Just want to get your advice. Last month, in preparation of the second half of summer, I brought my black E500 to a 'reputable' detailer. He charged me almost $300 for polishing and waxing although my paint was in very good condition. It looked fine at their garage and I drove it home. Over the last month or so, I haven't driven the car much and seldomly at during the day. Just this Friday, I took the car out to wash it for the first time since the polish/wax job and after washing I noticed a TON of swirl marks on the side when direct sun hits it...no doubt caused by the detailer as they were not there before. The detailer said he'd look at it, but may charge me because it's been so long...despite me hardly touching the car over the last month.
When I took the car back in this morning, they said to get the swirls out, they will have to 'wet sand' the car...so, first, should I insist they do it for free and second, should I trust them with wet sanding since they put the swirls in there in the first place?
definitely demand it free. if not, take your car somewhere else and close that door behind you..nothing worse than a detailer who won't back up their work.
I've been doing this 15 years and never had swirls come back to haunt me.
good luck.
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Last edited by benz rider : 08-13-2007 at 12:23 PM.
Black is particularly difficult to do. Did you find this detailer through word of mouth.
Personally I wouldnt take it back to him. Just cut your losses and find someone else to correct his mess. Try this guy...prestigious.detailing@gmail.com
Unless the swirls have REALLY cut DEEP into the finish It does NOT need to be wet-sanded. Sounds to me like you need to find another Detailer!!!!! ALL colors are tough, when you want that PERFECT FINISH on them. Black has always been one of my favorite colors to detail BECAUSE it shows ALL of the defects. It will certainly need to be done again, but always avoid wet-sanding when possible.
Just want to get your advice. Last month, in preparation of the second half of summer, I brought my black E500 to a 'reputable' detailer. He charged me almost $300 for polishing and waxing although my paint was in very good condition. It looked fine at their garage and I drove it home. Over the last month or so, I haven't driven the car much and seldomly at during the day. Just this Friday, I took the car out to wash it for the first time since the polish/wax job and after washing I noticed a TON of swirl marks on the side when direct sun hits it...no doubt caused by the detailer as they were not there before. The detailer said he'd look at it, but may charge me because it's been so long...despite me hardly touching the car over the last month.
When I took the car back in this morning, they said to get the swirls out, they will have to 'wet sand' the car...so, first, should I insist they do it for free and second, should I trust them with wet sanding since they put the swirls in there in the first place?
Thanks....
I wouldn't take it back to him. Anyone who says they have to wet sand to take out swirl marks doesn't have a clue about paint care.
Wet sanding (previously and sometimes still called color sanding, because there were no clear coats back then) is done to remove orange peel, dirt and paint nibs from the actual paint job. It takes off a lot of paint compared to polishing.
If he wet sands your paint, he will have to polish it to get the wet sanding marks out...which means he will again leave you with swirl marks. You'll be right back where you started, but with less paint on your car!
I agree that black is tough, but it's not impossible.
Thanks for all your replies...it looks like most of you say I should find another detailer. That said, if wet sanding is a risky, or perhaps incorrect solution, what is the best way to remove the swirl marks. I'd like to know so when I go to another detailer, I won't be taken for a ride again or worse, cause more damage to my paint! BTW, the swirl marks are not THAT deep, they show up mostly in direct sunlight. In normal indoor lighting (like a garage), the paint actually looks fine.
Thanks for all your replies...it looks like most of you say I should find another detailer. That said, if wet sanding is a risky, or perhaps incorrect solution, what is the best way to remove the swirl marks. I'd like to know so when I go to another detailer, I won't be taken for a ride again or worse, cause more damage to my paint! BTW, the swirl marks are not THAT deep, they show up mostly in direct sunlight. In normal indoor lighting (like a garage), the paint actually looks fine.
Thanks, Sam
If that's the case, they are minor. We were working on a black Z3 a few weeks ago and before the low clouds burned off, we couldn't see any defects. Once the sun came out, BOOM, there were the swirls! That's pretty common and indicative of very shallow scratches.
A detailer that knows what he's doing, uses the right tools and right products can get them out. I would test the detailer and just ask...what can you do for me? Also ask him how he thinks they got there.
If you came to me, I would show you by doing a small section of your hood or fender. In other words, make them PROVE to you that they can get the swirls out before you hand them $200+. Oh and make sure they don't just fill in with glaze.
Without seeing it, I would say that to correct your problem, you could have the detailer repair it by buffing with a quality swirl remover,followed by a machine polish. finished up with a Hand wax. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
I have a black vehicle as well and struggle with finding a "detailer" who can eliminate swirls. It seems everytime I find "a guy" that comes highly recommended they talk the right game. In the end the true test of a detail comes in the first wash. You can clay, clean, polish, and wax a section of a vehicle and it will look damn nice. Again the real test is after the first wash. Can you tell I am bitter My vehicle's paint condition is like slk99. It looks better than 95% of the black vehicles out there. But in certain light I see those swirl marks and cringe. I show my buddies and they say I am a f'in freak and they wish their vehicles looked as good as mine. Man I need a smoke after this one.
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Chris,
Vehicle: Opal Black 1998 MB E320 - Signs of Life- Pearl White 1994 Q45T
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Posts: 1,559
Quote:
Originally Posted by drags1998
Without seeing it, I would say that to correct your problem, you could have the detailer repair it by buffing with a quality swirl remover,followed by a machine polish. finished up with a Hand wax. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
after reading the replies b4 i repeat some great advice some gave already, i would say this is some of the best advice. If you search my post you can see the results of a 4 stage detailing that i did to my Opal Black 98 E. It worked like a charm. Some things after learning how to wet sand is "Dont get it done by some one who doesnt have the insurance to repaint your car if done wrong" Further more wet sanding will take off sections of clear coat and if you dont have the meter reader to view the depth of clear coat by section dont get it done. Drags1998 kept it simple but gave the proper steps. I WOULD STAY FAR AND CLEAR OF THE OTHER DETAILER. Having them re-do it even for free may cause more damage. Your car is a personal effect of which they should take pride in and should have grabbed the keys from you when you came back and straight up got busy. They sound money hungry rather then being customer satisfaction based.
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My vehicle's paint condition is like slk99. It looks better than 95% of the black vehicles out there. But in certain light I see those swirl marks and cringe. I show my buddies and they say I am a f'in freak and they wish their vehicles looked as good as mine. Man I need a smoke after this one.
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