Greetings from Northern Virginia!

**Cpmjr123** · 05-15-2011, 02:15 AM

Hello! My name is Chuck and I've been lurking for probably half a year now. I work part time for a security company and full time as a student. I drive a Pontiac Grand Am, year 2000. I'm 20 years old and this is my first car. I love it. I want to take care of this thing for as long as I possibly can because the next car I want is a dodge challenger and unfortunately money doesn't grow on trees

.

Since reading this forum I've found that I've slowly become AR towards every one else's paint finishes. The extent of my detailing skill is really inhibited by my college student level of budget for this stuff; I don't even own a DA polisher! The only polishes I have are swirlx, scratchx, and KAIO. My car is swirled pretty bad and I'm sure once I do get a da polisher there are plenty of Rids under the swirls since the last owner didn't seem to care for it at all besides scheduled maintenance and Exxon car washes

. I think I'm ready to make the purchase of a PC.. But I think I'm just rambling now. I've always enjoyed reading posts, write ups and the picture threads of expensive cars getting detailed and I hope I can write a few posts you all will enjoy as much as I have enjoyed reading yours.

**Elite Pro** · 05-15-2011, 03:00 AM

**BobbyG** · 05-15-2011, 05:26 AM

To Autogeek Online Chuck!

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.

This is something I've posed several times and it covers many areas at a high level but give you an idea of what's available and some of the prices.

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 Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips

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 product doesn't mean you have to use them all.

Pick one product from each category from the steps above. You already have some great waxes so you're that far ahead of the game..

Autogeek has a kit section that contains everything you need to get started. For starting off I recommend a dual action polisher. These come on a variety of flavors and Autogeek carries most of them so take your time and educate yourself.

The kit pages below will give you an idea of what's available but if you do decide to purchase a Porter Cable 7424 style polisher opt for the 5 1/2" flat pads right off. The 6 1'2" are just too large and this has been confirmed many time over.

Kit Page

Car Care Kits, Car Care Cleaning Kits, Complete Detailing Kits

Decent kit

Pinnacle Twins & Meguiar's G110v2 Dual Action Polisher Kit FREE BONUS

Much better kit

Menzerna Porter Cable XP Maximum Shine Kit FREE BONUS

Flex Kit

If I were in the market for a kit this would be the one I'd choose.
Pinnacle Flex XC3401 Polishing & Swirl Remover kit, Pinnacle polishes, swirl removers, finishing polish, flex buffer

Don't overlook a one step product

One Step Product

Klasse

Klasse ALL-IN-ONE Auto Polish, Klasse All In One, klasse aio, Acrylic polish

Menzerna Sealing Wax

Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60, Menzerna APO 60, Menzerna wax

Meguiar's D151

Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151

Pinnacle XMT

Pinnacle XMT Clean & Shine Bundle

Forum Favorite

Klasse All-In-One, Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze, Pinnacle Souveran, Pinnacle Crystal Mist Spray Wax come together to create a forum favorite kit.

Sealants

Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealant

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant

Other quality sealants

Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze
DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant

Wax

Collinite 845

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax

Pinnacle Signature Series ll

Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax will give you a deep, wet finish will exceed your expectations. car wax, carnauba paste wax, pinnacle

**jpegs13** · 05-15-2011, 07:08 AM

Sit back and enjoy the ride

**dad07** · 05-15-2011, 08:26 AM

to AGO Chuck!

**Buddy** · 05-15-2011, 08:43 AM

Hi Chuck...Welcome to Autogeek...

**Sunshyne** · 05-15-2011, 11:03 AM

welcome to the forums. I will have a GG in a few weeks. If you dont have one by then I will let you use mine

**kingofsorrow** · 05-17-2011, 01:38 AM

welcome to AG

**james_death** · 05-17-2011, 04:21 AM

Welcome aboard and enjoy the site...

While away many hours on here you will padawan...

As covered you dont have to spend a fortune but easy done, good practice will help keep swirls at bay, then there are glazes etc.

Enjoy the budgetary constraints as easy to have so much you will never use it.

Enjoy having a clean tidy motor...