Cut n Polish - what do i do?

[EFPWR]

I want to do it myself to save some $$, do I need a buff? What brands do you recommend?

[pauljh74]

Personally, I just do it all by hand and use 2 cotton cloths to buff it off - usually old cotton T-shirts made into rags for example. Buff most of the wax off with 1 rag, then quickly again with the cleaner rag. Been doing this for 10 years and looks good. A place for technique tips is Karate Kid part 1

[Mike Gayner]

Yup I just use rags. Make sure you get the right sort of Cut+Polish as some are designed to be used with a buffing machine only.

[FNQracing]

For one of the better car detailing guides, check this http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=40605

[LTDHO]

Hints:
clean car first.
make sure 100% dry
do not do in sun heat
do one panel at a time.
constantly flip rag to keep it clean.
avoid plastics (it a pain to get off)

[EFPWR]

Thx for the tips guys, appreciated..

Originally Posted by LTDHO

Hints:
clean car first.
make sure 100% dry
do not do in sun heat
do one panel at a time.
constantly flip rag to keep it clean.
avoid plastics (it a pain to get off)

I got polish on my plastics and its still on there :(

[SVR73]

Originally Posted by EA-FALCON-GL

Thx for the tips guys, appreciated..



I got polish on my plastics and its still on there :(

Got any prepsol or trim restorer type product, that will do it

I'm crying out to you all, please read my car care tips article in technical resources
T shirt & terry cloth rags create micro marring due to the cloth unable to get rid of the polish residue. It sits on the surface of the cloth and even when it looks clean you are wiping residue back over the paint.
The old cars are more forgiving but if you have an AU or BA of any kind, go easy on it with microfibre towels and cloths, doesn't matter where you get them from. stay away from chinese made ones though

[EFPWR]

Originally Posted by SVR73

Got any prepsol or trim restorer type product, that will do it

I'm crying out to you all, please read my car care tips article in technical resources
T shirt & terry cloth rags create micro marring due to the cloth unable to get rid of the polish residue. It sits on the surface of the cloth and even when it looks clean you are wiping residue back over the paint.
The old cars are more forgiving but if you have an AU or BA of any kind, go easy on it with microfibre towels and cloths, doesn't matter where you get them from. stay away from chinese made ones though

What would you suggest then? (Im doing it to my EA but still..)

[SVR73]

Originally Posted by EA-FALCON-GL

What would you suggest then? (Im doing it to my EA but still..)

Try the finest product first and move up the grit scale as below

soft polish - light cut polish - 1500-1800 extra fine cut compound, 1200-1500 grit compound, 1000 grit compound use only as last resort

Wash the car and with shampoo still on it, clay the paint well
Use prepsol to remove any waxes or polymer sealants that are on there
try the polishes with a hand foam pad, if doesn't work use a 1500-1800 grit compound.
If you get the results you want, then remove swirls and finer scratches with a swirl mark remover (poorboys ssr 2 - 2.5 , menzerna PO85MF or FP II will do the job
Use a finishing polish to get rid of the remaining marks
Enhance with clearkote vanilla moose, red machine glaze and yellow moose (only clean and enhance, they do not remove paint)
Seal with an acrylic, super polymer or polymer sealant (2 coats minimum), one to two coats of a pure carnuaba wax

With every product use Side to side - top to bottom motions

Clay the glass while your at it

[SVR73]

A couple helpful links for you

http://store.bettercarcare.com/paintpolish.html

Go to bettercarcare.com and check out all the how to articles
I don't agree with everything stated with those but it's very helpful