Polishing by hand is a hard slow process. So I suggest you start with a fender or the hood. When that'* done, move on if your up to it. You can spend the next few days polishing, get the hood one day, the fenders the next, and the doors over the weekend. Be sure to wax after you polish to seal the coat. If you plan to polish, don't wax that area.

How much of a budget do you have? If you are willing to put the elbow greese into the job you can acheive fantastic results for about $60.

Once you start to talk random orbital buffers to cost gets up to close to the $250 range once you have what you need.

The ROB, backing plate, pads, polishes, sealant, wax, applicators, and product removal towels do add up.

Once you start down the ROB path it really becomes addictive quickly.

I'm willing to bet I have well over $500 in my detailing bag. Lotions add up fast. Start simple, clay, polish, wax. Then add on, a few towels here and there. I find a big pile is the way to go. I go threw about 6 on a car. A good micro towel for drying is a must. A little here and there don't hurt so much.

Picked up this today for $30.00 New

POWER XT 10" Random Orbit Polisher / Waxer

Product Detail:

Safe for all vehicle finishes including clear coat.

Pro quality shine on CARS, TRUCKS, RVs, BOATS, HARDWOOD FLOORING.

Product Features:
Smooth polishing action from a powerful 3200 OPM motor
Thick, cushioned foam pad follows contours, curves and trim work
Large dual handles with a soft grip surface
Locking ON/OFF thumb switch on handle
Extra long 6 foot (1.8 metre) power cord
Comes with 2 polishing bonnets, 1 foam bonnet, wax applicator & storage case
Even oscillating coverage when polishing, buffing, scrubbing or sanding
High impact, heat resistant ABS housing
Lightweight design for extended use

I wash with Armorall car wash with some dish soap mixed in, Mothers clay bar, then apply meguires by hand (yes by hand) because a loving touch makes it look 10x better

mhmm heres an interesting topic.
never done it before, i'll make sure to grab some stuff when i throw my rims on and do the detailing

Dish soap strips the wax, never use that unless you plan to wax it right away.

Dan between us we can scare a person pretty well.

What Dan is saying is correct. My advice is to find a polish manufacture you like and stay with the brand. Polishes are expensive and it can take time to find the ones you like. I would also wait to buy a ROB on sale.

Check out Autogeek "Buy 1 get 1 free" section. Another way to buy quality equipment and product at a reasonable cost.

Personally this will not work for polishing a car. It may work for buffing out wax as the last step in the process. I do not have one so I really would not know about the final step part. I do not know any pro detailers or detailing hobbiest that use this type of buffer.

Sam are you looking to polish your rims?

If that'* the buffer I'm thinking it is, I have one. It'* a buffer, that'* about it. It will put wax on, and take wax off. But it'* really not going to work with polish. It'* a nice start.