Time for me to get a buffer

[HokieZHP]

Ok guys so I feel it's time for me to get a DA buffer. I detail my car every couple weeks by hand and I'd say it's time for me to go to the next level. I am looking at either the PC 7424 here... https://detailersdomain.com/Porter-Cable-7424XP-Orbital-Polisher-Plus-Bundle_p_58.html or the Griot's Garage buffer here... https://detailersdomain.com/Griots-Garage-6-inch-Random-Orbital-Polisher-Base-Kit_p_683.html

I know each comes with pads and such and the PC is a tad more expensive but which do you all think would be easier to learn on and keep long term. The PC has a 5-year warranty which I like, compared to the Griot's Garage 1-year.

I am also looking for suggestions for which kinds of polishes (cutting,finishing, etc) and other products I would need to purchase for this?

Thanks!

[Newjack]

I got my detailing stuff a while back so I got some of my stuff on sale. Since you have a black car just like mine, I'm sure the stuff I have would work just fine on your car.

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3750/picture3et.png


M0nk3y helped me pick all this stuff out. He's the guy you want to take advice from.

[HokieZHP]

Thanks for the reply! Am I going to use all the pads in the starter kit or would I be better off buying the buffer and then just the pads I need?

How many uses does one pad normally last for and which pads would you say I need to get?

[JohnnyGraphic]

I would say get at least 2 of each of the polishing pads-medium cut(2) and fine cut(2). You may want to invest in a smaller disc and pad set too for the smaller areas.

Most of the higher quality polishes, wax/glazes etc will be just fine for your car. The biggest thing is the prep work. Once that is done, then the final product will be outstanding!

Get plenty of microfiber towels. Maybe 4 for drying, 2 or 3 for the door jambs and a 4 for each stage of removing polishes etc. You don't ever want to re-use a towel or pad if it has dropped on the ground.

One thing-Clay bar. This is probably one of the biggest factors in starting your prep work. This is especially if your car sits outside a lot.

Johnny

[HokieZHP]

Thanks! I do clay every time I detail so I have that already. Sounds like I'll need more towels and then as for polishes and pads. I see there's compound, medium polish, polish, final polish etc as far as pads go. Will I need a compound pad and such? What's the difference between medium polishes and regular polishes?

[JohnnyGraphic]

From heaviest 'sanding' to lightest, it's: Compounding, Medium Polish, Polish, Final Polish (usually). You'll have to navigate what each brand calls their polishes. Depending on how bad your car is, I would stick with a Polish and Final Polish. Only get a Medium Polish for those really heavily oxidized areas. And, go easy on that.

Get a specific pad to go with a specific purpose. Pads have their own cut characteristic.

I have a PC and like it a lot. I think the pad choice and technique will be more important vs. which DA (PC vs. Griots). Again, with high quality tools and polishes etc, you'll have great results. Especially if your car is a daily driver, the more expensive waxes/glazes may be a waste. Another thing to consider is how much time and energy you want to dedicate to this. Once you start down this path, it can take A LOT of time and energy not to mention money. I've done it so often...These days, age and a very bad back is keeping me from working on my car. I have to keep it to required maintenance etc. I take it to a local hand car wash every few weeks or so.

Check out this site: http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html Has a lot of good info. Take your time and research. Don't pull the trigger too quickly.

Johnny

[M0nk3y]

Thanks for the reply! Am I going to use all the pads in the starter kit or would I be better off buying the buffer and then just the pads I need?

How many uses does one pad normally last for and which pads would you say I need to get?

You don't need all of those pads. For the final application (like sealant/wax) I do by hand. I do have a ton of pads, but that's not something you need as a beginner.

I do like the Hydropads for polishing. They do a really good job of finishing down with limited steps. They are designed for water based-polishes...like Meguiars 105/205.


Thanks! I do clay every time I detail so I have that already. Sounds like I'll need more towels and then as for polishes and pads. I see there's compound, medium polish, polish, final polish etc as far as pads go. Will I need a compound pad and such? What's the difference between medium polishes and regular polishes?

With most polishes, the more aggressive you get the less depth, gloss...etc you will achieve. That's why it's always best to follow a hard polish with something lighter to cut down on marring and restore depth.

This is what M105/M205 can do:

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/2710/dsc0030uh.jpg

to this:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/411/dsc0083ms.jpg

[nike001]

^Now if only I could do that... :(

[HokieZHP]

Monkey, can you elaborate on hard vs. soft polishes?

[M0nk3y]

^Now if only I could do that... :(

You can, just takes time.


Monkey, can you elaborate on hard vs. soft polishes?

To put it an easier way. Aggressive and Finishing.

Aggressive polishes, or hard, work at getting the main swirls out. They don't focus on restoring clarity, or anything besides removing swirls. That's why if you get a bad detailer, sometimes they only do this step. It looks fine in the shade, but it gets nasty in the sun.

Finishing polishes smooth out the marring and minor scratches that happen when you do aggressive polishing. This type of polish focuses mainly on restoring clarity, improving gloss and depth.

These are on very simple terms. There are tons of polishes that fit outside this category. I have 7 different polishes...all do the job differently. Once again though, if you're just doing your car..there is no reason for this.

[Nomar06]

I bought a "kit" from autogeek a couple years back that included.....

Porter Cable 7424XP Polisher
5 Inch Backing Plate
2 Cobra Microfiber Detailing Cloths (16 x 16 inches)
5 Lake Country CCS Pads of Your Choice

Also added Meguairs 105 and 205 with one of the Manzerna polishes....lots and lots of MF towels. I ended up getting 5 different pads but I mainly use the orange and green pads, never really used the other pads(white, red, black). Waxes and finishing products I do by hand.

[DetailersDomain]

lmk if you need any assistance, I'm here for you.

[zj96sc]

fyi....

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?6394-Pre-Order-Griots-6-inch-Random-Orbital-Polisher-Base-Kit

Griot's polisher and 6 pads for $129

[HokieZHP]

Thanks for the link. I saw that and am trying to decide at least between which buffer to get, that one or the PC by the date the pre-order ends haha

I figure I can worry about polishes and pads and such after but for now I just want to figure out which buffer to get so I can potentially take advantage of that sale price.

[zj96sc]

From the reading I've been doing it sounds like both are respected, with the griot vibrating your hand a little less. Unless I find some other major separating factor, I will let price be my decision point - and that deal is a good one.

[HokieZHP]

Yes I'm leaning towards the Griot's Garage buffer too since I like the over head handle and it's a hell of a deal!

Assuming I purchased the Griot's Garage buffer with 5 pads, (I'm thinking 1 med cut, 2 polishing and 1 finishing??, AKA 1 yellow, 1 orange, 2 green, 1 blue) set me up with a set of polishes and such to start with. Monkey can you maybe step in please?

My paint is pretty good as is now. I am looking to finish out the buffer swirls from the PO, get rid of all swirls,spiderwebs etc. Are the Meguiars 105/205 the best bet? Which polishes should I use to achieve the results I want. BTW my car is Jet Black.


Sorry for the questions. I just don't want to end up buying hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of polishes and such before I find the one that suits my needs.

[DetailersDomain]

do you have an pictures of the paint in the direct sunlight, I would like to see the defects on the paint.
you may not need m105 if you're telling us that your paint is in good shape.

[HokieZHP]

The car is filthy currently haha. A friend of mine recently ran it though a "rag" carwash which put me through the roof since now there are swirls all over the car again after I spent so long getting them out by hand! I can try to get some current pics of the car in direct sunlight tomorrow since it should be sunny. These are what the paint is like after I detail the car by hand at my house. (I'm at school currently)

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/DSC_0710.jpg
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/DSC_0711.jpg
http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/DSC_0714.jpg

[DetailersDomain]

I look forward to some shots in the sunlight.

[M0nk3y]

Yes I'm leaning towards the Griot's Garage buffer too since I like the over head handle and it's a hell of a deal!

Assuming I purchased the Griot's Garage buffer with 5 pads, (I'm thinking 1 med cut, 2 polishing and 1 finishing??, AKA 1 yellow, 1 orange, 2 green, 1 blue) set me up with a set of polishes and such to start with. Monkey can you maybe step in please?

My paint is pretty good as is now. I am looking to finish out the buffer swirls from the PO, get rid of all swirls,spiderwebs etc. Are the Meguiars 105/205 the best bet? Which polishes should I use to achieve the results I want. BTW my car is Jet Black.


Sorry for the questions. I just don't want to end up buying hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of polishes and such before I find the one that suits my needs.

Questions are fine. That's how people learn.

If you're only going to get 2 polishes, there isn't a need to get more polishing pads than 2...especially if you're only working on your car. What are the purpose of other pads if you only are using 2 steps?

Meguiars M105/205 is the combo to beat IMO. I have half of the Menzerna line on my shelf and I rarely use it (besides PO85RD). Meguiars is much easier to work with, finishes down nicer, and doesn't dust as much.

I'd say, (if you're talking LLC Pads color) go at least 3 Orange (for M105) and 3 White (for M205). You need a couple pads of each for each step, because polish clogs up in the pad and need to be washed. Unless you feel like waiting a couple days to wash the pad, and let it dry...I'd suggest grabbing a couple more. Personally I use between 6-8 pads PER step. But I'm OCD and I like having fresh pads for each panel.

You'll be happy with what M105/205 can do.

[DetailersDomain]

Questions are fine. That's how people learn.

If you're only going to get 2 polishes, there isn't a need to get more polishing pads than 2...especially if you're only working on your car. What are the purpose of other pads if you only are using 2 steps?

Meguiars M105/205 is the combo to beat IMO. I have half of the Menzerna line on my shelf and I rarely use it (besides PO85RD). Meguiars is much easier to work with, finishes down nicer, and doesn't dust as much.

I'd say, (if you're talking LLC Pads color) go at least 3 Orange (for M105) and 3 White (for M205). You need a couple pads of each for each step, because polish clogs up in the pad and need to be washed. Unless you feel like waiting a couple days to wash the pad, and let it dry...I'd suggest grabbing a couple more. Personally I use between 6-8 pads PER step. But I'm OCD and I like having fresh pads for each panel.

You'll be happy with what M105/205 can do.

if you do decide to pick up our kit and you do go with only 2 pads I would say uber yellow and uber green.

pick up an uber black for the wax or sealant (provided that you want to use the machine for your last step)

if you look at the link you will be able to pick out the pads you want.

[M0nk3y]

if you do decide to pick up our kit and you do go with only 2 pads I would say uber yellow and uber green.

pick up an uber black for the wax or sealant (provided that you want to use the machine for your last step)

if you look at the link you will be able to pick out the pads you want.

That's perfect.

I personally love applying LSPs by hand, but that's just me. Everyone is different.

[HokieZHP]

Alright I think I'm going to go ahead and order the Griot's buffer now and then get the polishes and extra pads figured out in a few weeks. I most likely won't be doing any machine work on my car until I get home for summer in mid-May.

I am going to get one cutting pad (yellow), 2 polishing pads (green), 1 finishing pad (blue) and 1 wax pad (black)

[HokieZHP]

So I just placed my order for the Griot's buffer!

Phil, I didn't get a chance to get pics today but I will be home Thursday and will use my brother's nice camera to get some shots for you so we can decide which kinds of polishes and such I should buy.

Thanks for the help so far guys!

[HokieZHP]

here are some pics of the paint. They're the best I could get for now since it was dark when I finished washing my car when I got home today. These are just from a wash, no wax or anything else. These are also after my friend ran it through a cloth wash...so the swirls and such are bad.

I'm looking for polishes that will take the swirls out as well as the scratches and scuffs that are in some pics.

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/IMG_3168.jpg

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/IMG_3165.jpg

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/IMG_3163.jpg

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/IMG_3161.jpg

http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/qq109/maxx919/2003%20ZHP/IMG_3160.jpg

[DetailersDomain]

chris,

what machine do you have and what pads?

I would say m105 ---> Uber Yellow Pad (https://detailersdomain.com/Meguiars-M105-Ultra-Cut-Compound_p_304.html) and menzerna SF4000 (https://detailersdomain.com/Menzerna-SF-4000-aka-Super-Finish-PO106FA_p_134.html). ---> Uber Green Pad

but you may want to consider the D300 (https://detailersdomain.com/Meguiars-DA-Microfiber-Compound-D300_p_552.html)and MF Cutting Pad prior to the SF4000.

[HokieZHP]

I think I ended up getting one of each pad that came with the Griot's buffer you guys just had on sale. So I have 1 yellow and 1 green pad I think. I will be ordering more later.

Why do you say Menerza SF4000 over m205?

[DetailersDomain]

I l like how it finishes down better on BMW's.

[HokieZHP]

Oh alright, I was just curious. Thanks for the help. I'll probably order those here in a few weeks and begin polishing and such in May!

[DetailersDomain]

take a look

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/pro-studio/32533-detailers-domain-bmw-m3-competition-package.htm

[danewilson77]

take a look

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/pro-studio/32533-detailers-domain-bmw-m3-competition-package.htm

Dayum.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[HokieZHP]

Wow! I'm sold haha

[HokieZHP]

With the Detailed Image (http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php?id=13407&url=detailedimage.com) Promotion going on, I got the M105 cutting compound and the Menzerna SF4000 polish along with some Blackfire sealant and a new detail brush!

[Johal E32]

hey guy's sorry to thread jack..

I just ordered a buffing kit and wanted to get your opinion on it.

Porter cable 7424xp

Wash
Clay
Meg's M105-orange pad
Menzerna s4000-gray pad
Wax- by hand
Wolfgang's 3.0 Sealant- by hand

Anything I'm missing? And, is that the correct order for me to detail?

-This for a 12 year old BMW with black paint and pretty bad swirls (only noticeable in light..)

Thanks in advance!

[M0nk3y]

hey guy's sorry to thread jack..

I just ordered a buffing kit and wanted to get your opinion on it.

Porter cable 7424xp

Wash
Clay
Meg's M105-orange pad
Menzerna s4000-gray pad
Wax- by hand
Wolfgang's 3.0 Sealant- by hand

Anything I'm missing? And, is that the correct order for me to detail?

-This for a 12 year old BMW with black paint and pretty bad swirls (only noticeable in light..)

Thanks in advance!

You might have trouble creating heat with a gray pad. You can try, but a white pad would be better suited there.

You would want to do the sealant by hand, then wax. Sealant needs to bond with the paint in order to get the protection it claims

[danewilson77]

In addition to what the M0nkst3r said above......wash again after claying I believe.

[Johal E32]

You might have trouble creating heat with a gray pad. You can try, but a white pad would be better suited there.

You would want to do the sealant by hand, then wax. Sealant needs to bond with the paint in order to get the protection it claims

Okay so sealant then wax, that makes sense as I was unclear on that order of operations before.

As for the gray pad, the only reason I chose that is because it's a Lake County pad and that was at autogeek recommends.. http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-super-nano-polish.html

You obviously have a LOT more experience than I do, so do you think I should change my order or will the gray Lake County do it's job?

Thanks in advance!

In addition to what the M0nkst3r said above......wash again after claying I believe.

I've heard this before, I'll probably do it anyway to wash off the residue from the clay lubricant.

[M0nk3y]

Okay so sealant then wax, that makes sense as I was unclear on that order of operations before.

As for the gray pad, the only reason I chose that is because it's a Lake County pad and that was at autogeek recommends.. http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-super-nano-polish.html

You obviously have a LOT more experience than I do, so do you think I should change my order or will the gray Lake County do it's job?

Thanks in advance!


I've heard this before, I'll probably do it anyway to wash off the residue from the clay lubricant.

IMO, if you still have time I'd go with white...especially with a PC.

A rotary I use a black pad all day...but it's because there is barely any cut to the pad. You will be able to do correction with the black if it's too late...but it'll take you some time to break the polish down.

[Johal E32]

IMO, if you still have time I'd go with white...especially with a PC.

A rotary I use a black pad all day...but it's because there is barely any cut to the pad. You will be able to do correction with the black if it's too late...but it'll take you some time to break the polish down.

I got a tracking # from autogeek earlier today..

So, it looks I will use the gray pads; and you mentioned that it will take some time to break the polish down. Meaning, I will have to do more passes than I would have with a white pad?

[M0nk3y]

I got a tracking # from autogeek earlier today..

So, it looks I will use the gray pads; and you mentioned that it will take some time to break the polish down. Meaning, I will have to do more passes than I would have with a white pad?

Yep...that's all. No biggie.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

[Johal E32]

Yep...that's all. No biggie.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

Okay, thank you very much for your help!

[HokieZHP]

Is the middle polishing step really necessary? I'm in the process of gathering all the final items I'll need for my paint correction. I already have Meguiar's M105 and Menzerna SF4000. I remember Phil at Detailers Domain suggested I get some D300 and a microfiber pad to use before the SF4000 but is it really necessary?


Also, so far I have:
-Meguiar's M105
-Menzerna SF4000
-Griot's Garage buffer
-3 LLC orange pads
-3LLC White pads
-LLC pad cleaner
-CG citrus wash to strip previous layers of protection
-around 12-15 microfibers

Am I missing anything?

[DetailersDomain]

Is the middle polishing step really necessary? I'm in the process of gathering all the final items I'll need for my paint correction. I already have Meguiar's M105 and Menzerna SF4000. I remember Phil at Detailers Domain suggested I get some D300 and a microfiber pad to use before the SF4000 but is it really necessary?


Also, so far I have:
-Meguiar's M105
-Menzerna SF4000
-Griot's Garage buffer
-3 LLC orange pads
-3LLC White pads
-LLC pad cleaner
-CG citrus wash to strip previous layers of protection
-around 12-15 microfibers

Am I missing anything?

depending on how the paint is you don't need D300 or you may not need M105.

FYI we do have the Griots in stock and ready to go.

Griots Orbital Polisher Base Kit (https://detailersdomain.com/Griots-Garage-6-inch-Random-Orbital-Polisher-Base-Kit_p_683.html)

Free shipping till Midnight tonight (PST)

[HokieZHP]

depending on how the paint is you don't need D300 or you may not need M105.

FYI we do have the Griots in stock and ready to go.

Griots Orbital Polisher Base Kit (https://detailersdomain.com/Griots-Garage-6-inch-Random-Orbital-Polisher-Base-Kit_p_683.html)



Free shipping till Midnight tonight (PST)

Already have my Buffer! :thumbsup

I think I'll do a pass of M205 first with a Hydro tangerine pad and see how that does and if there are still scratches and such, I'll step down and do the M105 with a Cyan pad then M205 again.

What is the purpose of D300? It is meant to be used between M105 and M205 correcT? Doesn't M105 and then M205 or Menzerna SF4000 cover everything pretty well?

So nothing else seems to be missing?

[DetailersDomain]

looks good.

[danewilson77]

What is the purpose of D300? It is meant to be used between M105 and M205 correcT? Doesn't M105 and then M205 or Menzerna SF4000 cover everything pretty well?

Bump for DD.