So yesterday I finally decided to try detailing my own car. Started 9am didn't finish till 3pm. and I'm proud of what I've accomplished !

More pics will be uploaded since I'm at work right now.

Products
Meguiar gold class carwash
Meguiar 205 swirl remover
Meguiar clear coat safe polish compound
Meguiar ultra high gloss liquid wax

If there's better products to use please let me know since I'm noob with detailing lol


This is all done with hand..... Don't know how to use PA or orbital. PITA!

 

Two 's up for a fellow CR owner, awaiting those other pictures!

 

Looking good!

 

Get a Porter DA and save some time and labor. More effective than doing by hand and very easy to use. There are tutorals on some detailing sights which guide you on how to use on all products. You did a nice job but the DA is the way to go.

 

 

Do I need a paint reading meter when I use the DA? And any recommended pads?

 

No a paint meter isn't required. I was a complete newb when I first got my Porter Cable and it worked well, I definitely recommend you watch a couple videos from Mike Phillips on Youtube , they really help a lot. Something like the Porter Cable is completely safe as it locks up and slows down if you apply too much downward pressure on it, nice safety feature.

Lake Country foam pads with your favourite polish work well, your car is in pretty good shape you probably would get by fine with a white polishing pad, an orange foam pad can be used if you have more fine scratches/swirls, then a black foam pad for applying sealant/wax, or you could apply them by hand. You'll never remove enough material with this setup to worry about paint thickness.

A good double wash followed by some claybar or nanoscrub work would be the way to start before polishing and final wax/sealant.

 

No a paint meter isn't required. I was a complete newb when I first got my Porter Cable and it worked well, I definitely recommend you watch a couple videos from Mike Phillips on Youtube , they really help a lot. Something like the Porter Cable is completely safe as it locks up and slows down if you apply too much downward pressure on it, nice safety feature.

Lake Country foam pads with your favourite polish work well, your car is in pretty good shape you probably would get by fine with a white polishing pad, an orange foam pad can be used if you have more fine scratches/swirls, then a black foam pad for applying sealant/wax, or you could apply them by hand. You'll never remove enough material with this setup to worry about paint thickness.

A good double wash followed by some claybar or nanoscrub work would be the way to start before polishing and final wax/sealant.
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Thank you so much for the additional information! This is why I love s2ki and the s2000 family

 

No a paint meter isn't required. I was a complete newb when I first got my Porter Cable and it worked well, I definitely recommend you watch a couple videos from Mike Phillips on Youtube , they really help a lot. Something like the Porter Cable is completely safe as it locks up and slows down if you apply too much downward pressure on it, nice safety feature.

Lake Country foam pads with your favourite polish work well, your car is in pretty good shape you probably would get by fine with a white polishing pad, an orange foam pad can be used if you have more fine scratches/swirls, then a black foam pad for applying sealant/wax, or you could apply them by hand. You'll never remove enough material with this setup to worry about paint thickness.

A good double wash followed by some claybar or nanoscrub work would be the way to start before polishing and final wax/sealant.
[/quote]
Thank you so much for the additional information! This is why I love s2ki and the s2000 family
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You're welcome, I know how it feels to start out without too much experience. If you buy a machine like a Porter Cable or Flex , find a dealer that will sell a package deal for the machine, backing pad, foam pads and maybe some product on the side. Detail supply companies will have package deals to make it more affordable, check out Detailers Domain and browse around their site, checkout some videoss and you should be good to go. Enjoy !

 

Pm Phil at DetailersDomain, there are several packages available with everything needed. Just ask him for a recommendation on a good starter kit.