Detailing Startup Kit

[chrisb72]

I am new to the world of detailing, but have been washing my cars by hand for years. With the help of friendly advice from forums like this one I have improved my technique from a standard bucket and sponge to the classic 2 bucket wash method with a prewash snow foam method, but want to go one stage further and get my polishing technique better. I have thought about investing in a DA machine and after reading a few forum threads I have found this start up kit which looks like it could be a good place to start.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kestrel-D...105-and-205-/141868450998?hash=item210804c4b6

Can someone in the know please tell me if I am looking at the right kit?

I am anxious about doing more damage than good with my novice experience and wondered whether I could remove some of the annoying swirl marks by hand if I was just to buy the polishes in this kit?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meguiars-...-2-pads-KIT-/141829720873?hash=item2105b5cb29

Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[s5joe]

The Da package is perfect for a novice you will need some clay too after your wash stage and than tape up and polish away Audi paint is quite hard so you won't do any damage with a Da as they don't put a lot of heat in to the paint but i can not 100% guarantee this

 

[chrisb72]

Glad I am on the right hymn sheet. Yes I had heard I would need to clay first and I have a kit that is a few years old that I haven't used much. I am assuming it doesn't have a shelf life or am I better buying a new clay kit as well?

Then I read I will need to seal the paint once polished. There seems to be a whole load of options in this department, but I am sure most will do the same job and it probably comes down to personal preference and budget. I will probably stick with Meguiars as all my old polishes are made by them.

 

[s5joe]

No clay does not have a shelf life but for what it costs i would get a new bar and some lube. Yes you will need to seal the paint after you have polished it Megs 16 is a nice easy wax to use with great beading results get over to detailing world for more tips

 

[steeve]

If you can hang on and wait until Waxstock 2016 you'll be able to try out various DA machines and polishes on old bonnets and get proffessional tutoring. Then buy kit at a considerable discount.

www.waxstock.com

I have no connection with the orgainsers or any exhibitors, just love the show and get my goodies cheaper.

The site sponsor is a usual exhibitor, I hope they'll be there again this year.

 

[Demetrios]

If you do not want to use a clay bar use a clay mitt like the G3. Vey easy to use.
If you use the Megs polishes get the Chemical Guys Hexlogic pads , they work great with DAs.
Orange - Cutting....Green - heavy polishing..... White - polishing...... Black-finishing.
Always start with the least aggressive pad / polish combo. With regards to the Audi paint go with the White with the Megs 105 if no joy then go up to the Green the n orange then finish with the black. and the 205.

Scholl Concepts Polishes are also very good products. One step and very quick.
S3 gold - Heavy cut .....S17 - medium cut ......S40.....Light cut

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=242352&page=2

 

[chrisb72]

After hours of more research I am now looking at this kit. I feel it offers a wider range of ability by having more pads and different grades of compound. Obviously if I had spent as much time polishing as I have been looking I would have nearly finished my car by now!

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...s-6-pro-plus-chemical-guys-kit/prod_1551.html

I have watched quite a few how to videos as well and really hope it is that simple to get rid of those swirls.

Anything else I should know before I take the plunge?