I am planning on doing a multistep paint correction and seal in the next few weeks. car is 2002 turbo slate gray. to my knowledge it has never been clayed or polished and has had cheap waxes at best in the past. it needs some TLC for sure and has swirls and such. car is always garaged and is only driven about 2000 miles/year. plan on following the trinity. also plan on pulling the wheels and cleaning barrels, brakes and such. i expect it to be a 2-3 day process and thats fine. dont really have any experience with this level of auto detail but am reasonably teachable and DIY'er for sure. have watched tons of videos and understand the dangers. my questions are more regarding products or any blatant mistakes or must do suggestions.

1. claying i plan on a medium bar with lube

2. polish i plan on Menzerna 3-4 step polish. probably buy some 1500, 2500, 4000, and 4500. not sure i need to do a 4 step polish but am certainly willing too. if i were to only do a three step, what 3 do you pros recommend. again 4 is fine if my results will be better. Think DD is best place to get this stuff.

3. wax/sealent i havnt totally decided but am leaning toward a sealant. most likely stick with the Menzerna line whether wax or sealant tho i do have some p21 100% available.

will likely use microfiber pads for polishing, and finishing as i understand they are pretty easy to use and respond well with the soft porsche paint.

any comments or suggestions are certainly welcome.

 

You're on the right track.

1. Medium clay would be perfect

2. Keep it simple...all you'll need is Menzerna 1500 and 4000, or their old names, Super Intensive and Super Finish

3. That's up to you. A simple sealant that's pretty good s the Sonax NanoLiquid Wax

4. MF pads are good for certain applications. I still prefer foam for sip and sf. I'd start with purple wool/sip, then go to orange/sip, then finish with black/sip

Make sure to tape up black trim.

What machine are you using?

 

Haven't bought a machine yet. Probably a porter cable 7424XP or something similar. Saw DD recommend a hitachi model in another thread.

 

What's your budget? PC is great for applying wax, but I'm not too fond of it for polishing. It lacks the torque needed for proper correction. If you can swing it, the flex is the way to go

 

I don't mind buying a good one. Any advantage to getting one of the air compressor compatible ones? Already have a compressor

 

Probably just gonna do this kit.

http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-porter-cable-ceramic-show-car-kit.html

 

Actually wrapped up the exterior today. Did all menzerna. 1500, 4000, glaze, and sealant. Orange, white, gray, red pads in that order. Was gonna do a wax as well but was ready for some rest, maybe next time! its been pretty extensive process for sure. Still need to do the inside tonight or morrow. Pretty happy with result. It looks really good. Didn't do any before pics but il get some after pics up soon.

 

so anyway here are some results. could have spent a little more time on interior, but this was really an exterior makeover with only 2-3 hours interior. total time was about 36 hours from wednesday afternoon to monday afternoon. but again thats me by myself. i still need to do the trunk area which i expect another 2 hours in there. despite taping it take a lot of time to get all the goo out or the nooks and crannies! i think next go around in spring time il do glaze/SF 4500/and a good wax.

files arent loading...il get some up

again a recap:

wash
clay bar
wash
spot wet sand 2000/2500/3000 on 4-5 spots as well is 3000 wet on entire front bumper
tape trim
menzerna SI 1500 on orange pad
wash
menzerna SF 4000 on white pad
wash
menzerna finishing glaze on gray pad
menzerna power lock sealant
Mothers back to black on exterior trim (stuff sux ***)
Leather Masters 3 step on interior (beautiful job)

 

pics just wont load. not sure what deal is. i have loaded PLENTY of pictures on 6spd.

 

Adding as jpeg from MAC. Even restarted computer to make sure it wasn't something on that end.

Am going to the manage file feature. Window pops up, click on upload image, selecting photo, and then upload. Says file upload failed every time. Tried couple times last night and today.

 

The suggestion above will work if your image is hosted on a server somewhere...to upload from your PC there is an image size limit...resize them to something like 1024x768 and it should work

 

A 3 to 4 step process is really uncessary. Most of the responses have been 2 steps, usually with a heavy swirl remover/compound as step 1 and a finishing polish. Porsche paints are on the soft side, although they vary from generation to generation. If your defects are light, you can very well get away with a 1 step using Sonax Perfect Finish. This stuff cuts almost as much as Menzerna SIP but finishes like 4500. Menzerna Powerlock is good stuff and it isn't too expensive. BFWD is by far my favorite sealant of choice. Also, don't get a PC, they lack power. Get a GG 6" DA and buy yourself a 5" and 3" backing plate with 5" and 3.5" or 4" pads.