Chemical Guys Blacklight and novice detail

**fshkllrz** · 11-22-2016 04:58 PM

I love tools, so when I saw a brand new Rupes polisher for 100 off on Letgo, I had to buy it. I've always had this desire to be able to get my car in the best shape possible. Usually I pay a couple hundred to a mobile detailer, but after the service started to drop, I made up my mind to do it myself. So I started buying some of the tools of the trade. Multiple buckets, microfiber polishing, wash mitts, and drying towels. I also picked up a EGO Cordless Leaf Blower to help dry the car. Also picked up an AR 383SS 1900 psi pressure washer and a MTM foam cannon. Went with this method....
1. Foamed car 2. 2 bucket wash 3. Maguires Clay bar 4. Rupes UHS Polishing system 5. Blacklight 6. Chemical Guys V7 Sealant spray.

The results were better than expected with the Blacklight making the car finish look super slick and wet. After a week it still looks great. I did a quick wipe down with Groits Detail Spray and can't believe the difference there is. When I have neighbors asking if I got my new car painted, I know it's noticeable.

**fshkllrz** · 11-22-2016 05:00 PM

y

**2wookies** · 11-22-2016 05:41 PM

Me PERSONALLY I am not a fan of fillers like black light. A proper cut and polish will negate the need for a product that hides the little things left behind. You may notice over time the marks coming back, I've used it in the past when I was less experienced but over time you'll figure out a better method to get perfect or near perfect results. But solid job getting started.

**fshkllrz** · 11-22-2016 11:48 PM

appreciate your comments. My thoughts were to use it this winter...in California....then in the Spring, attempt correcting the paint, wet sand and polish then use one of those 12 month + coatings. I don't have scratches as much as I have orange peel. May just hand that job to the pros

**2wookies** · 11-23-2016 05:25 AM

Nah orange peel is easy to get rid of, you got can do it. I've read this over so many times and always learn something new http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/

**bayonet14** · 11-23-2016 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by 2wookies

Nah orange peel is easy to get rid of, you got can do it. I've read this over so many times and always learn something new http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/

Agree^ - I think once you move beyond fillers you'll be amazed what you can do... Even newer products w/the newer pad combinations (or denim / velvet cutting pads) and a good cutting compound (granted takes a bit more time than wet sanding) but the learning curve is easy to pick up & correct orange peel and attain that crazy shine your after

**pdqgp** · 11-24-2016 03:59 AM

Originally Posted by fshkllrz

appreciate your comments. My thoughts were to use it this winter...in California....then in the Spring, attempt correcting the paint, wet sand and polish then use one of those 12 month + coatings. I don't have scratches as much as I have orange peel. May just hand that job to the pros

My advice is not to wet sand. This is a daily driver not a traveling show-car. Unless your car is different for some reason, the only area of orange peel on mine is the rear deck-lid where the license plate is at. Even what little you "might" have on the sides is negligible and not worth trying to remove. I've been doing this for a long while and will tell you that wet sanding away good clear coat for the sake of orange peel isn't something most will recommend. It's not worth it. Clear coat is like tooth enamel in that once it's gone it's gone. Looking at your car, all you need is a good finish polish and refinement and then a coating. From there, regular maint. is all that's required.

When you remove factory clear coat on a daily driver, you're going to severely limit the future ability to correct imperfections that pop up. One good bird turd can/will likely compromise a sanded clear and after that's it's over. Get a good thickness meter and realize that the clear coat isn't but maybe a third of what you're going to measure.

Here's a refined finish with coating. My insight here would be to use a white pad, Essence as your base polish/prep for the coating and then have at it.

Hood:

Reflection off my roof:

Another example and this one isn't even coated, is a 21yr old absolutely hammered AMG 36 Before and After: No sanding, just compound with MF Pad and a basic polish.

**fshkllrz** · 11-24-2016 07:00 AM

Thanks for the insight. It is definitely not a show car. And you are correct that my orange peel isn't extensive. The reason I wasn't going to wet sand it myself, was my inability to know the thickness of my clear coat. Personal experience with specialized tools told me that one of those Amazon 30.00 meters wouldn't cut it either.

So you think that I just need to finish what I've started. Instead of using Blacklight to add one more polishing step. And this is to get a true deep gloss because the paint has been corrected instead of using a "filler" to give an illusion of the finished look.

So Blacklight is just a glaze basically?

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**fshkllrz** · 11-24-2016 07:04 AM

Are you talking about CarPro Essence?

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**pdqgp** · 11-24-2016 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by fshkllrz

So you think that I just need to finish what I've started. Instead of using Blacklight to add one more polishing step. And this is to get a true deep gloss because the paint has been corrected instead of using a "filler" to give an illusion of the finished look. So Blacklight is just a glaze basically?

Yes, but there's no rush unless you have the time. I always tell folks who aren't detailing vehicles often to take it slow. The imperfections aren't going anywhere.

In terms of shine/gloss, it's 95% about the level of polish not the final Last Step Product aka LSP. Newer ceramic coatings are an exception. The key there is to select the right coating that matches your needs. I'm not a huge pusher of the higher end more expensive ones as they will all scratch and show signs of marring over time. All daily drivers will also get a build up of road grime as well. Especially when driving in rain or snow. With that those cars will need clayed/nano'd and lightly polished to bring them back thus you're then removing the coating and in need of re-doing it. Where long term higher end coatings are nice is for summer only cars like a Vette or 911 where the owner may never take it out in rain.

Yes, C.G. Blacklight is a glaze with a sealant built in. It's good stuff no doubt. I use it as well, especially on customers that aren't getting a coating. The MBZ above has it on it since it wasn't a full correction job.

**pdqgp** · 11-24-2016 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by fshkllrz

Are you talking about CarPro Essence?

Yes. Great stuff. Use something like McKee's 37 Ceramic or Pinnacle or Wolfgang Ceramics which are all very cost effective and solid coatings you'll not only realize all the benefits but down the road can use either Car Pro Reload or their latest product Essence Plus to restore and protect even further.

**fshkllrz** · 11-24-2016 08:15 AM

I was looking at the McKees 37 since it's seems user friendly. I just ordered some of that Essence off Amazon 500ml for 40 including shipping. I have 4 white Rupes fine polishing pads that came with my machine. I assume that's what you were referring to when you said to use a white pad. I've used one to apply wax when I first got the polisher. Thanks for the tips

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**pdqgp** · 11-24-2016 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by fshkllrz

I was looking at the McKees 37 since it's seems user friendly. I just ordered some of that Essence off Amazon 500ml for 40 including shipping. I have 4 white Rupes fine polishing pads that came with my machine. I assume that's what you were referring to when you said to use a white pad. I've used one to apply wax when I first got the polisher. Thanks for the tips

You're onto a good solution

McKee's is good stuff. IMO it's likely relabeled Pinnacle as I've used both and it's nearly the same to me. Yes, your white pads are good.

Here's an example of our van that I did over the summer. 2 weeks dirty including rain travels and sitting outside while a couple other cars have been keeping the garage warm. This is from this morning. Still beading like crazy and if you saw it in person or up close you'd clearly see that road grime doesn't stick to it nearly as much as other vehicles that aren't coated. Down the road top it off with Essence Plus.

**fshkllrz** · 11-26-2016 10:51 AM

Thanks I ordered all of the above and will report back next week

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**fshkllrz** · 11-29-2016 02:30 PM

So today I got my Amazon order and tried out the Essence with the white Rupes pad. I am very happy with the results, but only had time to do the hood and front quarters. The Essence worked great, removing the finest scratches. The best part was how easy it was to remove. I got a sense that I was getting everything out of polish. Maybe I'm better understanding the amount of product I need for the array of pads I use. Anyway, thanks for that tip, now I'm really seeing that mirrored finish I was hoping for.

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**pdqgp** · 11-29-2016 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by fshkllrz

So today I got my Amazon order and tried out the Essence with the white Rupes pad. I am very happy with the results, but only had time to do the hood and front quarters. The Essence worked great, removing the finest scratches. The best part was how easy it was to remove. I got a sense that I was getting everything out of polish. Maybe I'm better understanding the amount of product I need for the array of pads I use. Anyway, thanks for that tip, now I'm really seeing that mirrored finish I was hoping for.

Car looks good man! Have you had a chance to apply the coating?

**fshkllrz** · 11-30-2016 12:23 AM

Thanks, I'm going to wait until the spring to do that job. Now that I know how to properly wash my car without scratching it, I'm hoping to have to do a one step polish and coating. That Essence is really great for taking those fine scratches out. Never had a car mirror and look so deep with color.

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**bayonet14** · 12-01-2016 05:40 AM

Looks good - if you did not apply the coating - pick up some of the new Essence Plus / hit those panels again and coat it!
Looking good

**fshkllrz** · 12-01-2016 12:45 PM

Will do and thanks

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**fshkllrz** · 12-01-2016 12:51 PM

Essence plus can also be used to rejuvenate a coating too correct?

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**pdqgp** · 12-02-2016 04:58 AM

Originally Posted by fshkllrz

Essence plus can also be used to rejuvenate a coating too correct?

Yes. That's the primary purpose of it. Works very well. I topped my S4 with it in prep for winter.

**bayonet14** · 12-02-2016 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by pdqgp

Yes. That's the primary purpose of it. Works very well. I topped my S4 with it in prep for winter.

Had Cquartz on - and wore well for a year - just did a full reset and used the Essence+ and coated w/nanolex si3D and even for a silver car - it pops in the sun!

**fshkllrz** · 12-04-2016 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by bayonet14

Had Cquartz on - and wore well for a year - just did a full reset and used the Essence+ and coated w/nanolex si3D and even for a silver car - it pops in the sun!

Since I've been using the CarPro line, I decided to go with CQuartz for my coating. My car is pretty good so I didn't have a lot to correct. Started early this morning, and foamed and two bucket washed, then Iron X and rinse, clay bar, polished with Essence and Essence PLUS, then CarPro Eraser. Started off with the top and used too much product and spent some time buffing and leveling. The day started warming and it began to flash perfectly when I used four drops on a 2x2 section. I had it to the point where I didn't even to spend too much time leveling ...four passes wait five minutes and quick buff with the suede cloth. When I was done I used the Reload and it really made it look good. Too bad it's overcast because the car looks great even with all the clouds. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm glad I went for the coating.

Can't wait to see it under full sunlight

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**bayonet14** · 12-05-2016 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by fshkllrz

Since I've been using the CarPro line, I decided to go with CQuartz for my coating. My car is pretty good so I didn't have a lot to correct. Started early this morning, and foamed and two bucket washed, then Iron X and rinse, clay bar, polished with Essence and Essence PLUS, then CarPro Eraser. Started off with the top and used too much product and spent some time buffing and leveling. The day started warming and it began to flash perfectly when I used four drops on a 2x2 section. I had it to the point where I didn't even to spend too much time leveling ...four passes wait five minutes and quick buff with the suede cloth. When I was done I used the Reload and it really made it look good. Too bad it's overcast because the car looks great even with all the clouds. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm glad I went for the coating.

Can't wait to see it under full sunlight

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Oh yes - and dont be shy to let that Cquartz cure in direct sun ... get that clear candy coating shell going!!!