noob detailer

[NissanGuy]

hi, im new to detailing and i was looking into buying a porter cable polisher. there are several kits on the site. for now, i just want to remove some visible swirl marks on the clear coat of my black car.

am i good with just the porter cable polisher combo, or should i get something like wolfgang, blackfire, meguiars? thanks

[Kamakaz1961]

Welcome to the world of detailing!! You cannot go wrong with the PC 7424 XP. I would look into Autogeeks Kits. They usually are at a great price. As for the polishing compounds....so many to choose!!!

I like the Menzerna Poilishes and the Mequair's too. Bottom line....DO A 2 STEP Process!! Wash Clay bar your car and then compound polish and then polish your car. DO NOT skip this process. If done right you will rarely need to compound polish your car. Just polish occasionally. AGO has a polishing chart that can help you. Wolfgang, Blackfire, Meg's, Menzerna are all good. Just your preference.

I prefer the Menzerna polishes and I believe (not sure) Wolfgang is related to Menzerna in terms of some products. Either way AGO will help!!

Start with an Orange Pad for the Compound Polish, The White Pad for Polishing, The red pad for putting on sealant or wax. Lake Country CCS Pads are great!

[BrianMcLeod]

Welcome like he said ^ you can't go wrong with a porter cable

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

Starting off with a kit gets you started off in the right direction. Autogeek's staff selects a great combination of machine and polishing products that takes the guesswork out of the equation.

I'm a fan of Menzerna products so I'd recommend

The Menzerna / Porter Cable Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/pc7424-menzerna-ceramic-kit.html)

Basic steps in order are:


Wash
Clay
Paint Correction & Polish
Seal
Wax

Make detailing enjoyable and practice. Take your time and do not become overwhelmed. Just because there are a thousand products doesn't mean you have to use them all.

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.


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)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)


Foam Pads

Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.

Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all-around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.

White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for pre-wax cleaners.

Gray Finishing Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.

Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.

[swanicyouth]

If it was me, I would spend a few bucks more and get a Griots 6". A lot more power and better warranty.

CCS pads are pretty good for that machine. Optimally, you want to get a 5" BP and 5.5" pads - but the Griots ( unlike the PC), can spin 6.5" pads pretty well - and comes with a decent 6" BP.

As for polishes, the best and the easiest IMHO is Wolfgang. TSR & FG can conquer most normal defects. If you have the money, get some MF pads and Uber Compound as well, as you don't really know how aggressive you will have to get until you start.

Of course, getting everything piece by piece will cost more $. If you don't want to get that into it, just get a PC kit.

[NissanGuy]

Thanks for the quick reply guys. I own a black nissan 350z and I believe the paint is very soft. It gets scratched very easily. I am looking at the kits on this site. there is the basic porter polish kit for 170 or meguires kit for 230.
I also bought the mothers clay bar kit but it was scratching up my clear coat.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

[NissanGuy]

I just want to get a basic kit first because for a noob it's kind of confusing since there's so many different products out there.

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[MattGraf]

I just want to get a basic kit first because for a noob it's kind of confusing since there's so many different products out there.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk


Thanks for the quick reply guys. I own a black nissan 350z and I believe the paint is very soft. It gets scratched very easily. I am looking at the kits on this site. there is the basic porter polish kit for 170 or meguires kit for 230.
I also bought the mothers clay bar kit but it was scratching up my clear coat.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

If an OTC clay kit is scratching the clearcoat then the paint must be pretty soft, provided you used ample lubricant and the clay was clean. Typically, over the counter clay kits (ie. mothers and meguiars) are mild to prevent average joes from ruining their vehicle's finish. I have a black hummer and I've experienced the same result with a mild clay, it's very frustrating, but that's why they make DA polishers and swirl removers :-)

[281]

If it was me, I would spend a few bucks more and get a Griots 6". A lot more power and better warranty.

CCS pads are pretty good for that machine. Optimally, you want to get a 5" BP and 5.5" pads - but the Griots ( unlike the PC), can spin 6.5" pads pretty well - and comes with a decent 6" BP.

As for polishes, the best and the easiest IMHO is Wolfgang. TSR & FG can conquer most normal defects. If you have the money, get some MF pads and Uber Compound as well, as you don't really know how aggressive you will have to get until you start.

Of course, getting everything piece by piece will cost more $. If you don't want to get that into it, just get a PC kit.

:iagree:

You'll definitely want 5.5" pads on your 350Z, you'll have better control. Can't go wrong with any of the kits but since you have black - Wolfgang would be my choice... :buffing: