Newb with some questions

[ColdFusion]

Hello, I`ve been a member on here for awhile now, but never really posted. I`m about to buy a porter cable 7424 and i was wondering what products i should buy along side it. My main purpose for getting a pc is to remove or make the swirls and light scratches on my car less visible. Currently, ive just been using NXT wax to hide whatever swirls i have, but in fluorescent light, its a big mess....mainly in the rear on the cars and the hood. What products should i buy to accomplish a nice swirl free finish? I have a dark blue g35 coupe as well as a black acura CL-S. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as i would really want to learn to tackle car detailing myself. Thanks

[imported_Denzil]

If you are going to go with the PC you should get pads from exceldetail.com. On my first purchase of pads, I bought the Excel plate/pad kit along with 2 green, 1 orange, and 1 yellow pad.



The Poorboy`s product line is pretty good and if you decide to purchase them along with your pads from Excel, be sure to get SSR 2.5 and SSR 1. Of course, you can always go with the Optimum swirlmark remover which is VERY versatile. This polish is as aggressive as the pad you use. This would be the cheaper alternative for you but not quite sure it will compare to the sun-friendlyness of the Poorboy`s line.



Anyway, good luck with your purchase!:up

[White95Max]

Yeah what he said.



I`d also recommend the Propel pads, and the Poorboy`s SSR line of polishes.



If you don`t have good products for washing/drying the vehicle, get some, so that you don`t introduce more swirls into the paint. Same goes for quality microfiber towels to remove polishes/waxes/etc.

[imported_Denzil]

Yeah what he said... too. :p

[ColdFusion]

Thanks for the replies. I would say i have the proper washing materials....microfiber towels, 100% cotton terry towels, buckets, etc. I think most of the swirls came from the dealership washes. I tell them not to wash my car but they still do...next time i should write a big note in my car.



Would this propel kit suffice?

http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=29307&pd=130287



And are these the two products that i need?

http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=44434&pd=170631



http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=44434&pd=170699

[ColdFusion]

Also, what pads am i supposed to use for which products? And what should my procedure be when i start this?... Like an order of what to start with and end with including wash, etc. I`m kinda scared to use a pc...what a good speed to set it at to start?

[White95Max]

Originally posted by ColdFusion

Thanks for the replies. I would say i have the proper washing materials....microfiber towels, 100% cotton terry towels, buckets, etc. I think most of the swirls came from the dealership washes. I tell them not to wash my car but they still do...next time i should write a big note in my car.



Would this propel kit suffice?

http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=29307&pd=130287



And are these the two products that i need?

http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=44434&pd=170631



http://www.prestostore.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?ref=exceldetail&ct=44434&pd=170699



Why are you going to the dealership? Oil changes and other maintenance? I prefer to go to independent mechanics for anything that I can`t do myself. They don`t have a wash bay or anything so they can`t swirl my paint. Plus all the techs know how I am about my car so they are really careful around it. :)



That Propel kit would work, but you may want to order an extra green and/or blue pad. Those are probably the two you`ll use most.



Yes SSR2.5 and SSR1 are the two that most people use for polishing. I use SSR2.5 and SSR2, but it`s up to you. I have other polishes that are similar to SSR1, so I didn`t feel a need to get any SSR1.

[White95Max]

Originally posted by ColdFusion

Also, what pads am i supposed to use for which products? And what should my procedure be when i start this?... Like an order of what to start with and end with including wash, etc. I`m kinda scared to use a pc...what a good speed to set it at to start?



Orange - heavy cutting pad, use with heavy polishes like SSR3.

Yellow - medium cutting pad, use with moderate polishes like SSR2.5, Meg`s #83 DACP, etc...

Green - light-cut pad, use with light to moderate polishes like SSR2.5, SSR2, DACP, #80...

Blue - polishing pad, use with cleaner waxes, paint cleaners, light polishes...

Gray - finishing pad, use for LSP application.



Your process should be something like this, assuming your swirls require the use of SSR2.5:



Wash

Clay

SSR2.5/green (if that doesn`t "cut" it, use a yellow pad)

SSR1/blue

Wax/sealant (by hand or with a gray pad. You could use a blue pad if you`re applying a cleaner wax)



Don`t be too worried about using the PC. It`s a very safe machine. I do all my polishing on speed 5-6. When I use blue or gray pads, I use speed 3-4.



Denzil...anything to add? :cool:

[ColdFusion]

Sounds good. Again, thanks alot for all your guys` help. I`ll let you know how it goes

[imported_Denzil]

Maxie has pretty much summed it up. I just hope you have read through the Autopia Guide to Detailing (http://autopia-carcare.com/lib/autopia/AUTOPIA.EXE). Just be sure you read it in its entirety. It`s really helpful and should get you off on the right foot while complementing the information we have given you here.

[ColdFusion]

Ill probably read that tomorrow. I`m excited. :bounce I ordered the stuff and it should be here in a few days. :D