Absolute newb looking for help:

9

98 GST

O Rly?
I have been looking over these forums, and I have seen some amazing detailing jobs.

I am litterally just getting started on detailing, I do love cleaning my car (a 1998 Mitsu Eclipse GS-T) on a somewhat daily basis. I know that the best option for me is probally to just find a pro to do it for me, but I want to keep my options open becuase I am a 19 year old college student that does not have money to throw around...

I have swirl marks all over my car, I know its impossible for you to give an accurate guide without seeing it, but I just wondered what the general things you need to buy/use to fix and make it shine like its supposed to.

A fair price range to get it detailed is like $150-250, how much for a good starting kit (buffer, pads, the works)

Thanks so much!!! I will get some pictures of the paint tommorow if I have time before I go to work.

Ryan
 
Well welcome to the forums!

I have been posting and reading like a mad man myself but I may be able to give you a few pointers.

The process im going through to remove light scratches and swirls on my black s10 are as follows:

wash with a good cleaning soap (im using NXT wash)
clay paint to get off most of the contaminates (used Meg's medium clay)
wash again
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At this point you have clean paint, but still have the scratches and swirls to remove. (Ready for the swirl removers or a good wax if you don’t want to purchase a dual action polisher PC $109.00 @ lowes + pads)
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to remove the swirls and light to moderate scratching you need to borrow or buy a dual action polisher (PC)

With the PC you need to purchase some swirl removers Poorboys brands are SSR3 (most aggressive)
SSR2.5 (step below 3)
SSR2 (below 2.5)
SSR1 (mostly a polish)

With the swirl removers you will need to use different pads to achieve the results you require.
here is a great link to pad colors and uses http://www.detailcity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14489

if i have learned anything from reading about the steps always start low on the cutting power and work your way up with pads and polish type and needed (for instance if the SSR2 and a megs yellow pad aren’t working step up to a megs green pad, don’t go for SSR3 and burgundy pad right away)
After the use of more aggressive polishes and pads you might need to go to the SSR1 and a polishing pad to remove hazing but not always.
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Now you have (hopefully) removed all the scratching and swirls and are ready to protect and shine your paint!

Next is the funest part for me, you have several options you can go right to a LSP (last step product) or you can do a few more steps to get that extra protection and shine. You can now either apply your favorite wax or you can add a sealant. The sealant will help protect your paint and when it is waxed over it will give it a deeper, richer shine.

Like I said at the beginning im al just learning but maybe my lessons learned will help you out since I was just new just like you.

So if i have missed anything or am just wrong let me know so I can perfect my process! :boxing:
 
You'll spend about the same for a nice pro detail as you will setting it up with a PC and products, but your products will last 2-3 years, and the pro detail won't.
For your car, you'll need a full day or more to do what you need to do. A pro with a rotary could probably do it less time, but you are right about the price.
The other option is to get the first job pro, and then maintain with high quality waxes/sealants. A great chemical polish is Klasse All-in-One (AIO). You see results on dark cars with some dramatics, and it is hand done.
 
Ok... let's see what we can do for you. Autogeek has a special PC and Pad kit with the machine 7 pads, a backing plate anlong with a 2 MF towels for around $190. Next up are the products. You'r going to need some quality car wash, mitt and etc. Get some clay with lube aswell. I'm going to jump into the deep end without seeing the swrils and reccomend the Poorboys SSR2.5. If you get this, read up on how to properly use it. Some Poorboys SSR1 would be next up to remove the having, if any, from the 2.5. Now your paint should be clean. Depending on what color your car is and how much more you want to spend at this point depends on what finishing products you'll need. Just for the heck of i, I'll say Klasse AIO and 4 Star UPP. Of course you'r going to need a lot of microfiber towels. FOr the list above I think it is close to $300-325 which isn't bad considering the products will last a few years and you will have a PC that will last for a long long time. The initial invesstment may be a little steep but it pays off in the end.

BTW- All of the above products can be bought at PAC, Autogeek, driectly from poorboys or SMP-- All of our wonderful Sponsors.
 
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