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  1. #1
    Newbie Member
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    Nov 2011
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    Hello from Auburn, CA

    Been lurking for about a month, finally joined up!

    After a few bad experiences with local detailers years ago, I decided to learn the latest in detailing and try my hand on my wife's 2003 VW New Beetle TDI. The hood and front bumper are heavily chipped after 120k of freeway driving, as well as countless automated washes. Cobwebbing is severe and everywhere on this car, of course.

    With the rock-hard Sundown Orange paint on this car it became evident quickly that I'd need to learn a rotary right off the bat. A test pass on the trunk with 3M Imperial Hand glaze did next to nothing and tired out my arms awfully quick.

    Picked up the new DeWalt DWP849X at Amazon along with a variety of 8" pads.
    Last weekend decided to go at the hood, which I'm resigned to respraying in the near future anyway. 3 passes of Megs #1 did very little, took a look in my supply cabinet and found a bottle of 3M Imperial Microfinishing compound in medium cut. It's ancient (late 90s? used it by hand on my '88 BMW) but looks to be in good shape. Still has the price sticker of $8/pint. Figure I'd try a pass or 2 of it before throwing it out.
    Finally, some success!
    Spent about 6 hours on the hood and driver's side of the car.
    Used the 3M Hand glaze with a finishing pad, then some P21S Paintwork cleanser followed by Blitz wax. Not perfect, but not bad for a first timer either.

    Looks like I've got the bug.(pun intended). Menzerna products on the way, and a paint depth gauge in my near future. Hesitant to utilize the Power Gloss, but this rock-hard paint and some online research are steering me that way. ?

    I've had ZERO issues learning this rotary. Maybe its my experience at DIY furniture refinishing?

    Anyways, thank you to all the regular contributors!
    Once I get this Beetle sorted I'll move on to our '99 Tahoe (gold mettalic,IIRC) and our 2004 Passat in Silver Blue Metallic.
    Got a '92 Jayco travel trailer in need of de-stickering/striping as well.

    A bit dirty, but still looking pretty good:
    After 1st day on driver's side/hood.

    Untitled by erickbau, on Flickr
    Trunk attempted polish by hand(don't mind the slung machine polish!)


    Untitled by erickbau, on Flickr
    Passenger side that hasn't been touched yet(cobweb city!)
    Untitled by erickbau, on Flickr:

  2. #2
    Super Member Flash Gordon's Avatar
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    Memphis, TN ~ USA 1
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    Nice looking Bug!!!

    Welcome from Memphis
    “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”

  3. #3
    Super Member DaHen's Avatar
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    Welcome from New England.
    Smoke Metallic '06 Altima

  4. #4
    Mike Phillips
    Guest

    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    Welcome to Autogeek Online!



  5. #5
    Super Member BobbyG's Avatar
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    To Autogeek Online!

    Hey, great looking bug and the color is an awesome color to make glow and looking wet.

    The DeWalt polisher you picked up is a nice nice machine with an outstanding reputation. A friend of mine owns a shop in NYC and DeWalt's are all he uses...

    If I would change anything I'd use a smaller diameter pad as 8" are very large and "can" be a challenge to control due to their surface area and rotation torque.

    I used to use 7" on my rotary but found myself using the 6" I was using on my dual action units and really like the way they work and how much easier they are to control and easier on the body as well...

    BobbyG - 2004 Millennium Yellow Z06 Corvette

  6. #6
    Super Member dad07's Avatar
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    Charlotte N.C.
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    Tim
    "I have done so much with so little for so long.
    Now I can do anything with nothing"

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Meghan's Avatar
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA


  8. #8
    Super Moderator Bobby B.'s Avatar
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    Welcome to Autogeek Online!

  9. #9
    Super Member budinsc's Avatar
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    welcome! youll love the guys and the forum. read bobby gs above response closely. he knows a bunch.

    budinsc

  10. #10
    Newbie Member
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    Re: Hello from Auburn, CA

    Thanks, All! I placed another order today for some smaller pads among other things. Between the fender to body inside corners and the integrated body color bumper this is probably far from the best first time rotary project.

    I'll save the larger pads for the '99 gold Tahoe and maybe our '04 Silver Blue Passat wagon.

    Thanks for all the encouragement, I love reading these forums and the posted pictures are awesome.

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