Detailed my Civic SI and a couple questions please!

[Racin10s]

It has been too long since I have posted one of my details... So here is my personal car... 07 Civic SI...

Process was just a simple clean up as we had a few nice days up here in upstate NY (nice means some days over 50 degrees. lol). To wash, I used DP 4in1 with a Mf mitt and MF towels to wipe off. I then went over the entire care with Klasse AIO and topped with Souvern. On the tires, I used Black Onyx. On to the pics....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s117/Racin10s/S6300093.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s117/Racin10s/S6300094.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s117/Racin10s/S6300092.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s117/Racin10s/S6300095.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s117/Racin10s/S6300099.jpg

Now to my questions... As long as I have been here, I have never polished my car. I have always washed and waxed using proper technique, keeping the need to polish down. But now, I have some very minor swirls and some waterspots on the the hood, roof, and trunk lid. I was wondering how I would polish these tough areas... As all the videos I have seen always show how to polish on a nice flat surface... Here are the areas...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s117/Racin10s/S6300097.jpg
As you can see in the pic above, there in a concave surfave running from the spoiler all the way to the headlights under the windows... Should this be done by hand or just use the edge of the pad with a PC?

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s117/Racin10s/S6300096.jpg
Kind of a large area, but not much room to work. I thought of using some 4" pads here... But I only have 5" in my arsonal and no means to get any other pads at the moment.... Again by hand?

Feed back please

[Fiji blue si guy715]

First off are you sure you want to start the whole detailing process on your car from step one? I have a 08 Fiji Blue Si coupe myself so I know what your saying. I use both my flex with 6" pads and my 7424 with 4" pads also. The deck lid i can do like 2 overlapping passes and then 4" pads on the spoiler under the spoiler I just polish with pad by hand. When I do the back quarters I find it easier to open the trunk so the spoiler is out of the way. I do use 4" pads in that crease, on the bumpers, trunk lid, mirrors, and from the A to C pillars. I also use 4" pad on the roof by the rain gutters and by the front and the sides of the sunroof. Tape up as much as you can it will save you a lot of time, also tape the decal you do not want to polish those. Pop the hood to get the painted grille and tape the emblem up. I have a hfp kit on mine so I also do the side skirts with a 4" pad. I would recommend clay baring the entire car before you polish, but after you polish your going to have to reseal and wax again.

[Racin10s]

Thanks for the tips... You did give some nice pointers there. Should I tape off that bottom edge of that crease? I would think that it would be easy to burn through.

[Irish]

Thanks for the tips... You did give some nice pointers there. Should I tape off that bottom edge of that crease? I would think that it would be easy to burn through.

My Mustang has a similar character line and I've never felt the need to. Use good judgement. I wouldn't hit it with M105 on wool for example, but if you're using a DA looking for medium-light cut you really shouldn't have any issues.

[Fiji blue si guy715]

My Mustang has a similar character line and I've never felt the need to. Use good judgement. I wouldn't hit it with M105 on wool for example, but if you're using a DA looking for medium-light cut you really shouldn't have any issues.

Agreed I alway use a DA since the paint on my car never gets that bad. If I was to break out my rotary and I wool pad with megs 105 i would tape off the crease. Hardest part of the car in my opinion is around the spoiler and underneath.