Looking to do Paint Correction. Good Start?

[sbmiller24]

Hi guys, I'm looking to do a paint correction on my 07 Vista Blue GT. The car is a DD and I park it in an open parking lot at school so it isn't garage kept and exposed to the sun everyday so I'm looking for some good protection to preserve the color.
The paint has been kept in fairly good condition, with a wash about every weekend and a wax about every two to three months. However, I've been noticing some swirl marks and some water spots on the paint and have been itching to get those taken care of.

Also, the previous owner had applied white vinyl stripes with a clear film over them and they are beginning to show their age. IF I removed them, do y'all think there would be fading underneath, and if so, how could I fix this issue? I think the stripes have been on the car for about 3-4 years.

So far, I have pieced together this:
-Porter Cable 7424 XP Dual Action Orbital Polisher
-Meguiar's DA Polisher 5 Inch Backing Plate (will it fit the PC?)(Good size for tight spots but could do the whole car without taking forever?)
-Snappy Clean Pad Cleaning Powder
-Meguiar's 105 and 205 to remove swirls and waterspots
-Chemical Guys Black Wax

A few questions:
-What kind of pads will I need for this to work best? I've seen the LC Hydro Tech Foam Pads (Crimson, Tangerine, and Cyan) but I'm not sure how many my car would require.
-Would I need a finishing polish to completely remove swirl marks or would the M105-205 be good enough.
-Recommend the CG Black wax anyone or is there something better for relatively the same price?
-What kind of sealant would I need to put over the wax to make sure this would last for some length of time?

Finally, thank you guys for the help. I've been looking at this forum for about a year now and have finally decided to begin posting so please excuse me if this is a newby post!
Sincerely, sbmiller24

 

[AK83]

Seer's guide that is stickied is very helpful, it covers everything you asked:

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84488

Here's answers from his guide for your questions.

A few questions:
-What kind of pads will I need for this to work best? I've seen the LC Hydro Tech Foam Pads (Crimson, Tangerine, and Cyan) but I'm not sure how many my car would require.

You'll need 2-3 of these polishing
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/vi...idcategory=234

2-3 of these light cutting
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/vi...idcategory=234

2-3 of these finishing/applicator pads
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/vi...idcategory=234

Few of the snappy pad cleaners, just dump it into a 3-5 gal bucket (not one you use to wash the cars with), let your pads soak in it for a few hours and agitate them clean
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/vi...idcategory=234

-Would I need a finishing polish to completely remove swirl marks or would the M105-205 be good enough.

Basically use the #105 with an orange pad to compound and cut some of the swirls and water marks off of your vehicle.

Go back over it with the cyan pad and #205, and if you really want to jewel up the paint go over it again a third time with #205 and the red pad. If not, use the red pad to just apply liquid waxes/sealants with.

-Recommend the CG Black wax anyone or is there something better for relatively the same price?

Chemical Guys Lava Wax
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/vi...1&idcategory=0

-What kind of sealant would I need to put over the wax to make sure this would last for some length of time?

Chemical Guys Black Light, hybrid glaze/sealant. Will fill minor imperfections and offer protection
http://www.autoality.com/store/pc/vi...3&idcategory=0

 

[Seer]

^^ I'd like to correct myself. On the third to last point, use a cyan pad and 105... then use a tangerine or crimson with 205.

 

[sbmiller24]

Ahh okay, thanks guys! I noticed Seer's guide after I started this thread.

As for the stripes, do y'all believe there would be fading underneath? I did remove my spoiler so I could attempt to remove the stripes from it to see how the paint has weathered.

 

[Seer]

Ahh okay, thanks guys! I noticed Seer's guide after I started this thread.

As for the stripes, do y'all believe there would be fading underneath? I did remove my spoiler so I could attempt to remove the stripes from it to see how the paint has weathered.

nothing a buff cant fix.

 

[John@Lethal]

If you want to step the polisher game up, try the Flex 3401. The PC is a great entry level polisher and will work well for you for years, but a lot of people will eventually upgrade to the 3401 from what I've seen over the years.

Support a vendor here, and take advantage of the specials we're running. 15% off and rock bottom pricing on the Flex Polisher.

Browse some of what we have here:
http://www.lethalperformance.com/car-care-products.html

Check out the details on the special here as well:
http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95414

Thanks!

 

[CaliforniaSpecial]

Thumbs up for the Flex.

 

[b00stedgt]

I bought the flex myself. Glad I spent the extra money on it

 

[John@Lethal]

Thumbs up for the Flex.

I bought the flex myself. Glad I spent the extra money on it

For sure! I have mine being loaned out to a friend. Starting to worry if I'm ever going to get it back.