Noob Looking for some Help

[nissansp]

Hi all!!!

After a ton of re-search this sit seemed the most informative and had the best products for the best price.. I am looking for a little direction from the pros!!! :)

I have a red Nissan altima coupe 2008..
this past weekend I decided to clean it, clay it and wax it.. the feel the shine all great..
I do have some issues I would love to correct.. Swirl marks of course I would say from reading this site there moderate across the whole car.. I only had the car a year and since I had it I babied it. The back bumper felt like sand paper when I bought it I thought it was a bad paint job nope just road crap.. anyway I been doing tons of reading here since I am a noob I am not looking for a perfect correct because I am scared of messing it up worse.. Is there any product I can buy to work with my color and type of car to at least look a lot better? I'm willing to try anything.. if not I have read about 7424XP I'm just worried about micro marring. I don't want one problem for the next!!! I am getting mixed reviews on nissans clear coat.. personal i always had nissan cars I love them though I have always hated the paint. I feel it chips so easy as well as scratches.

anyway what should I do? im willing to buy the machine if its safe for my car and color or just product. I was curious once you use a machine since you are removing some clear coat can you only use this process once before u break down the clear coat to much? Does it effect the paint down the road?? sorry for so many questions I am just excited and pumped to get started!!

Thanks!!

:buffing:

[mjlinane]

Welcome to AGO!!

If you want to remove swirls and other defects without superhuman efforts, machine polishing is really the best way. A careful selection of pads and products will return your finish to new or better. Use the least aggressive pad/polish combo necessary to remove the swirls and, if you see micro-marring, step down to a softer pad and finer polish to remove those.

If you have specific questions, many good members on this forum are happy to help.

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

Reading and research is a great way to begin in order to gain some understanding and build your personal knowledge base. The rut most of us fall into is we very easily overwhelm ourselves with a myriad of products, pads, machines, techniques, what to use and when, what not to use, and what might work sometime....

I have a phrase for this: Paralysis through Analysis

A basic understanding and a few products will allow you to quickly understand that making a finish look a great deal better is more of an art and is not rocket science.

Start off by putting your best foot forward; purchase a dual action polisher. This will be one of the best investments to make for detailing an automotive finish properly, consistently, efficiently etc.

This is "the" place to learn some of the finest ways to detail your car. There is a wealth of knowledge here for the beginner to the most advanced. A simple question is all that's needed to initiate helpful responses from members here and also Autogeek Professional Staff.

Everyone starts off as a beginner but with some reading, questions, and trial, error, and practice you'll be amazed how much you'll be able to do. After reading and understanding some of the basics, the more hands on your are the quicker you'll build your knowledge and gain experience.

This link contains articles written by none other than the master himself; Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html)

Basic steps in order are:


Wash
Clay
Paint Correction & Polish
Seal
Wax

Dual Action Polisher

1. - Working with a dual action polisher


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)
How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)
DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)




2. - My Porter Cable 7424, backing plate, and pads


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)

Polishes


Menzerna Bundle (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-bundle3.html)

Meguiar's is one of the biggest names in detailing products and have been around for over a century. Life for them began in 1901 so this should give you some idea of their quality. The two products below are part of Meguiar's commercial line and are available through most local consumer outlets and automotive parts stores.


Meguiar's Ultimate Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-ultimate-compound.html)
Meguiar's Swirl X Swirl Remover (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-swirl-remover.html)


Some additional products you might like.

Sealants


Menzerna Power Lock (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)
Prima Hydro Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/prima-hydro-seal.html)
Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant.html)
Klasse High Gloss Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html)
Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)

Wax


Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/carnauba-wax.html)
Wolfgang Fuzion (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-wax-sample.html)
Dodo Juice Supernatural (http://www.autogeek.net/natural-carnauba-wax-200.html)
Pinnacle Souveran (http://www.autogeek.net/pinsouvwax.html)
Blackfire Midnight Sun (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/blackfire-midnight-sun-wax.html)