Am I Just Expecting Too Much From Detailing?

[C. Charles Hahn]

I`ve always hand waxed and polished, because I don`t trust myself with a machine, especially on this car.

You seriously can`t hurt it with a PC (dual-action/random orbital). Take a look at this video (~8.91 MB, be careful!) of me holding the machine, working full tilt at speed 6, on a solitary spot on the paint. NO DAMAGE was caused whatsoever; just going to prove how safe they really are.



http://www.hahn-on-the.net/TBECentral/pcdemo.wmv

[Accumulator]

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So there is no difference between "machine polishing" and "machine buffing"? The detailer`s price sheet listed them separately, with the detail that included machine buffing costing almost twice as much.

Different people use terms like "polishing" and "buffing" differently (and that example sounds pretty, uhm, "different" ). I`d ask for an explanation. Make sure they know what you expect and that you know what *to* expect.

And, just to confirm, you are saying it is possible to get my car to near showroom condition, even when viewing it in the sun? I just don`t want to have expectations that can`t be meet.

Really can`t say without seeing it/trying to fix it. It just depends on how bad the marring is. Some stuff can`t be safely removed; taking off that much paint would thin the clear too much. But most any car can be greatly improved.