Instruction guide to buffing?
I disagree. I had no experience at all. Tropicare (or Showroom FX now) staff guided me through it. Took that to my Firehawk and the car looked magnificent. However, I made an error by going too fast and caused mild holograms. But still, it was worth it. I am fixing those holograms by taking my time. It's simple!
I disagree. I had no experience at all. Tropicare (or Showroom FX now) staff guided me through it. Took that to my Firehawk and the car looked magnificent. However, I made an error by going too fast and caused mild holograms. But still, it was worth it. I am fixing those holograms by taking my time. It's simple!
A good shop should be able to buff, glaze, & hand glaze your car for about 300 bucks, maybe cheaper. It is expensive, but the difference is truly night and day. If you want your car to really be the ****, get it hand wet sanded with 1500,2000, then 2500. Then buffed, and glazed. That will be a bit more, but your car will be show quality. Just a few tips.
Please do not try it. Let someone who knows what the hell they are doing mess with your car.
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Buffing your car is not exactly rocket science.
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Verdad Gallardo No its not rocket science....but for a actual quality finish there is a science to it, and anyone that knows what im talking about will agree. If your car is worth buffing, then its also most likely worth having it done by someone who will do it right. A car shouldn't need buffed every month. After one good buff, and a nice coat of wax it should last for a hella long time depending on when, how, and where you drive it. I have personally done repairs on hoods, fenders, you name it from people trying to buff their own cars, and burnt straight threw to the primer. The bill is usually about as much to get the buff job, sometimes more depending on how much blending needs to be done. Just take that into consideration.
If you insist on doing it yourself, apply little to no pressure on the corners, keep a constant motion of the buffer, make sure to use micro fiber towels to wipe the excess compound off, and clean the buffing pad regularly.
If you insist on doing it yourself, apply little to no pressure on the corners, keep a constant motion of the buffer, make sure to use micro fiber towels to wipe the excess compound off, and clean the buffing pad regularly.
TECH Addict
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,374
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From: Amarillo, Texas
Are you using an orbital or a rotary?
not one person has suggested a porter cable yet? or asked what kind of buffer the OP is using?
with a rotary, yes you can mess up your paint. with an orbital, no you won't get much result trying to correct paint. with a porter cable, it's pretty hard to mess up and you'll get good results if you use the right pads/products.
with a rotary, yes you can mess up your paint. with an orbital, no you won't get much result trying to correct paint. with a porter cable, it's pretty hard to mess up and you'll get good results if you use the right pads/products.
I have my 7424XP Porter Cable.
That's what ive been trying to say. Sorry for not being completely clear. The PC is great and easy to use.
That's what ive been trying to say. Sorry for not being completely clear. The PC is great and easy to use.
hahah sorry i overlooked your post. my comment was directed more at the people above though, arguing based on assumptions. had malibu and blackws666 known it was a porter cable in question, they probably would've responded differently. had it been a rotary though, they would have been correct.
to the OP, i recommend searching autopia, i just joined and found lots of videos. also autogeek has some videos on use of the porter cable i believe.
to the OP, i recommend searching autopia, i just joined and found lots of videos. also autogeek has some videos on use of the porter cable i believe.
i understand the "lack of experience" thing, however i believe if you have the patience and skills to work with tools, and do some reading it's possible to bring out amazing results, i having no experience wetsanded my car, and buffed it out to an amazing-ish shine the only reason i say "ish" is because there were a few spots where i didn't sand enough of the orange peel out and it shows on a "perfect" panel when there is a spot of orange peel. but on the otherside to this, i have had experience using DA sanders (on aircraft) and alot of the movements are the same, you have to be very fluid, too much or to little pressure can hurt, know how to use the pad, either the center or the extremeties i mean a practice panel is a great idea, i dont' think you need to pay someone to do it, but you do need to make sure and check your physical capabilities before you take on a job like this. anyway, best of luck to ya, and if you do enough asking around, and research i'm sure you will find the answer you are looking for. oh and one reminder, THIS IS YOUR VEHICLE. do whatever makes you happy. and i mean that as sincerely as i can. i have not let anybody touch my car since the day i got it, from painting, to the rear end, water pump, window motors, stereo, now the headliner, and new front end. and i'm no professional, but the satisfaction i get is immesurable.
not one person has suggested a porter cable yet? or asked what kind of buffer the OP is using?
with a rotary, yes you can mess up your paint. with an orbital, no you won't get much result trying to correct paint. with a porter cable, it's pretty hard to mess up and you'll get good results if you use the right pads/products.
with a rotary, yes you can mess up your paint. with an orbital, no you won't get much result trying to correct paint. with a porter cable, it's pretty hard to mess up and you'll get good results if you use the right pads/products.
Here's my take on polishing/buffing. It is a learned skill, that takes time, and is very similar to custom programming. If you want to do it yourself, get the right tools and equipment, spend some time talking to people, experimenting slowly, and put in many many hours learning slowly. Try and rush it, or use cheap equipment, and you will reap the consequences.
Detailing a car isn't rocket science, but it is a skill that takes time to develop, again just like tuning a car.
Spend about $200 and get a starter kit from Showroom FX (formerly Tropi-care) and then start reading while you wait for it to arrive. Don't be afraid to try different techniques or products as there are plenty of them.
Detailing a car isn't rocket science, but it is a skill that takes time to develop, again just like tuning a car.
Spend about $200 and get a starter kit from Showroom FX (formerly Tropi-care) and then start reading while you wait for it to arrive. Don't be afraid to try different techniques or products as there are plenty of them.