New guy, feeling discouraged

Lints said:
Orange, white, and black are the way to go? So 3 of each, or maybe two of each in the 6" and one of each in the 3"??
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That would be a fair compromise as there is much less area to polish with a smaller pad.
 
Honestly, you could get by with two of the white and black. They don't typically get as wrecked as the orange ones, since you aren't using them for aggressive compounds. Fine polish, wax, and glaze are the main uses for white and black pads.
 
Klasse Act said:
Btw, spare NO expense on that E36, please, awesome ride right there, love the color and wheel choice! How about some more pics!!
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Hey thanks! I love the color, Avus Blue, it's what sold it for me.

I don't spare much expense on it, that's for sure! Just another reason Im hesitant about this purchase, I'm just thinking of long parts list I already have!
 
I maybe too damn new to give my input BUT coming from a newbie and some of the books I have read if you are reluctant to spend the money why not go the old school way and do it by hand??? I mean I don't know how old you are but if your young and full of energy... Why not??? Then slowly save up to buy what you want...

You may not get the same results but isn't it better than nothing???


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Ok...lets put this in perspective from the point of doing something yourself. If you are to pay a professional detailer for a paint correction, you would be looking at least $300 for the BMW, more for the truck. And that would be the low end. From the perspective of doing it yourself, if you do spend $300 to start, you are going to be saving more than half what it would cost you to pay someone else.

In order to be a do it yourselfer on any project, you have to have the proper tools. Whether it be gardening, home repairs, auto maintenance, etc, they all take initial investments to be able to complete the projects. However, you now have the tools to do other projects again.

I personally recommend buying good tools or equipment from the start. Get a Porter Cable or Griots to start, not harbor frieght. It all started for me which just a Porter Cable kit, and now I could start my own detailing business with all the pads and products I have, but this is my addiction!
 
zmcgovern45 said:
$300 for 12 pads??? ...where are you shopping?

If you would read my post carefully, I recommended the following: 4 orange, 4 white, and 4 black pads (2 of which are 5.5" and 2 of which are 3" for each color)... That is like $70 in pads retail price.

6 pack - 5.5" LC flat pads = $35


..and yeah, you can definitely work in sections over multiple days and clean the pads in between if you'd like.
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Ok a little over exasperated but you gotta factor in the backing plate price too so around 100 for pads? Does that sound better for you?


Sent from space through a satellite
 
Lints said:
Hello all,

I now have a fair stock pile of MF towels, and am starting to learn which products work for me, and what to avoid.

Anyway, both of my vehicles are in need of a polish.

However, I just can't get over the initial investment required. I figured I'd start with a HF DA with a new backing plate, some LC pads, and Megs compound & polish available at my local parts store.

With all that though, I'm thinking I'd need to spend what, maybe $3-400 just to get started? That's a bit more than I was hoping. It's really got me bummed out.

How do you new detailers get over the initial investment?
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My friend, as a DIY'er myself who started getting some more products last year (and racked up about $300 in 4-6 months), the best thing you can do is to rank your priorities. Ranking them will allow you to get a hold of what you really need and when. I even made a list that I used to determine what I'd get and when.

Are polishing products the only things you need? If so, bolster your supplies with items you can get locally without having to pay for shipping (Megs UC/UP are readily available at Walmart). I personally got the HF DA because it was my first PC and I wasn't sure how often I'd use (which is about twice/year). Shop around on other online retailers; if AGO has the same products they will price-match.
 
Jaretr1 said:
Ok...lets put this in perspective from the point of doing something yourself. If you are to pay a professional detailer for a paint correction, you would be looking at least $300 for the BMW, more for the truck. And that would be the low end. From the perspective of doing it yourself, if you do spend $300 to start, you are going to be saving more than half what it would cost you to pay someone else.
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Thanks for this!

I think my estimation of getting the car polished might have been a bit low. I had only asked one friend who does detailing, and he said around 100-150 for the car, looking back on it that does sound a bit low.

So really this stuff will pay for itself in about 2 polishes maybe even less? It's starting to sound like an easy descision
 
Lints said:
Thanks for this!

I think my estimation of getting the car polished might have been a bit low. I had only asked one friend who does detailing, and he said around 100-150 for the car, looking back on it that does sound a bit low.

So really this stuff will pay for itself in about 2 polishes maybe even less? It's starting to sound like an easy descision
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You don't have your location info in your profile, but it would be a safe bet that a one-step correction detail (ie thorough cleaning, decontamination, one-stage polish, sealant, and all the other minor details) would cost between $300-$600 for the car alone from an established professional. This type of detail is often performed once a year or so, so you will definitely see a savings in your initial investment very quickly (especially since you'll be working on both of your cars).... then do a few jobs for some friends & family and you'll be making money with your investment :dblthumb2:
 
Lints said:
I hadn't even considered a 3" pad!

The number of pads is a bit of an unknown to me, as I have absolutely zero polishing experience. Some are saying 12 and some are saying 2-4... I'd probably end up in the middle maybe get a set of 9?

Orange, white, and black are the way to go? So 3 of each, or maybe two of each in the 6" and one of each in the 3"??
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Depending on the hardness of your paint, and orange pad(even with a compound) may not be aggressive enough to remove all the swirls(let alone deeper stuff). I would have at least 4 pads of each color.
 
FivePoint.0 said:
Depending on the hardness of your paint, and orange pad(even with a compound) may not be aggressive enough to remove all the swirls(let alone deeper stuff). I would have at least 4 pads of each color.
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Glad I am not alone, Mark.
 
The paint on the BMW really isn't too bad, just a few water spots and minor swirls... I'm not sure if the paint is hard or soft? I'm assuming a softer paint would polish more easily?
 
Read Mike's book. Best investment yet. This has been a great 1st step for me before I spent about $400 with no regrets.
 
That M3 is awesome.

If you live anywhere near me, Limerick PA, I'll help you for free.
 
Also a BMW owner and love the Avus Blue M! I would guess your paint is on the medium-medium/hard side. Both of mine were about exactly the same.

Consider that once you decide on what it is you want and purchase, you'll end up using it more frequently than you think. Like others have said, it becomes addictive and fun to do and while you say you'll only be doing friends and family vehicles, as you get better with your skills you'll do it more often. That was my experience anyway.

And when that hits you'll want better stuff to do it with. For maybe a little more than $300 bucks you should be set until you then want more stuff. Plus i think you have some of the stuff already. If there is any way you can fund the initial purchase to get the decent materials it will be easier for you to not only do it better but enjoy it more.
 
FivePoint.0 said:
:dblthumb2:

Not sure how some use 1-2 foam pads on a car. I have 6-8 of each color. Then again, I'm not just starting out.
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This can be done. You can stop and clean them properly, and let them dry in front of a fan. They usually dry in about 45 mins. Maybe while you are taking a break. Not the route for professionals, but if you plan on taking breaks anyway...
 
Sounds like a lot of money at first, but I look at it as a small investment on tools that you'll be using for years to keep your cars in good shape

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For the pads, I'd probably go with 3-4 to be on the safe side. Seeing as how I'm just starting out, I think it would be difficult for me to manage only 1 or 2 pads, I'd have to know when they need to be cleaned and how to do so, and I just don't have that knowledge or experience yet.

The money isn't really a problem, all along its been a matter of do I just do the car through a friend for like 150, or do I get the stuff, then I can also do the truck.



From listening to all you guys, it sounds like my estimate of the cost for correction was too low, and my guesstimate as to the investment in tools was a bit too high. It has certainly been helpful to close that gap, and I think at this point it makes more sense to me to just get the correct tools, higher quality tools, and learn to do it myself



Shout out to all of you! Even the PMs I have received and people offering product samples. All of this has been very encouraging (maybe I should change the thread title!)
 
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