My sincere, long intro post.

Luke_91GTS

New member
Sup guys and gals, I know a lot of new folks join and disappear(as I read in the directions since I was following instructions!), or join and blend in but hopefully in the next few weeks once I start getting setup i'll let my pictures do the talking.



I am 21 years old, drive a 91 gt-s and I love it, love cars, love doing the basic work and anything else I can get hands on with and try to learn. In the last 2 years I have got into and out of detailing(on a minor level). I have cleaned, clay barred, waxed and learned to make wheels shine and tires wet. Obviously this is the basics but it's part of setting my foundation. Recently I got the bug to really get into this as more than just a hobby. I am picking up the PC 7424 and some materials do jump start into this and fix up my babies paint to begin my portfolio. The paint is not terrible but for being 20 years old it does have a lot of oxidation and swirl marks, I want to make her look wet in direct sunlight!



I come here humbly not to try and prove i'm something I am not, but to become what I want(Dr. Seuss rhyme not intended). My motivation for detailing is in my passion for cars, and my commitment to hard work to make another person confident in my abilities. I would definitely love to turn this into a full time and even get some work going by the summer time. If anyone is interested i'll take some pictures of my car tomorrow before I begin picking up my materials and starting full time.



And even know my background should go first here I am remembering to tell a bit about myself.. I am currently a struggling young man figuring out his direction in life. I recently lost my job in a probationary period due to a bad flu that my work wouldn't give me any lenience with. I am considering going back to school on some financial aid in the summer to pair with my detailing lifestyle. I play video games, sports, drink beer and bbq with my buddies and generally try to have a good time like everyone should. I look forward to posting around on the forums and tracking my progress. Thanks for reading my novel folks.
 
Luke_91GTS- Welcome to Autopia!



Sorry to hear you lost your job, glad to hear you plan to go back to school.



You might do some research before buying the PC, there are a few other units that might be better choices.
 
I don't want to be the no research guy, but I have been looking around at reviews and saw a lot for the Meguiars G110, Griots, and the PC. All the reviews were in favor of the PC. If you have other ideas want to talk about that with me or point me in the direction of some other choices. I definitely want to get started with the right machine I just thought it was going to be the PC, my heart isn't set on it. Thanks
 
Hey Luke,



Welcome to the forums. If you are completely new and tight on cash, I would recommend doing a Google search for Free detailing seminars in your area. Yes, they will recommend you to use the products of whomever is doing the seminar, but the info they mix in can be very valuable.



:welcome
 
I am completely new to machine buffing, but not to reading about the concepts/techniques. And I have buffed/waxed areas of my car by hand for practice. I am looking to put together a startup kit but I would like to keep it around $200 if possible. I just don't know what machine would be best and paired with what other equipment. Any chance you could help me piece together a startup kit? I have searched around but with how much information and how many different products it gets a little overwhelming to find the necessary tools. Thank you
 
Luke_91GTS- Short answer (check the Machine Polishing forum for more info) is that the older PCs like the 7424 (of which I have two) are seriously underpowered compared to the newer polishers like the PC XP model and especially the Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital. A while back, Mike Phillips compared a number of these seemingly-similar polishers and found that the Griot's was much more powerful. Many people who've used them all side-by-side prefer the Griot's.
 
I would hunt ebay for a used griots 6" DA. That's what I did when I was forced with your same decision as a newbie. There's a lifetime warranty on them so even if it breaks your can prob send it back for repair. From what I've read the griots is much stronger than the PC XP which is what you want. Unfortunately I don't believe you'll be able to stay under your $200 budget for a starter kit. At the very least you're going to need a DA, pads, polish, microfiber, and LSP.



The path that I went and am very pleased with is:

Used griots 6" DA

3.75" backing plate (If I could do it again prob would go with 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads)

4" Cyan and Tangerine Lake country Hydrotech pads (at least 3 each)

M105

M205

Various chemical guys Microfiber towel packages

Blackfire wet diamond

Microfiber wash mits

Two buckets + grit guards
 
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