Okay so I will be detailing my car some time soon and just need some help. I plan on washing clay and wax. But people talk about polish and sealant? I was wondering if both of those can be done without a rotary and just by hand? and if so, what products would you guys recommend as well as any techniques?
Sorry for my noobness

 

usually when people speak about polishes, they talk about how to remove paint defects. hand cannot possibly move fast enough to take out swirls, and will take you 30000000000000 hours to complete.

when you use a machine to take out swirls, the machine is spinning much faster than a human hand could ever replicate. therefore, reducing the time it takes and actually removing the defect.

a sealant is exactly what the name implies. it seals your car.
wax is a natural product to help protect your paint, but doesnt last long.
sealant is a man made product to help protect your paint and last longer than a wax.

 

would any machine work or are there specif rotaries for a polish and can you just polish without measuring your paint?

 

there are not specific machines for specific polishes.
there are different machines tho. But basically, most are hard to use for a beginner.
The Porter cable 7424XP is the easiest to use, as it wont burn the paint.
I have the PC 7424XP.

As a beginner, I dont have a paint meter.

 

any other way to remove swirl marks? also would you use a sealant or wax? or can they be used together?

 

To remove them your going to need a machine of some type...I also recommend the PC 7424XP...

Also check out the Meguiars DA Kit...ALOT of people have been having awesome luck with that kit...

 

Like ChrisJ and myself have said, the only way to remove swirls is by machine and a polish.

sealants and waxes are used to protect the paint from harsh outside elements.
I use both.

I suggest you read about how to properly wash a car.
it will answer all your questions

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/new-car-care-suggestions-advice-684980/

https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/proper-claying-techniques-261254/
https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/proper-washing-techniques-261255/
https://acurazine.com/forums/wash-wax-23/how-wash-your-car-like-pro-281511/

 

Here is what I do (Just My last detail of the TL)

Washed Car with CG Glossworkz
Dried Car with waffleweave and blotted MF's
Cleaned windows with GC Window Cleaner
Taped Car Up
Clay Bared car
Optimum Compound with Green pad
IPA
Optimum Compound with Yellow Pad (The green didn't cut enough...Did not have an orange on hand recommend trying orange first)
IPA
Optimum Polish with Green pad
IPA
Black Light - By Hand
*Let the black light cure for 1 hour*
V7 - By Hand
*Allowed to cure overnight*
Autoglym HD - By Hand
*Let sit for 1 hour*
Buffed by Hand
Buffed wheels by hand
Applied megs tire protectant by hand
Cleaned leather with Leatherique Rejuvenating Oil
*Let Sit For 24 Hours*
Cleaned leather with Leatherique Cleaner
Conditioned leather with Zaino Conditioner
Cleaned all trim with Meguiars trim cleaner/protectant
Vacuumed floors

The key is quality products...OTC wafflewaves and MF's never touch my paint...I use them for wheels and interior...Also invest in a good tripod 1000w halogen lighting...

Also I have not yet used or ordered the Meguiars DA Setup but I will be this week and may use it next weekend...

http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfibe...r-kit-5in.html

 

if you really really really care about your cars appearence....spend a little money and get a pc 7424xp....its soo easy to use, idiot proof, and you just cant get the same results by hand....not to mention if i do just want to refresh my protection and put a layer of sealant or wax on the car, i can do it with my machine in less then 30 minutes...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhJYF...layer_embedded

 

now what are some ways that a noon like me can mess up a polish? and also, how often do you guys polish?

 

When you say polish are you meaning compound and polish or a wax (LSP)?

I am a detail whore so I will typically wash/clay/wax my car every other week at least...I do the initial compound and polish and do spots on an as needed basis...

If you dont mine shelling out for a Porter Cable 7424XP then get the Megs DA kit...Its pretty much newbproof...

 

compound and polish. is there such a thing as too much polishing or polishing too often?

 

I only compound and polish when needed...The rest of the time I just upkeep with Sealants and waxes (LSP)...

 

thanks for the help, i will be attempting the detail some time in the next couple of weeks. Hope it comes out well

 

Yes, there is such a thing as polishing too much.
An abrasive polish and machine n foam pads = grinding (for the lack of better wording) down the clearcoat to reveal a fresh coat of clear, so the more you polish, then thinner your clearcoat gets.
I do heavy compounding/polishing/refining once, and maintenance polishing every 6 months to 1 year, depending on how lazy I feel.

 

In other words, polishing too much do cause premature clear coat failure, it's pretty ugly when that happens, and the only way to fix it is to have a bodyshop respray the clear.
Clear coat failure looks like this:

 

Thats another reason why newbies should stick with a DA like the 7424XP...I have yet to see someone burn the paint with one...