Windshield chips

H

highspeeddata

New member
I just paid to have my new car detailed and the finish was perfect. Granted I have a dark colored car and fully acknowledge that after a half dozen or so washes I'll have light surface scratches (but then it is time to detail again.)



Get this, I wash my car for the first time after the expensive detail job I paid for, very carefully with P21S Wash and a brand new microfibre mit. I took my car to the dealer for installation of some springs and they did me the courtesy of washing my car (which I had just washed) and probably used dirty water or a dirty mit or both. Buy buy perfect finish. Rub marks all over the car. Fortunately it can only be seen in direct sunlight or under parking lot type lights but it really bugs me they did that. I need to remember to say DON'T WASH IT next time!



I'm planning on detailing myself from here on out. Can someone give me this forum's apparent bottom line consensus on what is the easiest way to get the washing rub marks out on my brand new dark colored car? 3M SMR or Pinnalce PCL? Should I invest in the Porter Cable Random Orbit Polisher or do it by hand?



Thanks a million.



Mr. Frustrated
 
Well dang that's enough to make any autopian upset. To get rid of swirls and light scratchs you want to start with the mildest abrasive. Only if the mildest doesn't work will you need to go a step more abrasive.

Lighting can make a HUGE difference in what you can see. Try to work under flourescent or halogen lights. That way if your lighting is constant you will be able to make a more scientific comparison of different products.

When you get to a level of product that removes the scratchs then use that product followed by the next mildest and the next mildest. For example if you had to start at the bottom of the list of products in this post, you would then work your way up to the top, before waxing or sealing the finish.

My experience with SMR and FI II is that they will work ok by hand particularly on small sections. The PC however, will deliver the most from these and other abrasive products, while saving your shoulders if you are working on the whole car. :up

I like 3M Products for tasks like this because they have a graduated scale of abrasive products which will allow you to choose the right product for the job. The first item the SMR is not classified as a rubbing compound because it is so fine and it has the added benefit of leaving a very smooth glazed looking surface.

From mild to abrasive here's a list of 3M's products.

<em class='bbc'>clic pics[/i]




 
EVERY time you give your car to a dealer or mechanic, do a few things:

-Wash beforehand to remove the temptation for them to "wash" it for you.

-Put signs in the interior saying something to the effect of DO NOT WASH DO NOT CLEAN and repeat in Spanish depending on your area.

-Tell the person you talk to specifically that you are <em class='bbc'>extremely[/i] picky about your car and ask them to ensure the paint will not be touched, etc.

-Keep a good amount of pictures of your car, especially right after you have detailed it. This way if any damage is caused you will have proof. Date the pictures.

Can you tell I don't trust anyone with my car? ;)
 
Those are some good tips from Puterbum. I wash my car before it goes into the shop, like puterbum said it reduces their temptation to wash it. I put a sign on my steering wheel "DO NOT WASH CAR FOR ANY REASON".
 
i haven't had my car to the dealer since i started mainlining zaino, but i have already planned to put the sign right in the car. sometimes the people working the office don't have good communication with the mechanics and especially the lot boys who actually wash your car. leaving a sign inside the car is essential. making it bilingual is just good insurance :)
 
In addition to the dealer causing the swirls id also say that the origional detailer had something to do with it. I would venture to guess that they (the origional detailer) used a wax with a high oil content in it to help hide the swirls. Whatever the dealer washed it with (in conjunction with your wash) probably removed the remainder of the oils that were covering up the swirls in your car.



A short cut said, start with the least abrasive and work your way up. Take the most time and care during the polish/prep stage, as in the end your results will show!
 
I've always put nice and pleasant signs on my car :) and make sure it's super clean when I take it in. To bad last time I saw them hook up the diagnostic tools they opened the door right up against it :mad: it didn't do any damage I think



last time they did wash my car it looked pretty good, not sure what they did, but we all insist that dealers don't lay a hand on cars, even if it's brand new. If you're lucky the swirls were placed more upon your wax and not on your finish.
 
Ya, I'm pretty sure the swirls are 90% in the wax since it just was professionally polished and waxed prior with only one wash inbetween, it's a brand new car (less than 700 miles), and it you can only see them in direct sun or bright flourescent/sodium lights.



I'll just wait a few more months until the weather is better here up in Northwest and then polish and wax it myself. From reading the other thread, in actually sounds like in my case since it is a brand new car and most of the swirls are probably just in the wax that the Pinnacle PCL may be a better choice as it is less abrasive and prone to haze than the SMR apparently. Of course this is by hand though so if I do it by machine, I assume the SMR is preferred over PPCL?



I think I will definitely invest in the Porter Cable Detailer Tool the only thing I am worried about is that this is a circular (random) motion in stead of a back and forth motion if you do it by hand and I thought circular motions are a no no on dark cars?
 
Very good suggestions Puterbum. Also remember to speak with the manager of the Service Department. Make him include the statement, "Please do not wash the customer's car for any reason." in the work order. This way if you have any problems with them doing it and damaging the finish of your car, you can have them PAY for the damage, scratches or time of work you're going to have to do on it.
 
I remember that Todd once reviewed a product that was for windshield pitting although I can't remember if he thought it worked and whether it was worth it.

Maybe he can chime in if he recalls.
 
wendell jarvis said:
Any permanent solution to windshield that has small chips in it....customers car is a VW Jetta and has tons of small chips
Click to expand...

Yes, its called window replacement. IMO theres nothing you can do for pitted glass. That stuff will drive you crazy when the Suns in your eyes ~X(

You should be able to get a replacement for that car for around $150 (give or take) :money:
 
Ask your client if they have glass coverage under their auto insurance. The insurance company might take care of the cost of having the windshield fixed or replaced. I know I had glass coverage added to my policy a year ago and it was only a couple of dollars and well worth it.
 
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