scared and need some recommendations

[GiXx]

ok so im a little scared of pulling the trigger and get the PC
my fear is messing up the paint, but it does seem like an easy machine to use.
i ve only been detailing by hand
can i handle the PC? i seriously think id cry if i messed up

i have an 07 metallic nighthawk black pearl honda civic si (black with blue flake)
every product i use on the car ive bought through AG which i found last year
but from general detailing on a black car i have gotten some swirls, actually didnt take long for them to start showing up: am i doing something wrong?
method:
wash: 2 bucket method with megs gold class and recently foam gun with DP and a microfiber mitt or the schmitt
dry: cobra guzzler
sealant: wolfgang DGPS
12 hours later
wax: Max Wax
qd: either DP or WG
use all cobra microfiber towels for removing and a foam pad for applications

ok anyway, looking to correct the light swirls
looking into getting a PC.....but unsure what to get with it
im going to be brand new with the PC so i think 6.5 pads will be ok but i think i want to get the smaller backing plate 3.5 and 4inch pads to do bumper and spoiler and smaller sections
what polishes should i get for HONDAS thin clearcoat?
should i go with one of the conbos like wolfgang poorboys or xmt?
im assuming i need one of the real light swirl removers both because the damage isnt that bad and hondas CC?
should i use one of the lighter pads like the white instead of the orange?
pad and polish recommendations greatly appreciated

also loooking into getting a clay bar, again any specific recommendations for honda black?

am i missing anything from my "tool bag" ?
im sure more q's will pop up but thats it for now

*edit
after posting i realize it looks like a book report, sorry

[pricha00]

Any type of black finish will show everything in the right light. Washing with even the best technique will only lessen the marring not completely eliminate it. I would think that you would be polishing at least once a year to keep the finish as swirl free as you can. As for clay bar the Riccardos is nice if you can obtain one. It is nice and pliable but I would imagine any quality clay bar will work for you. As for the PC don't be worried about it. Almost foolproof. More apt to not do enough then to do too much. Either the Menz line or the XMT seem to be popular choices for the PC. Start with a white pad and some polish, not enough, white pad and a mild compound, not enough, try orange and compound. If you do create hazing, likely with orange and compound, plan on going over again with white and polish to restore the gloss. Always do test area with least aggressive combo and work up until the results you desire have been obtained. You may find that you need the smaller pads for more serious paint correction, but try the 6.5 inch first and see how it goes. Good luck. You may want to look into some sort of portable lighting so you can see your finish better.

Pat.

[OGauge4Me]

Go with the PC. You will not regret the decision.

[ASPHALT ROCKET]

You will be fine with the pc. I would get the Menzerna kit with the 5.5 inch pads. PC works best with the smaller pads. Most of the advice above is correct except after using the orange or white pads you should go over the vehilce with a finishing polish and a blue pad.

[Meghan]

I think everyone has given you good info, with all newbies wanting a machine I always recommend the PC7424 and XMT polishes, great starter kit to "safely" get yourself going.

[killrwheels@autogeek]

Originally Posted by ASPHALT ROCKET

You will be fine with the pc. I would get the Menzerna kit with the 5.5 inch pads. PC works best with the smaller pads. Most of the advice above is correct except after using the orange or white pads you should go over the vehilce with a finishing polish and a blue pad.

[sal329]

Get the PC with 5.5" pads and 4" pads. You can use the 4" on the entire car. As stated the Menz kit would be nice or Meguiars 82 and 80 wuld be a nice combo for the car as well. Do not fear the PC

[Wendell Jarvis]

Go with the Porter Cable, excellent machine...all other posted advise is great too.....good luck !!

[GiXx]

hmmm, the menz seems to be the majority favorite here followed by the xmt
i had thought the menz was better suited for harder clear coat....guess i was wrong?
would the sip be too aggressive for me and my honda? (just to reiterate, light swirls, with 2 very small scratches just above passenger rear door, fingernail just barely feels it but im figuring the best i can do is make the scratch look "nicer")
what would be a recommendation for menz products with the corrresponding pads?

if i went the way of XMT, should i get the #2, #1, and finishing glaze? try the numbe #1 with a white pad, then if need be move up to number #1 with orange, then number #2 with orange if absolutely necessary?
glaze with a black, blue or red?

after applying either the menz or XMT products id follow it with my WG DGPS as usual and max wax?
might try applying these with the pc as well, atleast the max wax

couple of tips on weird areas of car:
first spot would be the little painted grill between bumper and grill, its not exactly flat and as you can see not very tall 4" pad? avoid? theres swirls there too so id like to hit it also and get rid of them




second spot would be the sharp angles that are on the bottom 1/4 of the car going from bumper to bumper.....i have no idea how to attack that one at all

third spot would be the spoiler and the areas around/underneath it
if you can see the spoiler extends over the rear quarter but is not attached, would opening the trunk lead to a big dusty mess in my trunk to get to that section of the rear?

the 4th spot also doing with the spoiler section is right where the spoiler meets the top of the trunk, see there is some trunk exposed where the spoiler ends and there is practically no room there at all! also clueless as to how to attack this

5th spot would be the stupid i-vtec dohc stick on the rear doors, do i cover them up? just go over them? i mean eventually i want them off most likely, just not ready to do it yet

and lastly the painted mirrors, how would i attack those?

im really sorry with the q's and the book report, just need solid advice from people with much more experience than myself

thanks

[lempilot]

Go for the PC. If I can do it and not screw up black paint, then anyone can do it. I have ruined two paint jobs in the past. Listen to the experts on this site and follow their instructions to the letter. I have owned cars for 20 years and I have always owned black, i.e. Acura, Honda, Nissan, Jeep, Toyota, Lexus. I bought and use the PC and the SUV looks as new as it ever will. I tried every hand application out there with disappointing results and if it wasn't for autogeek and this forum I would have never made the jump to the PC. I love it!!! I use the Menz and it works flawlessly. I also use Klasse and Souveran.