Polishing Velvet Black Paintwork

[Sled Driver]

Hi Guys!

I've been using Simoniz Diamond Polish and Wax. It seems to have given a nice shine to the paintwork. Reducing swirl marks well. I have some scratches on the front bumper - it seems like its "covered over these" (best way I can describe it). I can still see the scratches though.  

I try and use products rated well on Autoexpress for a starting guide. Price is an issue and so is ease of availability. Where I live I have a Halfords next door to Tesco - so that when venturing out once a week only for the food shop - I can easily do all in one trip during lockdown.

Any ideas guys on what I could use that may yield better results now for the scratches?

I was thinking Autoglym Super Resin Polish. It's on offer for 1L £13.60 at Halfords. From my research on LOC and reviews online etc, it seems a popular choice.

Ideally looking for a product could apply then buff off with microfibre cloth to leave a protection like a wax, mainly for ease of application.

If it helps my normal car wash routine is:

Hose down thoroughly first, then carefully with a Halfords wash mitt and two capfuls of Halfords Wash and Wax wash the CT. Frequently I'll rinse the mitt with the hose. Rinse off car with hose. Finally dry with microfibre cloth.

In future if I can will try a get a car blower to limit paint contact further when drying - something like Metro Air Force Blaster Sidekick.

Many Thanks

Kish

[Herbie]

Poorboys Black Hole Glaze, and then I use Autoglym SRP on top.

[Sled Driver]

Cheers Herbie. I'll look into that. If Poorboys Black Hole Glaze isn't available at Halfords, I guess I can order directly from their website? I take it I'd use it on clean paintwork then the SRP would act as a sealant / wax to finish? Sorry got little experience on this! 

Also washed and cleaned the car today. I noticed on the panels that I used the Simoniz on previously, the water beaded off quicker and afterwards could feel the paint was far smoother compared to untouched areas! 

[Herbie]

You're welcome Kish.

I'm no expert either, but if you click this link you find links where to get it and videos on how to use it. It seems to really add depth to the paintwork and gives it a great shine, then protect it with the wax.

[Sled Driver]

Cheers again Herbie.

Been looking online at Poorboys BH Glaze, plus some reviews on it on YouTube. Definitely on the list! Autoglym Complete Scratch Removal Kit I've noticed also. Not sure though. It's a minefield this is! Trial and error I guess!

[Rednotdead]

Another vote for Poorboys Black Hole.  Use it instead of SRP, it acts in a similar way in that it fills small scratches.  It (and SRP) need a protection layer on top and I use Poorboys Nattys Paste wax - goes on nice and buffs off easy.  I use Black Hole and Nattys Paste about 2-3 times a year and each wash in between I use a quick detailer to top up the protection.  I flit between Gtechniq Quick Detailer and Dodo Juice's equivalent.  A good supplier is cleanyourcar.co.uk.

Black Velvet is a bu**er to keep, it's so soft.  Just looking at a microfibre will scratch it.  Invest in some good microfibres and buffing cloths, they do make a difference.

[Sled Driver]

Cheers Guy many thanks for that!

Regarding microfibre cloths, I'm thinking whether to invest instead on a blower like the Metro Air Force Blaster Sidekick, so that in future after washing the car I can limit further damage when drying. - Anybody had any experience with these?

The other week when washing I could see afterwards so many areas where it seemed the top coat needed work doing. Tiny marks, fine scratches what seems like chips etc. Black is my favourite colour, but as everyone knows on a car it is a pain 100%! Just an hour ago discovered some lovely bird droppings so asap hosed down as much as I could then gently with lots of car shampoo just applied some on before rinsing and then pat drying with microfibre. Then guess what.... I see afterwards a stain on the coating! 

Before lockdown at a local specialist here in Birmingham, called Sutton Motor Bodies, I got a quote to put right all the paintwork, so I could get a clean slate. To remedy everything including scratches on the front bumper and some small chips and a dent plus machine polish the whole car and applying protective coating was £1269 all in.

Thinking I may asap once things are "normal" again, go for this and then invest in the products as mentioned by you guys so that I'm ready for the future!

I'm going to look on that site cleanyourcar.co.uk - esp. to see if can get something to help remove bird poo!

Kish

[whiteman]

https://www.theclayclothcompany.co.uk/

go to the link above and try there waxes and polishes,  I have a lot of the killerwaxx range and would recommend to start with killerwaxx purple glaze. then a coat of killerwaxx extremely wet then finish it off with the lillerwaxx northern lights paste wax....you will end up with an amazing shine, if your paintwork isn't smooth give it a going over with a clay cloth to get it smooth then start with the above products.... it makes my car look wet..

[Rednotdead]

18 hours ago, Sled Driver said:

Cheers Guy many thanks for that!

Regarding microfibre cloths, I'm thinking whether to invest instead on a blower like the Metro Air Force Blaster Sidekick, so that in future after washing the car I can limit further damage when drying. - Anybody had any experience with these?

Never used a blower, I've always used a good quality drying towel.  Lay the towel over the panel and pat dry, don't drag it.  You'd be amazed how mush water they soak up.  After patting dry a spritz with a quick detailer and all your water spots will have gone.  As you build up the layers of wax (and top up with quick detailer) you'll find it easier and easier to clean and dry.  Mine is at the stage now where I can dry the car with an open hose, the water just sheets off.

 

Quote

Before lockdown at a local specialist here in Birmingham, called Sutton Motor Bodies, I got a quote to put right all the paintwork, so I could get a clean slate. To remedy everything including scratches on the front bumper and some small chips and a dent plus machine polish the whole car and applying protective coating was £1269 all in.

Seems a lot to me.  I had my previous Merc C Class estate fully corrected and protected by a well known detailing company not far from me for less than half that.  You could buy yourself a DA polisher, some pads and polish and do it yourself.  It's very satisfying.  However, with the soft lexus paint you need the finishing pads and a gentle polish only, then a good protective layer.

The advice above about claying is sound.  2 or 3 times a year my process is snowfoam, rinse, fallout remover, clay, rinse, panel wipe, polish, wax.  Every couple of weeks it's a wash and quick detailer top up.  Wheels are protected with EZ's Wheel Armour although Poorboys do a wheel paste which works well. GTechniq products for the windows, Aerospace303 for the interior and Dodo Juice leather products for the upholstery.

Not the best pictures but the attached shows what you can do with velvet black.

[Sled Driver]

Guy and Tony thanks so much for this info and the details really help in building up my knowledge! Lots of homework for me and some work to do, but at least have the time and the weather is holding up too! 👌