first time using the buffer

[macoyle]

Well I wanted to buff my wifes 4runner since we bought it because the paint is in pretty horrible shape. It would appear the owner before me washed it with a green pad or something, I dunno but there were a shit ton of small scratches everywhere and rock chips galore. I saved a ton of money so I figured I could deal with the paint, I finally got a nice weekend and got around to it so heres the progress...

when we bought it in Aug09

I only took one before pic besides the ones I already had, but this shows how bad it is up close

and after...

Sorry for the crappy cell phone shots but the wife is in TX visiting family and she has the camera

Edit: I have since gone back and cleaned up all the wax and compound crap around all the edges and door handles

 

[macoyle]

Well I wanted to buff my wifes 4runner since we bought it because the paint is in pretty horrible shape. It would appear the owner before me washed it with a green pad or something, I dunno but there were a shit ton of small scratches everywhere and rock chips galore. I saved a ton of money so I figured I could deal with the paint, I finally got a nice weekend and got around to it so heres the progress...

when we bought it in Aug09

I only took one before pic besides the ones I already had, but this shows how bad it is up close

and after...

Sorry for the crappy cell phone shots but the wife is in TX visiting family and she has the camera

Edit: I have since gone back and cleaned up all the wax and compound crap around all the edges and door handles

 

[mndanielsncsu]

Looks good and it does appear that the previous owner used a brillo pad. My windows look that way and it drives me insane.

What buffer did you use? Which products? I've been thinking about getting one of the Porter Cable buffers.

 

[12guns]

Good job. What did you use w/ the buffer? Fore major scratches, I've used rubbing compound before, then finished w/ nufinish or another liquid wax. Buffers work WONDERS on a paint job! As long as you keep it moving and don't stay on one panel for an hour, it's fool proof.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

What did they use to wash it a broom? Looks much better now. I love black, but i would never buy it just for that reason, it would drive me nuts.

 

[macoyle]

I used turtlewax scratch and swirl remover and next time will use a compound

 

[T4R402]

What did they use to wash it a broom? Looks much better now. I love black, but i would never buy it just for that reason, it would drive me nuts.

Exactly why I got rid of it. I have a black truck for years, such a PIA.

 

[dr427]

Great job! These dark colors show so much more.

I did the exact same thing this weekend.

I didn't take any before shots, but it was similar to your pics, but add some long scratches down both sides.

I used a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher (looks like an angle grinder) and Griots Garage #2 and #3 polish and followed up with 3M Performance Finish wax.

My arms were jelly even with the polisher (due to removing the polish and wax by hand 3 times total), but the end result was liquid happiness!

Great feeling isn't it! BTW, your 4th pic down makes it look like a 3" lift kit is on it!

 

[MikesToy]

:nono: No double posting. :whipping2

 

[bak3rme]

:nono: No double posting. :whipping2

FOURM POLICE GUNNA COP YOU!

what buffer did you use? i should post a pic of mine up also. but all i got is a camera phone with me atm.
debating wheter i should but a polisher for the heck of it..use it one time and return it...i cant remove those scratches by hand..and im pretty sure the polisher can do all that for me

 

[dr427]

what buffer did you use? i should post a pic of mine up also. but all i got is a camera phone with me atm.
debating wheter i should but a polisher for the heck of it..use it one time and return it...i cant remove those scratches by hand..and im pretty sure the polisher can do all that for me

I'll tell you the $40 sears special isn't much better than your hand.

I highly recommend the Porter Cable. Best $120 I spent on detailing.
Porter Cable 7424

As for supplies, 3M products are VERY good and can be found an most body paint supply shops and even NAPA believe it or not. The Finesse-it II is very good for the spider swirls.

If you want to make it a one stop shop Griot's Garage has everything in one place. But be prepared to spend some money.

 

[K.C.]

VenomHP,

Amazing what a buffer can do!!

 

[K.C.]

:nono: No double posting. :whipping2

FOURM POLICE GUNNA COP YOU!

what buffer did you use? i should post a pic of mine up also. but all i got is a camera phone with me atm.
debating wheter i should but a polisher for the heck of it..use it one time and return it...i cant remove those scratches by hand..and im pretty sure the polisher can do all that for me

MikesToy should be a Moderator on this forum...he's the most active member, he welcomes ALL the New Members & he creates new Threads daily.

 

[810moto]

Great job! These dark colors show so much more.

I did the exact same thing this weekend.

I didn't take any before shots, but it was similar to your pics, but add some long scratches down both sides.

I used a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher (looks like an angle grinder) and Griots Garage #2 and #3 polish and followed up with 3M Performance Finish wax.

My arms were jelly even with the polisher (due to removing the polish and wax by hand 3 times total), but the end result was liquid happiness!

Great feeling isn't it! BTW, your 4th pic down makes it look like a 3" lift kit is on it!

maybe you can go get yourself a steak sandwich now at Del Rancho.

 

[macoyle]

I just used the 10" buffer from sears, wife got it on sale for a xmas gift. I had told her I wanted a buffer and emailed her a link for a porter cable but its a lot better than nothing and the thought that counts lol

 

[audiqtr]

Great job!

My arms were jelly even with the polisher (due to removing the polish and wax by hand 3 times total), but the end result was liquid happiness!

^^ Means you used too much product^^ Next time, use less product. You'd be surprised how much you actually need. When you use teh right amount of product, you'll barely have to wipe off any residue. Just to give you an idea, on a sedan, I use about 1-2 oz polish/pass. For wax, it's even less....

Good job though. More than the looks of it, to me, there is nothing like touching clean, healthy paint.