Vince's xm - 2.1TD daily driver

[robert_e_smart]

Machine polishers are great.

[russ92xmsed]

I think I'm going to have to invest in one I think....Can't get that quality of finish with a simple cloth!
Lovely looking Estate there Robert.
Russ

[robert_e_smart]

The machine makes a big difference, but you have to be careful with it too.

[russ92xmsed]

I understand you can burn the paint or worse ....slip and gouge the paintwork.. Might be safer to use a rag then!!
It is amazing the finish you can get though. I assume you polished up the Mandarin Red SD you had for sale a while ago. That colour looks fantastic in strong sunshine.
Russ

[robert_e_smart]

I don't think I did use the machine on the mandarin car, it had good paintwork to start off with, and was polished by hand.

One thing to be careful with the machine is not to hit the plastic trim with it.

The machine did a great job on this Xantia and Xm estate.

[Vince]

I understand you can burn the paint or worse ....slip and gouge the paintwork.. Might be safer to use a rag then!!
It is amazing the finish you can get though. I assume you polished up the Mandarin Red SD you had for sale a while ago. That colour looks fantastic in strong sunshine.
Russ

Thanks for the kind words guys but after inspecting the paint on the drivers side door tonight, without repainting those panels it will never have a floorless finish im afraid..

Russ on your comments on machine polishers they are mainly myths spread by people who dont really know anything about them. The only danger you have is overworking an area so much that you strike through the paint because youve removed it all, but that would normally take around 40 machine sessions per panel, which simply you wouldnt be doing....or if you machine the edges of panels you run that risk as the paint is thinner there, but again, these areas you know to stay away from. You dont need to machine the 5mm or so in from the edge of a panel, these can be done by hand which eliminates that risk.

Robert, on the headlights i used 2000 grit wet and dry paper, i used it dry! but used it like detailing clay, rubbing it very lightly over the glass with almost no pressure. I only wanted to take off the slight rough bits you feel on your hand when you rub the glass. The idea is you dont scratch the glass, if you do it wont polish out.

I refined it with a rotary polisher and Menzerna 106FA finishing compound on a medium compound pad. It finished like brand new and with absolutely no rough bits on it...literally as smooth as glass.

As far as your question on windscreens go, ill be honest ive never tried machining one but it wont react like paintwork does as laquer goes softer when it heats up when being machined making it easier to remove defects, hence the greater correction you get with a more course compounding pad. Glass doesnt react that way and wiper sweep patterns are deep scratches that can be removed no doubt, but even glass scratch repair kits arent that great. i tried one a while back and didnt see much of a difference im afraid....the scratches were still present.

[steelcityuk]

Excellent work, really nicely done. If only I could polish out my XMs peeling laquer.

I really like the heaters rotary dials, they look good and are much more ergonomic than push buttons.

Steve.

[russ92xmsed]

Interesting, thanks Vince. I'll look into it, not so scary then. The body work on mine was recently mopped and polished so it's not critically important yet in fact got some lacquer which needs sorting out first. I tend to polish and wax by hand quite regularly, but have never got that kind of shine. My Dads Exclusive C5 might benefit from a proper polish however!...paint quality is awful on that..so thin.

However I think at some point soon I'll do that same trick you did with the headlights. Mine need attention..got extensive cobwebbing in one!

Robert...stunning efforts on the Estate and Xantia there.
I'll post some pics of mine all polished up soon. DO NOT expect these kind of results!!

All the best

Russ

[robert_e_smart]

Practice makes perfect Russ!

My old man's C5 could do with a mop as well. But it does well to get washed every now and again!

[russ92xmsed]

It certainly does. Must double my efforts! I have always been the one who looks after the cars in my family. Even my parents cars.
The C5 does shine up well, but up close not good. To get the hazy swirls out of the bonnet like Vince has with his XM, would be brilliant. Otherwise it looks great all washed and polished from a distance.
One annoying thing it had from new was a splodge of transparent bonding glue in front of the boot door on the roof. Typical french build quality!!!
It's Mauritius blue with cream leather (Manual 2.2HDI) , so in strong sunlight, like the Mandarin XM, it really looks good. Must upload a pic of it too. I'll get it in shot with the XM.

Talking of XM's...i'm off to go play under the bonnet.

Best

Russ