Hey all,
I have read many articles from the site and elsewhere about using the claybar, and maybe a kit, for removing swirl marks and other imperfections, etc.. from the clear coat.

I am ready to go, I want to do this.

As I set out I am still a little confused as to what to use.

The articles about polishes vs waxes, etc.. have only confused me.
Can I grab a Meguires kit and go, or should I grab a sealer as well? and then a polish or carnuba based wax?
list what I need please.

Its for my daily driver, I want to get out the swirl marks and imperfections and make it look nice, I dont really care if I have to do it more often than not, although a good product combo that will keep me from having to repeat as often would be ok too.
I just want to do a decent job.

I am going to buy an orbital sander since I am not experienced with other types buffers and I def dont want to mess up my finish, so for a noob with a kit and an orbital, what would you do?

Get the kit, what else, sealant? polish?, wax?, etc.. why do I see several different types of clay bars medium light heavy, etc.. but in a kit it is just two small clay bars, no specifics mentioned, etc..

I Want to introduce myself to this, and I want results, so what do I do without breaking the bank to get started?
Any tips would be great.
videos I have seen they have obviously several things to work with and they go between them to experiment and maybe based on experience for them use what they feel will work on various applications, I am a noob I dont have that experience to call on, I need to be setup for the in case this doesnt do it....
I live where you live so I have walmart, target autozone, advanced etc.. to chose ffrom unless I order online which I will if need be.

Thanks for any help,
Lump

 

my advice..... if you dont know what you are doing, pay someone to do paint correction for you.

check out detailedimage.com for supplies... they have way better products than you could get a most big box stores. ONR is a good rinseless wash and you can also use it as clay bar lubicant....

 

1st.. clay will not remove swirls, only surface contaminants that washing willl not remove.

Here is a quick vague step process
1. Wash (arround all emblems and crevices too)
2. Decontaminate removing surface contaminates (Ironx then Clay) don't have to Ironx but is very good!
3. Tape all trim and areas that could be damaged machining (USE A Dual Action safer)
4. Test spot (16"x16") to see what pad compound/polish will be needed (Different levels of cut depending on pad and compound/polish)
5. Do the whole car (takes ALONG TIME expect 8-30+ HOURS)
6. Use high quality MF or you will scratch THE PAINT when you wipe off)
7. After done seal it up (remember the shine and clarity comes from the prep work, not the sealant or wax)

Those are vague steps, research it and if you feel comfortable buy everything and have fun! It's an art and you can achieve great results with patience. If you think it's overwelming, pay a great detailer to do this for you. You will spend much more on the supplies then just paying a pro like me.

Good Luck!

 

LOL ok,. see I have a lot to learn then. cause I want to be able to do all my own maintenance, I do now with most everything but I have never gotten to into paint and working with the clear coat and stuff, but I can learn.
Thanks for the advice.
Lump

 

just make sure you dont burn your paint or get it thin in area... spend the money on a good dual orbital polisher. this stuff isnt cheap. i just have washes, wax, clay bar, and various microfiber towels, etc for basic washing and waxing and i am like $300 in


http://www.detailedimage.com/Buffers-Tools-C20/

 

As was said above, you're probably best off reading a bit more into it to get a better feel of the available polishers, pads and polishes in order to get the results you're after. Typically a good starting point is a Porter Cable 7424xp with a few foam pads and a polish or two, such as Meguiar's M205 (great for both some moderate polishing as well as finishing stages).

We do have some kits available if you're interested and I'm more than happy to help put something together if you have a certain budget within which you'd like to stay.

At the end of the day, to get into polishing the paint you're looking at probably $200-300 if you get some stuff and upwards of $500-800 if you need "everything", meaning wash kit, decontamination products, few polishes and pads, etc.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Ivan @ DI

 

so, I have what looks like water marks under a layer of wax or polish, same with swirls, how can I strip off the layers on there now, get to the clear coat and then go from there?

I would like to get it down to the clear coat, then polish or wax it and protect it to get a nice finish with a deep shine, it isnt a show car I just wanted to see how much nicer I could get it on my own.
Do I even need a clay bar kit?
I just looked at mothers and meguires and both say to follow it with a spray wax when your done, I just dont want to buy anything and find out it is glorified wax/polish, I want to rid myself of what looks like it was waxed on the car already.

Any tips would be great.
Lump

Lump

 

you always want to get any contaminants out of the paint..... just my thoughts

 

clay will remove most if not all layers of current protection. Do this only after washing the car.

On the Z.. most times you can use a white foam polishing pad, some m205 (some local auto stores actually carry it now) and that will give you a nice shine and remove minor swirls. Follow up with a good sealant then wax if you choose. A Sealant will give you longer protection.

What color is your Z?

Detailed image is a great source, I buy most of my supplies there.

 

chad,
Z is solar orange with white pearl metal flake.
So you said wash, clay bar, then some m205 which I havent a clue what that is, then a polish and or wax?

I wouldnt mind doing that, what is the 205?

Should I polish and wax?In which order, wax, then polish, or reverse that?

I want to go out and buy the stuff tonight and do this tomorrow if possible.
appreciate the hep with this, I just dont know the brand names and stuff, if you could be very specific, to what you just said, I will go get those items and try it, thanks again Chad.

Lump

 

my advise.... educate yourself some more and visit www.detailedimage.com

they have alot of how to videos there

 

M205 is Meguiars Ultra finishing polish. It has small amount of cut and with a white pad should get decent results. Pick a few pads up.


Polish is what you do to bring the gloss on (it has 0 protection)

So, steps would be
Wash
Decontaminate (clay)
Polish
Seal
Wax

Seal or Wax will be your last step.

BTW if you are buying local, advance auto has a great entry level machine, griots garage Dual action (DA).

Post some pics too!

 

Another excellent place to view "how to" videos is Adams Polished. Their website is http://www.adamspolishes.com/

 

this is the one that ivan from DI recommended.... but it seems like the op is wanting do do as soon as he can, but me i would rather wait and do it right

http://www.detailedimage.com/Porter-...l-Buffer-P331/

 

porter cable is a great entry level, griots garage same calibur better warranty. I love my Rupes though!

 

rupes gets two thumbs up, but he is not going to spend the money on it.... my guessing is he will cheap out on most things

 

Thanks for all the tips.
NO I dont cheap out on things,
I just want to do what I can with what I have right now.

My apt burned in a fire last sat, my wife became very ill and was in the hospital, my daughter had a major medical thing come up, etc.. so my life was flipped upside down and I had zero time to myself or to do anything, but thought spending a few hours on my car would allow me to clear my head some and hopefully clean up my car some.

I did it by hand and the car looks great but, I do plan on doing it again, and def going to do it with a rotary.
FOr now though I Added up the costs of the rotary, and pads then each cutting polish that came with each pad, then polish, wax, cleaner, etc. and thought, hmmm I just cant spend all that right now, so I will down the road but for now, I did what I did, my car looks great, way better than before, but I know I can get it better.

Also, I was at once place I forget maybe wal mart? and they had this attachment that you put on your drill, and it has this mechanism plus the pad, was 50$ and you still need your drill, I just thought maybe that was too much for me right now, I Want to start with a rotary and not damage my finish.

Anyway The next time I do it I will do it with a rotary and use the pads and see if I can get a better understanding.
I love how a guy who does this all the time can make snap judgements about people, lol I am gonna cheap out am I?

maybe you dont know everything about everyone, stick to polishing cars and leave the talking to people to people with more experience.
I was buying sports cars while you were crapping your pants in front of a tv on sat mornings.

I just never got into detailing the finish and thought, I need something to keep me busy and I want to improve my finish so I will ask on here where others know what they are doing and try it.
I am happy with my results, next time I will do it with a rotary and cutting pads and try to get it even better.
I am sure the very first time you did it you either were being trained at your job or someone taught you how to do it, or perhaps you read and watched videos and then went out and spent the few hundred bucks and just taught yourself, either way you werent born with this knowledge, neither was I.

I appreciate all the constructive information and I plan to learn from this and will do it better the next time, I just dont have the extra money at this time.
A fire means displacing my family, doing 30 loads of wash, buying all new clothes and bedding, etc. I spent thousands this week and just cant justify another $300 to wash my car, when nobody but me cares about it.

Thanks again,
Very helpful from most of you guys, I really appreciate your time and the info, thank you.
Lump