Assistance with Auto Detailing

[Andy]

OK I am looking at this online. I am pretty set on this but I needed some assistance on how to use what is included with what I plan on purchasing.

This is the kit of the porter cable tool and the misc. pads for it.

http://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-BUF_209-Detailing-Accessories/dp/B003UW1IQU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1364171586&sr=8-2&keywords=porter+cable+detailing
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413Ypih8KpL.jpg

I wanted to get this
Meguire 105 cutting
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M10532-Ultra-Cut-Compound/dp/B001O7PNW8/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_z
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/716JlRhFjJL._SL1500_.jpg

Meguire 205 finishing polish
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-M20532-Ultra-Finishing-Polish/dp/B001O7PNXC/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_y
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71K6a2w6hUL._SL1500_.jpg

and the meguire wax
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Generation-Tech-18-Ounce-Liquid/dp/B0002UQATS/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1364171680&sr=1-4&keywords=meguire+wax
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WbowZgYXL.jpg

now my question lies with which pads to use for what? Ive been doing a lot of research on this and I think I am developing information paralysis. I think one pad is for one thing and then someone says use something else.

I know there are quite a few people on this forum that like to detail their cars or do others as a side job and wanted some assistance.

I was able to decipher more or less this much information.

Orange: heavy duty cutting
White: Medium cutting
Blue: fine cutting
Black: finishing/waxing
Red: finishing/waxing

Maybe if someone could explain this better for my intended uses.
Thanks.

[Andy]

with the assistance of someone on another forum by the name of user name here is his response.



Use Orange for the first product, Blue for the second and Black or Red for the third?

[new2mx5]

Why don't you get it straight from the chemical guys, find something cheap to get you over $200

http://www.chemicalguys.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=Buf+209&Submit=

Then goto the "i love free stuff" page, and get all this for free.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Limited_Edition_2013_Spring_Brew_Detailing_Kit_p/temp201.htm

[Andy]

^ Because I hadnt thought of that. I did find coupons to get all of the meguires stuff from advance autopart for $50 though.

[new2mx5]

You can get something equivalent to all the meguires stuff from them also, if you goto the wacky deals page, they are all like $10 per bottle. Just look at the descriptions to get you close. There are tons of choices and opinions to match.

[Andy]

I dont know. I was doing a lot of research and came to the conclusion that the meguires was what I wanted.

[new2mx5]

Meguires is good stuff, but I think they are overpriced and sell based on their name, similar to Bose. Both have been around and established themselves in the market long ago but are they truly worth the money? I know that for the same money you can buy higher quality speakers than Bose but most people dont know hwere to find them or have an audiophiles ear. I have no affiliation with them, but I have not been disappointed with the products I have purchased from the chemical guys.

[Andy]

alright. When it is time to buy. Tomorrow morning I will take a care full look into them.

[Andy]

anything in particular I should take a look at tomorrow morning?

[new2mx5]

I am new to detailing myself, but did a lot of reading and exploring. The products I haved used from them have all been for washing my cars so far, all my polishes and waxes just showed up last week, and its been to cold and rainy to try any of them. I found them ironically by ordering my foam cannon and soaps thru Amazon.

[Andy]

Well after a lot of research. Many hours worth I think I will go with the ultimate compound. Now I don't know if I should apply some polish after or not. Many people say just use a wax right after.

[maharaj]

Well after a lot of research. Many hours worth I think I will go with the ultimate compound. Now I don't know if I should apply some polish after or not. Many people say just use a wax right after.

Polish and then wax....wax is just a protective barrier.

[Phatmiata]

Waiting for Junkman to chime in here............ :whistle:

[revlimiter]

Um. Wow. Those are some extremely harsh products in the original post. Do you know how to use a polisher like you linked? Do you understand the different cuts of rubbing compound? Because with that harsh one and the polisher, you can burn through paint and primer in a few passes if you have heavy hands.

To quote the annoying guys in the vitamin stores "What exactly are your goals?"

Because the stuff you linked is for ROUGH paint. Paint jobs that came from a spray can and need lots of work to get orange peel removed, stuff like that. If you have a clear coat car, you can guarantee that you'll not have any clear after a few minutes with those products. It will be burned through. If you're painting cars and trying to fix flaws, then I'll shut up. But the tone of this thread makes me think you're just trying to get your paint shiny again.

1: strip away badness. To do this, you use a heavy solution of Dawn dish soap and a bucket. That removes any wax.
2: Claybar. That gets rid of bug guts, fallout, acid deposits, etc.
3: NOW is where you can polish your paint. Use a pure polish. If your paint is completely and totally fucked, I'd consider a very gentle rubbing compound. That should remove minor scratches and swirl marks. After rubbing compound comes polish. Then more polish. Then more polish.
4: wax.
5: Maintain with Quick Detailer type products.


If you want to learn how to use a polisher like that Porter Cable, go to a junkyard and buy a couple of panels. I'm serious. Then learn what it takes to burn through paint. Learn what it takes to remove scratches. Learn everything, but do it on trash panels. A couple of short hoods would be nice. Like maybe from a van or small FWD car. Something that won't take up much space in your garage and you can easily return to the junkyard or dump later.

[revlimiter]

BTW, I really like that NXT Tech Wax 2 stuff. It goes on light and is easy to remove. It only lasts a month or two, but so do all waxes. Those that claim to last for a year are doing more marketing research than chemicals research. NXT is cheap, easy to find, and easy to use.

If you want a polisher and haven't ever used one before, look at the random orbital type buffers. Meguiars has a small one that seems to be nice. Friends have used it. I just use my hands.

Also, get a shit ton of GOOD microfiber towels. You kinda need to feel them in person rather than buy them from the internet. Go to walmart and check out their 12 pack for $10 of microfibers. Those are NOT good ones, but will teach you what a bad one feels like. Then remember how they feel (dry and scratchy) while checking out the nice ones in other stores.

[wannafbody]

105 isn't needed unless you have deep marring. The 105 is a bitch to get off if used in sunlight. Megs Ultimate Compound works well on moderate defects. Megs Ultimate Polish works well for a finishing polish. Both can be found at WalMart of Advance Auto. That PC combo looks to be a good deal. You can also get pads cheap at Harbor Freight if you have one close to you.

[Junkman2008]

BTW, I really like that NXT Tech Wax 2 stuff. It goes on light and is easy to remove. It only lasts a month or two, but so do all waxes.

Not so fast there my friend! All waxes are NOT created equal!

To the OP, you ARE a victim of information overload. The part that gets me is that you are willing to spend your money on stuff that you not only don't need, but you also don't understand what it is you are buying. I know a million guys like you (actually, over 5 million if you look at my You Tube channel). Information overload and they are completely confused because they have gotten so many opinions. Let me help you out before you waste a lot of money unnecessarily.

Watch the videos in this thread (http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread.php?3944-The-Mother-of-All-quot-How-to-Fix-Your-Paint-for-Novices).

After you have watched them, watch them again. At that point, post any questions you have in that thread. I am willing to bet that you won't have many questions after those videos. They are going to answer all of your questions concerning paint correction.

Now about waxes. Sealants are the longest lasting protection that you can buy. You can't say exactly HOW LONG they will last because there are many variables that come into play and everyone's situation is different. Given those variables and compared to every other kind of wax, a sealant is going to outlast all of them. The second longest lasting protection you can use is a carnuba paste wax. The least longest lasting protection you can buy is something like that NXT junk. Again, how long it last depends on different variables.

I'll be waiting for your response. ;)


105 isn't needed unless you have deep marring. The 105 is a bitch to get off if used in sunlight.

You NEVER, EVER do paint correction in direct sunlight.

[Andy]

Alright so the plan remains Get the porter cable and of course I was going to clay bar. Then get the meguires ultimate compound for some really bad things and then use the meguires polish.

Now what is the difference between the polish and the 205? Then polish some more and then use the wax with the porter cable.

Edit didn't see your post let me go look at those videos and formulate some questions and opinions.

[Junkman2008]

... Edit didn't see your post let me go look at those videos and formulate some questions and opinions.

Trust me, those videos are going to shed some serious light on your questions.

[Andy]

Junkman in your opinion how does the meguires ultimate compound compare to the m105?

[bigx5murf]

My recommendation would be, griots 6" DA polisher, the motor's stronger than the PC, and the warranty is way better (lifetime), not to mention it's a little cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/Griots-Garage-10765LNGCRD-Orbital-Polisher/dp/B0042KOL9K/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1364235401&sr=1-1&keywords=griots+garage+6+inch+random+orbital+polis her

I'm currently using this pad and compound kit, and I love it. I've taken out heavy sanding marks with it, but the correction ability is gradual enough you have decent control.
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/hypermicrosystem.php?li=8

Some other stuff...

Optimum ONR - For surface prep, or clay lube
Opti-Eraser - Like clay, but not useless after being dropped
10% IPA solution - mix it yourself, there should be charts online on how to mix with various rubbing alcohol solutions to get 10%

[Andy]

OK upon further research I ordered the
1. Meguiar Ultimate Compound
2. Meguiar m205
3. Meguiar caranuba wax
4. Porter Cable 7424xp
5. 18002 backing plate for the pc
6. 2 orange hex comb... 6 inch pads
7. 3 white hex comb... 6 inch pads
8. 2 black hex comb... 6 inch pads.
9. clay bar and detail spray for it.

that should be good to get me started.

[bigx5murf]

solid choices, if not a bit on the pricey side.

I would've went with a synthetic clay bar if I were buying now, since that's the latest tech out. They even have DA polisher compatible ones now.

For meg's compounds, I think I would've given meg's 101 single step a try, heard some great things about it.

[Andy]

Well I will keep everyone informed as to how well it works. I am excited to make my daily really nice and my dads car too. I will use the miata as a test car since it will be getting new paint all together soon. Currently it has patches of missing paint.

[bigx5murf]

Don't this it's been mentioned, if your miata single stage or basecoat/clearcoat?

If it's single stage, be warned, the stuff you've got is going to cut through it extremely quickly, especially on the edges and creases of the body lines.