Yet Another First Time Buyer Thread

[c0re]

Hello everyone!

I've been lurking around for months now, reading up on paint correction, watching great AG videos on YouTube and browsing products. Winter's almost over here in Canada and its time to start washing our cars again!

I'm a total n00b when it comes to paint correction and am looking to buy a DA polisher. I pretty much am looking for the best combo of polisher, pads and products to do a decent amount of paint correction on 2 BMWs - one black 1995 325is and a silver 1997 540i.

The black one has loads of really obvious and distracting swirls that I'd really love to get out.

For my first order, I was thinking of getting one of the PC 7424 kits. I've read that the 6.5" pads are too big though, and many of the kits come with the larger pads. I'm also not entirely sure which products would be best to start with. My best guess led me to this kit: Pinnacle Porter Cable 7424 Kit, Lake country ccs pads, polishing pads, porter cable pads, porter cable kit (http://www.autogeek.net/pinnacle-porter-cable.html) and an order of some extra 5.5" pads.

Is there anything that offers better value for a beginner? Is there anything else that I might need that I should throw in? I have a single Meguiar's clay bar that I ran over the car last year to great effect and the car has been stored ever since...

Any suggestions on my first order would be greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get into proper automotive detailing :buffing:

[Pureshine]

I would recommend getting Meguiar's MF pads and Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound FG 400.

[jmfp]

I have a PC and gg polisher. I like both, but the PC does not have the power for bigger pads. I would highly recommend buying some 5.5" meguiars microfiber pads. They are good enough for almost everything I work on, unless it has soft paint. Get some foam pads too. You'll need them some time.

I don't really like working with 6.5" pads at all. It just feels awkward working with them to me.

[cartman57]

Here's a great example of what smack (Mike) has done.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/59436-2010-black-335i-one-step-correction.html

Menz FG400 FTW!!

[c0re]

Wow, you guys are quick. Thanks for the replies :xyxthumbs:

Based on your feedback, my list currently looks like this:


Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher - NEW 3rd Generation In Stock! (http://www.autogeek.net/new-griots-polisher.html)
Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)
Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-fast-gloss-fg400.html)

Does that make sense so far? If I'm getting 5.5 inch microfiber Meguiar's pads, it seems like the starter kit provides the best value because it comes with two of them and the backing plate (although are the backing plates interchangeable between polishers?)

Additionally, if I use the finishing compound and pads that are included in that kit, is that sufficient or is it better to go for something else? I'm going to feel so n00bish until I get my hands on a tool and start working!

[Pureshine]

Day off no cars today hate working Mondays lol.

[c0re]

haha, well that works out well for me because I can avail myself of your knowledge ;- )

So does the above list I posted look like it would work (as in physically work on the machine at the very least). Also is there anything else that you'd recommend I pick up in the same order while we have 15% off day?

[mikeh14]

haha, well that works out well for me because I can avail myself of your knowledge ;- )

So does the above list I posted look like it would work (as in physically work on the machine at the very least). Also is there anything else that you'd recommend I pick up in the same order while we have 15% off day?

Chemical Guys Blacklight and V7:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoJgPch5NzU :props:

[cartman57]

haha, well that works out well for me because I can avail myself of your knowledge ;- )

So does the above list I posted look like it would work (as in physically work on the machine at the very least). Also is there anything else that you'd recommend I pick up in the same order while we have 15% off day?

You can never have enough MF's

[c0re]

Well, thanks for all the helpful replies everybody! I did loads of research today based on the recommendations I got here and finally decided on the following:


FLEX XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher Kit with Free FLEX Polisher Bag, FLEX Dual Action Polisher and storage bag, FLEX bag kit (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-polisher-kit-bag.html)
Menzerna Fast Gloss Compound, Fast Gloss 400, FG400 compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-fast-gloss-fg400.html)
Chemical Guys Black Light Hybrid Radiant Finish 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-black-light-hybrid-radiant-finish.html)
Chemical Guys V7 Optical Select High Gloss Spray Sealant Detailer (http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-hybrid-v7-spray-sealant.html)
Six 6.5" Lake Country' s Hydro-Tech Foam Pads
A few extra microfibers

In the end, I broke down and bought the Flex polisher as you can see. After seeing comments all over the forums about people eventually buying the Flex after outgrowing other polishers led me to pick this one up instead. With tools I prefer to spend more up front and not need to upgrade later which just ends up being more expensive in the end. I also have a tendency of buying and selling cars for fun, so I'm sure it will go to good use over the years!

Also I think I figured out why everybody is raving about the FG 400... It seems it can be used without the need to go through an intermediary polish which sounds very appealing. I figure if I want to use it as a polish I can move to a lighter pad for later passes if required.

Hopefully all goes well in my first "real" detailing/correction adventure and I'll definitely be back to post some before and after shots of my heavily swirled bimmer in the coming weeks. Thanks again guys! :dblthumb2: