Buffer...

[Dub Quattro]

So I have a friend I went to school with who was obsessive about his '95 Cobra, real good friend and his car was Immaculate! He waxed his car with a low speed buffer about once every 2 weeks...washed every 2-3 days and quick detailed every day! but his car is still the cleanest car I've ever seen in my life!

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with using a buffer? I normally wash my car every weekend and haven't waxed it since Xmas, I want to use a buffer but am kinda nervous and dont wanna ruin the paint or anything. any tips/tricks/advice would be greatly appreciated!!!:gt-happyup:

[Hunter]

contrary to popular belief, keeping too good of care of your car can damage the paint (excessive washing, buffing). I suggest you start lurking around here ( http://www.autopia.org/ )to learn about buffers and other car detailing info. I used to use a buffer until I got tired of using so much wax and still having to hand wax areas around black trim. Since then I've switched to a treatment called Zaino. ( http://www.zainostore.com/ ) I got the Total Protection Show Car Kit (ZKIT-1) and I will never go back to a buffer. After the initial day of detailing your paint, it only takes about fifteen minutes to apply sealant after you wash your car. It's effortless as well... no buffing required. They can answer any questions on the site, as they cover FAQ quite well.

[Vampire Cockroach]

contrary to popular belief, keeping too good of care of your car can damage the paint (excessive washing, buffing). I suggest you start lurking around here ( http://www.autopia.org/ )to learn about buffers and other car detailing info. I used to use a buffer until I got tired of using so much wax and still having to hand wax areas around black trim. Since then I've switched to a treatment called Zaino. ( http://www.zainostore.com/ ) I got the Total Protection Show Car Kit (ZKIT-1) and I will never go back to a buffer. After the initial day of detailing your paint, it only takes about fifteen minutes to apply sealant after you wash your car. It's effortless as well... no buffing required. They can answer any questions on the site, as they cover FAQ quite well.

zaino is the stuff to have. i use their leather treatment regularly but have not tried the z-1 kit. i'll try it soon though.

[Squeak Squad]

Zaino is smoke and mirrors imo. The things they say are polishes are not actually polishes and not actually abrasive.

I'd suggest using a Porter Cable for your first time buffing, you stand little change of damaging your paint with it because it is dual action and doesn't create the heat an orbital buffer creates. I use Menzerna products and find they are very simple to use and provide great results. If you're looking for a lesson on buffing and are in the Charlotte area, I'd offer lessons for a good price. We could just detail your car and I'd show ya the ins and outs as you go along. I'd even let ya use my buffers so you can get a feel for them and see if you ilke it or if it's something you even wantt o do yourself.

Hit me up on PM.

[Dubber_White]

when i worked at a car wash i learned you really want to wax your car every 6 months other than that your clear coat will go by by like hunter said

[Vampire Cockroach]

Zaino is smoke and mirrors imo. The things they say are polishes are not actually polishes and not actually abrasive.

say what you would like, but i think we are talking about two different qualities/ methods here. you run a business.. i would not expect you to use off-the-shelf products with a wax applicator pad on my car.

however, from what i've heard and seen, zaino (and dare i say zymol / turtle wax ice) have been the best personal cleaning / detailing products on the market.

[Squeak Squad]

A polish by definition is abrasive and removes microscopic layers of clear coat with each pass. That's the definition of a polish no matter if it's a business or a personal use.

Zaino uses what's called a filler, not a polish. A filler is just that, something that fills the swirls and scratchs and helps the paint reflect the light more evenly. When using a filler like Zaino, you're only hiding the blemishes, not removing them.

Zaino = Makeup
Polish = Botox
Body work = Plastic Surgery

[Vampire Cockroach]

cool dude. :gt-bb-chongin:

[NC.:R32]

when i worked at a car wash i learned you really want to wax your car every 6 months other than that your clear coat will go by by like hunter said

this is the problem this commercial car washes they have no clue, wax has no abrasives and does nothing to the clear but protect it.But polish on the other hand removes a little bit of the clear to remove swirl marks and oxidation

[Hunter]

the bottom line is zaino fills the scratches, and then seals them, because it is classified as a "sealant." Polish will slowly remove clear coat to remove blemishes. Do what you wish, but only after you CLAY BAR. It's the most important step before any polishing, sealing, waxing, whatever.

If you decide to go the buffer route, Meguires 3-Step is awesome, and if you're lazy, Nu-Finish is the bomb.

[Squeak Squad]

I'll definitely agree with the clay bar statement.
*if you drop the clay bar throw it out.. don't fold it, don't "cut that area off" just throw it out. You'll be better off.

The meguires 3 step is great especially for the weekend detailer.