Jeep Grand Cherokee questions

[lt_1204]

Hello All, new guy working on first detail. 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis Edition. Neglected is the best description for this Jeep. Washed with two bucket method, dawn, clayed and getting ready for compound and polish. From the front doors back looks pretty simple but, I do have some questions on the front end of the vehicle. I'm using a porter cable 7424XP, 5.5" backing plate, 6.5" Lake Country pads that came with kit (Orange for compound, Coarse Green for polish, Gray for sealant, Blue for wax).

Grill


How to approach? Hit the flattest surfaces with the 7424XP and a 6.5" pad? Tape off and compound/polish by hand?

Bumper


Same as the grill?

Fender


Pinstripe, will tape off (hopefully can fine some 1/4" tape otherwise will have to use what I've got and move tape for polishing above and below stripe).

Fender body line


Go at an angle?

Any and all advice is appreciated.

 

[Flash Gordon]

The pads you have are really to big for this area. You could let your machine glide accross this surface or do it by hand

No need for taping the pinstripe

 

[JonMiles]

The paint doesn't look too bad at all. I would start with a polish before stepping up to a compound. What products are you using for the job? The biggest concern I would have is the grille. Make sure to tape well around there to avoid splatter especially with the large pads you are using. For the next go around, you may want to look into some spot polishing pads.

 

[lt_1204]

I have some Griot's Garage polish 4 on the green pad that I'll go with then. My next pad order will be 5 inch flat pads, maybe the griot's garage 3" DA down the road. I did not comprehend how long it takes to do this from start to finish, I have at least 8 hours in this so far.

 

[JonMiles]

You are just getting the hang of detailing so it is going to take longer than the more experienced detailers. Don't get discouraged. If you imagine the car in about 30 sections and just work section by section; the progress will seem to go faster. You will learn something new everytime you polish a section and the next section will be easier for you. By the end of 30 sections you will have the technique down to a science and will be able to finish your next job in way less time. If you have a polish like megs 205, you will be able to cut the time down by a little bit and save some work on the finishing aspect (no diminishing abrasives=no breakdown time=being able to stop polishing when you want and not have to break down the abrasives and risk hazing the paint.)