I would go to a clay bar or a step beyond that and either dive into some of the stickies for how to use a polisher and tackle it yourself or pay a local place to give it a go. I have a black car with a bit of swirling and my next step will be the polisher and all the compounds I have yet to read up on.

If you go the clay bar route make sure to break the clay bar up into 3-4 pieces. That way if you drop a piece on the ground you have more pieces to use. Also check out the sticky section here or We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store those guys over there hurt my brain with how much information they post on how-to's.

As far as wax suggestion I ordered some Pinnacle wax from auto geek(will use after I decide to tackle removing swirls), my friend swears by it but I have only ever used Meguires.

 

Yeah, I was told that to polish by hand isn't as effective and better off clay bar then a wax. I'm going to get the mothers clay bar today and give a go. Thanks for tip on breaking into smaller pieces! I have poor boy wax I bought at a local show and going to give that a try. People seem to lime their stuff. Ill post a pic when full detailed with how I feel turned out

 

If you are claying it and read this before doing it, clay then do your swirl remover before any wax goes on. The other way around is just tripping over yourself.

This link has a good picture chart and what order to do things in according to paint finish.
Auto Detailing Facts, auto detailing Tips, How to detailing Guides, how to polish, how to wax, DIY detailing, do it yourself guides

 

The polish and wax is just using a glaze to fill the imperfections.

There is a really good sticky that's goes in great depth in the root of this section. Just say no to Autogeek

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Say NO to autogeek. There is plenty of good info on there, but they generally are going to point you in a product direction that will cause you to spend more money.

Polishing by hand creates a very mild result, usually temporary because you do more "filling" in defects than actually removing. Read up on DA polishing and products, thats gonna be the secret behind maximum depth and gloss.

Car bar will be needed for sure as well.

Welcome to the detailing section. There is ALOT of info to take in when you first dive it, just hang on and soak it up like a sponge! Try not to get addicted....lol yea right.

 

clay bar works pretty good

 

It works great for removing debris, but nothing for removing scratches and swirls

 

In fact, its important to clay properly or youll add scratches lol

 

Does anyone have any basic product recommendations? I just need to get my car cleaned and waxed, nothing too extravagant or expensive yet, but it looks like crap and I want to use the right stuff. I just need like baseline products. I know chemical guys has some good stuff but it can get expensive. Just does anyone have any suggestions cause I have no idea what I'm doing


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Steps:
Wash
Clay
Sealant
Wax

Do you want cheap store stuff or good online stuff? Online can be cheaper in the long run, but more startup cost. Also, online stuff works better, in general.


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Agreed, I like any OTC soap that doesn't have wax in it, its not something you need when youre just going to wax it anyway.

Meguiars soap
Meguiars clay over mothers clay all day.
Mothers or meguiars wax.

Imo its more important to have the right tools than products ie:microfiber wash mitt, two buckets with grit guards, foam wax applicators, wheel brushes etc. OTC products will make a car look great, but you need the tools first. No sponges, no chamois. Microfiber wash mitt, microfiber towels.

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Agreed, I like any OTC soap that doesn't have wax in it, its not something you need when youre just going to wax it anyway.

Meguiars soap
Meguiars clay over mothers clay all day.
Mothers or meguiars wax.

Imo its more important to have the right tools than products ie:microfiber wash mitt, two buckets with grit guards, foam wax applicators, wheel brushes etc. OTC products will make a car look great, but you need the tools first. No sponges, no chamois. Microfiber wash mitt, microfiber towels.

What makes you prefer the Meguires clay over Mothers?

 

The meguiars clay is a little firmer than the mothers meaning it can take off heavier contamination in fewer passes. Before i started getting clay online meguiars was all i used, its good stuff. So is mothers just not as hard.

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Ahhh okay. I had always used Meguires until one day they were out so I grabbed Mothers. I liked how much more pliable it was. Just wish it came with the container. Luckily I had some Megs ones left over.