new member (a bit about me & what i'm doing)

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akj

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hi guys. i was asked from my last post (my first one) to post a topic about me and what i am doing, before i ask some of the many questions i have. so here is a bit about me.

My name is Justin. I am 26 years old and currently I own a small truck brokerage company. before that I was in the US Army had been there since 2004 in 2006 I broke my back and my neck and was discharged from the military. that is when i started the trucking thing.
my job before that I worked at a body shop, mostly I did all the paint prep work, sanding and taping. also the finishing up after painting. like waxing.

My whole life I have loved cars, and almost more than the cars their self I loved to clean them as good as i could. My dad and my uncle were into cars big time their whole life. and like me they enjoyed detailing them. really just their own cars on the weekends. So i grew up learning alot about washing cars from them.

lately there was an old detail shop behind my office that come up for a deal i honestly could not pass up, with tools included. it really was a steal!
so since i have employees to run my office i decided since that was the only detail shop in town and stayed fairly busy, i would give detailing a shot.

I've read ALOT on these forums about different products, polishing pads, and all kinds of things. Much more than i knew was out there.
i would always just wash my car with car soap, clean wheels, dry and get a wool pad and put some wax on now and then.
needless to say i've fell victim to swirls.

so now i am doing as much research as i can do decide what kinda pads, compounds, polishes, soap, cleaners, dressings, towels, and all that.
there is just so much that no mater how much i read i am still somewhat lost, there are so many abriviations i dont know.
as well as things like when and where an acid base product is ok or not. whats good for cleaning tires, getting bugs off, cleaning windows without streaks, cleaning stains, and much more.

but what i am most lost on is the cutting pad and compounds, polishing pads and compounds, buffing, finishing, there is just so many i get lost.

so hopefully with the expert support of you people here before long i can open the doors on my shop and start detailing...
 
Wecome to AG and Thank you for your service. Maybe you could tie your military service into the name of you shop like Patriot detailing. "We've got your car covered in protection"
 
Welcome! I was in your position detailing wise. With the help of just this forum I've grown so much as a detailer and you will too! Keep reading and asking questions you will catch on!
 
Pads can be confusing but if you look at the recommendations that accompany the pad you'll get a sense of what to use them with... There are no rules that say you must use this pad with that product. The recommendations are merely guidelines and from there you must be the judge...


Foam Pads

Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.

Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all-around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.

White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for 1-step products and pre-wax cleaners.

Gray Finishing Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.

Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]Charts & Graph Section [FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]Autogeek Buffing Pad Comparison Chart

Autogeek Swirl Removers & Compounds Comparison Chart[FONT=&quot]


[/FONT]
 
Welcome to AGO. Where are you located? Sorry to hear of you injuries in the military and thanks for your service. Good luck with the new business.
 
Thank u all for the welcomes. And good idea about the name.
I am in south Mississippi.
Yes I prolly am putting to much thought into pads and products. I have always been like that I put way to much thought in the details.
Question.. my wife has and brand 2013 Kia optima. There are light swirls in it very easy to see cause its black.
What kinda pad would I use for that? Orange followed by blue?

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
 
:welcome: To AG Justin!!! :)

One thing for sure.... there is NO shortage of information around here. ;)
Just take notes of what you might like and don't get overwhelmed.

I don't know if this is an addiction or a dependence, but it's something that's for sure! ;)

Once you get the hang of whatever pads you decide to use, the colors come to you right away. Problem is, some have X amount of colors then others have them and then some. Now if you're willing to splurge, the newest kid on the block RUPES has pads, compounds and polishes that are all color coded. Pads match the bottle cap! ;)

One cool thing about AG is you can buy samples of their house brands. Not every brand does everything, and it helps to diversify for sure. For me, Meguiar's takes up most of the space in my closet and shelves. Followed by some Wolfgang products and starting to get just a few Pinnacle items. I say this only because I just checked it out and fell in love.... you should try the new M101, it's a killer cutting compound!:D

As has been said, find what you like and use it, use it regular and use it often.



:thankyousign: So much for your service!:applause:

My dad crushed 2 vertebrae and fractured his neck in 72 in an auto accident with me. I had a head injury and a broken arm from a car that flipped a total of 10 times down in Kissimmee on the Turnpike. He never had any back problems and lived till he was 92! Myself otho, have had disc problems since I was your age, and it finally put me down at 46. Go figure. :dunno:


My youngest Godson is a couple years younger than you, pulling his 2nd tour in Afghanistan as an Ordnance Capt. This time he's in Gardez, Afghanistan hopefully he will be home in about 5 months. He'll is a 'lifer' though so no telling where he goes next. You can follow his guys on FB. BattleKings, 1-9 FA
461462_10150839163841313_39329414_o.jpg
 
well cardaddy seems me and you have a bit in common. ha.
i have read a bit about the new rupes. but for now i am going to have to be a bit more conserivative.
I am on a tight budget right now. but at the same time, i want to have some good products to produce the best results for my customers. esspically my first customers.
 
akj said:
Thank u all for the welcomes. And good idea about the name.
I am in south Mississippi.
Yes I prolly am putting to much thought into pads and products. I have always been like that I put way to much thought in the details.
Question.. my wife has and brand 2013 Kia optima. There are light swirls in it very easy to see cause its black.
What kinda pad would I use for that? Orange followed by blue?

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I would use a white pad with menz 2500. If that doesn't work then go with a polish with more cut with an orange pad. Always go from something with less cut at first.
 
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