My first detail

[chaser27]

So my parents were looking to get rid of their old car because my mom hated it and decided to pass it on to me. I'm going to let my girlfriend use it next year while she is doing her residency, but wanted to make it look as good as I could before giving it to her.

The process I used was as follows
Wash
Claybar
Buff
Polish
Wax

I just used a cheap 10" orbital buffer from Autozone with the Meguire's compounds for buffing and polishing. Wool pad for buffing, microfiber for polish.

My knowledge on how to do everything was exactly zero before I started and kind of used this car as an experiment. The results have me researching a TON on what I could have done better, different products, etc. but figured I would share.

I'm probably going to end up investing in a Rupes DA buffer, better quality products and use a sealant like Gtechniq C1 and add a window treatment, etc. for my car

[Colepidd55]

still looks pretty damn good!

[Murcielago311]

They're gonna want it back now!

[chaser27]

Originally Posted by Murcielago311 They're gonna want it back now!

Haha, even my mom said wow when she saw it.

[Flitzr951]

nice work, black is a tough first project!

[tegxsi]

I get great results from a Porter Cable 7424 which is relatively inexpensive and hexlogic pads.
A cheap Chicago Electric DA Polisher from Harbor Freight would probably work just as well.
Rupes or Flex is nice though but I only use the DA polisher 2-3 times a year.

[chaser27]

Originally Posted by tegxsi I get great results from a Porter Cable 7424 which is relatively inexpensive and hexlogic pads. A cheap Chicago Electric DA Polisher from Harbor Freight would probably work just as well. Rupes or Flex is nice though but I only use the DA polisher 2-3 times a year.

I tend to buy the best of whatever is in my budget (or above) and I narrowed it down to the Rupes and Flex. From what I've read, a rotational buffer has a ton of power, but can mess things up if you don't know how to use it. The Flex is supposed to have a forced orbit, so it'll do the same motion regardless of how much pressure you use and is easier to burn through your paint. I figured the Rupes would be more forgiving for someone that isn't experienced like myself.

[tegxsi]

Originally Posted by chaser27 I tend to buy the best of whatever is in my budget (or above) and I narrowed it down to the Rupes and Flex. From what I've read, a rotational buffer has a ton of power, but can mess things up if you don't know how to use it. The Flex is supposed to have a forced orbit, so it'll do the same motion regardless of how much pressure you use and is easier to burn through your paint. I figured the Rupes would be more forgiving for someone that isn't experienced like myself.

Yeah... it's all about technique and knowing your hardware.

Edit: You gotta know knowing the type of clear/paint you are working with... imports usually have a crappy/softer clear while german cars have a tougher/harder clear.

[SuckSqueezBangBlow]

nice job, yhat thing is like a mirror!

[HawkeyeGeoff]

@jgarmo;

[dinoxor]

looks good!

If you want, you should check out this youtube channel. This guy is like a detailing god.
Very informative as to how and why he does what he does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Sq...6C886&index=21

He also has another channel called AmmoNYC

[chaser27]

Originally Posted by dinoxor looks good! If you want, you should check out this youtube channel. This guy is like a detailing god. Very informative as to how and why he does what he does. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Sq...6C886&index=21 He also has another channel called AmmoNYC

Yeah I found him the other day and watched probably a few hours at work haha. You're the second person to suggest him.

[jgarmo]

if you ever have questions you can dm me on my instagram @jgautodetailing. looks great considering the buffer you had used. make sure you know the proper techniques for using a DA polisher especially if you plan on getting something so powerful as the Rupes, it wont be difficult to burn thru the clear coat without proper technique. great work nonetheless!

[chaser27]

I guess I can update the thread. I ended up buying the Rupes polisher, some Merzerna polishes and a bunch of other stuff. 303 Aerospace Protectant, GTechniq C1 laquer, etc. and did a full detail on my car. I wet sanded down the entire car trying to remove a majority of the orange peel, but without a paint thickness gauge didn't push it too far, then buffed and polished everything back out, followed by an Isopropyl alcohol wipe down before coating with the C1.
My motorcycle dropped a valve the other day and I'm in the process of rebuilding it right now, so my speed is my DD. I had to do everything in essentially a day. Got off work @2, then worked on it until 1 am the next night with maybe 4 hours of sleep. I think it came out pretty good, there are a few spots I can tell I was tired and didn't get perfectly, but unless you are searching for them, you can't notice. I'll upload pics from my phone in a second.

[chaser27]

Here are some pics from my latest detail

[hollar1211]

haha, that last pic...wtf? nice.

[chaser27]

Ended up findings some spots I had missed after wet sanding, so I went back and redid it because I'm OCD apparently. Used the same GTechniq C1 coating as before, but went a step farther and added EXO. Check out the video to see the result.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzW1mYb2t-0

[Noosh]

Your taillights look really good. How did you tint them?

[chaser27]

Originally Posted by Noosh Your taillights look really good. How did you tint them?

VHT Niteshades. I just taped off the part that was left clear. Did a few light coats until I got the shade I wanted and topped it off with clear coat and sealed it.