Newbie needs help before I order

[02Duramax]

Hey,

Well after being sick to my stomach from the way my 2002 Duramax Silverado looks, yes and it's black, and reading in the forum for weeks now, it's time to do something about it and place my first order and hopefully fix those horrible swirls.

I bought the truck about 8 months ago and love that it is black but never noticed paint flaws till I came on this site. Would wash my truck, only to see the sun hit it and say god that looks horrible. Thinking I better save for a paint job. The truck has some minor things I will have to see my body shop guy about. Example the dreaded bottom of the cab doors and rocker panels. They are all strong just need to be ground down and repainted. Very small as 95% of the truck is cherry for a 2002.
Now when I was over at the Adams forums I thought it was flex 3401 or bust. All I heard is you can not get good results with a porter cable 7424xp. Well after I read this post by Laura and the BMW she did http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/33599-lessons-i-learned-black-2009-bmw-550i.html
I knew the porter cable would work.
Sorry I have not uploaded any pictures to show my paint, but my paint looks just like the before pictures from Laura's job on the BMW. Looks like the Wolfgang duo will be great and I am getting a few yellow pads just from what she said she used.
Now I am all new to the correct ways to wash and all but have watched all the videos from Mike on here and hours of reading and this is what I came up with for my first order. Please everyone look it over and let me know if I need to change or should add anything. I have messed with this order all weekend and want to be sure my black truck will be swirl free and have that wet

Shopping Cart
Item Options Unit Price Qty. In Stock Cost
Wolfgang Duo 3.0
$59.99 1 Yes $59.99
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit - G1016
$18.99 1 Yes $18.99
Detailer's Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo
$19.99 1 Yes $19.99
Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
$9.99 1 Yes $9.99
5 Gallon Professional Wash Bucket with Grit Guard - BLACK
$19.99 1 Yes $19.99
Mothers Tire & Wheel Brush Combo
$9.99 1 Yes $9.99
Lake Country - Porter Cable 5.5 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pad Kit
Choose a PC model : Standard
Pad 1 : Yellow
Pad 2 : Yellow
Pad 3 : Orange
Pad 4 : Orange
Pad 5 : Gray
Pad 6 : Gray
$199.99 1 Yes $199.99
Subtotal: $338.93
Shipping: $0.00
Tax: $0.00
Total: $338.93


Now trust me there is much more I can't wait to buy but just want to get my feet wet and fix my trucks paint. Thanks for any and all help !

:thankyousign:

Keith

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online Keith!! :props:

Did you know that the color black is a full time job?

Everything looks good but what do you intend to use for:


Wheels
Tires
Sealant
Wax

Before I go through a lengthy dissertation let's find out what you have currently! :props:

[swanicyouth]

The Wolfgang Dup are great, but not theist aggressive. The yellow pad is a good idea, you may need it. Can you post a picture of your hood so we can see how bad it is??? It it's really bad you will need a compound. Remember, the Wolfgang stuff are polishes and won't remove really bad defects. That
Being said, they will finish awesome on black.

[Wors]

Just quick note, I would purchase the BOGO Gold Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt

Gold Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt, microfiber chenille wash mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/gold-plush-wash-mitt.html)

instead of the single one you have added. An extra mitt never hurts.

-Ben

[02Duramax]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online Keith!! :props:

Did you know that the color black is a full time job?

Everything looks good but what do you intend to use for:


Wheels
Tires
Sealant
Wax

Before I go through a lengthy dissertation let's find out what you have currently! :props:

Hey,

Wheels and tires I will need to pick up something for sure. I know the Wolfgang duo does the correction, but wax and sealants I'm still new at. The truck is a daily driver if that means anything as I have seen that mentioned in the forum.

Sealant and wax is a must ? Can it be applied with the porter cable ?

I was also going to pick up a bottle of optimum protectant for my leather interior.

The porter cable should be fine right ? I mean I would love to get the flex off bat but like I said I want to get my feet wet first.

Is a foam gun a must as well ?

Ya live in mass huh ? Not sure how far you are but I live in Narragansett RI myself !


Oh yes and I am now finding out that black is a full time job. Ya wash it, drive down the street, and feel the need to wash again !

[02Duramax]

The Wolfgang Dup are great, but not theist aggressive. The yellow pad is a good idea, you may need it. Can you post a picture of your hood so we can see how bad it is??? It it's really bad you will need a compound. Remember, the Wolfgang stuff are polishes and won't remove really bad defects. That
Being said, they will finish awesome on black.

I will have to take some pictures and get them on here later on today. My hood and paint look just like the before pictures in the link I had with the car that forum member Laura did. The black BMW. That is why I used that post as a example. I do not want to do. The 105 just because I hear of the nightmare stories with the dusting and not user friendly.

[02Duramax]

Just quick note, I would purchase the BOGO Gold Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt

Gold Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt, microfiber chenille wash mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/gold-plush-wash-mitt.html)

instead of the single one you have added. An extra mitt never hurts.

-Ben

Hey Ben

Thanks for the heads up. What a great deal. Now I will have one for the bottom half and one for the top half of my truck. Much better buy. Free is always for me !

[Buckskincolt]

Hey Keith,

No a foam gun is not required, fact is i'd skip it. Use two buckets, one rinse one wash. I'd pick a different shampoo. That DP Xtreme foam is hard to rinse off IMO. Maybe DP auto bath DP Auto Bath Shampoo - car wash (http://www.autogeek.net/dp300.html) or Duragloss 901. 128 oz. Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate (CWC) #902 (http://www.autogeek.net/gallon-duragloss-wash.html)
For a reasonable priced sealant with great results try DP Poli coat DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant, polymer paint sealant, auto paint sealant, DP Policoat paint sealant, paint sealer (http://www.autogeek.net/dp-poli-coat-paint-sealant.html) or if you prefer a carnubia Wax take a look at DP Max Wax, easy to use and way under rated IMO. DP Max Wax- Made with pure carnauba wax and advanced polymers. (http://www.autogeek.net/carnauba-car-wax.html)

I don't think I would buy 2 yellow, the GM paints seem to correct pretty easy. I'd get one yellow, 2 orange, 2 white and one black or blue.

The WG Duo will work awesome on GM paints! You should not need anything more aggressive for a daily driver, you might leave behind a couple deep rids but that ok you will be blown away with the results.

[swanicyouth]

I checked out your link. Those swirls are right on the border of what Wolfgang TSR can handle in my experience. You may need the yellow pad, depending on the hardness of the paint. I might recommend also picking up a small inexpensive proven compound like Optimum Compound. It's a SMAT product, Which means all the abrasive particles are the same time, which is what M105 is. However, IMHO that the Optimum polishes/compounds are easier to work with and you can get a small bottle for cheap. On wheels and tires, I've found OptiBond is great for a traditional tire dressing. It can also be mixed half And half with water. I haven't had any traditional dressing last very long. Actually, the longest lasting one I've used is a product AG doesn't sell it's Wheel Wax's Black Tire Dressing. It's good and cheap, but you would have to get it elsewhere. I had bad experience with Blackfire tire dressing, but some people here love it. However, I wonder how much is placebo affect. It's like, I bought, I have it, it works, and it's "Blackfire". Some people think every product they try is awesome. Also, there is a tire product that lasts months not weeks it's called Tuff Shine and it's not available from AG. it's a little time consuming though to prep. But, it will keep your tires nice for months. As for sealant and wax, I recommend any easy Wilson wipe off product for both. I mean, why get something that is hard to use, when there is a lot of products that look great that are easy to use. Menzerna Powerlock is a proven long lasting easy sealant. Also, it plays well with most topper waxes. If your looking to not spend a lot, let me recommend PoorBoys products. There sealants are great traditional sealants and their Natty's wax looks awesome and is cheap. Really, you won't go wrong with any PoorBoys product and they are all very reasonable. I good wax that doesn't cost a fortune is P21S with the blue lid. It's easy to use, cheap, and you will love the look. Also, a lot of guys here have had good luck with Max Wax and XXX Hardcore wax. Both are reasonable. Good luck, and don't forget to clay before polishing. if you have any problems removing scratches or swirls with your Porter Cable, don't get frustrated, come back here and ask for help. 99% the problem is technique and not the product.

[mjlinane]

Sealant and/or wax is a must. I would recommend a WOWA like BF Crystal Seal or Ultima Paint Guard Plus. Easy on, nothing off, good looking and good durability.

[Buckskincolt]

Here is a post I did a while back using the WG duo on 2003 GM paint with Hydro tech pads. The results were awesome a very bad paint. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/20999-review-new-hydro-tech-6-5-pads.html

If you can swing it I'd would Recomend the change from CCs pads (I think the absorb way to much product) and go with this kit that you can chose the Hydro tech pads Porter Cable 7424XP & Flat Pad Kit, Lake Country Flat 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, Porter Cable Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-flat-pad-kit.html) but you will need to call nick and get it swaped to 5.5" pads, DO NOT GET the 6.5" pads for a PC

For got to say, Yes you can apply waxes and sealants with the PC. The above kit has a bonus of Two wax application pads.

[swanicyouth]

As for the Flex and Adams products, I've never tried either. However, I've read a lot of comments on them. It seems Adams has some good products and some just OK products. I get a bit turned off from their prices. It just seems like for the money there are other companies that make stand out products in each category. It's ok to mix and match brands. Some people like to stick to one brand, but I think it's better to use the best product in each category.

Also, Adams says you can't remove defects with a PC? Really? That is just 100% wrong. Ive watched some of their videos and feel like I can comment on the demonstrated technique they recommend. There was a debate here a few months ago regarding an Adams video with a DA, and the operator, Adam, was saying the pad doesn't need to spin. Mike P, AGs well respected expert, says max correction is achieved when the pad spins. I can tell you 100% that Mike P is correct. In fact, using Mikes techniques I'm able to remove swirls like you showed with an OLD PC no problem. Maybe if you follow the Adams technique then you will need a Flex to get the job done. But I'm telling you it's not required and a PC is better for beginners. Just think about it... Before electric polishers guys where getting a flawless finish polishing by hand, it just took forever. If the machine is designed to mimic the hand then the spinning of the pad is closer than it just jiggling in place. Also, you saw for yourself what Laura did to that BMW with a PC. Stick around here, you will get the best help and advice with the least sarcasm or the always hilarious
"use the search button" response.

[Enthusiast]

Just read you from Gansett, small world I'm a half hour away in coventry. Good luck with your first order!


Hey,

Wheels and tires I will need to pick up something for sure. I know the Wolfgang duo does the correction, but wax and sealants I'm still new at. The truck is a daily driver if that means anything as I have seen that mentioned in the forum.

Sealant and wax is a must ? Can it be applied with the porter cable ?

I was also going to pick up a bottle of optimum protectant for my leather interior.

The porter cable should be fine right ? I mean I would love to get the flex off bat but like I said I want to get my feet wet first.

Is a foam gun a must as well ?

Ya live in mass huh ? Not sure how far you are but I live in Narragansett RI myself !


Oh yes and I am now finding out that black is a full time job. Ya wash it, drive down the street, and feel the need to wash again !

[BobbyG]

Keith,

Once you've spent 6 to 8 hours laboring over your favorite ride making the paint as perfect as possible the last thing you want to do it leave it naked. Even though most finishes are clear coated today they still need regular care and maintenance.

Sealants are the workhorse's of protection and durability. They bond to the paint and with routine care can last 6 months or more.

Waxes are generally carnauba based. When applied, they leave the finish looking wet and the added depth is what many are tying to achieve.

Some product suggestions....

Sealants


Menzerna Power Lock (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)
Prima Hydro Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/prima-hydro-seal.html)
Four Star Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-ultimate-paint-protection.html)
Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant.html)
Klasse High Gloss Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html)
Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)

Wax


Wolfgang Fuzion (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-wax-sample.html)
Dodo Juice Supernatural (http://www.autogeek.net/natural-carnauba-wax-200.html)
Pinnacle Souveran (http://www.autogeek.net/pinsouvwax.html)
Blackfire Midnight Sun (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/blackfire-midnight-sun-wax.html)
Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)

Basic steps in order are:


Wash
Clay
Paint Correction & Polish
Seal
Wax


Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you if you need it.


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)
How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)
DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)

[DaveT435]

I learned just doing a test area that if you are working in a garage you really want a light that will really show the paint. They have some Brinkmans on here...I can't really tell you anything about them. I'm going to buy a dual 1000 w halogen worklight (home depot about 29.00) and a hand held Brinkman. Imput on which Brinkman is welcome.
It will sure beat pulling it in and out of the garage to see how it really looks.