After reading/searching....

[oekundar]

I`ve been searching and I think I have finally decided on what I need to detail both my wife`s car as well as mine.



Here is the list:



Porter Cable 7336



1 Orange LC pad

2 White LC pads

2 Gray LC pads



Optimum Polish

Optimum Compound



Target cars:



2003 Toyota Corolla S--wife`s car (plenty of scratches from her carelessness)

2000 BMW 528iT--my baby (water spots from previous owners)





oh...this is my first post...be gentle.:heelclick

[BobD]

You will also want:

High quality was mitt or sponge

High quality car shampoo

Clay bar

Wax or Sealant

[oekundar]

You will also want:

High quality was mitt or sponge

High quality car shampoo

Clay bar

Wax or Sealant



Thanks for your response...I neglected to say that I have in my aresenal Meguiars Clay bar as well as their car shampoo, and a micro fiber mitt.



What wax/sealant would be advisable..? I neglected that part of my research :wall

[RyanDe680]

Not sure on the availability of the PC 7336.



I have called no less than 10 Lowes stores today searching for the PC7424 only to find none in stock. Eight of the 10 stores also note that they will not be receiving any more of them in.



Also, for that BMW, consider Menzerna since it cuts well through the tougher BMW clearcoat.



Welcome!

[Accumulator]

oekundar- Also consider a 4" pad system for hard paints like on the BMW; much more aggressive than the larger pads.



And welcome to Autopia!

[Driven Auto Detail]

1 Orange LC pad

2 White LC pads

2 Gray LC pads



Instead of the individual LC pads, what about the Edge 2K pad kit from AG? I purchased this kit recently and you get a LOT for your money when you consider each pad is a 2-in-1.



The Edge Dual Action 6 Inch Kit includes The Edge 2000 DuraFoam Pads & a dual action Edge Adapter. edge foam pads, double side pads, polishing pads (http://autogeek.net/foam-polishing-kit.html)

[oekundar]

RyanDe680,



You are absolutely correct, as I was at Lowes last night and they NO longer carry the 7336 or the 7424. Tis unfortunate...but I will find one.



Accumulator,



Thanks for the welcome, where can I find the 4" systems....from my reading on there the 6" systems are more forgiving for NOOBs like myself.



mshu7,



Thats not a bad kit....I may in fact purchase my PC from them as well...





Thanks for the input and please keep them coming!

[Accumulator]

.. where can I find the 4" systems....from my reading on there the 6" systems are more forgiving for NOOBs like myself...



IIRC the smaller backing plates and the 4" pads are available at both Top of the Line Auto Detailing Supplies (http://www.topoftheline.com/index.html) and Classic Motoring Accessories - Car Care and Detailing Supplies (http://www.properautocare.com/) . You`re right, the larger pads, by virtue of their limitations, *are* more forgiving, and that certainly can be a good thing. But IMO the 4" pads are only risky if you get very careless.



See how you do with the 6-6.5" pads, but remember the 4" option if you find you need the added aggressiveness. But if you`re working on something that`s known to have hard clear, I bet you`ll be ordering the 4" pads pretty soon ;)

[RyanDe680]

RyanDe680,



You are absolutely correct, as I was at Lowes last night and they NO longer carry the 7336 or the 7424. Tis unfortunate...but I will find one.





Let me know if and where you find one...



I am still searching...

[murf'n'surf]

$99 smackers:

TOOLS PLUS - PORTER CABLE 7424 LOW SPEED CAR BUFFER / POLISHER for only $99.00 (http://www.tools-plus.com/porter-cable-7424.html)

[oekundar]

IIRC the smaller backing plates and the 4" pads are available at both Top of the Line Auto Detailing Supplies (http://www.topoftheline.com/index.html) and Classic Motoring Accessories - Car Care and Detailing Supplies (http://www.properautocare.com/) . You`re right, the larger pads, by virtue of their limitations, *are* more forgiving, and that certainly can be a good thing. But IMO the 4" pads are only risky if you get very careless.



See how you do with the 6-6.5" pads, but remember the 4" option if you find you need the added aggressiveness. But if you`re working on something that`s known to have hard clear, I bet you`ll be ordering the 4" pads pretty soon ;)



You may indeed be right....I`m going to see if I can add it to a package I plan on buying...thanks!

[twitch]

Optimum Polish

Optimum Compound





You may want to consider picking up Hyper Compound and Optimum Polish. You can mix the two to create the OP Compound.



In my experience OP Compound is fairly gentle so it may be good to have the Hyper on hand. You can look at it as having all 3 for the price of 2. :xyxthumbs

[porta]

Get the 5,25" LC CSS pads from Danase and I can really recommend the Cyclo CTI sealant, also avaible from Danase.com.

[oekundar]

All,



Thanks for the continuous input, I just ordered the following:



Menzerna get acquainted kit ($30)--enough from 2 cars--from Properautocare.com



Porter Cable Intro Pad kit ($170)

white polishing pads ($10)



Both from autogeek.net. This should be a good starting point for me, and I am sure over time I will be get to know my favorites as well as have a nice arsenal of products to use with various finishes.



Thanks again!

-=O=-