Got a buffer. Spent 12 hours in my garage with it... lol

[SabrToothSqrl]

So, figuring on soon owning 3 black cars, I thought it was about time I got a real buffer.

DA from Meguiars, since I use their pads and stuff. as suggested by a friend who does this for a living.

I think it turned out well for my first go-round. 60,000 on the Tesla and 135,000 on the Tahoe.
6 hours spent on each this weekend. Wash, Dry, Claybar, correct, wax. My everything hurts.

 

[Buster1]

Very nice!

Might I also recommend a product called BlackFire, specifically BlackFire Crystal Seal. It’s impressive and seems to be holding up to daily use and multiple washes. Once you clean it down to the clay bar level, you have to protect it with something...as I’m sure you did. I just really like this product.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Looks neat! thanks I only have one question... can you make it... blacker?

I want to use that stuff that traps 99.9% of light to paint a car. How do we do that?

 

[David.85D]

“Vanta black” is really over hyped. They coat surfaces by growing a “forest” of carbon nanotubes in a vacuum futnace. Slow. Expensive, incompatible with many consumer materials...

The samples they sell are on the order of $4000 per square foot.

And it’s both patented and export controlled by the British government.

 

[iwannam3]

Looks neat! thanks I only have one question... can you make it... blacker?

I want to use that stuff that traps 99.9% of light to paint a car. How do we do that?

In college chem lab they had a toluene fire in one of the rooms. It was eerie, everything covered uniformly in carbon black. No depth perception looking in the room, could not tell how deep the room was at all.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

I'm guessing if a forest was growing on my car, that any dust/dirt/etc would ruin the effect...

I love that pic of the tree reflecting on the hood. that's slick

So. amazon says they are out, and so does walmart...?

BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal Paint Sealant, best paint sealant, paint sealer

those photos make this stuff like great. I hate to pay shipping on something so small though..? Anyone else carry this stuff? you just wipe it on/off?

 

[Maximapolak]

Nice work. I wish I had the patience for that.

 

[Solarman004]

I think it turned out well for my first go-round. 60,000 on the Tesla and 135,000 on the Tahoe.
6 hours spent on each this weekend. Wash, Dry, Claybar, correct, wax. My everything hurts.

We would like to invite you to spend a weekend at our place. Please bring the buffer...
Nice job!!

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Thanks!
If I can do this, anyone can. Just watch some videos on it, and go slow at first.

 

[Struja]

So, figuring on soon owning 3 black cars, I thought it was about time I got a real buffer.

DA from Meguiars, since I use their pads and stuff. as suggested by a friend who does this for a living.

I think it turned out well for my first go-round. 60,000 on the Tesla and 135,000 on the Tahoe.
6 hours spent on each this weekend. Wash, Dry, Claybar, correct, wax. My everything hurts.
View attachment 284409 View attachment 284410 View attachment 284411 View attachment 284412 View attachment 284413

You did a great job. I've had one Meguiars DA or another for the last 10 years. It is a great buffer.

I am not convinced any one product looks better than another, especially if your prep work is immaculate. Spend the bulk of your time with the polisher and clay bar working on the paint and whatever you put on it as a last step product will look great.

I use to be a HUGE fan of Blackfire Wet Diamond (and still am) but I am currently using Fusso Soft 99 based on some recommendations from forum members and it really is a nice product with great durability. It didn't get me fully through the Canadian winter, but it lasted longer than most products I've ever tried.

 

[Buster1]

View attachment 285067
I'm guessing if a forest was growing on my car, that any dust/dirt/etc would ruin the effect...

I love that pic of the tree reflecting on the hood. that's slick

So. amazon says they are out, and so does walmart...?

BLACKFIRE Crystal Seal Paint Sealant, best paint sealant, paint sealer

those photos make this stuff like great. I hate to pay shipping on something so small though..? Anyone else carry this stuff? you just wipe it on/off?

There’s a shop in FL that sells it, I can’t recall where I ordered it from, but it was through them, online.

BF has lots of polymer products. I used their paint prep liquid stuff which works like a clay bar and really gets the surface clean and clear. Then apply your top product of choice. The BFCS is really awesome cause it’s “wipe on, walk away.” I had to do a little hand buffing after application, but it was easy.

I’m sure there are a lot of good products like BF (I know a bunch of Corvette guys who swear by Prima Slick) but it appears to be holding up to multiple washes, is hydrophobic, and retains a high shine.

 

[swegman]

What claybar and claybar lubricant do you use?

 

[Buster1]

Not sure who you’re asking, but any quality auto clay bar will suffice IMHO. For lube I use blue dawn (3-5 drops) in a medium sized spray bottle with water.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

What claybar and claybar lubricant do you use?

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G10...rd_wg=DkTZg&psc=1&refRID=VQ94JXPQG65KXC0YYB07

I used that, although I bought it at walmart.

I don't know why the 'options' are showing up. it's a $15 kit at walmart.

 

[swegman]

I ended up ordering Pinnacle ultra poly clay and lubricant from autogeek.com. Should arrive Tuesday.

 

[YauKwan]

@SabrToothSqrl So when are you coming over to my house to do my cars? You bring the buffers/clay etc, i'll bring beers, pizza and wings?

All joking aside, excellent job!

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

thanks! i do like pizza

Really, anyone could do this.

Car wash, dry, clay bar, color correct areas, then polish.

Car wash (I got at walmart):
Amazon

Clay Kit: (I got at walmart):
Amazon

DA Polisher:
Amazon
(Cheapest I found online)

Pads box:
Amazon
( Cheapest I found online)

I'm not paid by either Amazon, or Meguiars, or walmart... I just like to make stuff look nice. Feel free to buy whatever, because it doesn't help me lol. I think both DeWalt and another company have DA polishers that are just as good, maybe cheaper.

Whatever you drive... keep it clean!
Youtube will show you how to wash, clean, etc.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

two more, for fun. I no longer have the garage plastic tile... it didn't work out. I do not endorse that product. It looked good for a hot minute, but I was not happy and removed it. The wheels are plasti-dipped in some of the photos.