Pistol:

A clay bar removes all the cotaminents off the car's paint by creating an adhesion process. It basically makes the car's paint flat and smooth. Different clays have different effects though, so make sure you read the clay's instructions and effects closely before using it on your car.

 

Wheels are stunning man, so is that car.

Will the GT3 wheel fit on the '04 C4S Cab? Same offset/bolt pattern?

 

Thanks all for the compliments. It is truley a labor of love and I take great pride in doing it myself. Luckily I only perform this level of detailing every 8 months or so...

Using a random orbital buffer (aka, dual action polisher) is the best way to remove swirls. I tried hiding them by hand on my Ocean Blue 996 with Zaino Z5... never made a difference no matter how many coats I put on. Some time with the orbital and a very mild swirl mark remover brought the paint back to gorgous shape. My only regret was not doing it sooner. Very easy to use and very safe for the novice when used properly. Its the large high speed circular polishers that you need to watch out for.

I am far from an expert on these things, just well read. Check out www.autopia.org and board sponsor Proper Auto Care also has some great tips...
http://www.properautocare.com/problemsolving.html

 

Eric,

The GT3 wheels are available in a widebody offset for the C4s, TT, and GT2.

 

I guess I'll be purchasing an orbital this week then...I'll practice on the Audi....

 

RDH- I've gone through many orbital buffers and the one I was happiest with is a Craftsman 10inch orbital straight from sears. My detailer has the same opinion. Dont cheap out, but no need to spend 120$ on some others.

Good luck.

 

Sloth, car looks great. Thanks for the links.

 

Sloth,

Thanks for the info. on Proper Auto Care.

 

looks awesome, car cleaning is so addicting. I wash and wax my girls car and my acura atleast once a month. Then I dedicate another day a month to the suburban

 

Here is some info on the polisher that I use. This one seems to be pretty popular in detailing circles. You can get the basic one for cheaper at Home Depot, but it does not come with velcro backing plates or any pads. The velcro backing plates make changing pads a lot easier...

Basic 7424 polisher...
http://www.properautocare.com/basporcab74p.html

7424 polisher for detailing cars w/ pads & velcro backing plate...
http://www.properautocare.com/porcabuldetm.html

Velcro backing plate...
http://www.properautocare.com/velbacplatfo.html

 

I used the random orbital with the claybar inserted into a specially formed foam pad I bought from Griot's. Removed all the swirls on the lapis blue Boxster. Works great. You can buy the Porter Cable random orbital from Lowes and save a bundle over Griot's and McGuiars. I got the velcro pads from www.carcareonline.