polish by hand - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

KyleY911 · 05-13-2008, 12:39 AM

is there any point? even though it won't remove swirl marks will it help a little bit? bring out the color a little bit more?

I don't really feel like making the investment in a porter cable would be worth it for me as i really don't have that kind of time....I just do the weekly quick wash and everyone once in a while wax and what not but i'm starting to notice some minor swirl marks......I have a TiAg so its impossible to see them unless under direct light at night time so it's not that big of a deal... any advice would be great thanks in advance

haper · 05-13-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleY911

is there any point?

i think you'll be surprised at the scratches you can remove by hand, all depends on how much effort you're willing to put into. and you should be able to remove any layer of stain, stubborn dirt that doesn't come off in a regular wash - this will make the paint 'pop' again.

the key is finding a good polish that can be used by hand (ask the forum sponsor) , you'll never generate the heat needed to break down a machine polish.

weiweiwei · 05-14-2008, 01:16 AM

if using hand, use circle motion or just back and forth motion? and microfibre pad or any of those foam pads?

Haywire · 05-15-2008, 09:07 PM

well youre going to need an applicator, thats for sure... ive been told back and forth motions opposed to circular. when I do the hood, i go bottom to top. I dont think a gentle circular motion would hurt, altho im guessing it would make for some more obvious swirling.

npb · 05-15-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleY911

is there any point?

NOPE

npb · 05-15-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haywire

well youre going to need an applicator, thats for sure...

that's what she said

Quote:

Originally Posted by weiweiwei

if using hand, use circle motion or just back and forth motion?

that's what she said

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haywire

I dont think a gentle circular motion would hurt,

THATS WHAT SHE SAID

Haywire · 05-15-2008, 11:20 PM

LoL!

well done.

*applauds*

AJerman · 05-16-2008, 12:36 AM

@ npb

Yeah, polishing by hand is basically pointless unless you're just doing spot polishing like you did a chip repair and wet sanded and are restoring the shine.

Hand polishing may get a little more shine out of the paint, but you're not really going to remove any swirls or scratches unless you do it for a week straight.

Get a Flex or PC, your arm will thank you.

TRICKE90 · 05-17-2008, 01:22 AM

Once you start using a machine you will never go back.

SpecC · 05-17-2008, 09:57 AM

by machine is the only way to go if you have serious issues with swirls and such. maybe if your swirls are very very light, scratchX may work. If you don't want to invest in a porter cable or any rotary polisher, perhaps you could go to a shop and have them detail your car.

haper · 05-17-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJerman

Yeah, polishing by hand is basically pointless

here's a thread on the e46 forum where the guy polished w/o a machine. using a machine would have yielded better results - not to mention been a lot easier - but his results are still pretty good.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=574920

AJerman · 05-17-2008, 10:05 AM

The problem is that that picture doesn't show what the before looked like. I'd be willing to bet it was pretty good. It's not a matter of who is better than who, it just isn't realistic. To polish an entire car, by hand, that actually had swirls in it, would take you literally a week and several arms.

A hand polish can shine up the paint a little if it's not already bad, but it's not going to be much use for actually getting out swirls and scratches.

SpecC · 05-17-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haper

here's a thread on the e46 forum where the guy polished w/o a machine. using a machine would have yielded better results - not to mention been a lot easier - but his results are still pretty good.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=574920

that guy's arm must be limp!

haper · 05-17-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJerman

A hand polish can shine up the paint a little if it's not already bad, but it's not going to be much use for actually getting out swirls and scratches.

i think we all agree that a machine buffer is the way to go, both from results to ease of use. but for folks that don't want to use a machine, you can get some improvements.

BYAW · 05-17-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npb

that's what she said

that's what she said

THATS WHAT SHE SAID

I lol so much from this. office crew checking in

Reopropf · 05-18-2008, 02:08 PM

I am NO expert for sure! but,...

I do wash, wax and hand detail all my cars. For my daughter and wifes car, it's just fine. Damn, if I didn't do it, they'd just go thru the car wash every once in awhile.

For me, I am 51yrs old; I have always done my cars by hand including those old volkswagons, my dads 2800cs coupe, the alfa & fiats, the subaruXT, the first 3series BMW, my jeeps, my X5 and now my X6.

I always use my cars as commuters, and wash weekly. I do AGREE that a professional with a skilled hand and an orbital would do a better job than me, but NOT once in my lifetime has anyone said to me my cars look shitty.

I do wonder NOW that what I am going to do, because you fanatics have me thinking that I cannot go down the road with ANY swirls or less than a prefect looking machine. Oh shit, what am I to do

. One thing for sure is that I am going to keep some kind of spritz and a mf cloth in my car and try to be vigilant to the vagaries that fall from the sky.

So thanks guys, for getting me up to snuff!

Peter

haper · 05-18-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reopropf

because you fanatics have me thinking that I cannot go down the road with ANY swirls or less than a prefect looking machine.

i too did all my cars w/ 'elbow grease' and i agree that the swirls i didn't get weren't a big deal. but i went to the flex mostly for ease of use as i hated the rubbing, buffing, spreading, etc. and while i did notice the machine buffer removed more swirls then my 'elbow' could, it also got more of the dirt - my paint 'popped' more then ever.

so for me, i like a machine buffer for ease of use and getting the paint to pop more so then the swirl removal - although that is a very close third on my list.

cyba · 05-19-2008, 01:35 AM

this link might help

http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...oval-hand.html

KyleY911 · 05-19-2008, 03:44 AM

is Meguiars scratch X really considered a polish? i mean i thought its just a temporary filler of swirl marks?

SpecC · 05-19-2008, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleY911

is Meguiars scratch X really considered a polish? i mean i thought its just a temporary filler of swirl marks?

yes it is a polish. only light swirls though. very light

05-13-2008, 12:39 AM	#1
KyleY911 Private First Class Drives: 2006 Silver BMW 325i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fresno,California Posts: 112 iTrader: (0)	polish by hand is there any point? even though it won't remove swirl marks will it help a little bit? bring out the color a little bit more? I don't really feel like making the investment in a porter cable would be worth it for me as i really don't have that kind of time....I just do the weekly quick wash and everyone once in a while wax and what not but i'm starting to notice some minor swirl marks......I have a TiAg so its impossible to see them unless under direct light at night time so it's not that big of a deal... any advice would be great thanks in advance

05-14-2008, 01:16 AM	#3
weiweiwei First Lieutenant Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 341 iTrader: (0)	if using hand, use circle motion or just back and forth motion? and microfibre pad or any of those foam pads? __________________ FS: Poorboy's Wheel Sealant $20 new 2008 335i Coupe \| Black Sapphire \| Steptronic + Paddles \| Sports Package \| Premium Package \| Comfort Access \| 6FL \| Poplar Grain Wood Trim

05-16-2008, 12:36 AM	#8
AJerman Major Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,392 iTrader: (0)	@ npb Yeah, polishing by hand is basically pointless unless you're just doing spot polishing like you did a chip repair and wet sanded and are restoring the shine. Hand polishing may get a little more shine out of the paint, but you're not really going to remove any swirls or scratches unless you do it for a week straight. Get a Flex or PC, your arm will thank you. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i: Jet Black, Jade Gray, Gray Poplar, 6MT - Stock... for now.

05-17-2008, 10:05 AM	#12
AJerman Major Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 1,392 iTrader: (0)	The problem is that that picture doesn't show what the before looked like. I'd be willing to bet it was pretty good. It's not a matter of who is better than who, it just isn't realistic. To polish an entire car, by hand, that actually had swirls in it, would take you literally a week and several arms. A hand polish can shine up the paint a little if it's not already bad, but it's not going to be much use for actually getting out swirls and scratches. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i: Jet Black, Jade Gray, Gray Poplar, 6MT - Stock... for now.

05-18-2008, 02:08 PM	#16
Reopropf New Member Drives: X6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phila. Pa Posts: 19 iTrader: (0)	I am NO expert for sure! but,... I do wash, wax and hand detail all my cars. For my daughter and wifes car, it's just fine. Damn, if I didn't do it, they'd just go thru the car wash every once in awhile. For me, I am 51yrs old; I have always done my cars by hand including those old volkswagons, my dads 2800cs coupe, the alfa & fiats, the subaruXT, the first 3series BMW, my jeeps, my X5 and now my X6. I always use my cars as commuters, and wash weekly. I do AGREE that a professional with a skilled hand and an orbital would do a better job than me, but NOT once in my lifetime has anyone said to me my cars look shitty. I do wonder NOW that what I am going to do, because you fanatics have me thinking that I cannot go down the road with ANY swirls or less than a prefect looking machine. Oh shit, what am I to do. One thing for sure is that I am going to keep some kind of spritz and a mf cloth in my car and try to be vigilant to the vagaries that fall from the sky. So thanks guys, for getting me up to snuff! Peter

05-15-2008, 09:07 PM	#4
Haywire Haywire, brand new BMW owner :D Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 738 iTrader: (0)	well youre going to need an applicator, thats for sure... ive been told back and forth motions opposed to circular. when I do the hood, i go bottom to top. I dont think a gentle circular motion would hurt, altho im guessing it would make for some more obvious swirling.

05-15-2008, 11:20 PM	#7
Haywire Haywire, brand new BMW owner :D Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 738 iTrader: (0)	LoL! well done. applauds

05-17-2008, 01:22 AM	#9
TRICKE90 Private First Class Drives: 2008 335i coupe, montego blue, Join Date: May 2006 Location: carson city,nv Posts: 159 iTrader: (0) View TRICKE90's Garage	Once you start using a machine you will never go back.

05-17-2008, 09:57 AM	#10
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis Posts: 15,263 iTrader: (4)	by machine is the only way to go if you have serious issues with swirls and such. maybe if your swirls are very very light, scratchX may work. If you don't want to invest in a porter cable or any rotary polisher, perhaps you could go to a shop and have them detail your car.

05-19-2008, 01:35 AM	#18
cyba BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: 08 E93,GTR R35, S400 Hybrid Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: East Posts: 4,499 iTrader: (181)	this link might help http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...oval-hand.html

05-19-2008, 03:44 AM	#19
KyleY911 Private First Class Drives: 2006 Silver BMW 325i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fresno,California Posts: 112 iTrader: (0)	is Meguiars scratch X really considered a polish? i mean i thought its just a temporary filler of swirl marks?