Overwhelemed by the information, tell me what I need

[randomy]

I started with what I thought was a modest goal. I want to clean up my E36's black exterior to be protective, shiny, and clean. Not having any experience with car polishing, knowing very little, I began by reading many of the articles on autogeeks website. While they are very informative, I am now lost in all of the information and am not certain what products I should be purchasing. Do I need an orbital polisher? Do I need wax or paint sealant..or both? What I would like is for someone to tell me which product or products a complete novice like myself, will be able to use and be satisfied with to get a nice wet look to my vehicles finish, and have a nice layer of protectant. I figured one of the kits on autogeek would set me up right, but there are so many, and they are directed for varying applications. Can someone give me a recommendation on which product(s) you would suggest for what I want to accomplish at my level of skill and understanding on car detailing?

[Matt@Autogeek]

You cannot go wrong with this kit. I recommend it more than anything. Might want to pick up an additional orange, and an additional white pad (I like to have at least 2 of each when using a swirl remover / polish - 1 blue is fine for the sealant).

http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-porter-cable-swirl-remover.html

[randomy]

Thank you. So an orbital polisher is pretty important? I'm not going to screw up my paint having no experience using one am I?

[sak335]

I think that the answer depends on how bad the finish is right now. You may want to start with a cleaner wax and see if that takes care of the swirl marks, etc. and then move up to more drastic measures later. I don't think that you need a random orbital polisher to accomplish this, that really is just a time saver, not a requirement.

[eurotunerwerks]

Here is what you need to do.

1. provide pics of your paint.

2. how much you want to spend.

3. how much time you are willing to spend.

[nathancarter]

I'd start with a good wash concentrate and wash mitt, a clay bar, a good drying towel or two, and a decent sealant and/or wax.

If you get a machine, the random orbitals are pretty foolproof, but it's still a good idea to start on someone else's car before you tackle a black BMW.

[iranmeba]

You really cant go wrong with a random orbital. the only risk you run is not having a fine enough polish for a black car (learned this one the hard way) and finishing with some hazing. but even then all you need to do is give it a final pass with a polish like 3m ultrafina or equivalent. It's true that you technically don't need to use a random orbital but you're arm will fall off before you make any progress. Go with the random orbital, and make your car nice and shiny. then once you get comfortable, ROTARY!

[simracer]

You'd basically have to throw the PC at the car to harm the finish with one.

[itciai]

You'd basically have to throw the PC at the car to harm the finish with one.

And don't think that it can't be done! Because I've done it.:(
I dinged the front right(passenger) post of my car because it slipped out of my back hand. I made a nice little quarter-sized ding in mah car.:(
Definitely just lost about $20 on the value of my car because of it.:rolleyes;)

[PuckMan]

eurotunerwerks nailed it! If you can provide that info we can further refine what you might want to try.

I would echo the suggestions of getting a PC to start with. They are extremely easy to use and even someone who has never used a power tool before can get pretty good results with one. There are plenty of online videos to help you with technique and of course we're always here to help answer any questions you may have. Other than "throwing it" at your car I would challenge anyone to show me any real damage caused to paint from one.

If you can muster up some pics, share your budget and time commitments we could really get into some advice. Don't feel like you're the only one who feels overwhelmed by all the info available online. Once you start to do real detailing and get the machine and products in your hands it all comes together!

[lotus1]

You cannot go wrong with this kit. I recommend it more than anything. Might want to pick up an additional orange, and an additional white pad (I like to have at least 2 of each when using a swirl remover / polish - 1 blue is fine for the sealant).

http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-por...l-remover.html (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-porter-cable-swirl-remover.html)


This is the Kit I just bought. I used it for the first time yesterday. It was my first "real" detail attempt. Went smooth, the product is very good. Read a lot, take it all in, and take your time to do it right.

I did everything yesterday minus the waxing. This included claying the car prior to doing anything on it.

All in all it took me about 7-8 hrs! :eek: I was up till 3am in the morning, LOL. I'll post a review of this product and post pics later.

[randomy]

Here are some pictures I took. I don't think they are very good, but you can see I have surface scratches, and swirling. The hood is bad though, there appears to be cracking on it (all over it) but it doesn't show up in the pictures:

My budget is hard to work out. I usually have enough money to buy the things I want to do it right, but I've had some *ahem* fines to pay this month, and am also relocating to San Francisco where the rent is more than twice my mortgage. However, I want to do this right, do it well, and be able to do it again whenever it needs it. I'll work it into next months budget.
7-8 hours just cleaning seems like a really long time, but I'll invest whatever time it takes. I really enjoy spending time with my car anyway.

http://everiolive.com/OffImages/DSC02350.JPG

http://everiolive.com/OffImages/DSC02356.JPG

[lotus1]

Wow, those are some deep scratches.

[eurotunerwerks]

the scratches on the trunk aren't going to come out. if you can put your fingernail in them, they have to be done by a body shop. The other scratches the kit Matt suggested would work. IMO, i would pick up a yellow pad as well. It would cut down on you having to do 2-3 passes with the swirl remover. anyone else want to chime in.

also, what you speak of on your hood could be clear coat failure and there is no way to buff that out with anything, not even a rotary.

[zaxjax]

After looking at your paint you need this kit to start and it will help

http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-porter-cable-intensive-shine-kit.html

or this one if you can break the budget

http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-porter-cable-maximum-shine.html


It will help with the swirls and scratches, both have aggressive pads and polishes as well as finishing polishes and pads.

[eurotunerwerks]

After looking at your paint you need this kit to start and it will help

http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-porter-cable-intensive-shine-kit.html

or this one if you can break the budget

http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-porter-cable-maximum-shine.html


It will help with the swirls and scratches, both have aggressive pads and polishes as well as finishing polishes and pads.


He will need some smaller pads imo. I would get some 4'' pads. Yellow, orange and then just use the ones that come with it. Smaller pads will help take those scratches out faster.

[GH41]

Looking at the pictures you might be better off taking it to a pro for correction (if it can be fixed) and then maintaining it yourself. You will not do that job in 7-8 hours with a PC no matter what compounds you use! Maybe 7-8 days if it can be done and if you don't find primer first. I am not against doing it yourself but you must consider the cost and the real possibility that you can't get it done even after spending $300-$400 and many hours trying. I am not a pro but probably could have saved thousands over the years by paying one! GH

[iranmeba]

Yea I'm going to have to agree with gh on that on. I've got my doubts that a pc will be able to fix those scratches no matter what polishes/pads you use. Take it to a pro who knows how to use a rotary well and then just maintain.

[PuckMan]

I'm aligned with GH41 on this based on the pictures. I would first try to wetsand those rear deck lid scratches and even that will most likely just "improve" the looks. If you're not comfortable wetsanding you might want to consider letting a pro try to correct as much as possible and then work on maintaining the condition until things settle down a bit for you but that's your call certainly.

[randomy]

Pro: Do you mean a professional body shop, or am I to find a professional detailer ?

[iranmeba]

No not a body shop, I wouldn't go to a detail shop either. I'd get onto autopia (great detailing forum) and find a detailer local to you. If his rep on autopia is good then you know he's legit. A lot of detail shops will do minimal paint correction and then just use fillers.

[GH41]

"If his rep on autopia is good then you know he's legit"
Not!! It only means a few people people were satisfied with the work they had done. How do you think sorry detail shops stay open- some people are easy to please!!! GH

[PuckMan]

I meant a pro detailer, NOT a body shop. A good, professional detailer could offer decent correction of those and discuss it with you before he ever starts the work. A skilled rotary user who's comfortable with wetsanding would be my choice although they may be tough to find. My approach would be to discuss your options based on looking at your paint condition in person and give you realistic expectations and, of course, an estimate. I wish I were near you.

i don't know if Longmont is anywhere near Denver but Nick and Heather Martinez of Detailers Paradise might be an excellent resource for who might be in your area. I would guess they know Colorado (maybe).

I don't disagree with either ironmeba or GH41. There may be a pro on Autopia and in your area. I'm just suggesting you make sure he looks at your paint and has some very good references for results history. If he does, check them out. Don't risk the hacks (which I think GH41 was cautioning about).

[nathancarter]

Hmm, here's an idea: next time you see a car with wet, glossy, deep paint - ask who does their detailing.

Sometimes you can get a good recommendation on the regional forums.

[Matt@Autogeek]

If I was going to approach that paint, I'd probably start with the Flex XC3401 VRG with 6.5" yellow cutting pads and Meguiar's 105, then finish with Menzerna Power Finish on a green polishing/finishing pad. You'll spend just about as much as you would pay most detailers to fix that, and you'll always have the materials in your garage for future correction.

[Matt@Autogeek]

Was trying to find this link, I used that same combo on this black Lexus. The results speak for themselves.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1085159

[randomy]

That Lexus came out absolutely gorgeous! I would love for my car to have that finish, but ';m thinking I should take the advice of several other members and have it professionally done, then I can simply maintain the finish...(I know, not really simple).

Denver is about half an hour to 45 minutes. I'll contact Detailers Paradise and see if they would look at it and give me their professional opinion. Thanks to all who responded, I'll update this thread when I have news.