So after what seemed like excessive reading (have to stop and finally do it) here and on detailedimage.com I've got my game plan and gathered the tools.

My 05 OB coupe was pretty neglected by the original owner. Swirl marks galore, scratches, a handful of bad rock chips and two massive chips. On the rear most panel of the trunk lid is more gray than black in direct sun light. The more I know what to look for, the worse the car looks (to me) ...

I choose to go with the Griot's Garage 6" random orbital, in a kit with some basic products. Machine Polish 3 (medium), their Best In Show wax, Clay bar, and Speed Shine (quick detailer / clay lube). Days after I purchased my kit + more, they sent out a first-time buyers promotion that included their 3" machine for free .... a quick call to customer service and a very supportive rep, a free 3" machine should be arriving just in time

That's where I started, then expanded my inventory through detailedImage.com - Thanks for the support on these forums and coupon code DI!


Wash:
2 buckets with Grit Guard in the rinse

Griot's Garage - Microfiber wash PADS (love these over mits ... just fyi)
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...r+wash+pads.do

Griot's Garage - Microfiber Drying Towel (love this towel's surface area and 'pockets' for maintaining grip, spreading the towel, with two hands)
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rying+towel.do

Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss - mixed 1oz:1gal for a good 'stripping' wash


Clay:
Griot's Garage Clay bar and Speed Shine as lubricant
Worked over the car twice ... first run did a awesome job, but some of the stuff has been resilient and I'm sure this car had not seen this much TLC.


Polish:
Griot's Garage Machine Polish 3 (medium) on their Orange pad
Griot's Garage Machine Polish 4 (fine) on a LC White polishing pad
(Also have LC Blue finishing pad for any final buffing)
Lake Country Snappy Clean Pad Cleaner for pad clean up


Sealant:
Poorboy's World EX-P Sealant w/ Carnauba on a GG Red waxing pad


Wax:
Poorboy's World Natty's Blue Paste Wax on a GG Red waxing pad
Trim & Interior:
Back-to-Black to restore my side mirror bases (may change this, based on reading recommendations)
303 Aerospace protection


May do a light polish on the headlights, getting some minor fogging beginning to appear and with all this don't want those to be what looks unfinished.

... Wanted to get this posted but will post up some before pics when I'm back at my home computer. I'll of course follow up with some progress pictures in the next few days.

 

Some Before pictures
... Almost embarrassed to share these but ... it was all the original owner's handy work not mine and under most circumstance and lighting no one see it quiet like this...

    


First pass with the polisher.
So far I had clayed the car twice, then made a first pass on the drivers side with GG's Machine Polish 3 (mild) on a GG Orange Polish pad. Here is the driver side rear qtr panel before and after. This polish is very mild and Griot's Garage suggests multiple passes with it for improved results each time ... I still need significant correction though I certainly saw some improvement. I have ordered their Machine Polish 1 (medium) and 2 (med-mild) for more cutting power.
  

You can see the correction so far clearly here, despite the blurry picture, where I had taped the edge of the door panel. I'll be returning to this area of course ...


-- saved for more progress pics --

 

For paste wax apply it by hand with a foam or MF applicator pad, and I also do the sealant this way to. Also for the sealant and wax make sure to let the sealant cure for about 12hours or more before applying the wax. I usually just do it over night.

 

@wakeboardr116: Thanks for the tips

Update:
As I mentioned I did the first clay bar pass with Griot's Garage's Paint Cleaning Clay. After spot treating a couple areas again I still felt some stubborn spots.

I had a Maguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit on hand so I choose to try their clay and I felt that it did a superior jobs when I revisited areas that still felt pretty dirty. In fact the clay, since being white/light gray, showed pretty significant dirt for having been a clean car. Granted that after a previous couple passes these contaminates could have been worked loose, skewing my impression, however this leads me to believe the Griot's Garage clay is pretty mild clay. I may look for a medium to aggressive clay to clean up remaining trouble spots, like the trunk lid which was thick with contaminates.

 

Looks like my car. Couldn't get out deeper scratches though, but I got out the swirls.

Honestly, it wasn't worth the effort to make so many passes.

I used a PC7335 with Menzerna SIP + Ultimate Compound and an orange pad

 

good luck with it keep us updated with the progress.. also how do you like groits garage stuff i get their catalog but neve ordered anything..

 

This is what I use. I haven't tried any other clays but I like Meguiare's products.

Very nice job, it definitely made a difference.