Detailing for dummies!

.:bHd:. · 06-19-2008, 01:36 AM

Hey guys i was just looking over some of the threads and noticed all of you are pros lol I was just wondering are there any products for newbs like me that don't have any of the buffing equipment and stuff. My main goal is to get rid of swirl marks and water marks.

arabbmw · 06-19-2008, 01:53 AM

its really hard to get rid of swirl marks by hand, almost impossible. I would start off trying the meguiars products you can find at walmart. O and of course, read the stickies on top.

SpecC · 06-19-2008, 01:54 AM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

http://www.detailedimage.com/guides.php

those links will teach you how to do everything correctly.

as for products... it's a lot of read the directions on the bottle and i'm sure you're tired of that. I've seen a lot of people use the porter cable to start out with. I'd say any dual action or orbital buffer is newb safe. just watch a lot of videos then practice on some things you don't really care about. You'll get the hang of it after one or two cars.

J-Sud · 06-19-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecC

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

http://www.detailedimage.com/guides.php

those links will teach you how to do everything correctly.

as for products... it's a lot of read the directions on the bottle and i'm sure you're tired of that. I've seen a lot of people use the porter cable to start out with. I'd say any dual action or orbital buffer is newb safe. just watch a lot of videos then practice on some things you don't really care about. You'll get the hang of it after one or two cars.

+1 on detailed image guides, they are really insightful

Detailed Image · 06-19-2008, 10:53 AM

Thanks for the feedback and recommendation of our guides. We're actually in the process of updating our guides, adding video and picture tutorials. Lots of great things in the works. If anyone has any specific questions on anything, please do not hesitate to ask.

George

.:bHd:. · 06-19-2008, 12:52 PM

Ahh i guess there's no easy way out. Thanks anyways

BzsBimmer · 06-19-2008, 06:02 PM

I don't think all of us one here are pro's.
I know I'm not but I have a crapload of stuff/equipment since I'm doing it as a hobby. Then again so does FMINUS and he's got a million dollars invested

It all really depends on the level you want to take it. You can simply wash, clay, polish, and wax with OTC products with decent results.
Will your paint be protected - yes
Will your swirls be all gone and your car have the best shine and depth - no

Get what you can afford to get. The main thing to to maintain a level of protection for the paint to reduce any chances for your paint's finish to deteriorate.
As funds come available or the interests peaks, buy a PC and try some better products.
Just because a lot of us here like to keep CG in business, doesn't mean you have to feel defeated.

06-19-2008, 01:36 AM	#1
.:bHd:. Major 339 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: E92 335i MT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Detailing for dummies! Hey guys i was just looking over some of the threads and noticed all of you are pros lol I was just wondering are there any products for newbs like me that don't have any of the buffing equipment and stuff. My main goal is to get rid of swirl marks and water marks. __________________
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06-19-2008, 01:53 AM	#2
arabbmw Lieutenant 17 Rep 548 Posts Drives: 335i coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: G hills iTrader: (2)	its really hard to get rid of swirl marks by hand, almost impossible. I would start off trying the meguiars products you can find at walmart. O and of course, read the stickies on top.
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06-19-2008, 01:54 AM	#3
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 299 Rep 15,442 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145 http://www.detailedimage.com/guides.php those links will teach you how to do everything correctly. as for products... it's a lot of read the directions on the bottle and i'm sure you're tired of that. I've seen a lot of people use the porter cable to start out with. I'd say any dual action or orbital buffer is newb safe. just watch a lot of videos then practice on some things you don't really care about. You'll get the hang of it after one or two cars.
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06-19-2008, 10:53 AM	#5
Detailed Image 360 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: Detailed by Detailed Image Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Albany, NY iTrader: (5)	Thanks for the feedback and recommendation of our guides. We're actually in the process of updating our guides, adding video and picture tutorials. Lots of great things in the works. If anyone has any specific questions on anything, please do not hesitate to ask. George
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06-19-2008, 12:52 PM	#6
.:bHd:. Major 339 Rep 1,149 Posts Drives: E92 335i MT Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Ahh i guess there's no easy way out. Thanks anyways __________________
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06-19-2008, 06:02 PM	#7
BzsBimmer Major General 3291 Rep 6,732 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	I don't think all of us one here are pro's. I know I'm not but I have a crapload of stuff/equipment since I'm doing it as a hobby. Then again so does FMINUS and he's got a million dollars invested It all really depends on the level you want to take it. You can simply wash, clay, polish, and wax with OTC products with decent results. Will your paint be protected - yes Will your swirls be all gone and your car have the best shine and depth - no Get what you can afford to get. The main thing to to maintain a level of protection for the paint to reduce any chances for your paint's finish to deteriorate. As funds come available or the interests peaks, buy a PC and try some better products. Just because a lot of us here like to keep CG in business, doesn't mean you have to feel defeated.
	Appreciate 0 Quote