New/Lurker to AG Knowledge and Comments WELCOMED!!

[12Sti]

Ive been lurking around here for about a month and WOW this site has so much useful information and I've learned a lot! First want to say thanks to everyone who has posted on the site!

I recently bought a 2012 sti (4th subaru) and is the newest car I've ever bought and would like to keep it looking new. I used to just do the wash and wax weekly using meguiars wash and wax dried with a bath towel (i have learned that was REALLY wrong thanks to this site) then followed with a hand wax of surf city garage paste wax.

Now I'm looking into getting into da (flex 3401) being that i would like to learn and push myself further later down the road and have the machine then to use and not rebuying.

I have examined the paint and can see swirls and would like to correct the paint and keep the paint as fresh as it can be. I will take any suggestions as to process in doing so and how i should go about all this there is so much information on here i don't even know where to begin and would be nice to here it from more experienced members how i should go about it and the products they like to use to go about so.

Wash (2 bucket method)
clay
polish
sealer
wax
will i need a swirl remover they are not to noticeable since the car is white and has such low miles (under 10k) but i can see they're there.
This is how i believe i should tackle it please correct me if I'm wrong and any product suggestion would be awesome theres so many to pick from i have no clue what to use.

Hope i don't get flamed to hard for posting here and asking i appreciate any help to get a newbie started in the right direction. Thanks!

 

[Bunky]

Welcome! If you are getting a Flex, the Menzerna polishes always seem to work well this machine. For basic wash induced swirl removal, consider the Wolfgang Finishing Glaze (custom formula made by Menzerna) and the Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover for moderate marring.

With white you you may get away with the just the Finishing Glaze and a LC Black Finishing pad to perk up the gloss with the Flex.

I do not have Mike's post on the Flex handy but it is a must read for any Flex user. I am sure someone can quickly post the link.

 

[Mizzoutiger]

One of Mike Phillips' recent Flex 3401 how-to videos [ame]//www.youtube.com/watch?v=XccGUiUKn8o[/video]

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Welcome to AGO!

If you are going to go for the 3401, grab the Hybrid pads to go with it. It is easier to start off and learn with the smaller 5" pads rather than the larger 6.5" pads. Also, the 5" pads require the Lake Country Interchangeable backing plate system.

For polish I recommend going with either Menzerna or Wolfgang. You can achieve incredible results with this setup. I have written up an article on extracting the maximum performance with this setup.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...rning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html