Help a total newbie!!

Elonheater32 · 11-08-07, 05:15

I have previously owned 2 black cars and this was before I discovered this website. Regardless to say.... I could get them clean easy, but that only brought out the marring and swirl marks. I vowed never to get another black car. But now that I have found this website, I am confident that I can make a black car beautiful and swirl free!!!

My question was would it be a bad idea for a total newbie to start using a porter cable buffer? I have only polished and waxed by hand and have no expereince with porter cable buffers.

I plan on getting a black Cadillac CTS and realize that the only way I can get rid of swirl marks is not to do it by hand. I would also like to use good products such as Zanio!!

Does anyone have recommendations for me? Should a newbie aviod using mechanical buffers on cars...espeically black cars. It would break my heart if I messed up the paint (burning the paint or putting holograms on the paint)

Elonheater32 · 11-09-07, 06:12

Hello......anyone here (tumble weed passes by)

BigAl3 · 11-09-07, 06:26

! i would definitely look into purchasing a PC/UDM, it will outperform your hands and give you better consistent results more than your hands ever will. it's pretty safe too...

http://autopia.org/forum/ultimate-de...e-project.html

Car Polisher, Auto Buffer - The Ultimate Detailing Machine

if you haven't seen these videos, check them out... Porter Cable 7424 Dual Action Polisher - dual action orbital car polisher, car care kits, buffer kits, PC 7424, porter cable detailing machine

Elonheater32 · 11-09-07, 06:51

Thanks BigAl3 for the welcome!!! Do you have to have a lot of experience with the UDM or porter cable buffer before you get excellent results? I was just wondering if I would need a lot of practice before I could really make my black car shine.

BigAl3 · 11-09-07, 11:19

the more you use it, the better your technique and skill. there are some guys on here that get such amazing results with it, they really don't have to use a rotary. three members of the top of my head that do amazing work via PC are 1CleanWS6, blkyukon, and Scottwax. check out their threads!

Accumulator · 11-10-07, 11:26

Elonheater32- Welcome to Autopia!

You'll do fine with the polisher, they're not hard to get the hang of. You won't instill holograms with the PC/UDM and you might even find it enjoyable to use.

For newbies, I *always* recommend 1Z brand polishes topped with Collinite brand wax (sources: Welcome to Exceldetail! or Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing Supplies & Accessories ). The Collinite's durability will rival that of sealants, and the 1Z/Collinite combo is very user-friendly. I really can't say enough about the 1Z polish, and I have a *lot* of polishes on the shelf that I can compare it to...for ease-of-use, foolproof nature, etc. it's really something.

FWIW, keeping a black vehicle good enough for a sealant would be *very* tough, at least for somebody just getting started in serious detailing; sealants allow every little flaw to show. I'm pretty good at this stuff, and I only use sealants on two of our vehicles (and no, not the black one

).

Rob Tomlin · 11-10-07, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

FWIW, keeping a black vehicle good enough for a sealant would be *very* tough, at least for somebody just getting started in serious detailing; sealants allow every little flaw to show. I'm pretty good at this stuff, and I only use sealants on two of our vehicles (and no, not the black one

).

Completely agree!

theflyingturtle · 11-10-07, 02:30

Do it!!! Just do it!!! I cannot believe the enjoyment I've found from having a rotary.

And it polishes good too

.

Seriously, I was very hesitant at first too. But believe me you will be stunned and amazed at what a PC can do for your car. There really isn't any reason to be concerned about the PC learning curve. It's actually quite enjoyable.

itb76 · 11-10-07, 09:33

You really have to try to do damage with a PC, and it's far more effective than doing it by hand! As a noob I've found that I didn't get all the swirls out the first time, but with each successive polish my cars looked better. That's because I only buy used cars. Eventually you'll want to step up to a rotary but for now a PC is the way to go!

Elonheater32 · 11-10-07, 11:09

Thanks guys! I have been doing a bit research and I think I will be purchasing a UDM in the very near future. I am now just learning what sealants are, what brands are good, etc. As of right now, I have Zanio as the product I want to try out first.