New to detailing

[jiwaus]

Hi everyone...I like to thank you for the opportunity being member here. I am super newbie to detailing...

I have following products for several months...Nothing fancy...They are all M brand I got from local auto store and walmart

Crystal Car Wash

Deep Crystal Polish

Clay Bars

Quick Detailer

Deep Crystal Paint cleaner

Ultimate Compound

Swirl X

Scratch X 2.0

NXT Tech Wax 2.0 Liquid

Microfiber towels

My problem is I don't know which kit to buy now. Because current budget issue, I am looking at Porter Cable 7424 Complete Starter Kit, Porter Cable 7424 buffer, Porter Cable power tools (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424-kit.html) or Porter Cable 7424 & Foam Pad Kit - Car Buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/hk7424.html)

Question about Grit Guard: Can I only use one for washing bucket? or I have to use two guards for better result.

I planing to remove swirl marks and scratchs on 2009 Black Subaru Forester

But I also read lots of posts about Subaru's soft paint, I am kind of afraid to use Porter Cable on my car

Welcome any suggestions
Thank you

[Superdutytd]

Hi everyone...I like to thank you for the opportunity being member here. I am super newbie to detailing...

I have following products for several months...Nothing fancy...They are all M brand I got from local auto store and walmart

Crystal Car Wash

Deep Crystal Polish

Clay Bars

Quick Detailer

Deep Crystal Paint cleaner

Ultimate Compound

Swirl X

Scratch X 2.0

NXT Tech Wax 2.0 Liquid

Microfiber towels

My problem is I don't know which kit to buy now. Because current budget issue, I am looking at Porter Cable 7424 Complete Starter Kit, Porter Cable 7424 buffer, Porter Cable power tools (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424-kit.html) or Porter Cable 7424 & Foam Pad Kit - Car Buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/hk7424.html)

Question about Grit Guard: Can I only use one for washing bucket? or I have to use two guards for better result.

I planing to remove swirl marks and scratchs on 2009 Black Subaru Forester

But I also read lots of posts about Subaru's soft paint, I am kind of afraid to use Porter Cable on my car

Welcome any suggestions
Thank you

Do not be afraid of using the PC 7424 on anything! You will be just fine!

[DLB]

If it were me, I would opt for the PC Complete starter kit. Reason being, if you find the white pads don't have enough aggressiveness, you can go to the orange.

However, with you soft paint as you mentioned, you can probably get by with the white.

From your products, the aggressiveness is Ultimate Compound--->ScratchX 2.0--->SwirlX. (Most to least).
You can experiment on a test spot to see what combo works best for you. It is recommended to always start with the least aggressive combo.

If it takes the UC, then know that the stuff takes some good working time with the PC.

Best of luck.

DLB

[gwilo]

:iagree:

1 - it looks like a better deal.

2 - If doing swirl removal the small pads will work much better

3 - I wish I bought that kit

[radhi20]

Hi everybody,
I am new to this site.I hope this site will help me to understand quickly.
I would like to say "hi" to all members,Welcome to the forum.

[CakeDaddy]

You'll be fine with the PC7424, so don't worry. I'm think you are going to need more than those wal-mart products to really do a quality job on a black car with scratches and swirls. I've tried some of those swirl x/scratch x products and didn't get much from them.

I'd look into the PC7424 kit with the menzerna polishes (PO91E & PO85rd) with orange,white,blue and grey pads. Throw in some poorboys black hole glaze and poor boys nattys paste blue paste wax. If I had to do it all over again I would've ordered all of the items I listed from the beginning instead of going back and paying shipping over and over again and remember to start on a small section of the car to get an idea and the feel of the PC and the products. Your confidence will quickly grow. Just my 2 cents worth.

One more thing..... really take time to educate youself on the polishing process with that pc7424. Too much or too little can make for a miserable Saturday afternoon. There are tons of vids on youtube and tons of info on the how-to's on this forum about polishing

[jiwaus]

Thanks guys...

You all provide great info

[jiwaus]

If I use the starter kit, am I doing the following steps correct?

1.Least aggressive combo
CCS White 6.5 inch Polishing Foam Pad with Swirl X or Ultimate Compound (If this doesn't work, I will move to step 2. If it works, move to step 3)

2.Most aggressive combo
Lake Country 4 inch Orange Light Cutting Pads with Swirl X or Ultimate Compound (I will use Swirl X first. If it doesn't work, go up to Ultimate Compound)

3.
CCS Gray 6.5 Inch Finishing Foam Pad with Deep Crystal Polish (put on, wipe off) or ColorX(put on, let it dry)

4.
CCS Blue 6.5 Inch Finessing Foam Pad with NXT 2.0


What is the difference between small pad (4 in) and large pad(6.5 in)?

Thank you

Sorry for all the dumb questions. Please forgive newbie

[jiwaus]

Recently, I moved into an apartment complex due to some personal issue. Without garage and close outlet(unless I buy one 50 ft extension cord) I also plan to buy a 750 Power Inverter for my PC.

[CakeDaddy]

What is the difference between small pad (4 in) and large pad(6.5 in)?

Thank you

Sorry for all the dumb questions. Please forgive newbie

I really haven't seen a reason for the 4in pads. The 6.5 are not as effective when you are removing heavy swirls and scratches. The smaller pads allow you to better correct those tough spots. If you use the 4in pads I think you'll need a smaller backing plate. I use 5.5 in pads for better correction with original backing plate:props:

[Mike Phillips]

Question about Grit Guard: Can I only use one for washing bucket? or I have to use two guards for better result.


You can use one in one bucket.
You can use two in one bucket
You can use one in in one bucket of a two bucket system
You can use one in each bucket of a two bucket system
You can use two in each bucket of a two bucket system

Kind of depends on how many you have. I have the single bucket/dolly system and I have the dual-bucket dolly system and I mostly use the single bucket system with only one grit guard in it and good technique.

This is a few years old and kind of choppy but it was fun to make and gets goes over a couple of important points.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqdEVtOPKAM





I planing to remove swirl marks and scratches on 2009 Black Subaru Forester

But I also read lots of posts about Subaru's soft paint, I am kind of afraid to use Porter Cable on my car


I never go by what I read or hear about a certain brand of car's paint as to whether or not it's hard or soft because you never know until you actually start working on the paint if it's hard or soft or easy to work on or difficult to work on.

Best thing to do is to go out into the garage and find out first hand by applying a paint cleaner and then inspect your results.

I used the new PC 7424XP last Friday on a 2008 black Lexus IS 250 and really like this tool for it's power and the shape of the tool. It's easy to hold on to with one hand,


For components like the mirrors, brace them with one hand while polishing them with the other hand. The new smaller, ergonomic shape of the PC 7424XP makes doing this kind of work easy.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/723/detail-170.jpg

And plenty of power for removing defects even with pads on the large end of the spectrum.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/mikephillips/images/polish-1.gif




The Subaru Forester has a lot of small thin, narrow panels as well as lots of hard body lines, so you'll definitely want some smaller pads like the 4" pads.


:)

[jiwaus]

Mike,

I planing to remove swirl marks and scratchs on 2009 Black Subaru Forester

Hopefully, I can get a 90% swirl marks free

BTW, Can I use 4" pad for large area?

[Mike Phillips]

If I use the starter kit, am I doing the following steps correct?

1.Least aggressive combo
CCS White 6.5 inch Polishing Foam Pad with Swirl X or Ultimate Compound (If this doesn't work, I will move to step 2. If it works, move to step 3)


Yes you are starting out right as you always want to use the least aggressive product to get the job done and if the above doesn't work you can try something more aggressive.




2.Most aggressive combo
Lake Country 4 inch Orange Light Cutting Pads with Swirl X or Ultimate Compound (I will use Swirl X first. If it doesn't work, go up to Ultimate Compound)


Yes again. The 4" pad is a little small to try to buff out large panels and the PC 7424XP has enough power to rotate larger pads with good technique so maybe try a polishing pad with the UC and then if that still doesn't work you could try a cutting pad.




3.
CCS Gray 6.5 Inch Finishing Foam Pad with Deep Crystal Polish (put on, wipe off) or ColorX(put on, let it dry)


In my honest opinion pure polishes like the DCP apply better with polishing pads versus finishing pads. Also, ColorX and DCP are completely different products, you probably know some people reading this might not.



4.
CCS Blue 6.5 Inch Finessing Foam Pad with NXT 2.0


That would work great, or even a smaller pad like a 5.5 as the Forester has a lot of thin, narrow panels.




What is the difference between small pad (4 in) and large pad(6.5 in)?


2.5" :)

Seriously, if you're comparing the same foam formulas then it's just a math thing, (surface area)


Mike,

I planing to remove swirl marks and scratches on 2009 Black Subaru Forester

Hopefully, I can get a 90% swirl marks free


You can, shouldn't be to hard either. I just wrote two articles that cover most of every question you've asked here and hopefully they'll get posted this Friday so hang tight...

Most important thing to do when working on something you've never worked on before is to do a Test Spot and the articles referenced will cover this in detail. (no pun intended)




BTW, Can I use 4" pad for large area?


You can but after about a one foot section you'll be wanting a little larger pad.

:)

[jiwaus]

Thanks Mike...

[jiwaus]

Here is what I come up with...


What do you think?


Thank You

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2067_79426042 (http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-2pack.html) The Grit Guard Insert - 2 Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/grit-guard-2pack.html)

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2066_30055572 (http://www.autogeek.net/megocltrde.html) Meguiars Gold Class Trim Detailer (http://www.autogeek.net/megocltrde.html)
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2067_48228903 (http://www.autogeek.net/bf100.html) Dual Action 6.5" CCS Foam Pad Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/bf100.html)
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2067_63633363 (http://www.autogeek.net/poca74pofcop.html) Porter Cable 7424XP Polisher Combo Free Bonus! (http://www.autogeek.net/poca74pofcop.html) 3 5.5" Orange CCS Foam Pad