[Haywire]

I have searched the forums, i have gather information... I just want to make sure that what i know is good information. Please just take a quick glance and let me know if im on the right track.

If im getting supplies for the clear/paint to keep everything up to par, im going to need:

- Clay kit to remove road rubber and other irregularities in the finish

- Paint Cleaner for minor SWIRLS

- Scratch ex for ETCHES due to hard water and bugs (must wax after use) and might take a lil bit of elbow grease = aka: abbrasiveness on the clear

- TURTLE WAX BUG AND ROAD TAR to prevent bug etching in the first place

- MCGUIRES wax/sealant/polish to seal any area that i treat with Scratch ex

...and of course high grade microfibre wash mit(s) and cloth(s) for the applications. The scratch ex to get out etchings is about the only thing i would have to apply any real pressure to when applied, right.

Do i have this down or am i missing anything crucial?

Thanks,

Haywire.

[PlatinumEdition]

if your going to polish by hand it can be quite difficult to remove all the surface swirls and scratches, would recommend purchasing a buffer

[Haywire]

i had some bugs mark on the clear... i was able to get most out, but did some minor scratching, nothing that shouldnt come out with a lil TLC.

but everything else looks ok?

[BK]

I recommend you read this thread about washing, polishing, and waxing your car: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

All you probably need right now is wash bucket(s) and mitt(s), soap, towels, a hose, clay, a clay lube, wax or sealant, and an applicator for the wax. Then go from there. Eventually, you'll end up with several kinds of waxes, towels, clays, polishes, a buffer, interior cleaners and conditioners, wheel cleaners, and various esoteric cleaning products.

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by BK

I recommend you read this thread about washing, polishing, and waxing your car: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

All you probably need right now is wash bucket(s) and mitt(s), soap, towels, a hose, clay, a clay lube, wax or sealant, and an applicator for the wax. Then go from there. Eventually, you'll end up with several kinds of waxes, towels, clays, polishes, a buffer, interior cleaners and conditioners, wheel cleaners, and various esoteric cleaning products.

+1000

[jaespark87]

Originally Posted by PlatinumEdition

if your going to polish by hand it can be quite difficult to remove all the surface swirls and scratches, would recommend purchasing a buffer

what kind of buffer do you recommend for a first timer like me ??? how much do they cost anyways...

[Haywire]

Yeah i read the post before i made my own, I just wanted to make sure i had all the information right and jaespark, they are going to recommend that you avoid rotary buffers due to the heat generated, therefore making it easier to burn a hole in your clear.

Youre going to want to use a random orbital polisher like the PC which is generally safe for a beginner, even tho i wouldnt feel comfortable using one myself. i would find a way to fu@k something up LoL.

[haper]

Originally Posted by Haywire

Youre going to want to use a random orbital polisher like the PC which is generally safe for a beginner, even tho i wouldnt feel comfortable using one myself. i would find a way to fu@k something up LoL.

you would be surprised how easy they are are to use. i purchased a flex as my first buffer this year and on my 'test' car, i purposely over-worked a few out of the way places to see how much the paint would take and i didn't damage anything. the only area you need to worrying about is the plastic bumpers. everything is common sense and following the on-line guides and youTube videos. i think my total cost (buffer, polish, sealant, etc.) was about $500 - $600, you can drop that by $100 or so if you purchase a PC instead of the flex.

back to the topic, give what you mentioned above a try. you might not get it 'perfect' but it will certainly be an improvement and you might get it to the point where you are happy w/ it. if not, start saving up for a machine.

[sparkyg]

Use good wash technique and a double bucket. Otherwise you'll just add more swirls.

The wash really is the framework to any good cleaning. That and then proper drying.

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by jaespark87

what kind of buffer do you recommend for a first timer like me ??? how much do they cost anyways...

A Flex is a good start. You can correct a lot with one and once you get good/ comfortable with that move on to a Rotary like a Metabo

[BK]

Originally Posted by jaespark87

what kind of buffer do you recommend for a first timer like me ??? how much do they cost anyways...

IMO a buffer may not be necessary. Many of us like to polish our cars ourselves, so that's why we have buffers. If you're just getting into detailing, I'd start slower and not buy everything at once.

Keep in mind that machine polishing is something you do only a couple of times a year, so unless you have lots of cars to polish or are incredibly OCD like many of us, you might be better off getting a pro to polish for you once or twice a year. At least initially, until you see if you're really that into detailing. I recommend you concentrate on getting good at washing/drying your vehicle between polishings.

But to answer the question, a good first buffer is a Random Orbital / Dual Action machine -- the Porter Cable 7424, Ultimate Detailing Machine 1000, and the Flex XC3401VRG are probably the most popular on Internet forums. I have a Flex and it works well.

[Former_Boosted_IS]

I have to say I have been a hand detailer for about 10 years now. I am a car show guy and always got my cars looking flawless. I own my first black car now, BSM, and I am for the first time considering a random orbital buffer. Now I see small swirls and holograhic swirls, that I have found impossible to remove by hand. I have tried everything I know of and still they are there. You cannot see them in direct view, but from angles in direct sunlight they are there. I love deep looking paint and I guess this is what may lead me to get a buffer for the first time in my life. Black and very dark cars make the pull toward buffers much stronger.

[Haywire]

Thanks for all the help guys, some really good advice here.... I just ran out and bought some bug and tar spray, as well as Meguires ColourX opposed to ScratchX, figuring the scratches i have on my hood are mainly superficial from getting some stubborn bugs off.

Is this a good approach? The ColourX says it can get rid of tiny swirls and scratch marks, at the same time its a polish / wax hybrid. good purchase?