Little lost on what i should buy for 1st time

dblnull

dblnull

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Thanks in advance:dblthumb2:

We have 3 auto in our household
A) A freshly painted Red Maaco job has some pits but overall nice looking

B) a 98 White,that looks like it was just washed till be bought it, has whet looks like rust that came from the brakes ( PO did not change them and when I did the rotors broke in my hand)

C) 98 Burgundy, Lots of scratches, still some gloss

been lurking on the forum for a few days to see where I should start but really confused, looking for ideas of what I should buy to get started, I have a cheap 6" DA, some polishing compound, some Rubbing compound, Mother Speed Ball, a couple mirco fiber towels.

My son and I are trying to bring life back to the 2 trucks while learning the tricks of the trade.

any help would be greatly appreciated
 
What kind of dual action? I would get some Meguiars 205. Get a good apc cleaner & a clay bar.
 
I would get Ultimate compound by meguiars, never use rubbing compound with a da. For the rust I would reccomend IBIZ, Its a spray bottle that removes oxidation and brings back original shine. Wash I would get meguiars gold class and for wheel cleaner I would go with eagle one , wax is based on preference like durability or gloss and finally tire shine I would get meguiars nxt aersol. Since the red sedan is freshly painted dont use a heavy cut compound. Microfiber towels are good for wax but I would get a synthetic chamois to dry the car after wash
 
That is only good for waxing. Check Into getting a good dual action. I have a Porter Cable, Flex and Cyclo. Check Lowes for the Porter Cable.
 
To get started you want to take on one car. Wash it thoroughly, decontaminate it, then polish. After that an lsp is in order. Sealant, coating, or wax.

Your going to have a million people say a million things and just get more confusing at first so just be patient and take it in until you have read enough to feel more comfortable.

I will recommend the Flex 3401 but it costs some coin. For a polish you already have UC so I will skip the compound for now. You can get some 205 and follow the UC via cutting pad with 205 and a finer pad.

I'm not sure if your looking for any trim or sealant products but I will suggest almost anything from the Ultima line. Don't buy any quick detailers to start. Try Ultima waterless wash plus. It's 20$ for enough concentrate to make 6 gallons of product and outdoes pretty much every qd in pretty much every category.

For decontamination products or a coating CarPro makes some great products. Fixer (their polish) is great as well but you have a lot of great choices for polishes from Menzerna and Megs also. Fixer works great for a one step process though.

Optimum has an excellent line all around as well and you won't be disappointed with them.

If you click in my little blue link at the bottom of this post sky's the limit you will find a page that has links to probably over 100 product reviews that can hopefully help you some.

I wish I could put some more organization into this post and really go down the line with more info but I'm beat! Pm sent
 
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As a newbie to machines I spent MONTHS here reading and learning what I could. I still do :)

This is what I settled into and LOVE it.

- Griots Garage 6" polisher. Better than the PCX and not as expensive as the Flex.

- 5.5" Meguiars Microfiber System. Buy the pack to get both pad types and compound and finishing wax.

Anything else after that will require testing on your part to see what words for YOU. i.e wheel cleaner, wheel gels, sealants etc. I have a few things that are the bee's knee's but I dont like and so forth but the basics always seem to apply to many if not most.

Good luck pal
 
i wouldnt jump into a machine, learn how to properly wash, properly dry, properly clay, and properly apply an AIO by hand. these alone will take you a decent amount of time and money. Once you have mastered this I then suggest you look into a machine
 
Oh sure... now you say that after I bought a PCX LOL....

I bought this kit... Porter Cable 7424 & Foam Pad Kit - Car Buffer

I don't know how to really use it yet but I will work into it, I used to sand out boat molds and take them all the way to 3000 sand paper, then buff them out so I kinda get the process. Like Son1c suggested to you I am working on washing properly, drying, getting the wheels MUCH cleaner, and the undercarriage too. So far of all the products I have bought two are my favorites, Daytona Speed Master wheel brush (this thing friggen rocks for cleaning wheels) and Dodo Juice waxes and soaps. Now granted there are a ton of other products out there that will work just as good, but also being new there is just a dang overload of information, so I went with that kit, the Speed Master, and Dodo Juice...
 
It's easy to spend $10,000 on both products, tools, and machines and when it's sitting there on the floor in front of you you're no more familiar with detailing than before...

Basic steps in order are:

  • Wash
  • Clay
  • Paint Correction & Polish
  • Seal
  • Wax
Pick one to address each of the areas above and get out there and practice.

Car Washing




Using Detailing Clay



New to Machine Polishing?

Dual Action Polishers

Porter Cable 7424, backing plate, and pads


Polishes


Some additional products you might like.

Sealants

Wax



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Thanks for all the advice, looks like i need to get a new DA, Thinking about the Groit or the PC,

any advice on a kit for that i could get with everything from the starting wash to the finish wax, with everything in between???
 
you'll be better off piecing it all together imo, plus you'll learn more
 
however adams brand is pretty straight forward and simplifies everything
 
ok so putting together what I need
Wash Dodo Juice Born to be Mild Car Shampoo, car wash, auto shampoo, car soap
Use that with a wash mitten and dry with a MF towel

Clay and Lube Mothers California Gold Clay Bar - Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Paint Saving System, detailing clay bar, 2 clay bars
Lube, Rub clay, wipe down with a MF Towel

What should I use for corrections? Poorboy's World Pro Polish 2, poorboys world pro polish, poorboys polish, best car polish

if none are needed use a Polish Poorboy's Professional Polish: Now Poorboy’s Professional Polish is creamy”, making it more user-friendly and a real pleasure to apply! poorboys

and is sealing and waxing the same thing ?
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant delivers a deep, wet, liquid shimmer unlike anything you can imagine.

DO i need to wax after that ??


also on rims I 2 of our cars have factory aluminum rims that look like the old owners never touched, my TA has black Powder coated rims, I will need a safe for all wheels correct and is it safe to use a wheel druch on the black?
 
Check craigslist, there is a meguiars pc in my area for $150 with the bag.
 
SON1C said:
i wouldnt jump into a machine, learn how to properly wash, properly dry, properly clay, and properly apply an AIO by hand. these alone will take you a decent amount of time and money. Once you have mastered this I then suggest you look into a machine
Click to expand...

:iagree:

When I worked in a shop years ago, the owner wouldn't let me near a machine until I learned the basics by hand.
 
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