Newb from So. Cal

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MedicBMC

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Heyy! shout out from So. Cal! I've been lurking for a couple days now and finally decided to join. My name is Brice, I'm here like everyone else wanting to take my skills to the next level.

My goal is to become a knowledgable Do it at home DIY detailer for my car as well as my friends and family. I don't know much and my detail skills only go as far as washing a car and waxing every couple months....which I'm sure I'm not doing right.


my shopping list so far includes:
7424xp
foam pads and backing plate
mf towels


As far as which products I need to achieve my desired results I have no clue where to start. Right now I've got a bunch of otc stuff (swirlx, Meguiars NXT paste, Meguiars clay kit) but I know none of that is going to cut it. I'll post pics of my car/paint to show what I'm working with and go from there.


Now off to read some more!

-Brice
 
Welcome and what part of So Cal are you in?
Simi Valley, Ventura county myself.
 
Welcome! You will find yourself spending alot of time on here.
 
:welcome:

What part of so cal? Im in the San Diego area.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

I'm in the I.E., Upland to be exact.
 
welcome brice! you can learn all you need to know on this forum. study the web site carefully so you can negotiate around to find answers. also ag is a wonderful place to buy your products and they are great folks. mike phillips is the king of detailing so spend some time on his old posts. i lived in santa monica for a number of years.

budinsc
 
Welcome aboard, Brice. Keep reading, its the best thing to do for a week or so. Then spend some cash. The Megs OTC products are good. Use them up. Then after spending some cash, use the really good stuff.
 
kimtyson said:
Welcome aboard, Brice. Keep reading, its the best thing to do for a week or so. Then spend some cash. The Megs OTC products are good. Use them up. Then after spending some cash, use the really good stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'll be reading up for quite a while. I want to make sure I do it right the first time. What 7424xp package would be sufficient for a beginner? I don't know exactly how many foam pads etc. I need.
 
Ok so I've been reading, and reading, and....reading

I'm pretty set on my list of supplies so far I just need some advice on certain products.

List so far:
PC7424xp
5.5in backing plate
LC Hydro-tech pads
Swirl remover?
sealant?
Collinite 845

Now my questions....

How many pads should I buy initially? The main car this is going to be used for is my 04' Honda Element which thankfully has ALOT of plastic so it's like half of a usual car. The other cars are a Mini Cooper (mom, Nissan Titan(dad), and Toyota Matrix (gf).

Also I need some recommendations on swirl remover compound and sealant. I have neglected my paint and I have some moderate swirls.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
-Brice
 
Welcome to AG! I'm from Upland too lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
:welcome: To Autogeek Online Brice!

Here's a few articles by Mike Phillips to read in your spare time...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ke-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ow-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html

Meguiar's over the counter stuff actually works pretty well and are great choices to start with.

Porter Cable style machines

Porter cable 7424xp, 7424xp, Porter Cable 7424XP Dual Action Polisher, Porter Cable polisher, car polisher, buffer, sander-polisher

The 6 1/2" diameter pads a Porter Cable 7424 in my opinion pushes the limit of the machine and this could be part of the problem.

I have the Porter Cable 7424 and found a world of difference when I decided to try Lake Country 5 1/2 diameter pads.

The Porter Cable 7424 style dual action polisher should come standard with 5 1/2 inch pads and corresponding backing plate.

Lake Country Pads

Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads

Backing Plate

lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate

Paint Perfection

Menzerna Bundle

Menzerna Power Gloss, Power Finish & Super Finish Bundle, Menzerna Polishes Combo, Nano Polish, Power Finish Polish, Power Gloss Compound

Many really like the new Meguiar's Microfiber Dual Action Correction System

Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit
 
:welcome: to AGO Brice!!!

As for the number of pads you need to order...On your smaller cars, two pads, one orange and one white for your compound and polish. Then choose one for your LSP.
The orange and white pads can be cleaned on the fly (after each panel), and keep the pad you choose for your LSP in a zip-lock baggie. These are hard to clean, with waxes not being water soluble, so dedicate a pad for wax.

One thing to keep in mind is the true condition of your paint. I think you said yours was neglected and swirled. Try the least aggressive method first. Do a test spot and
see if a polish will take care of your problems. You don't want to remove any more of the Clear Coat than necessary.

You mentioned that one of the vehicles you will be taking care of is a Titan, go with two each orange and white pads and you will be fine. Find the thread post relating to Pad Cleaning on the Fly.


Good Luck and Happy Detailing!!!
 
welcome
to any of the vehicles you have to do , and any unpainted plastic trim , I suggest to get ultimate trim and tire guard or Wolfgang exterior trim sealant . both these products are very similar and have excellent durability. they will also bring back to life dull faded trim .
 
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