Getting a porter cable 7424 and....

[Tomtom9401]

Ok guys basically ive been thinking about having my car buffed since i got it as you all may know. But instead of spending 150 on it which is a good deal. I decided im gonna try to do this myself and mabye start a business since nobody wants to hire me any where lol. Ive found a porter cable on amazon for 100 or so. My question now is what kind of pads do i need. Also what kind of compounds/polishes to fix scratches not quite as bad as these... http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/Rand81/detailing/hoodhalfandhalf1.jpg
you probably cant see them that well in the picture but there kinda everywhere but none of them big enough to catch my fingernail. Now i know that i shouldnt do this on my car first since it will be my first time doing it. So ill prolly stop by a junkyard. Ive been reading all about polishing and buffing. So just give some ideas on what pads to use and some polishes to use. Ive been looking around and found it said to use least aggressive first but i just dont know what the numbers and stuff mean. I mean what the world is meg's pad 1234007? lol Heres what ive been looking at... http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7424-Variable-Speed-Random-Orbit-Polisher/dp/B00004SUQ8/ref=sr_1_6/105-6038999-9582844?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1187475809&sr=1-6
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Heavy-Cut-Abrasive-Cleaner/dp/B000FN2KCI/ref=sr_1_40/105-6038999-9582844?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1187477636&sr=1-40
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Medium-Cut-Cleaner-16-oz/dp/B000K1NTZM/ref=sr_1_46/105-6038999-9582844?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1187477636&sr=1-46
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Swirl-Remover-16-oz/dp/B000K1LZ3U/ref=sr_1_52/105-6038999-9582844?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1187477704&sr=1-52
The reason all this stuff is on amazon is b/c I got a gift cert. for there :). So if those polishes are good lemme know what kind of pads i should be looking at to get. Thanks!

[cobrajeff92]

http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/ go thers that will explain everything and tell you the proper way. read through it and then read it again as coupe would say.

[bryan]

Megs #4 is nothing to start with. It's also basically engineered for a rotary. Definitely take a look at that site as there's endless things to learn on it.

[coupe]

Man o man i dont know where to start explaining things.

Starting a detailing company/buissnes is not easy to do legaly let alone physicaly, there is a ton involved, more than you could ever imagine.

Start working on your car with the PC, you wont damage anything.

BTW, please dont steel my pics, PM/email me to make sure its ok with me, its the proper thing to do. BTW its ok for this thread :lol:

[Tomtom9401]

You say you dont know where to start like theres a lot to say then only type 2 sentences... and im sure if starting a business, although was meant to be a joke on my part, was easy then everyone would have one... duh?

[Nighthawk243]

When it comes to detailing, read... read... and read. Don't touch anyone else's car until you're good at doing your own vehicle. IIRC, it took Coupe a long time before he even thought about touching another person's vehicle.

[Tomtom9401]

Yeah thanks nighthawk. It seems like ive been reading a lot lately. Now it seems like im ready for some hands on.

[XoticGA]

Originally posted by Tomtom9401
You say you dont know where to start like theres a lot to say then only type 2 sentences... and im sure if starting a business, although was meant to be a joke on my part, was easy then everyone would have one... duh?

Oh boy :lol:

[coupe]

Originally posted by Tomtom9401
You say you dont know where to start like theres a lot to say then only type 2 sentences... and im sure if starting a business, although was meant to be a joke on my part, was easy then everyone would have one... duh?


I would have to write a novel to even touch the tip of this iceburg. For you to think i could (or anyone) explain all there is to know in a message forum is assinine.

There is alot of legality involved, you have to have a buisness liscense, buisness insurance, be approved for chemicals used and be able to reclaim waiste water (if your state/city requires it). Its a nightmare especially in some city's and states.

As far as how to actually properly detail a vehicle, well, the only way is to read read read read read and work on your own car and your familys cars. Do not go out and work on a customers cars right off the bat. You also do not need scrap panels to learn how to use a PC, you wont damage anything with it.

Best thing to do is read through autopia.org and http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/ constantly until you have an understanding. Then go out and start working on your car.

[Tomtom9401]

So your telling me if i wetsand my entire car and only have one pad and one small scratch remover it will be all right?

[Tomtom9401]

So your telling me if i wetsand my entire car and only have one pad and one small scratch remover it will be all right? Ofcourse this is just theortical i have been reading all about paint since i got my car so i know better, but the fact that you said i wouldnt damage anything... but thanks for the help :) its so stupid all the business stuff, prolly cant even sell lemonade any more w/o a license lol.

[coupe]

I dont understand your post.

Your gonna need a ton of pads from heavy cutting all the way down to finishing. You will also need different sized backing plates and different sized pads. You will also need various compounds and polishes, claybars, microfiber towels, quick detailers and lots and lots of lighting.

Wetsanding is for the heavily experianced, do not attempt it what-so-ever especially with a PC. You will need a rotary to remove the sanding scratches.

The only way you will damage your paint with a PC is if you threw it at your car or dropped it on it.

[Tomtom9401]

I was just saying. In your posts you said use it on my car i wont damage anything. But if i wetsanded it and tryed to remove it with just a polishing pad and some light abrasives, it would look hideous. Thats the whole reason i was gonna get a scrap piece so i could learn to wetsand. Everyone keeps telling me dont do this, its for highly experinced or professionals. I mean so anyone that can do this was naturally a pro at it? No you have to start some where.... BTW you dont have to have a rotary to remove the scratches my friend did it on his black mustang with outstanding results, just in small areas though.

[coupe]

Oh man, your getting so far ahead of yourself it isnt even funny. You need to learn how to correct paint before you even think about wetsanding. It shouldnt even be a thought in your mind right now. Guys that wetsand have been doing it for so many years and have had so many eff-ups that they learned by experiance. This is not something a scrap panel is going to teach you.

YOU WILL NOT DAMAGE ANYTHING WITH A PC!
I dont know what wetsanding has to do with damageing paint with a PC. I got $10 says you will sand through your clear before you even pick up your PC anyways.

YES YOU DO have to use a rotary to remove wetsanding scratches from clear coat, its even more complicated than that. The only exception is if you wet sanded with 3000 or 4000 grit sandpaper and used 4" heavy cutting pads and a heavy compound you might make it look alright.....if your lucky... very lucky. Of course speaking of factory finishes. Some after market re-sprays may be easier, but its a HUGE gamble and without a rotary its not even worth attempting.


Read through this site over and over and over:
http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/

Then become a member here and start reading even more:
autopia.org

[Tomtom9401]

Ok so first you say that you have to use a rotary to remove wetsanding then you say unless you blahblah... which is it? I got some pretty compeling pictures that say other wise. But since you know everything... Why do i have to learn how to correct paint before i wetsand? Ive read plenty on this. Ok my friend has let me use his PC ok i know how to fix scratches and swirls. Im ready to move on to learning to wetsand.

[Tomtom9401]

If i mess up i mess up man. I learn best from making mistakes. I dont need someone telling me im stupid on here... i got a mom and a brother for that. I all ready know that most factory paints are very thin clearcoat. I know taht you can sand through them. Ok just b/c im new here dont treat me like im freaking stupid. I merley started this thread to find out some good brands of pads and polishes yall use. Ya know learn from someone with experience what they use. But i mean if you dont know that you can wetsand with a PC and make it look good then... w/e

[Big Joe]

Originally posted by coupe
You will need a rotary to remove the sanding scratches.

I beg to differ. When I did my rear quarter panel the scratches came out fine. I mean if you sanded with some really rough sand paper then you aren't going to get them out but that would be a dumb move to begin with. If you use a high grit paper (1500+) you shouldn't have any problems at all buffing out the sanded area.

[Tomtom9401]

Thanks Joe i mean, i dont mean to be rude or anything to coupe cause im sure he has a lot more experirence than me but its something about someone making me feel dumb that i get defensive about, sorry about that coupe.

[Big Joe]

Originally posted by Tomtom9401
Thanks Joe i mean, i dont mean to be rude or anything to coupe cause im sure he has a lot more experirence than me but its something about someone making me feel dumb that i get defensive about, sorry about that coupe.

Well, I'm sure he's not trying to make you feel dumb. Just listen to him cause he knows what he's talking about.

[coupe]

Originally posted by Tomtom9401
If i mess up i mess up man. I learn best from making mistakes. I dont need someone telling me im stupid on here... i got a mom and a brother for that. I all ready know that most factory paints are very thin clearcoat. I know taht you can sand through them. Ok just b/c im new here dont treat me like im freaking stupid. I merley started this thread to find out some good brands of pads and polishes yall use. Ya know learn from someone with experience what they use. But i mean if you dont know that you can wetsand with a PC and make it look good then... w/e


When did i call you stupid or dumb? You must have confidence issues or something.

[coupe]

Originally posted by Big Joe
I beg to differ. When I did my rear quarter panel the scratches came out fine. I mean if you sanded with some really rough sand paper then you aren't going to get them out but that would be a dumb move to begin with. If you use a high grit paper (1500+) you shouldn't have any problems at all buffing out the sanded area.


Originally posted by coupe
Of course speaking of factory finishes. Some after market re-sprays may be easier


You where lucky, the paint/catalyst you used was soft enough to do with a PC and/or wasnt fully cured making it much easier to do.

[Tomtom9401]

You didnt say i was dumb. You treat people like there dumb. Talking about "no you can only use a rotary, unless...". Its jackasses like you on here that get me mad. Talking about i must have confidence issues or something. You think you know everything and then some new guy comes in and asks a question then you make them feel retarded by telling them no you cant do that, you dont need to do that unless your highly experienced. You think your the only one who knows anything about everything. I know for a fact you can wetsand and fix it with a PC ive seen my friend do it. I dont need some DA (no that doesnt stand for dual-action either) telling me im wrong or its not possible. So what ever dude i got better things to do.

[sunrunner_pei]

Thomas, chill. Seriously.

[coupe]

Your right, i have no idea what im doing, i am inexperianced. I have no right to give you advice on how to get started and what to avoid for the time being.

[sunrunner_pei]

Rand, don't even bother, he's not worth your time.

[coupe]

Its just tough when someone asks for advice and then shoots down everything you tell them and then takes it personal. I keep re-reading the thread and i honnestly dont see where i was being a jerk.

This *mustang freind who wetsanded and removed with a PC*, im assuming its this one:
http://www.modularfords.com/forums/f105/detailing-paint-correction-my-99-cobra-87685.html

He used a rotary not a PC.

Im done though, its just not worth it.

[danponjican]

Hey all... thought I would chime in and clear some things up. I found this site only because I had referral links from this page on my "services" page on my website. Thomas contacted me initially to quote him a full detail job and I gave him the post on modularfords.com as a reference. He initially was very happy with my quote and my work but then suddenly did a 180 and now wants to do it himself. Happens all the time.

Coupe... I am VERY impressed with your tracking and investigative skills! LOL! You should work for the law! Just out of curiosity, how did you find that post and make the connection that he was talking about me?

[coupe]

Originally posted by danponjican
Hey all... thought I would chime in and clear some things up. I found this site only because I had referral links from this page on my "services" page on my website. Thomas contacted me initially to quote him a full detail job and I gave him the post on modularfords.com as a reference. He initially was very happy with my quote and my work but then suddenly did a 180 and now wants to do it himself. Happens all the time.

Coupe... I am VERY impressed with your tracking and investigative skills! LOL! You should work for the law! Just out of curiosity, how did you find that post and make the connection that he was talking about me?


What was frustrating me most about him is he acted as if paint correction/detailing was *black and white*, *cut and dry*, *yes or no* ect ect ect.

I also found it funny that he did all this *reading* about paint correction and then thought he was ready to wetsand.

Can wetsanding marks be removed with a PC? Yes, but its a gamble, it may or may not work. If it does not work then what will you do? Thats right, your screwed. So, IMO its best to not to attempt it until you have ALL the proper tools, not just a PC with 1 or 2 pads :lol:

Actually i found another thread he started and he linked your thread in it. After i read it i realized it must be you he was talking about. Really just put 2 plus 2 together.


Nice work by the way :)

[danponjican]

Thanks bro.

Any chance you can PM a link to the other post. Wouldn't mind protecting my good name. LOL!

[coupe]

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79018