Detail tools

[281lxm]

OK with Christmas on the way, family want to know what I want. So, I did a search and did not find this question adequately answered:

What tools do you prefer to buff your cars finish? Tell us your product and tool to apply that award winning shine.

[VaiFanatic]

Originally Posted by 281lxm

OK with Christmas on the way, family want to know what I want. So, I did a search and did not find this question adequately answered:

What tools do you prefer to buff your cars finish? Tell us your product and tool to apply that award winning shine.

Add me to the list! I'm sick of doing it by hand, that's why I do it so infrequently

[White Rhino]

While I'm not the expert, I picked up tips from a Porsche fanatic friend who is extremely meticulous about the shine of his car. He uses and now I use a Porter Cable 7424 for buffing, cleaning and protection. These are the steps he gave me and that I follow. It does a fabulous job by my eye and fabulous touch to the hand
1. Wash car
2. Clay Car (I use Clay Magic).. incredible result using small pieces of clay (by hand)
3. Using orbital Porter Cable 7424, I use SSR2 for minor scratches
4. Using different polishing pad and same Porter Cable, I use 4-Star Ultimate Paint Cleanser
5. Using different pad and same Porter Cable, I use 4-Star Ultimate Paint Protection

[graftdesign]

I have two buffing tools. A Cyclo dual head orbital polisher (used by the Airforce to polish aluminum planes for over 60 years) and a cheapo Harbor Freight buffer with an expensive 3m foam pad. It works great for the fast & heavy buffing as the pad does the work and doesn't seem to care if it's spinning via Harbor Freight or Porter Cable. I then finish off with the Cyclo, first using the green and then white foam polishing pads. This is my favorite finesse tool (available at Auto Geek) as it's easy on the finish and almost impossible to burn through the paint and clear. Also helpful is a 3" buffing tool that gets into the smaller areas although I haven't used it yet as I am still finishing a few panels.

I have been using Mequire's products and use the Mirror Glaze 105 with Mirror Glaze 205 polishing compound and a stack of nice micro-fiber cloths to finish off. I am very happy with this regimen and the surface looks like glass.

Before polishing I wet sanded any orange peel first starting with 1,000 grit, then 1500 and finally 2000. This was on a brand new paint job that I did personally (after 4 attempts!!!)

[vdubpower]

wash, clay, porter cable even with meguiars nxt is plenty to begin with.

goto detailersdomain or meguiars forum
very good starts

[slow&rusty]

This is the best $25 you will ever spend on your car regarding buffing it. You can come over and check out my SEC and judge for yourself.

[ianrandom]

I use my arms. And Klasse sealant to finish. Takes about a week but looks great. Good for the arms too..

Would love a buffer but £££ Slow&rusty, this thing looks good, does it really only cost that much?

[VaiFanatic]

Originally Posted by ianrandom

I use my arms. And Klasse sealant to finish. Takes about a week but looks great. Good for the arms too..

Would love a buffer but £££ Slow&rusty, this thing looks good, does it really only cost that much?

Ryobi makes great tools for a great price. Matter of fact, that very device is for sale here at Home Depot for less that $25!

[idamanjax75]

i went to autogeek two years ago.

porter cable DA polisher
Some lake country pads for compounding, polish and wax

Meguiars after that. Not the stuff you find at Wally's or other counter. Order from Advance Auto online and get #105 compound and #205 polish with discount code, or get at autogeek with your polisher kit.

add claybar and spray lube/wax
add wax or finishing glaze of your choice

dont forget interior! I found the freebies you get at autogeek work well for glass, so i get DP glass polish. My seats either get leatherique or Byrons Hyde clean and Hyde food (i like the smell better of Byrons, oozes more classic)

get many microfiber towels

I use kiwi shoe/heel polish (the one with the foam applicator) to blacken my side mirror rubber as well as the plastic trim around the tail lights. Wipes off easily if you get some on the paint or lenses if it doesnt dry too long. It also lasts a good time if you park in a garage.

Mercedes cockpit cleaner for cleaning dash and wood. More Mercedes smell is a good thing.

[ianrandom]

Originally Posted by VaiFanatic

Ryobi makes great tools for a great price. Matter of fact, that very device is for sale here at Home Depot for less that $25!

I want one...