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WhoDini6
06-13-2014, 10:25 AM
I am getting ready to take the plunge and attempt to detail my 2013 Black Altima for the first time so I am looking for advice on what types of products/tools everyone loves to use.

A little about the car and myself-

2013 Black Altima
A few minor scratches and swirl marks that I wish to repair.
A few dings from rocks attributed from a harsh winter here in Boston.

I have never attempted to detail any car before and want to make sure I do it the correct way with products/tools people have used and love. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Setec Astronomy
06-13-2014, 10:40 AM
The dings you won't be able to do anything about unless you take it to a PDR (paintless dent repair) guy.

For newbs I always recommend this:

Meguiars G110v2 DA Microfiber Correction System Complete Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-correction-kit.html)

Very easy to use, great results (well...for best results you need a small (~$100) air compressor to blow out the pads). Get yourself a few extra pads.

WhoDini6
06-13-2014, 10:43 AM
The dings you won't be able to do anything about unless you take it to a PDR (paintless dent repair) guy.

For newbs I always recommend this:

Meguiars G110v2 DA Microfiber Correction System Complete Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-correction-kit.html)

Very easy to use, great results (well...for best results you need a small (~$100) air compressor to blow out the pads). Get yourself a few extra pads.


I mistakenly wrote dings but meant minor chips. Thanks for the link, I will be looking into the kit you suggested.

Setec Astronomy
06-13-2014, 10:48 AM
Chips are a challenge. You need to remove any rust, and clean them well. Langka or Dr. Colorchip allow you to "squeegee" the repair flat with the surface so you don't have a blob, although you can DIY that with an old credit card and old t-shirt and some laquer thinner. You can also be very careful about building the paint up slowly to not have a blob.

I am rarely satisfied with my chip repairs.

Paul A.
06-13-2014, 10:57 AM
Leaving the chips for last, that is a nice "kit" for only $290 to get you going. Throw in some MF towels and bam...have at it!

refreshauto
06-13-2014, 12:25 PM
the paint chips are a little harder to deal with, but they can get corrected with some touch-up paint.

this is the kit i would recommend, i own all these products myself and they all work great together. i would also add some good quality MF towels as well.

Wolfgang Porter Cable 7424xp Ultimate Polishing Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-porter-cable-kit.html)

this is a good starter kit for MF towels

Complete Microfiber Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-towel-kit.html)

Kamakaz1961
06-13-2014, 02:10 PM
the paint chips are a little harder to deal with, but they can get corrected with some touch-up paint.

this is the kit i would recommend, i own all these products myself and they all work great together. i would also add some good quality MF towels as well.

Wolfgang Porter Cable 7424xp Ultimate Polishing Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-porter-cable-kit.html)

this is a good starter kit for MF towels

Complete Microfiber Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-towel-kit.html)

:iagree:

Agree Wolfgang and the PC7424XP are a great way to start as well as the MF kit. Once you start honing your technique, you will start getting different tools and products that will suite you.

WhoDini6
06-13-2014, 04:24 PM
:iagree:

Agree Wolfgang and the PC7424XP are a great way to start as well as the MF kit. Once you start honing your technique, you will start getting different tools and products that will suite you.


Is the Wolfgang newbie friendly? I don't want to get something that I as a new person to detailing can ruin my finish with.

Kamakaz1961
06-13-2014, 04:38 PM
Is the Wolfgang newbie friendly? I don't want to get something that I as a new person to detailing can ruin my finish with.

Wolfgang products are top notch and they will not ruin your finish. Additionally, Blackfire, Menzerna, and Pinnacle are great products too. There is Meguiar's too.

I would also look into Mike Phillips how to's which will help you in getting better at detailing. Welcome to the world of detailing. Once you get a decent idea of what it takes to detailing....I would almost guarantee that you will never take you car to a car wash (hand or machine) or have your dealer wash your car.

You will look at cleaning completely in a different way.

DaveT435
06-13-2014, 05:04 PM
the paint chips are a little harder to deal with, but they can get corrected with some touch-up paint.

this is the kit i would recommend, i own all these products myself and they all work great together. i would also add some good quality MF towels as well.

Wolfgang Porter Cable 7424xp Ultimate Polishing Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-porter-cable-kit.html)

this is a good starter kit for MF towels

Complete Microfiber Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-towel-kit.html)

I also agree with this kit. Great product

refreshauto
06-13-2014, 05:46 PM
Is the Wolfgang newbie friendly? I don't want to get something that I as a new person to detailing can ruin my finish with.

Very user friendly, watch the videos and get Mike's book either the ebook or the regular book. They will show you what you need to know. Then get to practicing

Sent from my SPH-D710 using AG Online

chet31
06-13-2014, 10:52 PM
The above recommendations are most practical. My impractical recommendation would be to get a Flex 3401 polisher right off the bat. About an hour after using my first PC, I wanted more power, but I lived with it. About 3 years later, I bought a Flex. It's much more fun polishing when the results happen faster. The problem is, the Flex is about about 3X more expensive. It depends on your outlook on things.