This is a 1996 work van, 175k miles. Never compouded, polished, nor waxed...
Mostly parked outside, mix of Chicago winter salt and sun.
I'm new here, so interested in learning detailing, paint correction.
Figured this is a car I'm not too worried about ruining.
I started with a wash, dry, and then clayed the hood.
Here is the starting point, rolled it out in the run to get the shots.

Paint is chipped, oxidized, pitted, scratched, swirled, sap and bird droppings from parking under a tree. I'm pretty sure this is the clear coat failing.
Hundreds of chips on the hood:

Had to hunt hard for an area without too many chips or clear failing to show just swirls.



Since this is just a weekend warrior having fun, I bought a HF VS polisher and a 9000 pad. I know it's just a finishing pad, but since I don't know what I'm doing, I figured less aggressive is better (- on the other hand I can't really make this car any worse...)
Taped 1/2 the hood and just worked the right side.
- Is that too big of an area to work at one time? It seemed like it was...
After:

Most of the swirls are gone, I'm guessing a second try with 83 / 82 would get it. But with the deeper scratches, pitting and chips - there's no saving it other than a repaint (which it's not getting).

This is just practice before I take a machine to any of my cars that I care about...
I'll take any advice, comments or criticism (I have thick enough skin).
1st question - should I try the 105 / 205 route with SMAT instead of the DAT system? I don't know when/where each fit in.
I don't mind spending money on this, I just don't know what to buy yet, what size pads (I think this 8" is too big for my liking - do y'all like the 6.5" better?)
Should I add wool, 7000, 8000 series pads as well?
I'm not doing this to start a detailing business, just see it as a new found hobby.
Mostly parked outside, mix of Chicago winter salt and sun.
I'm new here, so interested in learning detailing, paint correction.
Figured this is a car I'm not too worried about ruining.
I started with a wash, dry, and then clayed the hood.
Here is the starting point, rolled it out in the run to get the shots.

Paint is chipped, oxidized, pitted, scratched, swirled, sap and bird droppings from parking under a tree. I'm pretty sure this is the clear coat failing.
Hundreds of chips on the hood:

Had to hunt hard for an area without too many chips or clear failing to show just swirls.




Since this is just a weekend warrior having fun, I bought a HF VS polisher and a 9000 pad. I know it's just a finishing pad, but since I don't know what I'm doing, I figured less aggressive is better (- on the other hand I can't really make this car any worse...)
Taped 1/2 the hood and just worked the right side.
- Is that too big of an area to work at one time? It seemed like it was...
- Just 1 pass L-R, 1 pass up-down with some M83 pretty slow.
- Wiped with a MF.
- Cranked up the speed to high to spin out the 83 out the pad, then while spinning took a towel to clean up the pad.
- Then applied some 82 to the same pad, and again 1 pass L-R, 1 pass up-down.
- Wiped with a MF.
- Washed the car - splatter everywhere!!! Need to get that part figured out.
After:

Most of the swirls are gone, I'm guessing a second try with 83 / 82 would get it. But with the deeper scratches, pitting and chips - there's no saving it other than a repaint (which it's not getting).

This is just practice before I take a machine to any of my cars that I care about...
I'll take any advice, comments or criticism (I have thick enough skin).
1st question - should I try the 105 / 205 route with SMAT instead of the DAT system? I don't know when/where each fit in.
I don't mind spending money on this, I just don't know what to buy yet, what size pads (I think this 8" is too big for my liking - do y'all like the 6.5" better?)
Should I add wool, 7000, 8000 series pads as well?
I'm not doing this to start a detailing business, just see it as a new found hobby.
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