Just starting- Help!!

9

97GTred

New member
Hey everyone, I'm Adam, new to this forum, as well as new to the world of having car with much better detailing! Yesterday, I spent about 5 hours just working on the outside of my car doing these steps all by hand



1) Car wash

2) Clay Bar

3) Mr. Clean Wash

4) coat of Z1

5) coat of Z2 (didnt have enough to do more than one coat )

6) Tried out the Eagle One Wax As You Dry

7) Stoner IG on the windows

8) Zaino Tire Magic



With these results-

side_low.jpg


side_high.jpg


hood.jpg


front_far.jpg


front_close.jpg




Now, from the pictures, and my process, you can most likely gather that I'm quite a beginner when it comes to doing an awesome detail job on my cars paint (2000 Grand Prix)



I'm still not totally satisfied with the shine and condition, which is why I'm making this post.



I've never used any sort of buffer, but I am seriously considering purching a PC which I have heard so much about.



I also need to know what types of pads and stuff I need, because it's all new to me, such as the colors of the pads? I've heard I need white, yellow, and orange most likely. Correct? And, I've seen many abbreviations flying around concerning products, which I dont understand...such as DACP. I have no clue what this product is :o



I also dont know if the process for using each polish and such. As you can tell, I'm about as "newb" as they come ;)



Please, just give me any comments and suggestions. What I wish to accomplish is to remove the spider marks and such, making my paint finish look like new again!



Also, are there by any chance any online videos I could download highlighting how to use a random-orbital buffer and the products and pads associated? I'm very much a visual learning, and would like to see this stuff in action, since I'm deathly afraid of screwing something up :scared



Sorry for the long post, and thanks to all that help!



Adam
 
<<<Also, are there by any chance any online videos I could download highlighting how to use a random-orbital buffer >>>



You just read my mind, but my reason for seeing the PC in action is to figure out how to get to "narrow parts" like under the rear light/above the bumper for example.



Maybe I win a bottle of wax for asking the dummiest question today!
 
Video



tdekany said:
<<<Also, are there by any chance any online videos I could download highlighting how to use a random-orbital buffer >>>



You just read my mind, but my reason for seeing the PC in action is to figure out how to get to "narrow parts" like under the rear light/above the bumper for example.



Maybe I win a bottle of wax for asking the dummiest question today!
Click to expand...
 
Anyone have anymore suggestions? I'd REALLY like to see a vid online of someone using a buffer with some of the pads and products normally used...Anyone know where I could find an online vid that I could download?



Thanks



Adam
 
Crap...I'm dumb. I didnt even see the link. For some reason, I just thought he had quoted us because he was also wanting to see a video. haha.



Thanks :)
 
I should have been more descriptive. It does sort of look like I'm reinforcing, in a subtle way, the wishes to see some video buffer work (*VIDEO*):D
 
I have a quick question...Are the pads that come in the PC 7424 Ultimate Polisher package from Autopia store here worth the extra amount? I am getting a PC regardless, I'm just wondering if the pads that come with that kit are worth the extra money, or if I should just buy a PC, and then get pads seperatly?



Thanks to anyone who responds :)



Adam
 
Also, when it comes to products, what are the best products to get as a beginner to do the entire car? I want something to remove spiderwebs, polish, and of course wax



Just a small list would be fine of products I'd need for each step of an entire car detail. Thanks so much to those that lend me a helping hand in this. It's difficult coming in here and trying to translate and pick out which product I need for where, and which product is best for my money:o



Adam
 
The three pads included in that package are fine, but you're gonna need more pretty soon. Probably more polishing pads.



I think the 1Z polishes are great for someone just starting out. They are very user friendly and leave some wax behind (so if you're played after a day of polishing your car is still protected). I'd just work on getting the paint as good as you can and then top the 1Z stuff with the wax of your choice. It's all 99% prep, 1% last step product.



Sorry, but, heh heh, I don't have time to do a "what you'll need for each category" list. There are plenty of them archived, though. The stuff on your list looks OK, but I'm not a Zaino user (except for the Z16- good stuff) and I dunno about the Mr. Clean wash; I'd just use regular car shampoo.
 
~One man’s opinion / observations ~



A little ‘light’ reading to go with the video…



How to use the Porter-Cable 7424 Polisher DavidB

http://store.yahoo.com/autopia/inf-pc7424.html





PC Accessoires

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14421



PC Usage

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/detailing/forum.php?postid=1430487&page=1



Definitive PC Thread

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14421



Detailer's Dream: Porter Cable Random Orbital Buffer

http://www.roadfly.org/magazine/7/porter_cable_buffer.1.html



~Hope this helps~



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/ Jon

justadumbarchitect * so I question everything *
 
Here is a downloadable link to the Autopia eBook. Great articles to have even when you are starting out and perfect to keep for refreshing later on. David has how-to's on all aspects of car care and product suggestions. Plus it is easy to print out the sections you need and you'll always have it on your computer for quick reference. It was a huge help when I was starting out.



CLICK HERE FOR EBOOK DOWNLOAD



The Autopia Guide to Detailing is a Windows executable ebook. Click the link to download and save the file to your Windows Desktop. Click the red car icon to run the book. You will need to register your copy to get a password that unlocks all chapters..



Good luck and have fun! :)



Oh, I forgot......Acronyms
 
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