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2GuysDetailing

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Hi everyone. I have gone into business with a friend and started mobile detailing. Now just for the record I would say we are more car washers hoping to graduate to being a real car detail of most the people I have read about on this site. I have some questions that would really help with some problems I've had in the past.

BAD hard water spots. My fiance parked in front of a sprinkler for weeks...and its just really bad. Last year I tried to get them out with some feedback from family using and orbital and rubbing compound. I got them to fade but the outline of the worst spots never went away. I know the rubbing compound would also take some clear coat with it so tried not to do too much. Did I do more damage then good? Tried spraying vinegar and a MF towel but didn't do much. I've also read about it etching into the paint, will it still look white if it has done this?

Where I live (Palm Springs) it gets really hot during the summer. I've got a car that I'm working on that looks like it has faded. I've takin a clay bar to it, which helped the feel of the paint. But I haven't started anything after that. Would a polish bring the paint back to life?

Another problem with a car that I'm going to be working on soon has what looks like a small area (about the size of a quarter) of cracked paint on the hood. How would I treat something like that? If it needs some type of touch up paint at this stage of my knowledge I would rather not mess with it, so at that point would doing a clay bar an polish/wax treatment make it worse?

Thanks for any help guys!
 
:welcome:

It is good that you acknowledge what your limitations are. Many "car washers" do more harm than good by not knowing their limitations. Many of us started out the same way. As long as you treat it like a business rather than a hobby to make a little cash you should do well. As you wash more cars you will learn tips and shortcuts. Working in the desert heat will present some problems. Do your homework. :inspector:

Water spots can be extremely stubborn and vary a lot depending on the nature of the water, whether hard water, acid rain, etc. Without seeing them first hand it's hard to advise. You will learn fast as you read through this site.

As for the spot on the hood that looks like cracked paint; sounds like something dried on the paint. Sometimes tree sap or bird droppings can cause that after baking in the sun...Palm Springs would be especially harsh. If it is bad enough it can't be corrected by anything short of a repaint. Until you have some more experience it is probably beyond your ability now, but claying and polishing it isn't likely to do any more damage than has already been done.
 
Good luck to you guys. Make sure you make it worth your while. Treat it like a buiness. Not just a car wash. Have fun and make some money, alot of it.
 
2GuysDetailing said:
Hi everyone. I have gone into business with a friend and started mobile detailing. Now just for the record I would say we are more car washers hoping to graduate to being a real car detail of most the people I have read about on this site. I have some questions that would really help with some problems I've had in the past.
Click to expand...

Welcome to AutopiaForums! Congrats on going into business!

BAD hard water spots. My fiance parked in front of a sprinkler for weeks...and its just really bad. Last year I tried to get them out with some feedback from family using and orbital and rubbing compound. I got them to fade but the outline of the worst spots never went away. I know the rubbing compound would also take some clear coat with it so tried not to do too much. Did I do more damage then good? Tried spraying vinegar and a MF towel but didn't do much. I've also read about it etching into the paint, will it still look white if it has done this?
Click to expand...

Water spots are above the surface, water etching is craters in the paint. If you have water etchings they can still area to have a ring around them, even if the minerals have been removed. It may appear white or lighter in color in certain lighting.

If you used an orbital polisher (wax master style) you likely didn't do too much damage other than hazing the surface. Severe water etching usually require wet sanding with a firm backing plate to remove.





Where I live (Palm Springs) it gets really hot during the summer. I've got a car that I'm working on that looks like it has faded. I've takin a clay bar to it, which helped the feel of the paint. But I haven't started anything after that. Would a polish bring the paint back to life?
Click to expand...

More than likely. Ultimately it depends on the cause of the fading. Fading can be caused by the clear coat oxidizing or being extremely contaminated with impurities, almost like staining. Polishing the paint will remove affected area of the paint (depending on how far the staining penetrates) which will restore shine.

However UV rays can fade the base (color) coat which is underneath the clear coat. In this case polishing (the clear coat) will not restore the original color but can still increase the gloss.



Another problem with a car that I'm going to be working on soon has what looks like a small area (about the size of a quarter) of cracked paint on the hood. How would I treat something like that? If it needs some type of touch up paint at this stage of my knowledge I would rather not mess with it, so at that point would doing a clay bar an polish/wax treatment make it worse?

Thanks for any help guys!
Click to expand...

Is it a single crack or more like a shattered egg shell. The shattered egg shell look (sometimes called crow's feet) is indicitive of paint failure. You can polish it, just be careful. You can also wax over it if you wish (as long as the paint is flaking up).
 
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