what is meant by this term, in paint-shop temrs? is it just glorified polishing, or do they actually use paint?

It's a kind of t-cut polish. Works very well on NON metallic cars. I wouldn't recommend it for metallic cars.

Most mobile paint guys do it

cheers NB - so is there anything other than a respray for metallics then to get a good job done?

what is it you are trying to acheive?? to get rid of minor scratches etc?

you can use a porter cable, with sponge pads and different cutting polishes then finish off with a sealant and wax on top... have a look over at detailingworld.com

Mopping is polishing.

As Dan suggests you can get a good finish using machine polisher.

Have a look at this thread for some more info

excellent, cheers boys.

i'm getting a lovely blue plus soon, and it needs some tlc but i want to spend my limited budget on making sure the mechanicals are right, as i always do. i was really looking for a cheapish, effective way to make her look good whilst the internals are sorted, and you've provided me with that info so thanks very much....

Mopping is perfectly ok for metallic cars if done properly.
A full proper mop should take a good 8 hours and the results are fantastic

Oooh CarT didn't like mopping, most garages were a bit too brutal with the cutting compound and made the paintwork dangerously thin, or something.

If you getting it done it would be better to get a car detailer to do it rather than a body shop. As above many are too rough with the polishers and mare the paintwork with holograms.

Wow proccy a blue plus - v nice !!! my favourite plus colour - you must be like a dog with 2 di**s

This man speaks the truth

Mopping is fine as long as you dont use anything to harsh on the paint. I reckon you would be hard pushed to mess up your paint with a PC. I spent around 12 hours polishing 2 coop's last year and ended up with this

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc20/Taffy20v/DSC_0039-1.jpg

Well worth it IMO

Those both look very shiny indeed. Im not going to criticise here on your work I believe you've done a good job.

What I will say however,it always looks better in the photo. Ive lost count on the times Ive went & seen a car that looked great in the photo so to speak.

Again Im not having a go here please dont think that....

Depends on how the picture was taken Jimmy. Could work the other way round as well..as in it 'looks better in the flesh' or 'pictures don't do it justice'

That's a fair point Kelv, I suppose what Im referring to is the photo of the just cleaned car for sale. Kind of a let down when you see the car in the flesh when you get there.......

Just so everybody knows, I booked Taffy to do my Malc first! (Should be in the next couple of months Taff)

wow, stunning job taffy - that's the sort of shine i'm after until such time i can afford to get her painted up..

@mcmike - yeah mate, i'm chuffed to bits. it's a bit rough and paul is doing his magic on it to make it mechanically sound. shame to give up my green 20vt after the love and money ploughed into her, but at least i can be happy with the finished article. once i've got the plus looking good i'll be going to every meet in the uk...

just out of interest, what sort of ballpark price should mopping cost?

i have a bonnet in the garage with lots of fine scratches i'd like to get sorted, but might think about having whole car done

wow they look fab what polish and wax did u use?

I would suggest anywehere between £150 and £500 depending on the work done and the condition of the car.

He used a PC (Porter Cable) machine polisher which is the same as a Meguiars G220. They make a vast difference to the quality of the finish.

i'm being quoted £100 by the guy i use and he's very good.

Can you stretch to polishing out dents Taff?



I've seen both them cars a couple of times now, both stunning, that particular camera doesn't lie.

Gareth