was wondering if someone could give the steps and products i nee to buff my car myself. im geting a buffer and need to know what to get and the proper steps. thanx

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04 gt. halos, window tint, brushed aluminum interior trim, red leds. custom mats, debadged, 18" TSW wheels, black with mirror lip. CAI,slp cat back.

First question to you is... What buffer?

If it's a 7424xp:
http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-pol ... 4AodZkMonA

These kinds of searches on guides of "How to's" will give you the basic idea, but as you do it more and more you'll learn what works best for you and your vehicle.

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Mods: Vector ECM/TCM tune | VG Sharkfin | Volant CAI w/Amsoil Filter | Spyder Tails | GXP Rear Diffuser | Debadge | SLP Spoiler
Erebus: 2000 Grand Prix GTP Sedan
2009.5 G8 GT
GPONA's June COTM 2011 & March 2012

Kendra has a good point. Are we talking a high speed buffer?

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2004 GTP Comp G. The Daily Driver.
JULY 2011 GPONA COTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uNwgZGrvJ0
1992 GTA Trans Am. The Toy.
2003 VW Jetta. The Spousal Unit.

http://www.amazon.com/Wolfgang-Duo-Port ... B003WHCLHS

I just ordered that^. Maybe that is what you are looking for? I was looking for something that can get scratches out of my daily driver as doing it by hand is a PITA. I've heard wolfgang isn't bad and I know that the buffer is a good choice.

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Like mentioned above what type of buffer are you looking at? There is a few good brands out there that will make the job a little easier and get good results...some of those include adams polishes, menzerna, meguiars professional line, just to name a few...you will need pads as well but that is going to depend on what kind of buffer and products you will be using....also some food for thought is good towels because if you are using cheap ones you will put the swirls that you removed right back in

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

no clue what ill be using. i have a inexpensive buffer. i guess i just need to know the steps. and what products to use

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04 gt. halos, window tint, brushed aluminum interior trim, red leds. custom mats, debadged, 18" TSW wheels, black with mirror lip. CAI,slp cat back.

If you are talking about a sears type orbital buffer you probably shouldn't even waste your time...you need a buffer like a porter cable to get any real results

-- Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:41 pm --

If you are talking about a sears type orbital buffer you probably shouldn't even waste your time...you need a buffer like a porter cable to get any real results

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

once again, the steps depend on the type of buffer you will be using. In theory, all the steps include:

counpounding (IF your car needs it)
polish (to get rid of the haziness and micro-marring)
final polish (almost a non-abrasive polish to clean up the final swirl marks left by the polishes)
sealant (to protect the paint finish)
wax (to give it a nice deep wet shine)

everyone has their own way of doing things...best bet is jump on google and/or youtube and start browsing different how-to's.

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It really depends on what shape your cars in. Honestly i worked for a detailing company and by no means am i professional buffer. BUT i do know that having a good high speed buffer regardless of what your doing during your buffing is nice to have. Variable speed buffers are the way to go. You can go slow for the polishing/very light cut products or you can turn the speed up for your high or medium cut products. Def want to have some good rags. Make sure you do a good masking job too or you'll be taking a tooth brush to every nook and cranny in the vehicle getting the compound dust out.

Some good steps before buffing:

1. Wash it really good.
2. Clay bar the vehicle.
3. Rinse the vehicle.
4. Dry it off.
5. Take some type of bug/tar remover to lower/front and back of vehicle where debri is most likely to build up.
6. Quick detail the areas you just used tar remover on.
7. Start masking off any black plastic/windshield etc..
8. Come up with the level compound you want to use for the job you are trying to accomplish. Any detail shop can answere these questions for you.
9. I've been using double sided buffing pads (Green) for most applications. The different colors mean different grade of cut.
10. Make sure the area is lit well so you can see any swirl marks created. Depending on your skills you may not get any but first time buffer you may be doing it more than once.

** Make sure you dont go to high of a speed with the buffer, you will burn your paint and mess the whole job up. Read the label on the compound if it has it. It should tell you the RPM's it will break down at.

Make sure you throw a good coat of protectant on the vehicle when finished to give you that gloss look. I'm not sure if we are aloud to recommend products but Detail King has very good products for all applications.

Good Luck!

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04' GTP
75k Miles, Tinted windows. Pac Audio Ipod/Aux interface. Front Rear Bumper inlays, Arrowhead overlay, Door sill stickers (H.O.G)
Work in Progress...slowly.

i wouldnt recommend for anyone new to the detailing world to jump straight into a rotary unless he has someone that can teach him in person....seen some nasty damage created from someone using a rotary wrong....start with a PC and go from there to save yourself from having to pay for the car to get resprayed......

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

I have a Sears dual action buffer and it works great with Meguier's ultimate polishing compound. The key is to use a low speed polish not a high speed polish and you'll get great results.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

you got a link to said buffer Don?

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

Here's the one I have and it's on sale.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... ockType=G3

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

does that rotate or just vibrate?

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

It rotates and oscillates just like a porter cable.

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Bright Red 2008 G8 GT

Mods: DRCUSTOMPARTS Center Gauge Bezel
Superchips ECM/TCM Tune- Volant CAI
Solo Axlebacks - HID's
Holden V8 Badges
My Website

gotcha....im thinking of upgrading to this one soon

http://www.autogeek.net/flex-pe14-2-150 ... isher.html

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

here's what i use: http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polishers.html along with 15 buffs

works like a champ. that with meguiars heavy cut compound, swirl mark remover, polish and wax and wet sanding paper when the time arises. got the sum bip' shining high.

Whats everyones pad/compound/polish combo's you use for most normal paint correction?

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Pontiac Garage:
01 Pontiac Grand Prix GT/ 96 Pontiac Grand Prix SE/ 90 ASC-Mclaren Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix

man talk about being the underdog here.. i have a cheap orbital buffer/polisher i wash the car by hand , then use the buffer to put on the wax then had buff off the residue!!.. makes putting wax on much easy! dont really do much other than put on the wax but it saves time from doing it by hand.

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2001 white gt coupe with enough crap to make it run mid 13's with 3 bad pistons
2002 40th GTP sedan mostly stock

Yeah be careful with a rotary, I tore the paint off my lower rocker panel with a foam pad..

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2009 Pontiac G8 GT- Roto-Fab Intake, Roto-Fab Radiator cover, Superchips Cortex Tune, Tinted Tail lights, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust, Tinted side markers, Painted GXP Diffuser, Tinted Reflectors, Painted Grilles.

for buffing and fixing paint imperfections with a dual action rotary buffer with a variable speed dial keep plenty of compound between the car surface and the pad so heat doesnt build up and burn the clear coat and toast the finish and keep the speed down. also be sure to use counter or clockwise motions so the pad doesnt stay on one spot. for instance, my buffer has a variable speed dial that goes to 9, at all times i never go above 5. and thats for fixing scratches. you need to get aggressive with it to fix it. all other times its 3 - 4. if your using foam pads like i do, when doing paint repair you want a firm/tuff pad that doesnt have much give when you press it a bit. for swirl removal you need a softer one and polishing, the softest. polishing compound will use itself up the fastest so dont be afraid to keep applying that. if none of that fixes your paint, resort to wet sanding then buffing and polishing.

all of Adams products are color coordinated so there severe swril remover is green which goes with the green pad.....swirl and haze remover is orange and goes with the orange pad and fine machine polish is white to go with a white pad....i listed them with the most aggressive polish and pad first....you always start with the least aggressive method first and work your way up until you get the results you are looking for...with my flex and the pc you start with an x shape of product and add 2-3 pea size drops per panel.....always mist the pad first with detail spray so you arent working with a dry pad....you dont need a lot of product on your pad because it will cause the pad to get caked and not work like it is supposed to....there are times where when i move to the next panel i spray the pad with detail spray and it activates the product again

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'

I think I'll be converting over to Adams this year.

Until now Ive just had a random assortment of pads for my DA and Rotary. Ive used Ultimate Compound most of the time on the cars I buy and sell that haven't ever been taken care of. Then I have some random Meguires Professional swirl remover and cleaning polish.

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Pontiac Garage:
01 Pontiac Grand Prix GT/ 96 Pontiac Grand Prix SE/ 90 ASC-Mclaren Pontiac Turbo Grand Prix

trust me you wont be disappointed....if you sign up on their forum you get a 10% off discount code for your first order and one for your birthday as well

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Only a memory
Pioneer Nav/Magnaflow Catback/E-Cutout/Poly MM/CAI/160*/TBS/STB F&R/Wrapped X-Over & 3'' DP/Flip Paint/XP5243 Atl. Plugs/10.4mm Taylor Wires/SSC

256HP/341TQ
14.05 @ 100.4 2.24 60'