Newbie to Detailing.

[awilliams4806]

Hi all. I have been lurking on this forum for about 3 or 4 months now and I think I am ready to take the dive. My name is Andrew and I live in Houston, TX. Thanks for having me!

I am wanting to start detailing my daily drive, and I already have all the basic wash products from Meguiars. I am looking to add some polish sealant and wax and make the cars look much better. I have a 2011 Votrex Blue Acura TSX.

Here is what I am looking at to get started down this road.

GG 6in DA Polisher
Lake County 5in backing plate
Lake County Hydro Tech 3 pack one of each color
Meguiars Clay Kit - G1016
Meguiars #2, #9, and #26

This all comes out to about 200 bucks which is where the wife said my limit needs to stay. I am open to removing something and adding something in place if I can keep it in that price range. Please let me know if this will be a good start!

Again thanks for having me and thanks for all the help I know I will get!

 

[mjlinane]

Welcome to AGO!!

 

[rider9195]

Welcome to Autogeek Online Andrew!

My suggestion would be to remove the Megs #2 and #9. If I can remember those are older formulas. Will you be looking to remove swirls or just protect your paint? I would recommend something with SMAT technology if you are.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Welcome to AGO Andrew.

You are also going to need more than 1 pad of each color.

 

[awilliams4806]

Welcome to Autogeek Online Andrew!

My suggestion would be to remove the Megs #2 and #9. If I can remember those are older formulas. Will you be looking to remove swirls or just protect your paint? I would recommend something with SMAT technology if you are.

I have real light swirls nothing major though, and no scratches. The car is garage kept except at work it sits out in the elements. So mostly I just want to keep the paint protected as best as possible and have that glossy shine I see on the pictures from these forums.

 

[awilliams4806]

Welcome to Autogeek Online Andrew!

My suggestion would be to remove the Megs #2 and #9. If I can remember those are older formulas. Will you be looking to remove swirls or just protect your paint? I would recommend something with SMAT technology if you are.

What about M105 & M205? I think that would be a better choice. If I go with those would it be better to switch the # 26 for the Gold Class Wax?

 

[awilliams4806]

Ok guys here is the Updated cart.


GG 6in
5 inch backing plate
Lake County Hydro Tech 5.5 in Pads X 2 of each
Meguiars #26
M105 & M205
Meguiars Clay G1016

 

[joche26]

Us men are destin to have a budgets in our lifes, first it was mom who enforced them, now our wifes. Welcome to this wonderful forum!!!

 

[Vegas Transplant]

...So mostly I just want to keep the paint protected as best as possible and have that glossy shine I see on the pictures from these forums.

Like this:



Or this:




Or this:



Or this: ..my favorite 2 1/2 hr in/out maintenance.



Or this: XMT 360, XMT 180

Find something you like and use it often...and if it's user friendly, then the likelyhood is that you'll use it quite often. :dblthumb2:

From what I understand about your paint system, you might want to look into a product that will remove the hazing (marring?) that the 205 may cause.
Many Acura owners report this issue.

I have a 2011 Votrex Blue Acura TSX.

 

[Bunky]

[
Or this:

Who needs photoshop to obscure a license plate when a towel will do it as well.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

LOL...I tend to get forgetful when I'm resizing. The when I go to upload, I have to correct the tag issue.
A little foresight goes a long way. :xyxthumbs:
On this particular write up, I even took the tag off of the Buick.

 

[Bunky]

LOL...I tend to get forgetful when I'm resizing. The when I go to upload, I have to correct the tag issue.
A little foresight goes a long way. :xyxthumbs:
On this particular write up, I even took the tag off of the Buick.

Actually I think it is a good idea and if you do not remove the plate you could cover it with just a generic gray card or even your detailing company...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:

GG 6in
5 inch backing plate
Lake County Hydro Tech 5.5 in Pads X 2 of each
Meguiars #26
M105 & M205
Meguiars Clay G1016

The above combo will tackle just about anything. If you're new to using a machine to buff with then read through this before starting...

DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide


This how-to book is incredibly in-depth on everything related to working with a DA Polisher...

Paperback

 

[BobbyG]

Ok guys here is the Updated cart.


GG 6in
5 inch backing plate
Lake County Hydro Tech 5.5 in Pads X 2 of each
Meguiars #26
M105 & M205
Meguiars Clay G1016

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! rops:

These are great choices and if you've never used a dual action polisher before you're in for an amazing surprise!! rops:

Since you're new to detailing you might also want to take a look at the over the counter versions of Meguiar's M104 & M205 as they're a bit easier to use...

• Meguiars Ultimate Compound
• Meguiars Swirl X Swirl Remover

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you. Mike's done a tremendous job writing and illustrating some of the best tips I've seen to get you headed in the right direction......rops:

• Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher
• Removing Swirls
• DA Trouble Shooting Guide
• Waxing With a DA Polisher
• How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher
• DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing
• How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher

 

[glen e]

This works great for my Honda:
Clay
Ultimate compound
Blackfire total polish and seal
Blackfire crystal seal - 2 coats

Now I just wash and apply the crystal every 4 months or so.....

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:




The above combo will tackle just about anything. If you're new to using a machine to buff with then read through this before starting...

DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide


This how-to book is incredibly in-depth on everything related to working with a DA Polisher...

I agree.
However, with your vast knowledge and experience, correction can be a cakewalk.
But for the unitiated, sometimes the road not taken is the better choice. Especially those eager to get down to the nitty gritty of their newly arrived AG packages :hungry:

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! rops:

Since you're new to detailing you might also want to take a look at the over the counter versions of Meguiar's M104 & M205 as they're a bit easier to use...

• Meguiars Ultimate Compound
• Meguiars Swirl X Swirl Remover

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you. Mike's done a tremendous job writing and illustrating some of the best tips I've seen to get you headed in the right direction......rops:

This works great for my Honda:
Clay
Ultimate compound
Blackfire total polish and seal
Blackfire crystal seal - 2 coats

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/38251-first-correction-poor-results-any-advice.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/30469-help-swirls.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/23295-polish-induced-marring.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/54474-suggestions-nsx.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/52955-nighthawk-black-pearl-acura-tsx-exterior.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/52071-2010-acura-tsx-can-t-get-swirls-out.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/45997-2-hours-still-no-perfection.html

 

[Old Tiger]

Welcome to AGO Andrew.

You are also going to need more than 1 pad of each color.

... or just get the LC MF all in one pads. If you have compressed air, you can get by with one or two pads per step.

 

[awilliams4806]

I agree.
However, with your vast knowledge and experience, correction can be a cakewalk.
But for the unitiated, sometimes the road not taken is the better choice. Especially those eager to get down to the nitty gritty of their newly arrived AG packages :hungry:




http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/38251-first-correction-poor-results-any-advice.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/30469-help-swirls.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/23295-polish-induced-marring.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/54474-suggestions-nsx.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/52955-nighthawk-black-pearl-acura-tsx-exterior.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/52071-2010-acura-tsx-can-t-get-swirls-out.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/45997-2-hours-still-no-perfection.html

Wow thanks for all this info, and all the others. I have been on many forums for many different hobbies and this is by far the best. Quick and Detailed responses really helps out people that have never done this before.

I was over looking my car yesterday after driving home from work and I can notice quite a few swirls. It has been through the tunnel car wash quite a few times as I have had it for a year. I never knew how bad those things are for your car. And then they added a new drive thru car was about 2 minutes from my house for 3 bucks and I see that I used it way more than I should have.

I have added about 100 bucks more to my budget for stuff so once I get everything corrected, I can keep it that way. I added some grit guards and some better towels. Again thanks for everyone for the help! Once I get everything I will start a new thread with some pics! You guys are great!