Newbie to detailing!

[Crank1]

Okay, well I'm new to anything newer, I've 20 and had vehicles all the way back to 1964, so never a reason to really buff the paint and all that, well I just picked up an '01 Silverado with very abused black paint(scratches, MANY chips and swirls) but hey, its a work truck so I understand, but I'd still like to get it to its utmost best shape, I know how to wax and clean up interiors and all that cool stuff, but I need a breakdown of maybe a good high speed buffer, pads, compounds to use to polish 'er up, I'd also like to get my Fiance's black '00 Accord coupe into nice lookin shape and I'd appreciate any links and help that I could be given... I wanna actually start getting into this pretty heavy, so maybe I can do it one day as a side job for my buddies cars or something so I'd like to learn as much as possible. Thanks.
Brandon

[Chevyboy96]

Unless you have experience with a high speed buffer I would suggest a Porter-Cable random orbital instead. Lake County foam pads, Poorboy's World products.

Getahold of Chris at http://www.glimmerglassdetailing.com/
not sure if he is a member here but is on GMFS, a very helpful guy. Tell him I sent you and to set you up.

[Unknown]

I also suggest picking up a porter cable, I have one and like it a lot. Get plenty of microfiber towels. :)

As far as polish/wax goes I use Zaino.

[Chevyboy96]

I also suggest picking up a porter cable, I have one and like it a lot. Get plenty of microfiber towels. :)

As far as polish/wax goes I use Zaino.


Yea, you can never have enough microfibers,

[Jokeman]

Id suggest picking up a porter cable DA and some meguirs #83 and #80. It should bring most of the shine back.

[Crank1]

Sweet, thanks for some feedback guys, I'll look into getting some more products, for now I just got some Meguires Tech Wax and some microfibers, I'll try the orbital, but I'd like to learn to use one of the good ones, I was lookin at Topoftheline.com at their Makita buffers, is this the type alot of the more pro guys use? Thanks
Brandon

[Pete-FWA]

For rotary polishers, the Makita is one of the popular professional models. DeWalt makes some very good units as well.

Many professionals will use a rotary, then finish with a DA style machine to be certain they have left no polisher marks. Some finishes and product combinations don't require it, but many do.

A great deal can be accomplished with a DA. A rotary can do it more efficiently in most cases, but has the potential for damaging a finish that the DA doesn't have.

There are many good threads in the Detailing section. I'd say to check on some of those and ask more questions here or to resurrect those threads with a new post. You'll get lots of help.

Congratulations on wanting to make the black truck look better.