J.robinson389
New member
As this is my first post here, I'm always afraid of asking the question that has already been asked atleast 100x, but that is the risk I'll take I guess, seems like a great group of guys/gals here!
My Vehicle: 1997 Chevy 1500
Original Paint on the truck except for passenger door and bedside
I am a major DIY type of guy and while I don't have the guts to buy a rotary polisher, I have decided to get the Griot's Garage Random Orbit model, (Autotopia helped me choose it over the Porter Cable, hope I made a wise choice?)
On to my real question: What products to go with the polisher?
I am open to any product or retailer, but I do have a modest budget. I am hoping to get what I need for Around $100 on top of the polisher itself. On my own I keep going back to Chemical guys, as they seem to have good prices, but I have no other reason to buy from them if you recommend a better bang for your buck retailer. I was looking at the 5.5" Hex-Logic pads, but don't know if that's what I need, if if they are good pads, which colors I should get. Then on to the polish itself, do I get a 1-step, 2-step, 3-step, etc. . .? Any recommendation would be helpful. Now the process: I was thinking 1. VERY thorough wash & dry 2. Clay bar (recommendations here too please, will any detail spray work for the lubricant or is it special lubricant) 3. Machine polish steps as recommended from you guys hopefully 4. finally a hand wax Is this a good process? Or am I making some major rookie mistakes here? I will attach some pictures of my truck to help out.
Again, I hope I am not making anyone mad by asking questions that a search on this forum could have answered but I am always nervous about reading advice pertaining to a specific application and it be the wrong thing for my case. Feel free to reply with a links to my questions as it might save you some typing. I will try to asnwer any follow up questions asap.
The pictures below are of the typical marring marks on the vehicle and of the one sever spot right on the center crease of my hood (which I assume adds some difficulty to its removal. On the pic of the severe mark, I am not looking to remove the two nicks, but just the marks, which are just slightly felt by my fingernail.
Thanks in advance for all the help! Forums are one of the reasons that makes the internet such a valuable resource!
My Vehicle: 1997 Chevy 1500
Original Paint on the truck except for passenger door and bedside
I am a major DIY type of guy and while I don't have the guts to buy a rotary polisher, I have decided to get the Griot's Garage Random Orbit model, (Autotopia helped me choose it over the Porter Cable, hope I made a wise choice?)
On to my real question: What products to go with the polisher?
I am open to any product or retailer, but I do have a modest budget. I am hoping to get what I need for Around $100 on top of the polisher itself. On my own I keep going back to Chemical guys, as they seem to have good prices, but I have no other reason to buy from them if you recommend a better bang for your buck retailer. I was looking at the 5.5" Hex-Logic pads, but don't know if that's what I need, if if they are good pads, which colors I should get. Then on to the polish itself, do I get a 1-step, 2-step, 3-step, etc. . .? Any recommendation would be helpful. Now the process: I was thinking 1. VERY thorough wash & dry 2. Clay bar (recommendations here too please, will any detail spray work for the lubricant or is it special lubricant) 3. Machine polish steps as recommended from you guys hopefully 4. finally a hand wax Is this a good process? Or am I making some major rookie mistakes here? I will attach some pictures of my truck to help out.
Again, I hope I am not making anyone mad by asking questions that a search on this forum could have answered but I am always nervous about reading advice pertaining to a specific application and it be the wrong thing for my case. Feel free to reply with a links to my questions as it might save you some typing. I will try to asnwer any follow up questions asap.
The pictures below are of the typical marring marks on the vehicle and of the one sever spot right on the center crease of my hood (which I assume adds some difficulty to its removal. On the pic of the severe mark, I am not looking to remove the two nicks, but just the marks, which are just slightly felt by my fingernail.
Thanks in advance for all the help! Forums are one of the reasons that makes the internet such a valuable resource!
