neothin- Or you need to start scoping out where you're going and using an oblique approach angle

But yeah, you're still gonna hit (ground clearance was a big part of why I sold my Mallett 'vette to get the S8).

Oh, and remember to get your alignment checked again after the springs have been on there for a while...

clnfrk · 01-25-06, 04:42

Thank you all so much for your kind welcomings!

I am really looking forward to being part of this forum with a bunch of other people who share the same interests and love for car care that I do. I'm sure I will learn alot here.

So, thanks again guys! See ya on the discussion boards!