Help Me Pick a Polisher/Swirl Remover Kit

[codyrx]

To make a long story short, I have a Black Sapphire 2010 Lexus RX350 that was badly swirled (though I believe they are light to moderate swirls in the world of detailing) by the dealership upon delivery from a piss poor prep job. I have been dragged through the mud by the dealer to try and get the swirls removed and have decided I may as well do it myself. Can someone recommend a complete kit including a decent dual action polisher that will help me remove the swirls from my vehicle, start to finish. It has been waxed so I am assuming that I will also need to clay it and being as I am very new to all this I kind of need to make sure that I order everything I need in one shot. Not much for detail stores up here in interior Alaska. Thanks in advance.

[KnuckleBuckett]

I used AG for simplicity. Source is immaterial. Here goes....



Flex 3401 VRG

Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html)



Lake Country CCR Pads

Lake Country 5.5 Inch CCS Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice! (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-ccs-pack1.html)

4 each Orange

4 each White

2 each Red



Meg`s 105 DA Formula

Meguiars Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound, polishing compound, ultra cut compound, paint compound, car polish (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-105-compound-8oz.html)



3M Perfect-It 3000 Ultrafine Machine Polish

3M polish, 3M ultrafina, ultra fine polish, 3m car polish, rotary polisher, finishing polish, final polish (http://www.autogeek.net/3m-ultra-fine-polish.html)

or

Meg`s 205

Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish, final polish, car polish, M205, Meguires (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-205-polish-8oz.html)



Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay

Quantity - 2 Bars

Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest clay composition available today. Use auto Detailing clay to deep clean car paint, glass and chrome. (http://www.autogeek.net/ultra-poly-detailing-clay.html)



Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine

Use as cleaner and as a clay lube (you will a need spray bottle)

Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine: clay lubricant, optimum rinseless wash, no rinse car wash, optimum detailing products (http://www.autogeek.net/no-rinse-wash.html)



Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax

Finish Kare 1000P Hi-Temp Paste Wax, high melt polymer car wax, Finish care auto wax (http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-1000p-wax.html)

or

Ultima Paint Guard Plus

Ultima Paint Guard Plus 4oz., paint sealant, liquid wax, car wax, paint sealer (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus-4.html)



Finish Kare 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine

Finish Kare 425 Extra Slick Final Body Shine, finish care quick detailer, ultra slick detail spray (http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-425-detailer.html)



Microfiber Towels

Thick, Waffle, and short nap - get these at Wal-mart, Target, or Sam`s Club



Do you need help with cleaning/washing products also?



Folks feel free to correct anything you see missed and or incorrect!!

[2007TBSS]

You use the 3M as a fine polish after the 205?

[KnuckleBuckett]

No. I added an "or" in there. I tend to use 105 then move to the 3M. That said the 205 should substitute for the 3M.



I simply wanted to give him options. I did the same with the sealant choice.



This was IMO a nice clean quick list for a hobbyist to achieve a nice finish with his particular (soft) paint.



I detail an LS430 often.

[ESSO]

105 - LC Orange

205 - LC Black

[454Casull]

I used AG for simplicity. Source is immaterial. Here goes....



Flex 3401 VRG

Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html)



That machine is $300. You can get a rotary for that much.

[Accumulator]

That machine is $300. You can get a rotary for that much.



But what you can`t get so easily is the skill/ability to finish out OK (i.e., hologram-free) with that rotary. I haven`t touched either of my rotaries since I got my Flex and IMO the Flex is by far the better choice for most (maybe for *all) non-pros and for many professionals as well.



If the cost of the Flex is too high, I`d go with the Griot`s 6" Random Orbital instead.

[Lonnie]

If you go with the 3M Ultra-Fina, you will need a LC Blue pad or 3M`s Blue pad, but they will be 6.5" or 8" diameter.

I am not sure of what your wash mediums are, like grout sponges, sheepskiin mitts, or boar hair brush, but you might want to consider those, as well as a Grit-Guard (or two) for your (2) wash buckets.

Washing is THE most over-looked process in detailing and one that causes ALOT of "problems" for the detailing hobbiest/do-it-yourselfer because of improper techniques and wash mediums.



If you can afford it, I would suggest the Flex XC3401VGR as well. It`s much easier to master than a rotary and you can step up to a rotary later once you`ve used your Flex for a while.

Your list is a great start and it sounds like you`re doing this as a do-it-your-selfer.



Another suggestion: detail someone else`s car to get some experience.

You must have friends and neighbors that have daily driver cars (or SUVs and trucks, since you are in Alaska) that you can detail that DON`T need to be concourse-show perfect.

It`s also a nice way to get a little money on the side to recoup your investment.