Some general directions on detailing

[JF1174]

I take care of detailing our 3 bimmers (AW 325i, Deep Green Metallic X5 and Barbera Red 750Li). I am just your ordinary do-it-yourselfer, but I really enjoy and take pride in keeping these vehicles looking their best.

I have a number of products in my detailing arsenal but have always followed the same routine, which is to carefully and thoroughly wash, then clay, then Klasse AIO, then Klasse SG then wrap it up with P21S Caranuba. For some reason, I feel like I am missing an important step. Do I need to be polishing or doing any other prep work? The vehicles aren't scratched and there are no swirl marks (to the naked eye), so I don't know if I need to invest in a rotary machine?

Since I'm not anywhere close to the experts who post amazing pics of their work, I know I don't have the skill or the products that they have. But is there something else a novice like myself could/should be doing? Am I behind the times on the products I am using?Thanks for any and all input!

[dboy11]

Your process and products are fine...if you have some swirls then polishing after AIO would be in order....but based on what you have laid out your good...the only thing that I would suggest is getting a PC (orbital buffer) it can help with correcting the minor swirls and give you a more professional look...that's my take

[JF1174]

Thanks dboy. Can you recommend a PC?

[fujim3]

flex 3401

[dboy11]

Thanks dboy. Can you recommend a PC?

Yes a PC is a Porter Cable they are available online....my suggestion is that you buy yours in a kit that has the pads, backing plate and everything that you will need to get started.

Here is an example of what I am talking about

http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polishers.html?gclid=CMaFm9Xzy5MCFQwrswodF2NFhg

[dboy11]

flex 3401

A flex is a hybrid or cross of a PC and a rotary...it fairly harmless, but from what I have been reading about them in reviews from detail sites. They are not as easy to use in the hands of a novice as a PC...I've also read that they have problems with the gearing in them...If this guy is looking for a good starter buffer and one that he can't mess up the finish with unless he drops it on the car....a orbital buffer is the choice IMO

[HPIA4v2]

A flex is a hybrid or cross of a PC and a rotary...it fairly harmless, but from what I have been reading about them in reviews from detail sites. They are not as easy to use in the hands of a novice as a PC...I've also read that they have problems with the gearing in them...If this guy is looking for a good starter buffer and one that he can't mess up the finish with unless he drops it on the car....a orbital buffer is the choice IMO
You mean this flex?:bigpimp:

I used my Flex for the very first time last weekend, OK it took more work that I anticipated.
But it was not the machine problem, I tried to correct bad scratched paint (11 year old A4 with hard clear coat) using very mild 1066F, with low-cut pads (LC white/orange). Wish I had Menzerna IP/SIP and LC yellow pad last week.
Regardless, I am very happy with the result.

Flex3401 is forced dual action, so yes it pulls more than PC but even newbie like me didn't have problem; it's common sense to use 2 hands on Flex.

BTW, if what they said is true that Flex 3401 works about twice as fast as PC, I don;t want PC. It's long time to polish already with Flex (let see 16"x16" section that takes about 3-4 minute to polish, wipe, re-load polish on pads etc for the entire car!) times 2 for polishing time on PC!

My butt still sore for sitting too long on the step stool:cry:

[dboy11]

You mean this flex?:bigpimp:

I used my Flex for the very first time last weekend, OK it took more work that I anticipated.
But it was not the machine problem, I tried to correct bad scratched paint (11 year old A4 with hard clear coat) using very mild 1066F, with low-cut pads (LC white/orange). Wish I had Menzerna IP/SIP and LC yellow pad last week.
Regardless, I am very happy with the result.

Flex3401 is forced dual action, so yes it pulls more than PC but even newbie like me didn't have problem; it's common sense to use 2 hands on Flex.

BTW, if what they said is true that Flex 3401 works about twice as fast as PC, I don;t want PC. It's long time to polish already with Flex (let see 16"x16" section that takes about 3-4 minute to polish, wipe, re-load polish on pads etc for the entire car!) times 2 for polishing time on PC!

My butt still sore for sitting too long on the step stool:cry:

yes that's what I am talking about that I am aware of Flex is the only one with that type of buffer on the market..except for the UDM the one with two heads....its a cross between the PC and a rotary...With some common sense you can get the hang of it pretty fast...however reading on some of these threads some are afraid to use a PC...which IMO is real harmless....slower to produce results but still a great add-on for the weekend guy that works on his own cars and wants to get better than average results