Never Detailed Before

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Missile63

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Hey so like the title says I have never detailed before but I bought a black Mercedes C63 AMG back in February and it has some swirls and scratches that I want to try to get out. So I took the plunge and bought a Griot's Garage 10813 6in buffer, 3M Perfect it 3 stage cutting, buffing and finishing compounds, Pads (Orange, Green, White and Blue pads from Chemical guys) and then Cquartz and Reload sealant. So having said all that did I buy the right stuff ? I wanted to buy the 3M kit with the matching pads but they only came in 8in and I didn't think that would not work too well with the Griots buffer. Here are a few pictures of the car and the finish. I can see more swirls in the sunlight during the day. I need to buy one of those swirl lights. Any tips or tricks for a newbie ? Thanks!!



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I would suggest for your first go around maybe don't apply the coating, if it goes wrong it can be a bit of a pain even for more experienced folks to get off. Try just reload first or another sealant get your feet wet. theres some level of skill needed to apply a coating, learn how it flashes, high spots, etc, can be tricky! good luck
 
You're set with the buffer, pads and compounds. Like Corolla said, the LSP products you have can be finicky for a first time user. On a side note, nice Benz but how in the hell do you get out of it once you park in the garage?
 
Thanks.. There is more room there than it appears. I have just enough to open the door and comfortably get in and out.
 
My suggestion would be just to polish the car, it being your first time, and the car is black. You will need to learn how to do it anyway as you go. Lower risk of running into any issues that way, it being used and you can not check paint thickness.

I agree with the others, do not use Cquarts and reload as a first timer. Can be very finicky. Depending where you live it coming into the higher temps can really play against you. A simple wax or sealant would be best until you are comfortable!
 
I had a local detail shop check the paint thickness its good to go. I live in Albuquerque New Mexico.
 
I really like Warren Zevon. Anyone still using the 3M polishes? I haven't heard about anyone using 3M stuff in years.
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
I really like Warren Zevon. Anyone still using the 3M polishes? I haven't heard about anyone using 3M stuff in years.
Click to expand...

One of my favorite all-time artists. RIP

As for 3M, I've used their products for over 25 years in the marine industry. IMO, 99.9% of them are seriously top-notch.

As for using them on auto paint? Errr..... I was a newbie when I got my new truck in 2012, and still consider myself an "advanced noob" that reads, asks questions, reads, and reads some more here on AGO.

All the advice I have gotten is top-shelf. But no one has ever suggested 3M to me, so I have not tried it.

I'm sure in the hands of a real pro, it would perform great.

What I am (and have always been) aware of is the steep price. That might be the turn off for many.
 
You may want to try an All In One like HD Speed. Get the paint the best you can using an Orange pad or even going to a microfiber bad if needed. Only when you are happy with the paint then you apply cquartz & reload and even then watch a bunch of youtube videos first to get an idea on what you need to do.
 
I have used 3M PerfectIt (and hand glaze and machine glaze) for quite a while and very much prefer it to M105 as a first step correction compound. It's seriously good kit.
 
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