Newb / How to start over?

[SoCalE]

I'm a newbie at this stuff. Over the weekend, I attempted to detail my wife's car by hand (it was brutal). Only did half the car (Hood, top, and the part that goes from the above the side-view mirrors/over the door and behind the rear doors). Here's the order of the things I did to those parts:

1. Wash
2. Clayed
3. Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
4. Wolfgang Paint Polish Enhancer
5. Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0

I gotta admit, it looked pretty darn good, don't think it looked that good when I first drove it off the dealer's lot some 7 years ago (minus some scratches and chips).

Anyway, I'm thinking about getting a DA (any suggestions?, would like something I can grow into as I get more serious) and starting all over (arms got really tired and started getting lazy and there are some scratches I'd like to address). I'm thinking perhaps adding a step between 2 and 3 with Meguiar's 205. And perhaps adding a topper on top of the sealant. Maybe some Wet Glaze somewhere.

How would I go about removing the Sealant and starting over? Would Meguiar's 205 do that?

This hobby is very time consuming and getting very expensive, but whatever, I enjoy it, with the exception of my arms nearly falling off trying to apply the polish and sealant by hand. Also, what's a good buffing towel? I find that Wolfgang Paint Polish Enhance leaves an oily residue that the Woobie Blue MF (Woobie Microfiber Towel, 3-Pack, buffing towel, edgeless polishing cloth (http://www.autogeek.net/paint-polishing-towel.html)) I got at AG would not remove (I can rub it off with my figures okay).

I've learned a lot here. Thanks for all your time and suggestion!

[Setec Astronomy]

Your 3 & 4 are kind of redundant steps. If the surface needs to be polished, do #3 and skip to step 5. If you are just trying to clean before sealant, skip 3 and do only 4. Either 3 or 4 will remove the sealant you just put on, although I'm not clear why you want to do that.

[CM8 6MT]

Your 3 & 4 are kind of redundant steps. If the surface needs to be polished, do #3 and skip to step 5. If you are just trying to clean before sealant, skip 3 and do only 4. Either 3 or 4 will remove the sealant you just put on, although I'm not clear why you want to do that.

^^^ I agree

[LazyGhost]

Yea, your on your way.

My suggestion is to add to your collection and buy a griots garage 6" DA, 5" backing plate, a dozen Lake country 5.5" flat pads ( 6 orange, 6 white), Megs Ultimate Compound, and a bunch of quality microfibers of your choice. Watch videos and read posts while your waitin on your shipment to arrive and you will be ready to put the smack down when the UPS man knocks on the door. Everything ya need to know is on this forum. Keep posting and asking questions.

[LazyGhost]

Yea, your on your way.

My suggestion is to add to your collection and buy a griots garage 6" DA, 5" backing plate, a dozen Lake country 5.5" flat pads ( 6 orange, 6 white), Megs Ultimate Compound, and a bunch of quality microfibers of your choice. Watch videos and read posts while your waitin on your shipment to arrive and you will be ready to put the smack down when the UPS man knocks on the door. Everything ya need to know is on this forum. Keep posting and asking questions.


P.S. get some pad cleaner as well.

[ihaveacamaro]

Griot's Garage is the best affordable true D/A!!

[SoCalE]

Do I need the Black or Blue pads as well or is the White pad good enough for the finishing touch with wax/sealant?

Regarding the oily film left behind the polish, is it okay to use rubbing alcohol to remove those?

It seems like some people like to top Wolfgang DGPS 3.0 with a wax. I was thinking about Collinite 915, but read that it can be a pain to remove. Are there any good alternatives that's not too expensive?

Can I put DGPS on the wheels or are there better products to protect the wheels?

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Anyway, I'm thinking about getting a DA (any suggestions?, would like something I can grow into as I get more serious) and starting all over (arms got really tired and started getting lazy and there are some scratches I'd like to address).



Check this out and even click on the links and read through the projects...


It's not that hard... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/55512-s-not-hard.html)


Note these people are not just "learning" on daily drivers aka new cars, they're learning on someone's "toys" or Special Interest Vehicles. More risk for me, more fun for them...



In the below live broadcast I show a 15 year old boy how to machine polish

Live Broadcast Video - 1965 Plymouth Valiant - Extreme Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/49293-live-broadcast-video-1965-plymouth-valiant-extreme-makeover.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1436/1965Plymouth034.jpg




And in this one I show a 21 year old girl how to machine polish

Video & Pictures: 1965 Fastback Mustang - Gtechniq EXO Show Car Makeover! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/53807-video-pictures-1965-fastback-mustang-gtechniq-exo-show-car-makeover.html)

Trista working with the rest of the team to machine polish this 1965 Mustang Fastback 2+2
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1511/TristaBuffingFortheFirstTime001.jpg


Trista removing swirls on a show car...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1511/TristaBuffingFortheFirstTime002.jpg



And in this one I show a 80 year old man and a young lady and here boyfriend how to machine polish for their first time...

Video and Pictures - Two 1967 Camaro's - Show Car Makeovers! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/51175-video-pictures-1967-camaro-ss-1941-plymouth-coupe-show-car-makeovers.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1465/CamaroNight001.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1465/CamaroNight002.jpg


PLUS you have everyone on this forum to help you along the way...

:)