First of all, Greetings from Minnesota!!!

I must say you guys had done some very impressive works on detaining your MINIs! I have got so much to learn and so little time.

Well, let me start from here:

I used to own a cheap ($30) rotary buffer from target (or Wal Mart), I used it to wax my cars many many times before it went burned last summer. After reading pages after pages of detailing posts in NAM & infinit forums, I don't know it's still a good idea of using one of those cheap thingy. The only option I have is going back to 2-hand-Technology? Ok, guys, I don't know I wanna spend 200 for a real good buffer because I have about 0 knowledge about detaining cars, I guess good buffer would be a waste of money.

What's your opinion on this?
1. Buy cheap Target/Wal-Mart buffer + some good wool pads & wax? These cheap ones have about no power, really slow spins. Therefore, it won't damage too much if I do something wrong?
2. Save up for a good buffer, and hoping wife won't notice them? Good buffers have real power, so I might damage paint if I don't know what I am doing (which is true).
3. let cars dirty for another month and bring them to pro. detail shop?

Any opinions would be great, or you can point me to some good info.

BTW, I thought It's about time to work on my cars now, and we just had about 20+ inch of snow this week, 12 inch yesterday... Everybody lives south of us are really lucky!!!
Clean MC stay home, dirty infiniti got another layer of salts...

Great weekend everyone!

 

First of all - Welcome to the Detailing forum!

Second: Save up for a good buffer.

Not only are rotary buffers difficult to work with (thery can damage the paint very quickly if used improperly), but the Wal-Mart cheapie jobs also usually have crap-tastic motors.

What you want is a RANDOM ORBITAL BUFFER. There are many deals on them out there, but here's a great package that has everything you need to get started:

http://detailersparadise.com/View.as...071-2491365464

And here's a great DVD that will give you all the basics on how to use it:

http://www.showcargarage.com/1960Corvette.html

Might seem like too much effort just to clean a car, but if you get quality stuff right out of the gates then it really DOES equate to better results and less work in the long-term. I used a Random Orbital on my car when it had less than a thousand miles on it and it was noticably shinier afterwards. I liked the look so much that I asked for a RO for Xmas and can't wait to use it this spring!

 

I don't know if a cheapy one will do damage as long as it is a random orbit. A rotory one give you some nasty swirls. The cheap ones IMO are ok for waxing. You don't need much power to wax a car. If you want to repair paint, I learned from trying it that the cheap ones will take you hours and you will go through lots of product before you get results. When you apply enough pressure to remove swirls, you severely slow down the motor. If all you want is something to make waxing easier, then you are wasting your money on an expensive one. If you want to use compounds and remove scratches and swirls in paint, you should get a good one with power. I went over the hood about 15 times...thats 15 applications of rubbing compound before I got the desired results. Needless to say, I didn't have the patience to do that many applications on the rest of the car. I did about 5 applications on the rest of the car. I will never do that again. I'm buying a PC before I do that again. It will cut the work in half and give much better results.

 

The responses thus far have been very good. I'd like to add that even if you did hire a "good" pro to work on your car, you will still be better off learning to maintain the finish after the pro has done his job.

Now I put "good" in quotes simply because there are a lot of detailers out there that represent themselves as Pro's that really do hack jobs. For them it's all about speed and not quality, so they can get to their next job.

The Porter Cable polisher is a safe tool to use on the MINI. You can't hurt the paint with it unless you drop it. By adding my PC Guard to the face of it, you can even get into areas of the paint like underneath the door handles, or the paint underneath the spoiler, or inside the supercharger scoop without fear of damaging or chipping the paint.

http://store.northamericanmotoring.c...&cat=45&page=1

I've also got another innovation that should be released by AMVIV in the next 3 weeks that will make using the PC for first timers easier and safer than ever before and for professionals like myself, increases the performance while lowering the stress on the wrists and hands.

And thanks to ImagoX for posting the link to my DVD which teaches you how to polish and wax your car by hand and by machine from start to finish. We cover everything from claybar to taping to final waxing and maintenance.

You can find this DVD in the NAM store
http://store.northamericanmotoring.c...&cat=45&page=1

Or at my site at www.ShowCarGarage.com/eshop

If I were you, since you've had experience with the cheap buffers for applying wax, save up for a Porter Cable polisher. It will last a lifetime and will save you money and time in the long run. You can use it for polishing to remove light scratches and swirls from your paint as well as for applying a wax.

Forget about using wool pads on your MINI as well.

Finally, you should be clear on your terminology. I haven't seen Target selling any rotary buffers. I've seen the two handed orbital polishers, but that's much different from a rotary buffer which spins like a drill.

Richard

 

#2!! #2!! #2!!

AND, yes, you want a random orbital polisher. Like the Porter Cable 7336. That will not burn your paint. People have been known to demolish their paint beyond repair by using a rotary. Leave the rotary work to the pros like Octane Guy.

Now, to my next point. And no, I'm not his marketing manager, but you should really get his DVD. With his DVD and the PC, you should be ready to roll! You will also feel confident that polishing is something you can do well!!

 

Big ditto on literally everything everyone else already said!

At the least, buy OctaneGuy's DVD and watch it. That will help you decide if a PC (aka Porter Cable Random Orbital, 7336SP or 7424) is what you want. It's not too much to invest and would definitely help you decide.

OR, at the very, very least, check out one of the free clips from the DVD:
http://www.showcargarage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21

I'll warn you though- it'll only make you want to buy the DVD, but at least you'll get an idea of what it's all about.

In summary, I would get the PC or nothing at all.

-Heather

 

Thanks for the info guys!!!!!!
I'll check out their DVD first! To see whether I can handle the work.
Both of my cars have some light scratches and swirls here and there. This is why I think I have to gear up for detailing before too late. However, I was afraid to death to polish my car, worry I'll burn couple holes on paint.
I had used that cheapy buffer thingy to appy wax on my cars. I didn't notice any damage on paint, and it really saved me time and easy my workflow a little.
Now what's the different between Porter Cable 7336 & regular buffer? Can a Porter Cable 7336 use as a buffer to appy wax?
Any other method to remove scratches and swirls?
Why wool pads are bad stuff for polish/buffer? Have to be micro-fiber all the way?

OctaneGuy :Thanks for a read write up! Was my experience w/ cheap buffer really count? You made me feel better! And sorry for the misuse of the terminology. I guess I had a two handed orbital polisher from Target/Wal Mart/Lowes, it had been so lone, I don't recall!
OTHER GUYS: Thanks for your words from experiences! I'll take your advices, I am listening now, which doesn't happen very often.

I didn't find a single good detail shop in MN, every shop around my home is using poor kids w/ min-wage, I don't think they know much better than I do. And they charge $100+ for a basic detail job...

Anyways, you guys have to suck me into this detail madness??? If my wife found out I spend $400+ on polisher & wax stuff, I might end up share room with cars....
What did you guys tell your better half?
1. The PC is really my old drill with some funny pads on it?
2. I found a cheap buffer for $2 from Good-Will store?
3. Another MINI guy give it to me for free?
Can detailersparadise people print the PC+wax as Medical supply on my bank statment?

Wonderful forum!!! Thanks guys!!!

 

Sure we can! Just phone in your order and tell us to write "medical supplies" in the description line of the credit card charge. It'll still say "Detailers Paradise" in the company name though which may tip her off....

-Heather

 

I recommend the combo maneuver: All for you dear / so much work
It goes something like this -
Part 1
"Honey, have you seen the scratches in your car? Why don't you take better care of your vehicle" (duck at this point because the vase will be flying toward your head) .
Then say "Sorry, sorry, I'm just kidding. I will do it for you but only because I love you and you make great (insert favorite food) and wash my things. I will do this for you." Now a well placed kiss would be in order here and possibly some cuddling, but not too much because you can't get distracted .
Part 2
Run, don't walk to the computer and get to the DP website and order up your stuff, go wild and have fun. It is import to order enough at this point because you may not get another chance so be sure to get everything you want and or need.
Part 3
When the box arrives from DP make sure she sees it. In fact it is better if you are not even home when it arrives. Then when questioned it should go something like this -
SO: "What in the heck is in this big box?"
You: "This is the stuff I had to order to get those scratches out of your car."
SO: "How much did this cost then bub?"
You: "Well it was like $300, but after talking with the body shop they were going to charge $600 to get the paint back in shape so really it saved us $300."
OK she's going to be speechless for a second while she rectifies the $300 cost of the order versus the $600 body shop estimate versus saving $300 so here's you chance to really sell it.
You: "I guess I could just send it all back and have the body shop do it, but you have to promise to never get another scratch or it will be another $600 to fix those . At least with the ordered supplies I can fix it if anyone scratches your car in the parking lot. "
Critical is the following statement you make: "No, I think I'll just send it back, it is easier to have the body shop do it , but whatever you want, it was all for you dear. "
Now turn and walk out. Let her stew for at least an hour before seeing her again and then don't talk about the box at all and change the subject if it comes up.

This is the "All for you dear" maneuver - learn it well.

Next the "So much work" maneuver.
First this assumes that you have in fact not sent the box back. Second you need her to leave for about an hour or two, but she needs to take your car. Now with her car and your new stuff, get after the hood/bonnet and make that puppy shine! If you have time do one of the side doors as well but be sure to finish before the SO returns.
As she pulls in spritz some water for that exhausted look and greet her at the door (panting slightly, don't over sell it) and ask her to come look what you've done. Take her to the garage and show her your work. She will probably stand there agape and then start to smile.
Now for the closer you tell her that this took you over an hour and you only got one door and the hood done, but you're pretty happy with how it turned out. "It's so much work, but it's all for you dear. " Some well placed smooching would be great at this point.
Snap goes the trap and you're in like flint! Welcome to the detailing world. Just remember to do her car every once in a while and life will be good.

If you ever tell my wife that I told you this I will deny it.

 

I feel your pain... my wife looked at me like I'd gone mad when I told her that I needed a PC. After she saw how good the car looked after I borrowed SCurves' one for an afternoon, though, she seemd convinced, and I got one as a Xmas present in December. Of course, I had to promise her that I'd also use it to keep our other car (a '99 Suburban) looking good. As if I needed an excuse to play with my new toy (shhhhhh - don't tell her)...

 

Oh my.... you guys are real PRO!!!!!! PRO of both handle cars & wife....
Ok, This subject is much more intensive, but this is the best suggestion I have had for a long time. I also see that I can subsitude objects to many other things:
All for you my dear, We need another $1500 camera lens -- it'll make you even more beautiful in the picture.
All for you my dear, We need an ATV -- it'll help me bring you more health meat from woods.
All for you my dear, We need to get that 50 inch plazma TV -- It'll really show our honeymoon videos well.



MiniMaybee, You are my man, I think you had just made my life much more enjoyable.... You should really consider write a book name "Manhood 101".
OK, I need to practice these maneuvers until they are butter smooth.


Heather: You have got what I called customer service! Now can you change your company name to something like: Skin-Care Paradise? I think it's true to some degree, right?
And please change your produce name to something like:
Gentle makeup remover / Anti_wrinkle Serum / Deep Pore Refining Scrub
I think you'll double your sale in notime! And make sure you include some hotel room sized lotions that we can give to our wife.

 

How is that project going?

YY-MINI good idea on the medical supply billing, it is therapy for me.

 

If somebody would just find a loophole where we could claim our Mini as a dependent on our income taxes we would be a lot better off

 

There have got to be some accountants on here

 

So I'm thinking a detailing business. Products purchased for advertising - tax deductible, MINI purchased for advertising and as a company vehicle - tax deductible, road trips to MITM, MOTD, AMVIV for business - tax deductible, oh and semi-nude, 21 year-old Swedish models for advertising - tax deductible.
Thanks Uncle Sam!

YY - If you write a book you'll spill the beans. Best to leave this to word-of-mouth kind of education. Tell others what has worked so us men have a fair shake with them women types (Lord knows we need all the help we can get).

 

Welcome to NAM and the best forum on NAM (because we all love bunny suits ) I have OctaneGuy's DVD and I know you will want that and i have a PC and once you have seen the DVD you will really want a PC

I will be up in the citys for the sotaMINIs fun run on the 18 so if you want to see the PC and the DVD before you by your own you can have a look at mine http://www.sotaminis.com/forum/index.php

PS some times PC go for cheep on Ebay