Few start up polishing questions from a noob

[99v6stang]

Well i have a red 99 mustang that has numerous swirl marks along with multiple rock chips and scratches (one or two down to bare metal). I dont have the money to get it painted so i figured i would just live with a scratched up car but after reading a little around these forums i realized that there may still be hope. Im just wondering what all i need to buy to make my car look like new again. What do i need as far as pads, polisher, waxes.... I know very little about polishing but am very interested and would like to give it a shot.

 

[99v6stang]

? Can anyone help me?

 

[BillM]

Best thing to do is use the search feature, this has been covered hundreds of times or even easier just call one of the forum supporting vendors and they will walk you through the process.



Try Phil, he'll treat you right.



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[docrice]

If you really care about your car, you should do a little studying first:



How-To:



Paintcare & Detailing - Enthusiasts guide to detailing

AutoDetail.org / How-To's

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Detail University - Automotive Detailing Community

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Guide to Detailing - Autopia.org

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Car Care Advice - How to safely and effectively detail your car to perfection

Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detail Supplies - Instructional Videos



Stores:



We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store

http://danase.com/

Detailers Domain

Detail City - Auto Detailing Supplies & Car Care Products

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Car Waxes, Car Polishes, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers, Car Care Supplies, Car Covers, Car Accessories from Classic Motoring Accessories

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BETTERCARCARE.COM

Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789

Detailers Paradise: Premium Car Care Products, Auto Detailing

Zaino Store

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http://www.obsessivedetail.com/

Auto Detailing and Car Cleaning Products, Tools, and Tutorials - Detailed Image

ShowCarDetailing.com Shopping Cart

DetailYourCar.Com Discount Auto Detailing Supplies



Polish Charts:



Compound Polish Glaze Comparison Chart

Polish Chart

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/menzernachartpopup.jpg

 

[99v6stang]

Please dont assume that i have not looked into this at all, becuase i have read numerous threads from this site, and nearly all of the links you have posted. I am just still very confused. I am a frequent online forum user, as i am an avid member of www.moddedmustangs.com, 3.8mustang.com - The most popular v6 mustang resource on the web, and V6Power.net, as well as a few firebird and camaro sites i ocassionally visit. Up untill recently i have been 100% orriented toward power and performance over appearance, so now when trying to understand polishing im finding myself lost and confused. I would really appreciate the help and before you just blow me off and post more links i want you to know the following...

-I am serious about going through with this and have the money (roughly $500) for this project.

-I attend college 2 1/2 days a week and my job is VERY part time, so i have the time.

-Im still building the engine (supercharged 3.8), so the car isnt going anywhere too soon.



The car is currently in getting some custom fabrication done to accept a new tubular kmember otherwise i would post pictures of what i am trying to remedy. So, instead i will try to describe it....

1. The roof of the car is a completely different color of red. It was like that when i bought it so im not really sure what happened, but it looks like a much duller, darker red than the rest of the car, but it is srange because the door pillars that touch up next to it, are not dull or faded at all, just the roof itself.



2. The previous owner tried to give the car a buff job using some wax, and a 2-3" pad powered by an electric drill. That of course did not go well and now there are scratches or wear marks through the paint all over the car. There are of course scratches on the car, but there are also what looks more as if the paint was just worn off by the buffing. (here is an example of the closest thing i can find, to the right of the guy's hand)http://www.clean-image.co.uk/assets/stonechip-touch-in-bmw.jpg



3. The car has some everyday wear and tear rock chips (front bumper, hood, side skirts, side scoops, rearbumper, door dings)



I feel like im at least somewhat comfortable with the proceedures, but im stil at a loss as far as what i need for products. Here is what i have been able to come up with, but could really use the help of an experienced polisher to know exactly what i need.



Machine

Porter Cable 7424 (seems to be the golden standard of polishers and looks like a good tool for an inexperienced polisher such as myself, i am however wondering if it is powerful enough for my situation.)



Pads

 

[PerroneFord]

I think most here would highly recommend you take your car to a professional. However, I am guessing you are going to insist on doing it yourself, despite the large number of issues you are facing, and the potential for doing damage.



If you choose to try this yourself, I'd say just go ahead with Megs 105/205 combo. With the Porter Cable, that's powerful enough to run through the paint down to the metal.. You'll either fix your issues or burn through your paint. So be careful.



For pad suggestions, Lake Country 4" Start with orange for the compound (105) then white for the 205.



Again, I would recommend you take this challenging job to a pro, but if you do it yourself best of luck.

 

[Accumulator]

..1. The roof of the car is a completely different color of red. It was like that when i bought it so im not really sure what happened, but it looks like a much duller, darker red than the rest of the car, but it is srange because the door pillars that touch up next to it, are not dull or faded at all, just the roof itself...

I'd get the roof repainted so it actually matches the rest of the car. It sounds like it was improperly repainted at some point in the past.

2. The previous owner tried to give the car a buff job using some wax, and a 2-3" pad powered by an electric drill. That of course did not go well and now there are scratches or wear marks through the paint all over the car. There are of course scratches on the car, but there are also what looks more as if the paint was just worn off by the buffing...

Get those areas spotted-in while the roof is getting reshot. This shouldn't cost much money. Seriously, if you're having the k-member fab'ed you're not cutting corners, so spend a little $ getting the worst of the cosmetic issues professionally sorted out.

3. The car has some everyday wear and tear rock chips (front bumper, hood, side skirts, side scoops, rearbumper, door dings)[/B]

I'd just live with that stuff or maybe do some DIY touchups. This car sounds like a whole-lotta-fun-driver so I'd accept some wear-and-tear type imperfections.

I feel like im at least somewhat comfortable with the proceedures, but im stil at a loss as far as what i need for products...Porter Cable 7424 ..

To do significant correction via PC (and yeah...it's all significant when you're doing the first big reconditioning style detail) you need 4" pads. The short-answer recommendation would be orange (light cut) 4" pads with M105 then white (polishing) pads with either M205 or M80. Those Meguiar's polishes work well and are user-friendly. Some people would use a finishing pad for the final buffing, but I dunno if you'll consider that necessary.



But seriously...while you're having the major work done, get some paintwork by a good pro. It's not like it'll cost much and it'll get things started on the right foot. Get that done and then see what needs what after you get it back from the painter. Some paint/body shops do *great* polishing but most do *terrible* polishing...so I'd wait until after you've at least spoken/scheduled/done business with them before you get into the detailing aspects of this project.



Hey, that's the way *I* do *my* projects and I've been at this since the '70s.



Oh, and Welcome to Autopia!