Ok so i have never detailed a car before other than the washing it and cleaning the inside.
Now this being said i want to start small and work my way up. The first thing im going to do is wash, then clay it and then wax.
What i want to know is how hard is it to polish and buff with a machine and how bad can i f**k up if i dont do it right. I just want to remove all the swirls and make my baby shine. Any advice is appreciated.

 

pay someone to do it if you dont wanna run the risk to mess it up. That said make sure you have a DA, using a rotary with no prior experience is a 99%sure way to kill your paint. I suggest a package from autogeek with a buffer, pads and compounds. Also look in the tutorial section on autogeek, some great vids there to get you started.

 

DA? dual action?
I have been looking at all the Meguiars videos. they seem to know everything! buy yeah autogeek, ill check it out. thanks dude

 

there is many different brands you can use for polish. opinions will vary between people. its all personal preference. personally I use system 51 which is a all in one polish. it works very good for getting out swirls and scratches and also works great for just out of booth paint job wax and buff.

http://www.systemoneaps.com/

 

my first kit was the Porter Cable 7424xp DA with Optimum Polishes from Detailers Domain. I've used quite a few polishes since this, but always keep them on hand as they are so easy to use. I would definitely recommend this kit for someone looking to get into polishing. it can get expensive, so beware. and it's always good to have quite a few pads on hand. it's easy to go through 3-4 pads (same kind of pad) for each step around your car. good luck, and enjoy.

 

[QUOTE=LUDEcidDream;44239086]Ok so i have never detailed a car before other than the washing it and cleaning the inside.
Now this being said i want to start small and work my way up. The first thing im going to do is wash, then clay it and then wax.
What i want to know is how hard is it to polish and buff with a machine and how bad can i f**k up if i dont do it right. I just want to remove all the swirls and make my baby shine. Any advice is appreciated.[/ Hi hows it going im new too this site and I finally registered too be on here i am a jack of all trades and i can tell u from experience that ive had buffing out cars and trucks first of all just do it dont be scared too do it the key too not burning the paint is too use alot of compound i use 3M and only that try it on a messed up hood or what ever you can get first wash it then dry it and add a pretty good amount of compound and begin buffing side too side up and down motion and youll see how the material works and then take a mocrofiber cloth and wipe it down then what i use next is a wax that is called fastwax this can be done by hand or using the buffer it takes any left over compound and also removes haze and swirl marks and pretty much your done try it out and dont let it intimidate you aiiiight and also try not too buff so much on corners where the paint is thinner cause youll burn into the paint and ull see your mistake and if your doing it on a customers car and you do that ull be in a world of you Sh......t dig me if you have any questions hit me up and ill do my best too help ,also colorsanding i can tell u the steps if your down too learn once you get it youll see that its that easy and ull be confident enough too do any car any paint well thats it pretty much good luck with your project.

 

Since you are a rookie, stay away from rubbing compound an wool pads. A mild compound and swirl remover/ wax would be your best bet. Def stick with a two stage buff. And for the interior a little air gun/nozzle is best for getting in the cracks and seat rails... just spray on the chemical and then blow it off.

 

i own a detail shop. i use automagic products but thats besides the point, do it by hand with a cleaner and sealer wax it will probly say all in one wax at autozone or whatever apply by hand with a damp sponge do about a quarter of the car at a time so the wax drys then go back and wipe off with soft cloth in a circle motion. this is just the safest way but buffing would help and clay bar if its bad but thats why people pay me! and also single action buffer is better then dual i use a dewalt on the lowest speed with a foam pad just gotta apply the right amount of pressure its easy. and with the buffing you only can do about 2x2 ft at a time so it doesnt dry before removal. so hand wax let it dry buffing dont let it dry. www.firstclassdetailings.com

 

Can't go wrong with that Porta Cable7424xp, just take your time with it and if you want some the best wax products I would use Route 66 Exotic Coatings www.rt66wax.com I have had great results with all of their products. The best is their scratch and swirl remover its idiot proof. Let know if you have any questions.

 

i work for a dealership detailing cars the only way u can ruin the paint is if you leave it in one spot for to long at high rpms or u buff on the edges just make sure if u get a buffer its not that heavy n its variable speed and if your car has slight scratches buy a sheet of 2000 grit paper wet sand slightly with a block n buff it out at low rpms should fade the scratch, minimize it, or remove completely, also if your gonna buff buy some detailing brushes you will need them to remove some of the compound that gets into the moldings, door handles, or small spaces that u cant get into with your hand. on your engine bay just buy an engine degrease spray it on your engine bay scrub if needed wash n spray on some engine shine.