WindyCityPilot

Awesome looking car. I picked up my '13 1SS in December. Ashen gray. Loving it!

Thanks guys....for the hex grip hand pads.....I would have to buy some different polish correct? The machine polish probably would not work when used by hand....or would it be OK if you're only working on a very small/tight area? Does everyone use the 4" pads for the A-pillar area? Or can you get by with the large 6.5" pad only using the outside edge? I'm not sure if using the large pads on just an edge is a no-no or if it's unavoidable due to all the curves on newer cars. Just trying to wrap my brain around the best methods so when I give it a go I have as much knowledge as possible.

Hey everyone! Just joined the forum....I picked up a 2013 Camaro SS back in December and the weather is finally getting a bit warmer here in Chicago. Here's a pic of my new toy: I already washed it and noticed some light scratches from the dealer...nothing major....but I definitely would like to polish out the scratches and then seal the paint. I've always been interested in machine polishing so I think I'm finally ready to make the jump and buy a Porter Cable 7424XP and all the associated pads/polish/sealant/towels/cleaners.......etc etc etc. My big question is how does everyone handle the small, tight, hard to reach areas of a car? Like around the tail lights, or the front grill where there are a bunch of tight spaces that the 6.5" pads obviously too large for. Does everyone have the smaller 4" pads for the Porter Cable? Or are small tight areas done by hand? Or is it OK to keep the 6.5" pad on and just use the outside area of the pad to quickly hit the area? I also see that people tape off the seams between the hood and fender / trunk and fender.....do you go back and hit this area with machine after the tape is removed so everything is polished up with the same shine? Or how does that work? I've watched almost all the instructional videos and all the demonstrations are on large flat surfaces...these are straight forward and easy to work on. Sorry in advance about all the questions! Any help you guys (and ladies) can provide would be awesome!