First Time Poster, Few Questions

[Skelly]

Hey guys I acutally came upon this site due to a bad situation. I ran into someone with my car (not my fault) and got my bumper and hood scuffed up a little bit. Rather than taking the funds ($1,300) and having it fixed, I would much rather purchased a buffer and fix it the best I can. I hope to also do this as a side business and make a little extra cash.

Now heres where I can use a little help. During college I worked at a reputable autobody and they would let me buff the cars. I believe it was a rotary makita buffer. I dont know if I was luck or what but I never experienced the hologram affect that I see and read about.

I was looking at picking up the flex3401 and some compounds and pads. I would like to build my own "kit" and I've done a little research, so I will let you know what I was looking to get, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My overall goal is to detail friends and family cars (average cars, may do a few nice cars here and there) and maybe customers cars eventually.

My shopping list (keep in mind im a n00b)

1. Flex3401
2. Menzerna Power Gloss Compound S34A (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html)
3. Power Finish
PO203S (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-po203.html)
4. Super Finish
PO106FA (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html)
5. Menzerna Power Gloss Compound S34A (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html)
6. Clay bar
7. Buffing pads ( Yellow white grey)

I'm a little unsure on which compounds to buy so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

First, since this is your first post to our forum...

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:





I dont know if I was luck or what but I never experienced the hologram affect that I see and read about.


Inside of the shop, after buffing usually with some type of finishing polish or glaze, the paint can look marvoulous...

Body shop safe glazes are usually water soluble for reason I outlined in my reply on this page,

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/26012-show-car-garage-video-optimum-hyper-polish-3.html

So the paint probably did look great when you were done with it. But after the owner washes the car a few times and the polishing oils wash off the swirls will show up, kind of like they did for Katie in this thread and in the pictures I included,

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/26609-swirls-08-infiniti-g37s.html






I was looking at picking up the flex3401 and some compounds and pads. I would like to build my own "kit" and I've done a little research, so I will let you know what I was looking to get, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

My overall goal is to detail friends and family cars (average cars, may do a few nice cars here and there) and maybe customers cars eventually.

My shopping list (keep in mind im a n00b)

1. Flex3401
2. Menzerna Power Gloss Compound S34A (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html)




I have not used the Menzerna compound with the Flex 3401 but the polishes all work great, maybe someone that has specific experience will chime in or I can go out into the Studio and find out first hand... it's just a time issue as I do have other projects...


:)

[Skelly]

First, since this is your first post to our forum...

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:




Inside of the shop, after buffing usually with some type of finishing polish or glaze, the paint can look marvoulous...

Body shop safe glazes are usually water soluble for reason I outlined in my reply on this page,

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/26012-show-car-garage-video-optimum-hyper-polish-3.html

So the paint probably did look great when you were done with it. But after the owner washes the car a few times and the polishing oils wash off the swirls will show up, kind of like they did for Katie in this thread and in the pictures I included,

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/26609-swirls-08-infiniti-g37s.html





I have not used the Menzerna compound with the Flex 3401 but the polishes all work great, maybe someone that has specific experience will chime in or I can go out into the Studio and find out first hand... it's just a time issue as I do have other projects...


:)

Thanks for the quick response. Any recommendations on Compound brands for have first hand used?

[Skelly]

Upon further reading on the website, im starting to get a little lost due to the insane amount of products offered.

What I'm looking for is a compound, swirl remover( do you typically buy a heavy, med, and light swirl remover?) finishing polish and paint sealant or wax.

Halp :)

[maximus20895]

Why not use m105 and m205 from meguiar's? They, in my opinion, are better products and they are a steal right now!

[JohnHenry]

:iagree: Excellent suggestion on the Meg's 105 & 205.

I also like the Poorboy's World line, SSR (Super Swirl Remover) 2.5, 2 & 1 (depending upon the condition of your paint), followed by EX-P sealant and one of the Natty's carnauba waxes.

(Sealant + Carnauba is overkill, but if you're doing your own car, go for it!)

$1,300 in damage? You probably will not be able to completely remove those scratches by buffing, even with compound. However, you might be willing to live with the result and have a nice detailing starter kit for less than half that amount.

Good luck!

[Skelly]

Why not use m105 and m205 from meguiar's? They, in my opinion, are better products and they are a steal right now!

I'm open to whatever. Those prices are great! Does compound expire?

:iagree: Excellent suggestion on the Meg's 105 & 205.

I also like the Poorboy's World line, SSR (Super Swirl Remover) 2.5, 2 & 1 (depending upon the condition of your paint), followed by EX-P sealant and one of the Natty's carnauba waxes.

(Sealant + Carnauba is overkill, but if you're doing your own car, go for it!)

$1,300 in damage? You probably will not be able to completely remove those scratches by buffing, even with compound. However, you might be willing to live with the result and have a nice detailing starter kit for less than half that amount.

Good luck!

That is correct, I'm not looking for a 100% fix, but my car is only worth a few grand so I'm not too worried about it.

Again I appreciate your help

[maximus20895]

Does compound expire..hmm good question. I've had some over a year and it still works great! Most of the time 205 leave an awesome finish, but if your paint is really soft it might not leave a perfect finish. For this I would recommend using menz 85RD.

So for polish compounds I use:
Meg's M105
Meg's M205
Menz 85RD

Never tried poorboy's though :)

Also, get flat pads and not ccs