Side Protection Mouldings

[catseye27]

Charlie

The RAV4 is original. I have today contacted the original one owner who had the protective moulding package fitted at new along with the side steps. I am going to give the one door a try with Menzerna. If that fails back goes the moulding. I don't hate the look of the mouldings, just prefer the lovely clean lines without them.

What polishing machine would you recommend (a cheapy) if i went down that route for polishing?

Thanks again

[CharlieFarlie]

Charlie

The RAV4 is original. I have today contacted the original one owner who had the protective moulding package fitted at new along with the side steps. I am going to give the one door a try with Menzerna. If that fails back goes the moulding. I don't hate the look of the mouldings, just prefer the lovely clean lines without them.

What polishing machine would you recommend (a cheapy) if i went down that route for polishing?

Thanks again

All polishing machines work in the same way ( We are talking rotarys here ) They spin a pad round and round.. I have very good ones but that would be a waste unless You are going to use them often.... Silverline machines are a good starting machine and below is a link to a starter kit that is decent value for money and has a few pads to get You started...

Please take care when using a rotary. There is a guide I posted somewhere here I think its in the pinned section and a read through it will hopefully give You a few tips and a starting point...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverline-Silver-Storm-Trade-Car-Sander-Polisher-Kit-/170656277859?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item27bbe82563#ht_1725wt_982

Any questions just ask I will do My best to help...

Wee Charlie.

[catseye27]

Charlie

You're a wee star. I have removed all four door mouldings now. The RAV4 just looks sooooooooooooooo different and gorgeous. Hope i can remove the blemishes. Going to order the item on eBay or similar. Always kept my vehicles clean but this will be taking polishing to a different level, new, unchartered territory.

Cannot really understand the lighter silver paint in some areas behind the moulding. Beginning to think that the paint behind the moulding is not the original colour but has been tarnished somehow, possibly due to water as when i removed all mouldings there was some water present. If you look at the pics there is a lighter line at the lower section where the moulding was, same on all four doors, where water would collect.

Cheers

Norman

[CharlieFarlie]

The paint cannot be tarnished only the lacquer and that's the part You will be polishing..

Your cars paint is as said Lacquer over base-coat. Typically 40% of the thickness of the combined elements will be base coat and 60% will be the Lacquer so You have the lions share to play with.....

I have heard it said that the base coat can change colour slightly with UV rays or sun fade but I would argue that it cant......

Silver is not the easiest colour to get stunning results from basically because its a colour that always looks good !! Shines when its dirty and hides swirling really well.

But You can still make a massive difference to silver and get pretty good results with time and patience.

This is a picture of the rear wing on My old BMW M3 it was in a sorry state when I bought it but spent many hours polishing and fettling it. I owned the car for 14 months and sold it for 1500 quid more than I paid for it .......

Wee Charlie.

[catseye27]

Charlie

Your T180 just looks outstanding. I guess a lot of hard work went into making her look so stunning.

As a novice, would i be better using a Dual Action Polisher? Not afraid to use a Rotary, just thought i'd ask.

When i took the final moulding off the front driver door there was very little blemish in the lacquer colour under the moulding (see pics) There is no step / edge from the light to dark silver. The light colour is at the lower edge where the moulding once was. Somehow the lacquer or paint colour has just got lighter.

Me and her both prefer the look of the RAV4 without the mouldings. Cannot see the blemish from a distance. Will try your suggestions but if that fails will only put the mouldings back on when i come to sell.

Cheers

Norman

[CharlieFarlie]

You are quite correct a DA is an easier machine to use .. But a rotary is nothing to be afraid of and will not bite if You take care.. Results are far better as a DA will only do so much.. Rotary is also faster which is a consideration when polishing a large car like a Rav4. Soft pads and light cut polishes are the best way to start with either a Rotary or a DA. Most people getting into detailing start with a DA and quickly realise a rotary is just so much easier and faster so ditch the DA and buy a Rotary... I have both DAs and Rotarys and now only use the DA for applying LSPs (Last Stage Products) Having said all that Yes You are spot on Mate a DA is a very good way to start and get into Machine Polishing...

Wee Charlie.