Walk me through My first detail (Ill take pics at every step.

[Rhudeboye]

This is a true test of "can anyone achieve a great shine".

If I can pick the brain of at lease one of you pros that would be great. Looked at the DIY videos and I think my technique is going to be OK. Thought it would be fun for everyone to watch as I'm Walked through this detail. So here are the stats:

The Car-1994 black 968 Porsche ( paint was measured at a detail shop last year and it was in good shape. but I cant recall the reading)

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/807/copyofp10103032965325.jpg (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/copyofp10103032965325.jpg/)

The problem areas- roof and hood. Many swirls
Rear Side fenders has light scratches.
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6641/p10302403307222.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/p10302403307222.jpg/)
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/623/p10302393304038.th.jpg (http://img689.imageshack.us/i/p10302393304038.jpg/)
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/6981/p10302383298211.th.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/i/p10302383298211.jpg/)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8216/p10302373295025.th.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/p10302373295025.jpg/)
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2950/p10302363291651.th.jpg (http://img689.imageshack.us/i/p10302363291651.jpg/)

Products I currently have
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8876/p10302353431404.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/p10302353431404.jpg/)
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/3781/p10302343428362.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/p10302343428362.jpg/)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5872/p10302333425321.th.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/p10302333425321.jpg/)
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4179/p10302323422202.th.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/i/p10302323422202.jpg/)

Thus far the car has been washed and clayed. so I'm ready for the correction.

My plan was to start with the Griots polish 3 and a white pad, then go to the orange for the stubborn swirls and scratches and use the smooth cut.
What do you think of my products and my plan of attack.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

This is a true test of "can anyone achieve a great shine".

If I can pick the brain of at lease one of you pros that would be great. Looked at the DIY videos and I think my technique is going to be OK. Thought it would be fun for everyone to watch as I'm Walked through this detail. So here are the stats:

The Car-1994 black 968 Porsche ( paint was measured at a detail shop last year and it was in good shape. but I cant recall the reading)

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/807/copyofp10103032965325.jpg (http://img688.imageshack.us/i/copyofp10103032965325.jpg/)

The problem areas- roof and hood. Many swirls
Rear Side fenders has light scratches.
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6641/p10302403307222.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/p10302403307222.jpg/)
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/623/p10302393304038.th.jpg (http://img689.imageshack.us/i/p10302393304038.jpg/)
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/6981/p10302383298211.th.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/i/p10302383298211.jpg/)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8216/p10302373295025.th.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/p10302373295025.jpg/)
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/2950/p10302363291651.th.jpg (http://img689.imageshack.us/i/p10302363291651.jpg/)

Products I currently have
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/8876/p10302353431404.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/p10302353431404.jpg/)
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/3781/p10302343428362.th.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/p10302343428362.jpg/)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5872/p10302333425321.th.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/p10302333425321.jpg/)
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/4179/p10302323422202.th.jpg (http://img63.imageshack.us/i/p10302323422202.jpg/)

Thus far the car has been washed and clayed. so I'm ready for the correction.

My plan was to start with the Griots polish 3 and a white pad, then go to the orange for the stubborn swirls and scratches and use the smooth cut.
What do you think of my products and my plan of attack.
Don't think Griot's #3 and a white pad will cut it, the swirls look pretty bad. Pick up some Meguiars ultomate compound from your local auto parts store. You can start with a white pad, but I'm think you'll need an orange pad. Then, use Meguiars swirl X with a white or black pad to remove any micro marring left behind from componding.

[Dubbin1]

Going from the white pad to the orange pad is going to defeat the purpose of using the white pad. Ultimate Compound would be a good one to start with.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Going from the white pad to the orange pad is going to defeat the purpose of using the white pad.
How so? What if a white pad and UC did the trick? I don't think it will for this application, but what about others? If a white pad works, you can follow with a black pad and a finer polish.

[Dubbin1]

How so? What if a white pad and UC did the trick? I don't think it will for this application, but what about others? If a white pad works, you can follow with a black pad and a finer polish.

I understand that but read how he explained he was going to do it. If he started with a white pad then just goes back over that area with an orange then its a waist of time.

I agree that the white pad isn't going to do the trick for this application. This is where a test spot will be needed ;)

[Rhudeboye]

The video I watched here showed one product (WG swirl remover). The Griots DVD mentioned to always start with polish 3 and then move up to 2 or 1 if needed.

I do see that the consensus is that my scratches are too deep for GG#3 So I'll start with the HT Smooth cut.

What do you think?

[Rhudeboye]

Thanks Dubbin. That does make sense.
Plus- I completely forgot about doing a test spot.

So White pad and Smooth cut or orange and Smooth cut

[Dubbin1]

So White pad and Smooth cut or orange and Smooth cut

Do a test spot with each and see how it turns out. I'm betting on starting with the orange ;)

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I understand that but read how he explained he was going to do it. If he started with a white pad then just goes back over that area with an orange then its a waist of time.
Gotcha! I miss-understood what the OP was trying to say.I agree with you that orange will likely be needed at the least. Those defects look pretty bad. Yes, a test spot is VERY important. Good reminder.

On a side not, what's the cut level of smooth cut? Never heard of it. What does it compare with?

[Rhudeboye]

It was recommended to me by a detailer.Hope this link is OK w/ AG
Smooth Cut Polish (http://www.topoftheline.com/hitligcutswi.html)
Quote from the site
"Smooth Cut is capable of removing up to 2000 grit sand paper scratches"

[WRAPT C5Z06]

It was recommended to me by a detailer.Hope this link is OK w/ AG
Smooth Cut Polish (http://www.topoftheline.com/hitligcutswi.html)
Quote from the site
"Smooth Cut is capable of removing up to 2000 grit sand paper scratches"
Thanks. Smooth cut is along the lines of menzerna power finish. It might do the trick, but if I had to guess, you're going to need something stronger. This is where a test spot comes in very handy.

[Rhudeboye]

OK. I'm going to get started in about an hour and test polish near the windshield.

Something stronger.. What would you recommend if my test spot doesn't really get rid of the swirls?

[WRAPT C5Z06]

OK. I'm going to get started in about an hour and test polish near the windshield.

Something stronger.. What would you recommend if my test spot doesn't really get rid of the swirls?
Pick up some Meguiars ultimate compound from your local auto parts store/pep boys. Very good cut and easy to work with.

[Rhudeboye]

I pass a pep boys on my way home so I can do that. As if I dont have enough cleaners as is:p

BTW Nice ZO6. Man can those things run!

[WRAPT C5Z06]

BTW Nice ZO6. Man can those things run!
Thanks! It's my dream car, I love it! :righton: