If you were to start all over again knowing what you know now...

b1aze · 10-09-2019, 02:09 PM

What tools, products, etc would you purchase?

I recently bought a Jet Black bimmer that has minimal swirling and paint imperfections but I am hoping to get ahead of it before it gets worse. I am comfortable applying waxes, I've done my fair share of clay-barring but haven't ventured into the orbital buffer realm yet but am very interested in learning.

I am looking for suggestions on good value tools, products that have worked well for Jet Black paint specifically and anything else you've learned along the way and wouldn't mind sharing!

Thanks and happy motoring!

cpie168 · 10-10-2019, 09:14 AM

I would start with a Griot’s Garage DA polisher. Don’t get the Porter-Cable 7424XP because it’s not as powerful and it vibrates harder which is tough for extended polishing. GG has lifetime warranty too, so you can’t go wrong with that.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 10-10-2019, 09:19 AM

I got a cheapo Prisa polisher but I think I should've gotten the Griot DA as well.

FlyingBuckeye3 · 10-12-2019, 10:05 AM

I would second the Griots Garage specifically for the lifetime warranty. I went with the Porter Cable 7346 (not the famed 7424) and while it's performed well, I'd prefer a longer warranty. I've heard good things about the Rupes and similar polishers, but all seem to have only a 1-2 year warranty. You can get basically any pad for whatever polisher you land on as well.

As for products, I've always just used M105/205 but want to try out others once I'm out of the Meguiars.

BSM n54iS · 10-16-2019, 06:29 PM

I have GG da and as an entry level -> moderate detailer it will work for ~95% of people.

I however got into it hard, would maybe have liked the TorqFX instead b/c I use mostly CG products. I say this because you can change the backing plates out easily and CG hexlogic pads are really nice. EXCEPT for actual compound and polish, I recommend Meguires M105/205 combo for BMW black. Quality drying towels will save you, along with mf towels (I like the happy endings

). Wash them properly! separate in hot water with mf wash only. Low heat dry.

After that just comes down to experience and how many times you've

before you get your process down and save time.

MEN54 · 10-16-2019, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpie168

I would start with a Griot’s Garage DA polisher. Don’t get the Porter-Cable 7424XP because it’s not as powerful and it vibrates harder which is tough for extended polishing. GG has lifetime warranty too, so you can’t go wrong with that.

+1

MEN54 · 10-16-2019, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1aze

What tools, products, etc would you purchase?

I recently bought a Jet Black bimmer that has minimal swirling and paint imperfections but I am hoping to get ahead of it before it gets worse. I am comfortable applying waxes, I've done my fair share of clay-barring but haven't ventured into the orbital buffer realm yet but am very interested in learning.

I am looking for suggestions on good value tools, products that have worked well for Jet Black paint specifically and anything else you've learned along the way and wouldn't mind sharing!

Thanks and happy motoring!

1. WASH.
2 CLAY
3. IRONX
4. WASH
5. DRY
6. Compund
7. POLISH, I prefer carpro essence with thier polishing pad
8. IPA wipe entire car including glass
9. apply ceramic coating, best combo is Gtechniq CSL and Exo V4
10. fINAL COAT OF Carpro reload

after all above you are good for 4 years

let me know if you have any questions.

E92.Dom · 10-18-2019, 12:29 AM

I would've listened to my gut and found the perfect e92. N54 red interior 6mt. Ps. I didn't get a single one of those huge regret hoping to change that by may-June

Volasko · 10-18-2019, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEN54

1. WASH.
2 CLAY
3. IRONX
4. WASH
5. DRY
6. Compund
7. POLISH, I prefer carpro essence with thier polishing pad
8. IPA wipe entire car including glass
9. apply ceramic coating, best combo is Gtechniq CSL and Exo V4
10. fINAL COAT OF Carpro reload

after all above you are good for 4 years

let me know if you have any questions.

Wouldn't you ironx before clay?

MEN54 · 10-18-2019, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volasko

Wouldn't you ironx before clay?

depend on condition of paint, but you got the picture from the list.

Jabbadabop · 11-06-2019, 10:32 AM

how would the order change depending on the quality of the paint?

Blueeyesredpanda · 11-06-2019, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEN54

1. WASH.
2 CLAY
3. IRONX
4. WASH
5. DRY
6. Compund
7. POLISH, I prefer carpro essence with thier polishing pad
8. IPA wipe entire car including glass
9. apply ceramic coating, best combo is Gtechniq CSL and Exo V4
10. fINAL COAT OF Carpro reload

after all above you are good for 4 years

let me know if you have any questions.

you forgot aboout TarX

Blueeyesredpanda · 11-06-2019, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEN54

depend on condition of paint, but you got the picture from the list.

1. WASH.
2 IRONX + TARX
3. CLAY
4. WASH
5. DRY
6. Compund
7. POLISH, I prefer carpro essence with thier polishing pad
8. IPA wipe entire car including glass
9. apply ceramic coating, best combo is Gtechniq CSL and Exo V4
10. fINAL COAT OF Carpro reload

is the safest to prevent more scratches cause by the contamins embedded in the clay bar.

Ajbednarczyk · 11-25-2019, 08:10 PM

Main advice is if you do one thing and nothing else, make sure you use the double bucket system with grit guards in both buckets. With a jet black car, your swirls will show like nothing else. For the beginner I recommend a chemical guys kit or preferably an Adams polishes kit. Focus on the smaller things like washes and waxes first, then once your comfortable I recommend purchasing a chemicals guys or Adams polishes polishing kit. If the swirling is light, use a light cutting compound. Start with compounding/ polishing steps that are the least abrasive first, then if necessary move to a heavier cut compound.

drmdvl · 12-03-2019, 08:12 AM

All of the above is great advice. I agree, the PC 7424 is an absolute work horse but a forced rotation DA (doesnt matter who's - Griots, Flex, etc) is a game changer - you can get so much more work done in a shorter time without the risk of rotary.
Yes - two bucket system with grit guards and washing top to bottom never dragging a dirty wash mitt over your panels.
Lastly - a million different foam pad and product combos have their place, but I wish I had known about the excellent microfiber systems avail today when I started 15 years ago - they are so awesome! Either the tried and true megs system (which doesnt hold up so well with forced DAs) or my fav - GG Boss system for correction and finessing then top with your fav LSP.

Donutz · 12-04-2019, 07:38 AM

All good tips above. I find my GG 6" fitted with a 5" pad sometimes stalls going up curves, like the hood, and takes a lighter touch / longer working time; I have 3" backing plate/pads and haven't tried this yet. I've also moved from the 2 bucket method to using 5-6 wash pads / mitts instead. Can't remember where I saw that, but it works well and saves time.

10-09-2019, 02:09 PM	#1
b1aze Just one more taste... 567 Rep 2,011 Posts Drives: 2013 128i 6MT MSport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Uxbridge MA iTrader: (18)	If you were to start all over again knowing what you know now... What tools, products, etc would you purchase? I recently bought a Jet Black bimmer that has minimal swirling and paint imperfections but I am hoping to get ahead of it before it gets worse. I am comfortable applying waxes, I've done my fair share of clay-barring but haven't ventured into the orbital buffer realm yet but am very interested in learning. I am looking for suggestions on good value tools, products that have worked well for Jet Black paint specifically and anything else you've learned along the way and wouldn't mind sharing! Thanks and happy motoring!
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10-10-2019, 09:14 AM	#2
cpie168 Major 173 Rep 1,117 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 328i 6MT ZSP BSM Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: K/W and GTA, Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	I would start with a Griot’s Garage DA polisher. Don’t get the Porter-Cable 7424XP because it’s not as powerful and it vibrates harder which is tough for extended polishing. GG has lifetime warranty too, so you can’t go wrong with that.
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10-10-2019, 09:19 AM	#3
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2814 Rep 6,384 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	I got a cheapo Prisa polisher but I think I should've gotten the Griot DA as well.
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10-12-2019, 10:05 AM	#4
FlyingBuckeye3 Private 13 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2011 N55 335xi Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	I would second the Griots Garage specifically for the lifetime warranty. I went with the Porter Cable 7346 (not the famed 7424) and while it's performed well, I'd prefer a longer warranty. I've heard good things about the Rupes and similar polishers, but all seem to have only a 1-2 year warranty. You can get basically any pad for whatever polisher you land on as well. As for products, I've always just used M105/205 but want to try out others once I'm out of the Meguiars.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-16-2019, 06:29 PM	#5
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2682 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	I have GG da and as an entry level -> moderate detailer it will work for ~95% of people. I however got into it hard, would maybe have liked the TorqFX instead b/c I use mostly CG products. I say this because you can change the backing plates out easily and CG hexlogic pads are really nice. EXCEPT for actual compound and polish, I recommend Meguires M105/205 combo for BMW black. Quality drying towels will save you, along with mf towels (I like the happy endings ). Wash them properly! separate in hot water with mf wash only. Low heat dry. After that just comes down to experience and how many times you've before you get your process down and save time. __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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10-18-2019, 12:29 AM	#8
E92.Dom Private First Class 65 Rep 155 Posts Drives: 2012 bmw e92 335i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I would've listened to my gut and found the perfect e92. N54 red interior 6mt. Ps. I didn't get a single one of those huge regret hoping to change that by may-June
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11-06-2019, 10:32 AM	#11
Jabbadabop New Member 0 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 2003 BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: North NJ iTrader: (0)	how would the order change depending on the quality of the paint?
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11-25-2019, 08:10 PM	#14
Ajbednarczyk Ajbednarczyk 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Bmw 328i 6 speed (rear ended) Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: charleston Sc iTrader: (0)	Main advice is if you do one thing and nothing else, make sure you use the double bucket system with grit guards in both buckets. With a jet black car, your swirls will show like nothing else. For the beginner I recommend a chemical guys kit or preferably an Adams polishes kit. Focus on the smaller things like washes and waxes first, then once your comfortable I recommend purchasing a chemicals guys or Adams polishes polishing kit. If the swirling is light, use a light cutting compound. Start with compounding/ polishing steps that are the least abrasive first, then if necessary move to a heavier cut compound.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-03-2019, 08:12 AM	#15
drmdvl Second Lieutenant 79 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 50i, 2015 Macan Turbo Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern CO iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 Rivian R1T Qua ... [5.25] 2024 Tesla Model Y ... [10.00] 2015 Porsche Macan ... [0.00]	All of the above is great advice. I agree, the PC 7424 is an absolute work horse but a forced rotation DA (doesnt matter who's - Griots, Flex, etc) is a game changer - you can get so much more work done in a shorter time without the risk of rotary. Yes - two bucket system with grit guards and washing top to bottom never dragging a dirty wash mitt over your panels. Lastly - a million different foam pad and product combos have their place, but I wish I had known about the excellent microfiber systems avail today when I started 15 years ago - they are so awesome! Either the tried and true megs system (which doesnt hold up so well with forced DAs) or my fav - GG Boss system for correction and finessing then top with your fav LSP. __________________ 2013 E92 335xi 6MT MSport JB4, PS2, Pure Inlet, N20 TMAP, ETS FMIC, Drop in filter, 4" AR DP, Fuel-it Stage 2, ER CP, GFB DV+, E50
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12-04-2019, 07:38 AM	#16
Donutz Lieutenant 140 Rep 476 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto, eh iTrader: (2)	All good tips above. I find my GG 6" fitted with a 5" pad sometimes stalls going up curves, like the hood, and takes a lighter touch / longer working time; I have 3" backing plate/pads and haven't tried this yet. I've also moved from the 2 bucket method to using 5-6 wash pads / mitts instead. Can't remember where I saw that, but it works well and saves time.
	Appreciate 0 Quote