First time major detail

[spenceredwinm]

Hello all. I am just starting out getting interested in car detailing. I tried to start out in the "Detailing 101" sticky, but that info seems a little outdated and some of the links are broken. I have a black 2011 mercedes sedan that is starting to show some minor swirls that I want to take care of. I am a pretty habitual washer/waxer, I try to wash at least every two weeks and wax once a month, all by hand. I have done some research and am planning on the following products:
Ultimate Wash and Wax
Clay Kit
Ultimate Compound
Ultimate Polish
Ultimate Liquid Wax

Previously, I have been happy working by hand, but that seems like a little too much elbow grease for me, so I am getting a DA buffer to help with application. I guess my questions are as follows:
Am I using the right products or possibly over doing it?
Is the compound necessary or is that overkill for minor swirling?
I am planning on going right down that list above in that order. Which of them, if any, would require a second application?
Any tips for first time DA buffer users so I don't make mistakes?
I usually just wax over the chrome trim on my car, will the compound or polish screw up the trim?

I know there is a lot of experience on this forum, so any insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[The Guz]

Re: First time major detail

Welcome to the forum.

A DA is definitely worth the money. You have lots of options. You have the new Meguiar's MT300, the G110 V2, Griots Garage, Porter Cable 7424XP and the Harbor Freight. You have to see what fits into your budget. Don't forget you will need pads and a backing plate. Meguiar's introduced new pads for 2015. Some other pads that I like are the 5.5" Lake Country Flat pads and the 5.5" Lake Country Hydrotech pads.

It's hard to say what your paint really needs. Thus the recommended test spot with the least aggressive combo will tell you what you need to do. Start off with ultimate polish with a polishing pad if you are using a DA and if you need more correction then move to ultimate compound and cutting pad if using a DA.

Go on youtube and search for Mike Phillips. He has a good video on how to use a DA.

As far as your other question about trim and chrome, keep polishes and compounds off the trim. It will stain trim and if the trim is textured it will take a little work to remove it. It's pretty common to mask off trim to avoid that. Ultimate liquid wax will not stain trim. The chrome won't have an issue as it's pretty durable.

Since you like to wax monthly you may want to invest in ultimate quik wax. Ultimate wax is pretty durable and offers about 4-6 months of protection.

Some of the other folks will chime in just in case I missed something.

[Murr1525]

Probably do a little better with the Gold Class soap and Ult Spray Wax after washes/while drying.

[davey g-force]

Re: First time major detail



It definitely sounds like you are on the right track with everything.

Yes, use the products in the order you have listed. That's assuming you need UC - a test spot will tell you that, as Guz said.