HAND Wax or Power tools?
Senior Member
Joined: 03-26-2008
Posts: 264
From: Calgary
No problem on the interrogation. Take a machine polisher to your beloved ride can be intimidating at first. But you'll soon realize that it just takes some patience and testing out different product/combos.
I don't know what type of pads you have on hand. For GM paint I typically would go with this combo...
Meguiars M105 or Ultimate Compound (UC does not dust as bad as M105) and a Lake County CCS Flat orange or yellow pad (usually have to go with Yellow on the DA).
Then I'd follow that up with Megs M205 on a Lake County CCS Flat white pad.
This normally finishes up really well. If the paint is soft (GM paint is not normally soft) then it may need to be followed up with a finer polish/pad combo. If it leaves any marring, you can try M205 on a green LC CCS pad.
Again I don't know what your working with so I can't really give you too much advice on your combos. Just going with what I use on GM paint.
Just as an FYI - Don't use any pads bigger than 5.5". The PC does work well with bigger pads.
I typically clean my pads after every 2 sections. Depending on how the pad looks. I also keep at least 3-4 pads handy for when I do my cutting step. The pads will heat up and can cause premature failure of the pad. So, usually after a section or two I'll put a new pad on and clean the other pad.
On my 2nd step (polish) I'll usually use 2-3 pads for this ensuring I clean it often.
After I do all my polishing I will wash the car again and inspect it in the sun to ensure I didn't miss any spots.
And then I'll apply my wax by machine. As I stated earlier it really gives you a great uniform and more importantly THIN layer of wax or sealant. 1 pad should be enough to apply the wax.
I always remove my compounds, polishes, and waxes by hand. However, I do know some people that will remove their waxes by machine. Compounds and polishes you need to remove by hand.
I don't know what type of pads you have on hand. For GM paint I typically would go with this combo...
Meguiars M105 or Ultimate Compound (UC does not dust as bad as M105) and a Lake County CCS Flat orange or yellow pad (usually have to go with Yellow on the DA).
Then I'd follow that up with Megs M205 on a Lake County CCS Flat white pad.
This normally finishes up really well. If the paint is soft (GM paint is not normally soft) then it may need to be followed up with a finer polish/pad combo. If it leaves any marring, you can try M205 on a green LC CCS pad.
Again I don't know what your working with so I can't really give you too much advice on your combos. Just going with what I use on GM paint.
Just as an FYI - Don't use any pads bigger than 5.5". The PC does work well with bigger pads.
I typically clean my pads after every 2 sections. Depending on how the pad looks. I also keep at least 3-4 pads handy for when I do my cutting step. The pads will heat up and can cause premature failure of the pad. So, usually after a section or two I'll put a new pad on and clean the other pad.
On my 2nd step (polish) I'll usually use 2-3 pads for this ensuring I clean it often.
After I do all my polishing I will wash the car again and inspect it in the sun to ensure I didn't miss any spots.
And then I'll apply my wax by machine. As I stated earlier it really gives you a great uniform and more importantly THIN layer of wax or sealant. 1 pad should be enough to apply the wax.
I always remove my compounds, polishes, and waxes by hand. However, I do know some people that will remove their waxes by machine. Compounds and polishes you need to remove by hand.
Thank you sir !!
Well, you seem to be a bit of a perfectionist, and I like that.
I've purchased the Lake Country pads of Yellow, White & Black at 5.5" and am ready to let 'er rip.
Many thanks !!
This forum continues to be a great resource, thanks to the knowledge and generosity of its members.
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-2011
Posts: 98
From: Billerica, MA
Thank you sir !!
Well, you seem to be a bit of a perfectionist, and I like that.
I've purchased the Lake Country pads of Yellow, White & Black at 5.5" and am ready to let 'er rip.
Many thanks !!
This forum continues to be a great resource, thanks to the knowledge and generosity of its members.
Well, you seem to be a bit of a perfectionist, and I like that.
I've purchased the Lake Country pads of Yellow, White & Black at 5.5" and am ready to let 'er rip.
Many thanks !!
This forum continues to be a great resource, thanks to the knowledge and generosity of its members.
You should be good to go with those pads. If you have some extra money I'd also pick up a 3.5" backing plate and some 4" pads. Help when you get into tight area.
Good luck and if you run into any issues let me know. Just be sure to do your test spot first all the way through.
I will tape off a 2x2 area on the hood. Do my cut & polish, and 3rd step if it is needed. I'll then wipe down with a 10% isopropyl alcohol dilution (Do NOT use full strength!) to remove any oils left from polishing. You can also use a dedicated paint cleanser. Then pull the car out into the sun and check it. If it's to your standards then your free to go to town on the rest of the car one step at a time.
FYI - another tip - tape off items you don't want to polish...panel gaps (polish will get caked in there), emblems, etc. This will save you a ton of time on clean up later on.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-26-2008
Posts: 264
From: Calgary
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-2011
Posts: 98
From: Billerica, MA
Certainly looks good though. I love the way black looks when it's been polished to a nice shine and reflection.
What did you end up using for products?
Senior Member
Joined: 03-26-2008
Posts: 264
From: Calgary
Thanks JP. I ended up spending about 17 hours total.
WASH: Meguiar's Gold Class™ Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
CLAY: Riccardo Clay Original Yellow (lube with Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer™ Detailer)
My supplier ended up sending the wrong size pads. So I ended up using 6.5" pads on a 5.5" backing plate. Not good.
I also was to late for your advice on using the 3.5" plate & pads for the tight areas (next time).
CUT: Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
POLISH - Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
WAX: Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax
TRIM: Mother's Back to Black
TIRES: Meguiar's Endurance™ High Gloss TIre Gel
WHEELS: Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer™ Detailer
I'm very happy with the results using the DA polisher, but would have liked a little more time. I'm planning another detail in August and expect better results with the 5.5" pads and smaller pad & plate for the tight areas. Over all, I'm very pleased with the cutting action and the time savings of machine versus hand bombing.
Last edited by sincfiles; May 16, 2011 at 03:16 PM. Reason: Add Photo
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-2011
Posts: 98
From: Billerica, MA
Thanks JP. I ended up spending about 17 hours total.
WASH: Meguiar's Gold Class™ Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
CLAY: Riccardo Clay Original Yellow (lube with Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer™ Detailer)
My supplier ended up sending the wrong size pads. So I ended up using 6.5" pads on a 5.5" backing plate. Not good.
I also was to late for your advice on using the 3.5" plate & pads for the tight areas (next time).
CUT: Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
POLISH - Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
WAX: Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax
TRIM: Mother's Back to Black
TIRES: Meguiar's Endurance™ High Gloss TIre Gel
WHEELS: Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer™ Detailer
I'm very happy with the results using the DA polisher, but would have liked a little more time. I'm planning another detail in August and expect better results with the 5.5" pads and smaller pad & plate for the tight areas. Over all, I'm very pleased with the cutting action and the time savings of machine versus hand bombing.
Just as a suggestion for trim you may want to try out Ultima Tire & Trim Guard. It's a little pricey, but a little bit goes a LONG way and it lasts for months! It can also be applied to your rims which makes cleaning them a breeze.
The Mother Back to Black will fade within a week or so and once it rains forget about it. This is just my opinion and from my own personal experience with the product. It has a great look it just doesn't last very long.
Member
Joined: 06-28-2010
Posts: 38
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I usually will clay bar my vehicle with meguiers clay bar than top it off with meguiers NXT wax they have both liquid and past I like them both but usually use past now keep in mind this wax is about 17 to 18 bucks but is so awsom its worth every penny
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-2011
Posts: 98
From: Billerica, MA
I have a wide selection of waxes and sealants, some for dark colors, light colors, some to give you that really wet look, some for durability, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-26-2008
Posts: 264
From: Calgary
Just as a suggestion for trim you may want to try out Ultima Tire & Trim Guard. It's a little pricey, but a little bit goes a LONG way and it lasts for months! It can also be applied to your rims which makes cleaning them a breeze.
The Mother Back to Black will fade within a week or so and once it rains forget about it. This is just my opinion and from my own personal experience with the product. It has a great look it just doesn't last very long.
Thanks for another great tip JP.
Kev
Senior Member
Joined: 05-05-2011
Posts: 98
From: Billerica, MA
