Here is the deal:

Purchased:

#3 Machine Polish
Best of Show Wax
Clay
Speed Shine
Vinyl & Rubber Dressing
Porter-Cable Model 7424 Polisher

Gave it a try today. As directed, I ran the polish over the panel 8 times, right to left and up and down. A few swirl marks came out but not nearly what I was expecting. Many swirl marks remain and I'm looking for advise, should I buy some #2 polish?

Clay first.

You should get a full set of the machine polish 1-3 as different parts of your rig will need different polish. Like the rear, which doesn't get hit with crap all the time won't need as harsh a polish as the front end/hood. I just about always start at #2 unless it is a new rig because most folks who ask me to detail their rigs haven't done anything to their paint to protect up until then. #1 only on really harsh swirls. #2 should solve your problem.

BOS wax, two coats.

Good luck!

It sounds like you need to step up to #2 or maybe #1 polish. One of the nice things Griot's polish and the Porter-Cable polisher is it's nearly impossible to harm the paint. You were right to start with #3 and see if that removed the swirls. I'd try #2 next and see how that works out.

Here's my routine for polishing the 4Runner and my BMW.

1. Wash the car (Duh?)
2. Dry it off
3. Clay with Speedshine and many scratchfree cloths
4. Polish with #3 polish and orange pad (#1 or #2 polish if required)
5. Very heavy coat of Best of Show put on with red pad. Leave the wax to cure overnight. Wash out the pad and dry.
6. Another coat of Best of Show. Buff to a haze.
7. Buff of the haze with 100% cotton polishing cloth.

I keep my cars garaged, so this is only a once a year routine. My normal, once a month is Wash, Clay, Best of Show. Keeps 'em looking sharp.

Hope this helps you out.

Thank you both for your replies. I should not have said disappointed, maybe confused would have been a better choice of words. I am going to go ahead and order #2 and #1 polishes in the next day or so. I will give that a try. I know that they make great products, I just didn't get it right the first time. Thanks again for the reply.

Before you order and risk additional work for less than full benefit, why not call Griot's and ask them what went wrong? They have a good reputation for customer service, and you might get some really valua ble advice to give you an even better result.

That's a great idea to call Griot's. They will be more than happy to help you decide what products would work for you. I'm fortunate that I live only 5 minutes from them, but I ask questions all the time.

I'm in Puyallup as well and would love to drop by their showroom. Do you have the address/location handy?

TIA

No problem. Their address is:

Griot's Garage, Inc.
3500-A 20th Street E.
Tacoma, WA 98424

They are actually in Fife. From the High School driving South on 20th Street. Go past the BMW dealership and the Costco Business warehouse. They are located in the second to last row of business buildings/warehouses on 20th Street. Their building is in the triangle made by 20th and Industry Dr. E and is the end office (closest to Tacoma).

Hopefully this link to Mapquest will work.

Griot's Garage

Soon they will be moving to a new facility in Dupont. So that will be a little further away.

Griot's will also demonstrate any of the products at the R&D center down the street. Unfortunately they will only do a small area to show you how to do it. You have to finish the job when you get home, but it's pretty cool anyway. Just ask them about it. They also have tech sessions year-round for the local car clubs. I go there at least twice a year with the BMW club. So if you belong to a club, ask about getting a tech session going. They're free and you will learn SO much from them.

Thanks for the quick reply!