Need some advice on detail

Ok so I am planning on doing a nice detail to my paint this weekend and need some help. I have some trail pin stripes from some branches that I want to remove I am thinking meguires scratch x for this? I also want to clay bar the entire truck. In which order should this done? scratch-x or clay bar first? Also do I need to polish and wax or just wax? And do you think i can do this all by hand or would I be better off getting a buffer?

 

Clay first. Then you can use scratch-x if you'd like. Dont bother with a buffer if you're just using scratch-x. Finish off w/ a wax.

 

Wash, clay, polish, wax.

A buffer does a better job and is easier than doing it by hand, but there is increased risk, depending on what buffer you choose. Orbital buffers are safe but less effective than rotaries. Rotaries are more effective but there is increased risk of taking off too much paint. A forced rotation random orbital lies somewhere in between. But they are expensive.

There are probably dozens of threads out there discussing the pros and cons of both. There are die-hard Porter-Cable users that swear its the best tool for the job, while others wouldn't be caught dead using a Porter-Cable.

I have two rotaries and a forced-rotation random orbital. I use the rotaries for aggressive work and the forced rotation random orbital for finesse work. I almost never polish by hand.

If you are going to use a rotary, you absolutely need to train first. At a bare minimum, practice on a vehicle's whose paint you wouldn't mind trashing before you touch anything else.

 

Ok thanks for the info so wash, clay, scratchx, do I have to polish or just wax? Looks like this will be done by hand

 

Using the scratch-x is polishing and you should always follow up with wax.

 

Ooooohhhh OK. So is it ok of I'm just using the scratch x on the sides? I'm just trying to get rid of the branch scratches. So I wasn't gonna do the hood or the roof or tailgate.

 

Yeah, that's fine. As a general rule, only polish where you need to as it removes paint.

 

Is there any harm in skipping the polish step?

wash->clay->rewash->wax?

 

No harm, except claying usually leaves fine scratches. Depending on the paint color though, you may not notice it.

White and silver are pretty forgiving, but black and other dark colors show the scratches easily.

 

Gotcha... is there any point in polishing by hand or is it futile?

 

Its exhausting and wont yield the same results. If you're doing it by hand, I'd recommend using a paint cleaner, like P21s' cleansing lotion.

 

I agree, but the subject usually invokes a 'Ford versus Chevy' type of debate that I try to steer clear of.

I almost always polish with a buffer, unless I'm spot repairing something quick, usually on a vehicle that someone isn't overly concerned with (they just want the blemish gone).