How I got here: The Journey

Marcella

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When my car hit 70k about two weeks ago it was time for me to sell. I've never had a car over 65k before, so this would be new, and scary, territory for me.

Friends and co-workers often comment that my car is "so clean and shiny" and "smells great," but I thought that I should do /something/ to give it a little more curb appeal, something like...give it a proper hand washing(which I have never done), wax it, pretty-up the faded black exterior trim, headlight covers, etc...

These thoughts took me to the trusty search engine to find and compare products. The searches led me to Consumer Reports and specific rated products. Those results led me to shop on Amazon, which led me to buy specific products...which eventually brought me to here.

I did shop a few days before I bought my kit, all the while watching more and more videos with as many opinions as there are channels and that many /more/ products!

I wasn't looking for show-quality results; all I wanted to do was make the thing shiny enough to be attractive to a potential buyer!

But...but...the OCD kid in me can't just 'slap a lick of paint' on something and call it done, no Siree. I'm an all-or-nothing kind of girl and if it's not done right, well then, it's just wrong.

*sigh*

Paste wax, liquid wax, microfiber, sealants, glazes, compounds, buffing, microfiber, wet sanding, swirling, rubbing, microfiber, foam, polishes, clay bars, DA orbitals and...did I mention microfiber?

I might just make the thing all pretty just for me...and KEEP it! :surrender:

Insanity, I know, but it would make a great second car!

So far I have only one regret: that I did not shop about an hour longer to see that there was a FULL kit instead of the two-step system that I bought. Meh.

Oh, by the way - Hi! New member here, armed with a lot of knowledge (both good and bad *cough*) and ZERO experience.

I even went to a salvage yard today to find a fender or something to bring home to practice on - the thought of using sandpaper on my car is a bit unsettling - no matter HOW easy it looks "on TV."

I did not find a suitable work piece. But here I am, ready to embark on a new hobby - one that actually seems worthwhile.


And the car that I am obsessing over? A 2008 Honda Civic LX - Tango Red Pearl
 
What kit did purchase and what kit do you want after the first kit was purchased?

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Thanks!

What kit did purchase and what kit do you want after the first kit was purchased?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I bought the "BLACKFIRE Wet-Ice Over Fire Combo," when I should have poked around a bit more and picked up the "BLACKFIRE Wet-Ice Over Fire Total Kit."
Guess I'll pick up what I need as needed, can't wait to use what I already have!
 
Did you catch the detailing bug?

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Welcome to Autogeek, Marcella. Looks like you're gonna fit right in here!
 
Welcome to AGO, Marcella.
What are your plans to get the car looking the way you want it to?
Have you bought a polisher, or considering buying one?
 
Did you catch the detailing bug?
Seems so, Buster!

Welcome to Autogeek, Marcella. Looks like you're gonna fit right in here!
Cheers, Paul. I don't know anyone locally; I look forward to learning from you all and sharing my own experiences.

Welcome to Autogeek.
Thanks, Mike!

Welcome to AGO, Marcella.
What are your plans to get the car looking the way you want it to?
Have you bought a polisher, or considering buying one?
Plan? Wut? :D
I've a couple of door dings to pop and a few clear coat scratches here and there, but nothing seems to be considered "deep" as I can't catch a nail. Oh - and swiring.. lots and lots...of swirling. I do /have/ a polisher, but it just will not do. It looks like a two-handed router. (It handles like one, too) *shudder* I've watched the vids here and read a few threads and I believe that I have chosen one that will be good for me, though I am torn between two. A bit more reading will most likely help me sort that over the new couple of days. There is absolutely no way that I would even attempt a hand wax, and the other processes are impossible by hand, well my hand anyway.
 
I even went to a salvage yard today to find a fender or something to bring home to practice on - the thought of using sandpaper on my car is a bit unsettling - no matter HOW easy it looks "on TV."

I did not find a suitable work piece. But here I am, ready to embark on a new hobby - one that actually seems worthwhile.


Yeah the problem with finding a good hood or trunk lid in a salvage yard is that most cars in a salvage yard have been --> Hit


Been there done that. You can find them though as I've removed many over the years for demo hoods for our classes.

Another option is to check with body shops. They remove and replace body panels all week long.


Welcome to AutogeekOnline!


:)
 
Welcome. You have earned the admiration of many here, myself included.
 
...Another option is to check with body shops...
Hey, thanks for the reply, Mike - I hadn't even thought about a shop! Seen a lot of your vids, read even more of your posts, pretty sharp cookie you are - and swirl-free!

Welcome. You have earned the admiration of many here, myself included.
Thanks so much, Rick - I am happy to be here and have so much to learn!

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome to AGO - it's taken me quite a few days, even digging up a post from 2009, to finally choose the DA/RO that (I hope!) is the best fit for my needs....and skill level.
Now to choose the right kit...I place my order in a matter of hours.

See you on the other side! (of the forum :D)

Everytime I learn something new, I realize how little that I actually know. :)
 
Once you start using the products and techniques the learning curve slopes up very quickly. There is a lot of information here and it dizzies many when they are researching. Once you get some hands on experience it all comes together.
 
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