I have a lot of free time right now and was thinking I might be nice and give my BF's neglected car some TLC. The paint looks kind of dull right now, and there are also a bunch of scratches. I don't think the car has seen a drop of wax in 6 years.

Clearly a PC would be ideal, but I don't have one and am not ready in invest in one, so what can I use to fix it up a little bit by hand?

I was thinking XMT 360 or Meguiar's ColorX, what do you think? Paired with ScratchX for the scratches (again, since I'm doing it by hand).

(I realize the car really needs a machine polish, but I'd like to do what I can to clean it up a tiny bit and at least give it some protection.)

Thanks!

 

Color-X is a great OTC solution. Try using that and see if it comes off, if not then the problem needs abrasives to be taken out as Color-X appears to be a chemical cleanser... Also try meg's 3 stage paint cleanser.

 

..............until your ready to take the leap. Whole different ballgame with a PC.....much easier, satisfying, and quicker.
I understand your reservations though, good luck to you!
I'd also recommend a Hand Polishing System of pads, but Im currently out of stock w/3 of 5 pads!

 

Thanks, guys!

Feel free to try to talk me in to sucking it up and getting a PC

My reservations:
1) Expensive (comparable to foam applicators and elbow grease)
2) I won't use it much, so not too much return on investment (I'll do maybe my car and my BF's car once a year and that's it)
3) Easier to screw up the finish (buffer trails etc. - ack! I have a new car and do NOT want to mess it up!)
4) Steeper learning curve (pads, compounds, etc. - makes things much more complicated)
5) Have I mentioned I don't want to mess it up??

 

Well............
This was by hand! And more then likely corrected with a PC.
The assumed expense is relevant to your needs as well as level of satisfaction desired. Hand work/polishing is tiresome to say the least . About the only surface care products used by hand and really worthy by hand, are chemical cleaners. They are non abrasive, so theres no chance of the actual product leaving evidence of ill doings.
You can approach your BF's vehicle with a PC, and very light abrasive products and pad combination's, mimicking very aggressive hand work, but without worrisome results. In all honesty, you can polish paint with a much more gentle approach, using a PC! Most pads used for hand polishing (with the exception of some I carry) are more aggressive then pads used with the PC.
As for a learning curve, your right, its much larger then useing your hands for polishing. However, what actually presents the "curve" itself, is the abundance of products and pads that the PC can be used with! All of those products characteristics, user friendliness (oils), fillers, cleaners etc. These are where people tend to NOT slow down and understand the product before going full bore with them.
If yours and your BF's vehicle need simple light swirl removal, very gentle products and pads, with slow speeds (to begin with) is actually more gentle to the paint vs. abrasive polishes with "the ol yellow foam applicator".....
Im certain others as well as George over at DI will agree........

 

Tell your BF to get it.

Just DO IT. I don't use my PC much either. Maybe 5 or 6 times a year. But it's worth it knowing you have it and can perform paint correction any time.

 

Get a hand polishing kit from exceldetail if you're not ready for a PC