I have wanted a nice polished vehicle for a long time but never got to it. Never done detailing work before. Did my research and began the process.

I spent 8 hours prepping the surface (wash, clay bar, final wash). Spent another 7 hours polishing, applying enhancer and repeat 2 more times. I got my cardio workout!

I was glad to spend the time cleaning the surface as much as possible for the result to come through. Here it is

 

so what products did you use?

 

I used Zaino. I purchased the Total Protection kit. This kit will last me a long time.

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/mercha...r&Store_Code=Z

 

Very nice!

 

Thanks. My first detailing effort. Took so long but it's necessary.

I purchased a Rupes DA polisher to shorten the polishing process and save my arms. Hopefully it will work out good. It will be my first time using a machine.

 

Sounds right. I helped a friend detail his car and involved deep polishing and rebuilding from the paint and out...8+ hours...

 

Now you need to research and get the right polishing pads and polishes.

 

agreed. I'm a bit nervous of the potential damage for using the da polisher. I am reading and watching techniques the dos and don'ts

Apparently, Rupes developed a color coded system where the pad's color corresponds to the polish/wax cap. So if the polish cap is green, use the green pad for the job. Rupes just simplied/eliminated the guess work.

 

Thats a great reflection for white paint!! Good job OP!

 

haha...thanks Jon. I had a good start by having a newer car with minimal scratches, swirls, etc. I had to remove a lot of these tin black stubborn spots. Not sure what they were but had to put elbow rubbing to remove. Also, there were a few tiny yellow spots. I guess some kind of bug crap here in San Diego. Once I tried to rub them, the yellow spreads and stains the paint. The spread wouldn't remove until I rub them vigorously with lubricant like polish.

 

A clay bar will get those spots off. It's likely tar overspray from the road. You may have to put some elbow grease into it, but they should come off fairly easily. I just went through the same procedure with my WDP.

If you have the right combination of polisher speed and polisher pad, you won't have to worry about hurting your paint. The polisher takes all the muscle work out of the process, so unless you're doing heavy paint correction, you only need to apply very minimal pressure to the paint. Once you do it a couple times, you'll be pretty comfortable with it and never do it by hand again!