Anyone want to help a Newbie?

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Bluefan

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A little bit of background. I have been cleaning cars for the past 20 years. The reason I am using the term cleaning is because I am starting to realize that there is a lot more out there to do than I ever knew. For the past 2 years I have used a wax called Cherry Wet Wax that I apply with an orbital Craftsman buffer. I would now like to try a Dual Action polisher, and some new products. The 3 vehicles that I mainly will be working on is a 1988 Iroc Camaro, maroon, a 2008 Ford F350 black and a 2012 Ford Explorer black. All 3 have good paint with some minor paint defects, mainly swirls and minor scratches. My questions are what DA polisher would you recommend? What/how many pads should I get to start. What products would you recommend for dark colored vehicles? I would like to keep the initial investment around $300.00. Thank you for any input it is appreciated.
 
For a dual action polisher I like and use the Porter Cable 7424 along with the appropriate backing plate and 5 1/2" diameter foam pads.


Porter Cable 7424

Here's some great information that will help you if you need it.


[FONT=&quot]Polishes
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Your gonna get tons of recommendations. I have a PC and a Griot''s 6" DA. I have just got the Griot's yesterday but from even with my limited use I would get it of the two.

I like the Lake Country flat pads. the 5.5" ht 7/8" thick pads to be exact. Two of each pad. Maybe three different to start, something with a little cut, a polishing pad and a finishing pad.

As far as polish, you have tons of choices and each car will require something different depending on the type of paint. I just ordered the Wolfgang swirl remove, finishing glaze, and sealant to try. Menzerna is also another good brand.

You will get all kinds of product recommendations and part of the fun is trying different things. Using either the PC or Griot's isn't going to get you in much trouble so don't let worry get in your way of extermination.
 
I prefer the Flex 3401

Hydrotech Pads

Start with (3) tangerine and/or (3) cyan depending on your finish and paint. (3) crimson as well when you decide to move to an even higher finishing level.

For lsp application you can start with (1) lake Country Blue Flat pad
 
I not sure a flex would be best for a new guy, and it blows his budget.
 
As always bobby is on point. The first products i used with my Porter Cable were the Wolfgang Twins. I had literally zero knowledge of paint correction, or really anything other than normal(poorly done) washing.

I had no problems whatsoever

Shawn
 
Ok so based on additional research and the responses of everyone I have decided on: 1. Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, 2. 2 of each Lake Country Pads, Orange, Green and Red, and finally 3. Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer, Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover 3.0 and Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0. Hoping for a big sale in the next couple of days because my budget has been reduced a bit. Messed up by missing out on the Griots sales earlier this month. Let me know what you think about my selections. Would like to get the best I can afford and to be honest I have never tried any of these products. Also Bobbye recommended Blackfire products, would these be better than what I selected above. Thank you again to everyone.
 
Bluefan said:
Ok so based on additional research and the responses of everyone I have decided on: 1. Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, 2. 2 of each Lake Country Pads, Orange, Green and Red, and finally 3. Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer, Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover 3.0 and Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0. Hoping for a big sale in the next couple of days because my budget has been reduced a bit. Messed up by missing out on the Griots sales earlier this month. Let me know what you think about my selections. Would like to get the best I can afford and to be honest I have never tried any of these products. Also Bobbye recommended Blackfire products, would these be better than what I selected above. Thank you again to everyone.
Click to expand...

Usually for three pads the orange, white, and black are recommended. 5.5". This is what the Guru Mike recommends as all that is needed for most jobs. I prefer flat pads over the ccs.

I would stick with the Wolfgang products you have listed although I typically see the total swirl remover, finishing glaze, and deep gloss paint servant being the three recommended (what I have ordered but haven't used yet). I don't know much about the painter enhance.
 
You will see great results with what you have selected IF you apply good technique .... Mike has his art of detailing book will give you alot of help Mike Phillips' The Art of Detailing E-book Download , i didnt see any clay on your shopping list and i would say 2 orange 2 white and if you want to use red for spreading wax maybe 1 black or blue and 1 red..
 
For dark colored vehicles after your polishing is completed, Poorboy's Black Hole Glaze ($15.99), and Poorboy's EX-P Sealant ($17.99) are two good inexpensive products that will protect your car's finishes.
 
hello,

Recommendations for products will never stop coming.

You can start with a pair of polishes like the following :

1. Wolfgang twins or
2. Meguiars 105 & Meguiars 205 or
3. Menzerna Power Gloss & Menzerna PO 85RD

Then you need a high protection & gloss, all around wax that you can easily apply with your DA. I would recommend Collinite 845. It is also very inexpensive. Look out for an awesome guide in this forum re 845 on how to apply.

Finally I would start definitely with 5.5 inch pads. They will give more control and ease of use. Its the most versatile size of pad. So make sure that GG DA can take a plate suitable for the 5.5 inch.

My 0.02
 
Through many hours of studying, looking etc. I have came up with this. Please let me know what you think. ALready have a clay bar and mist at home.


Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher FREE BONUS [remove]
Choose a model: HD (+35.00)


$164.99




Meguiars Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 32 oz. New D.A. Version [remove]

$25.99





Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 32 oz. [remove]

$27.99





Meguiars X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels 3 Pack [remove]

$8.99





Meguiars Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer 12 oz. [remove]

$8.99





Free Sample with your Order [remove]
Sample 1: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant WG-5500-S


$0.00





Menzerna Finish Polish PO85RD [remove]

$34.99





Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845 [remove]

$14.99





Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate 5" [remove]

$17.99





Lake Country 5.5 x 7/8 Inch CCS Foam Pad Kit [remove]

$99.99




Total: $404
 
Cant go wrong with the 105/205/845 trio. Very afforable with excellent results and protection.
 
Bluefan said:
Through many hours of studying, looking etc. I have came up with this. Please let me know what you think. ALready have a clay bar and mist at home.


Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher FREE BONUS [remove]
Choose a model: HD (+35.00)


$164.99




Meguiars Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 32 oz. New D.A. Version [remove]

$25.99





Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 32 oz. [remove]

$27.99





Meguiars X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels 3 Pack [remove]

$8.99





Meguiars Ultimate Black Plastic Restorer 12 oz. [remove]

$8.99





Free Sample with your Order [remove]
Sample 1: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant WG-5500-S


$0.00





Menzerna Finish Polish PO85RD [remove]

$34.99





Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845 [remove]

$14.99





Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate 5" [remove]

$17.99





Lake Country 5.5 x 7/8 Inch CCS Foam Pad Kit [remove]

$99.99




Total: $404
Click to expand...
looks pretty good to me.
 
I would say save some money don't get the HD option. Buy a good extension cord and you can use it with other tools.
 
Bluefan said:
1. Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher,
Click to expand...

Theostoubos said:
Finally I would start definitely with 5.5 inch pads. They will give more control and ease of use. Its the most versatile size of pad.

So make sure that GG DA can take a plate suitable for the 5.5 inch.

My 0.02
Click to expand...


I'm out in the studio today setting it up for shooting our TV show tomorrow so my typing time is limited, but if you go with the GG DA Polisher, be sure to get a 5" backing plate.

The cars that will be on our 2nd season of our TV show - Pick your top 5 favorite cars


My how-to book covers everything you ever will want to know about buffing out a car using a DA Polisher and my list of articles on the DA Polisher is also fairly extensive, here's one article from my list and you can get to the list from the link in my sig line.

5 Inch Backing Plates for DA Polishers - Pictures and Links

5" and 6" Backing Plates on 6.5" pads (Pictures to show safety margin)


Paperback






As for the buffer you were using, here's an article on it...

The Traditional Orbital Buffer aka The Wax Spreader


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WaxSpreader02.jpg






:)
 
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