Anal Retentive Detailer

**dave0mary** · 05-20-2009, 01:42 PM

Been readin` the board here for a few months - and because of my A.R., I`m looking for some help. I don`t mean to say I fold my wrapper twice from my Wendy`s saltines before I carefully deposit in the BLUE recycling bin;

but ...
How in the heck does one get a real handle on what works and what doesn`t? There are SO many grades of polishing compounds (with different grade pads) from SO many different manufacturers of each. "I would do this with this, but not that with this. But you can sometimes (if the paint isn`t TOO hard) do this WITH that ..."
It`s almost as if I would be better off not reading posts, and finding what works for me. The guy who can come up with a realistic grading scale; or somehow be able to quantify what each post is REALLY saying (given the application); he might make his 1st million.

**JaredPointer** · 05-20-2009, 01:59 PM

Honestly - there`s no substitute for experience. I`m just a hobbyist or weekend warrior or whatever you call it, but I have bought and tried a whole heck of a lot of stuff (lots of it on a whim). I`d say you`d be safe to do a lot of reading here and stick to the more popular products to begin with. That might save you some money and disappointment in the long run.

**njcarting1** · 05-20-2009, 02:35 PM

Like "JP" SAID,you gotta try different things and see what you like.I myself have stayed with one well reviewed product line and am happy

.I do not have show cars just great looking daily drivers thanks to PB`S!!!! (Call STEVE AT pb`s world and he will steer you in the right direction) And yes also thanks to all the great people here at this site.

After you get a handle on detailing in general and get comfortable with your PC,FLEX,COMPOUNDS,DRESSINGS, WAXES, SEALENTS,PADS,TOWELS,AND the like,THEN ask what other options might be available to do specific things.

I would also say it will cost some $$$$$

but you can control that end also.It depends how anal you wanna get!! "PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR A## IS " SO TO SPEEK...

You will get great tech support here, so just tell the board what you are trying to achieve and they will help.Some people like fords and some Chevy`s its the same here in most cases...

**flash gordon** · 05-20-2009, 04:25 PM

Get some Mequiars 105/205 and some3M ultra-fine and call it a day.

**Beercan31** · 05-20-2009, 06:54 PM

There are no easy answers to this question.
Why?
Because what works for me in NJ may not work for someone in Fla. or in Chicago or anywhere else.. there are so many different choices of products and pads out there because there are even more personalities using them. Each produce has its own distinct learning curve, each pad has a specific range it works best in.....mastering this is the challenge in its self, we all become comfortable with what we use I might suggest product A with pad B and 3 others will disagree. (user preference)
You also have to take in account Veh. manufacturing differences in there painting products and processes. (hard and soft finishes) remembering this is equal to mastering the above statement

Originally Posted by JaredPointer

Honestly - there`s no substitute for experience.

some of the truest words spoken

some of us like to work on beaters cars/trucks never taken care of so we can find what works for us in an extreme environment. refine what we do and master it while others go to a local salvage/ junk yards or body shop and get body panels to practice on. this sure beats a ruined paint job running up and down the road with your name on it.

what I can tell you for sure is when it all come together for you that day is going to be your greatest detailing day ever. and it is an awesome feeling.
enjoy, have fun, hope to hear from ya soon.

**tuscarora dave** · 05-20-2009, 06:58 PM

I don`t think anybody really gets excluded from spending lots of money to learn what works best for them, unfortunately that is just how most of us learn(by trying different stuff) I just used the posted information here as a basic guide.

**dr_detail** · 05-20-2009, 08:11 PM

I can tell you how got a handle on what works and what doesn`t...

22+ years of hard work!!

**dave0mary** · 05-20-2009, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by flash gordon

Get some Mequiars 105/205 and some3M ultra-fine and call it a day.

Actually - if I had to `lean`, that would be the direction I would lean. Except I really like Menzerna Final Polish II for the finish polishing. Not mentioned much here - but I like it. Hey! See? We are all right. What works best for you ....

**flash gordon** · 05-20-2009, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by dave0mary

Actually - if I had to `lean`, that would be the direction I would lean. Except I really like Menzerna Final Polish II for the finish polishing. Not mentioned much here - but I like it. Hey! See? We are all right. What works best for you ....

If I`ve said it once I`ve said it 5,672,619 times before:

Go with your Gut Instinct, Go with what makes sense to you.

Don`t underestimate yourself. Really this isn`t Rocket Science wer`e dealin with

Good Luck....Keep me Posted how it all works out

Oh Yea if you have any

How We can Make that Million.....I`ll split it with you

I`m not a Greedy Man

**Troy@Protekt** · 05-20-2009, 10:43 PM

I agree with what BeerCan said. What works for one might not work for another. Then you have peoples opinions thrown into the mix. Actually I agree with what everyone has said.

Manufactures ratings/scales on how much cut their polishes have are helpful but still subjective. One persons buffing style will get totaly different results using the same product as another. And that`s not saying that either one buffs wrong, just different. Then you have other factors like have been mentioned; weather, varying paint hardness, performance of the pad or tool used with it...

That`s why pro tennis players aren`t all playing with the same racquet. I gaurantee you they tried many different racquets before they settled on the one they use. Now is Agassi`s racquet better than Nadal`s? Or are they both equally good just designed for different tastes and styles.

**black bart** · 05-21-2009, 06:22 AM

My take on it is a newbie is looking for a magic bullet and it don`t exist.

I find that all of the top brands produce nearly the same results it is the procedure not the product that makes the difference.

Like everyone else on this board I have been guilty of buying what ever was the flavor of the month and like all the rest after spending hundreds on different products you will come up with your favorite.