How glossy should Sterling Grey be?

bearded_ed · Post by **bearded_ed** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:26 pm

So my Zed that I love very much and have had for a few months now, is in Sterling Grey.
I really quite enjoy detailing my car when I get a rare dry day off.

Trouble is, I'm not finding it very satisfying with the Zed! So my question is, how glossy was Sterling Grey from New?

If I get a cutting compound or something more aggressive than a standard polish, am I likely to get any decent results?

Ewazix · Post by **Ewazix** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:53 pm

Sterling Grey is a weird colour TBH, maybe it's a pearl effect but the colour changes from some sort of near-brown shade, through moody dark grey gloss, then silk grey tones to a near matt silver depending on the light. Mine will gloss up really well but took a couple of goes with a clay bar and lots of product and elbow grease when I first got and now it just needs occasional top ups. I'm sure a detailing pro will be along with some nano-tectonic micro lilac dodo bum juice recommendations in a bit but, I'd suggest clay bar (something I'd never heard of until joining the forum

), polish and wax using micro fibre mitts/cloths. Stick at it, it's a brilliant colour IMHO

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idej_z4 · Post by **idej_z4** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:59 pm

Mine is a silver grey so not too dissimilar and with the right amount of time and effort it shines like a mirror.

Are you fully decontaminating it before applying the polish? Once fully decontaminated you'll know if you need a cutting polish (my guess is yes given the cars age). Plus until you've stripped it back the polish won't have maximum effect.

If you want an idea of what's involved in the decontamination phase, check out Jim at White Details doing his Z4M. I took loads of tips and inspiration from this.

https://youtu.be/xDP3JNi0pKw

After you have cut with a machine polisher do another round with a finishing polish like Menzerna. I also find a good sealant can give it an even deeper shine. The guys at Clean Your Car recommended Zymol to me. Does little for protection, but gets a show shine. I then add a ceramic coating for final protection.

1000rr · Post by **1000rr** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 9:03 pm

Clay bar, a polish and wax and it comes up a treat.

Can be brown, grey ar mauve depending on the light.

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Ewazix · Post by **Ewazix** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 9:14 pm

1000rr wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 9:03 pm Clay bar, a polish and wax and it comes up a treat. Can be brown, grey ar mauve depending on the light.

Feck I've got some work to do to gloss like that!

bearded_ed · Post by **bearded_ed** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 10:55 pm

Ewazix wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:53 pm I'm sure a detailing pro will be along with some nano-tectonic micro lilac dodo bum juice

Perfect.

Honestly yes, I have throughly clay bared the car. Its something I picked up last year. Makes a big difference doesn't it!

I'm using either Autoglym super resin polish. Or an Autofiness one that I can't remember the name of.

Generally then finished with Autoglym extra gloss protection sealant.

I think I might need to go back down to the paint and clay again then work back up one more time!

Nice to see that it can be glossy! Mine doesn't look as good as all of yours but my bumpers soon will have fresh paint so that'll help!

Ewazix · Post by **Ewazix** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 11:09 pm

bearded_ed wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 10:55 pm
Ewazix wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:53 pm I'm sure a detailing pro will be along with some nano-tectonic micro lilac dodo bum juice

Perfect.

Honestly yes, I have throughly clay bared the car. Its something I picked up last year. Makes a big difference doesn't it!

I'm using either Autoglym super resin polish. Or an Autofiness one that I can't remember the name of.

Generally then finished with Autoglym extra gloss protection sealant.

I think I might need to go back down to the paint and clay again then work back up one more time!

Nice to see that it can be glossy! Mine doesn't look as good as all of yours but my bumpers soon will have fresh paint so that'll help!

It looks like 1000rr has the 'wet look' finish nailed, Keep going it will come up

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:13 am

Some cracking finishes guys.

I wasn't totally sure about Silver grey when I bought my Zed, but then I had never seen it in the right light.

The Zed's flame surfacing was just made for metalic Greys.

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Phoenixboy · Post by **Phoenixboy** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 9:41 am

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Silverstar · Post by **Silverstar** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 9:59 am

Phoenixboy wrote: ↑Fri Nov 01, 2019 9:41 am 3097986D-C796-4689-A07C-B82D6D72487A.jpeg

The E89 looks fab in Space Grey one of my favourite colours for the E89. Somehow I was looking for a Space Grey but ended up with a Black one!

oldgitdave · Post by **oldgitdave** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:46 am

Don't think I'll ever get mine a shiny as those but she doesn't look too bad.

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Got to love Sterling Grey

GAZA62 · Post by **GAZA62** » Fri Nov 01, 2019 6:11 pm

You should be able to get a nice wet look on that colour I did a Grey Corsa for me Niece a few years back looked great when finished.

I clayed the car first then this below

Polish AG Super Resin

Sealed AG Extra Gloss Protection

Wax Victoria Concours

All by hand.

This is my Z using same products on Silver

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gaza62/al ... 702676039/

bearded_ed · Post by **bearded_ed** » Sat Nov 02, 2019 10:58 pm

I think I will be getting some of Meguiars cutting cream and going to town on the paint after my two bumpers get done next week.

We shall see how it goes.

maxman · Post by **maxman** » Sat Nov 02, 2019 11:21 pm

Some cracking finishes to aim for

bearded_ed · Post by **bearded_ed** » Sun Nov 03, 2019 9:26 am

maxman wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2019 11:21 pm Some cracking finishes to aim for

Absolutely! They all look stunning!

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