Hey guys! I really need some help. How should I treat metallic paint? I'll be using a DA Polisher on a dark blue metallic paint this weekend and I don't want to screw up. Any suggestions on what I should use or how to do it would be appreciated.

 

I didn't know there were different ways to treat colors, I just know some waxes and sealants tend to look better on darker/lighter colors. I do know that some clear coats are softer than others, so you should be careful when polishing, so you don't damage your paint.
Hopefully some of the pro detailers chime in.

 

Id treat it like any other dark colored car. Be careful not to let the DA sit on one spot for too long an also no need to apply much pressure, just enough to keep the pad level. Even motions with your arms, smooth strokes on the panel. Also make sure you have enough polish as you move along. Wouldnt wanna be going bare surface. When i use a polisher i tend to prime it with some quick detail spray just get/keep it moist.

Also an extra precaution would be to mask off the plastic trim with blue painters tape. Just so you dont get any polih or wax on them. Other than that idk what else to say but good luck and let us know how it goes! Pics pics pics

 

Thanks for the advice guys! I'm pretty new at detailing and I'll be doing somebody elses car and I don't want to screw up. Here are some pics of my work so far:

My 06 Ford Mustang:
Before:


After:


My dads 01 Dodge Van:
Before:


In process:

 

Those 06 pics are a great transformation! Just treat it like your own and you shoukd be fine!

 

Haha. Thanks! The black isn't metallic though and the paint was a lot stronger than the one on the van. I'll just take it easy. I actually found the Mustang pretty easy to do.

 

It is pretty easy once ya get the hang of it. Does your polish use diminishing abrasives?

 

Nope, it doesn't have diminishing abrasives.

 

I've detailed my stang ( silver metallic ) and my bro in law's non-metallic Red car, I really noticed the metallic paint, when I was finished with mine.

 

Id start off easy, maybe make 2-3 passes each panel max just to make sure. Thats the extra caution way

 

The paint really pops right?

 

Yup , This was taken with my phone at the time, it was really hard to get a good picture that showed off the paint really well.

 

Alright will do. I'll see how it goes this weekend and I'll be posting pics.

 

Here are more pics of the Dodge van. I finished up the hood and driver side fender

 

That hood!

 

Haha. Now just to do the rest of the vehicle. Lol.

Can't wait to see my Ranger again. I'm going to detail that...even though its a work truck and my dad drives it at our other property. I waxed it last year.

 

can't wait for spring so detail my DD and drive my stang.

 

Whats your DD?

 

Daily driver, some pos Honda but I like to take care of my cars, so I'll detail it once in a while.

 

Worked on the door today...mostly the bottom half. Tomorrow is the big day, I'll be detailing a Mazda 5.