How to improve my technique

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Jersey John

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So it has become winter up here in North New Jersey so that means I look to how I can improve my techniques for detailing and I was hoping I could get some suggestions.
What I do currently when I completely do a car is:
Wash
Clay
Wash
Polish with Meguiar's Ultimate Polish or NuPolish
Wax with Collinite #845
Use Meguiar's UD and then their UQW

Any suggestions to improving me technique would be greatly appreciated.
 
If the money isn't a problem and you have a buffer the m205 will work better, however the UP works well also on a white pad.
MU-Finish is good but only need to apply by hand.
Do you own a buffer?
Pads?

I ask this so we can give you better advice.

This is what I do when I only need a light polish.

Wash. Two bucket wash.
Clay
Polish using m205 but you can use the UP, no problem there.
Then I seal, either with Griot's Paint Sealant or better Wolfgang Paint Sealant.

Does your car have swirls?
It matters because you may need to use something like Ultimate Compound before the Ultimate Polish to remove defects that you may have.
 
HateSwirls said:
If the money isn't a problem and you have a buffer the m205 will work better, however the UP works well also on a white pad.
MU-Finish is good but only need to apply by hand.
Do you own a buffer?
Pads?

I ask this so we can give you better advice.

This is what I do when I only need a light polish.

Wash. Two bucket wash.
Clay
Polish using m205 but you can use the UP, no problem there.
Then I seal, either with Griot's Paint Sealant or better Wolfgang Paint Sealant.

Does your car have swirls?
It matters because you may need to use something like Ultimate Compound before the Ultimate Polish to remove defects that you may have.
Click to expand...

I already used the Ultimate Compound and I do everything by hand right now b/c I only started this a year ago. Also I have looked into paint sealant but I am still very vague about them.
 
Hi Mate, nice start, I've started somewhat like you.

UP is a great product. I also have M205, but when I want a killer finish on a dark vehicle that will be followed with Meguiar's Ultimate Wax, I look no further than UP. It finishes nice and have a lot of fillers (which I consider good when working by hand), all of that compatible with Ultimate Wax (no bonding issues here). UP enriches and darkens the paint.

I would recommend for you to get Ultimate Wax (paste or liquid), I use paste and like it, but liquid don't stain trim so that's a bonus because you'll get the same results without the 'mess' that sometimes occurs when wax dries on trim.

If you also like to work by hand, I would recommend for you to get lake country applicators, they go as far as you can go by hand.

EZ Grip Hydro-Tech Hand Applicators Trio - Your Choice!

Have you ever used a clay alternative?

Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt

With these 'beauty' you can wash follow to clay while washing using shampoo as clay lube, and you'll gain a lot of time without compromising results. Works really well.

You can also use 'cheaper' alternatives, like the sponges:
Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge Combo Pack

Now, if you really like what you're doing, consider (seriously) ordering a polisher. Every day you delay to buy it, is another day to regret when you buy one.

Hope my tips were helpful, please, tell me what you need more and it'll be a pleasure to help.

Kind Regards.
 
Tato said:
Hi Mate, nice start, I've started somewhat like you.

UP is a great product. I also have M205, but when I want a killer finish on a dark vehicle that will be followed with Meguiar's Ultimate Wax, I look no further than UP. It finishes nice and have a lot of fillers (which I consider good when working by hand), all of that compatible with Ultimate Wax (no bonding issues here). UP enriches and darkens the paint.

I would recommend for you to get Ultimate Wax (paste or liquid), I use paste and like it, but liquid don't stain trim so that's a bonus because you'll get the same results without the 'mess' that sometimes occurs when wax dries on trim.

If you also like to work by hand, I would recommend for you to get lake country applicators, they go as far as you can go by hand.

EZ Grip Hydro-Tech Hand Applicators Trio - Your Choice!

Have you ever used a clay alternative?

Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt

With these 'beauty' you can wash follow to clay while washing using shampoo as clay lube, and you'll gain a lot of time without compromising results. Works really well.

You can also use 'cheaper' alternatives, like the sponges:
Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge Combo Pack

Now, if you really like what you're doing, consider (seriously) ordering a polisher. Every day you delay to buy it, is another day to regret when you buy one.

Hope my tips were helpful, please, tell me what you need more and it'll be a pleasure to help.

Kind Regards.
Click to expand...

I have thought about getting a polisher but I have simply found the market to be too confusing for me to distinguish between everything. I would love recommendations for a polisher as doing things by hand can get annoying however I don't want to spend that much and I have little experience with polishers.
 
I would say the PC 7424XP polisher is a great newb machine. It's what I started out on and I never regretted getting it.

Now I have 2 Rupes machines and a Flex.

I'm sure others will chime in with what they believe to be a good beginner machine, but PC gets my vote and I'm sure others will agree.
 
I would go with the griots garage. I absolutely love mine and understand it has more power.
 
Hi.

Don't be afraid of a polisher. It's one of (if not) the best friends of a detailer. Start watching (if you haven't yet) Mike Phillips Instructional Videos. They are the pathway for you to get there, maybe the 'Stairway to Heaven' of a detailer.

I'm not talking about 'Wax Spreaders' aka ~$30 low end polishers, I'm talking at least about a Porter Cable XP. Being that said, the polisher is not intended to make things easier, it'll be even more time consuming in some cases, but the results...

A polisher will make things Professional, your results will go from 8 to 80 as soon as you start using it.

I say this knowing the cause, I was a hand polisher for some time, and believed to have pretty decent results. However, my first time results with a polisher (Meg's G220v2) was 100 years ahead what I was getting by hand.

By the way, my hand experience wasn't wasted. You always need to touch up some small difficult to reach areas by hand. Sometimes I like to spread a coat of wax by hand... Also, your experience with products by hand will give you a feel for when you start using a polisher.

For what you're actually doing, I don't believe you can get (any) too much far than UC + UP + UW (Ultimate Wax) results. You can improve your applicators, you can improve your claying (like I've said before).

You'll only really 'improve your technique' further with a polisher, I mean, achieving 'arm circles speed' of ~6800 per minute.

Griot's Garage, Porter Cable XP and Meguiar's G110v2 are some names to start looking at.

Based on your history, it's unlikely you're wishing to spend ~$400 only in a high end polisher, because you'll also have to order Pads and products.

To start, here are some kits / polishers to look at:

Meguiars G110v2 DA Microfiber Correction System Complete Kit

Meguiars G110v2 Ultra Polish Kit with 5.5 Inch Pads FREE BONUS

Porter Cable 5.5 x 7/8 Inch CCS Foam Pad Kit, buffing pads, foam pads, Porter Cable dual action polisher

Meguiars Porter Cable Ultra Polish Kit with 5.5 Inch Pads, Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Polishing Kit, Meguiars polishes, Porter Cable 7424 Mirror Glaze

Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher

Meguiars FLEX 3401 Ultra Polish Kit with 6.5 Inch Pads, Meguiars Mirror Glaze Polishes, Meguiar's 105 Compound, Meguiar's 205 Ultra Finishing Polish

Rupes LHR 15ES Big Foot Random Orbital Polisher Deluxe Kit

Rupes LHR 21ES Big Foot Random Orbital Polisher Deluxe Kit


That's it for now, hope to hear from you,

PS: Those are just some examples of what you may find, generalizing polishers + pad combinations.

Kind Regards.
 
I want to get a polisher but I think I am going to have to stick by hand until I can get some cash for one but thanks for the help.
 
Jersey John said:
I have thought about getting a polisher but I have simply found the market to be too confusing for me to distinguish between everything. I would love recommendations for a polisher as doing things by hand can get annoying however I don't want to spend that much and I have little experience with polishers.
Click to expand...

Hi Jersey John. I am in North Jersey as well. If you want a polisher you could try a Griots 6" with pads to match.

I have a Griots 6 and 3 inch machine a PC 7242 and a flex 3401. If you are close to me you could stop by and try the different units.

Just PM me.

Ed
 
buy a cheap HF machine to learn with. U will be out with pads and a machine for under $80. Its not the best but to start its ok for the price.
 
Jersey John said:
I want to get a polisher but I think I am going to have to stick by hand until I can get some cash for one but thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

As was suggested John, you might look at the Harbor Freight unit. That will get the job done as long as you don't have to use it all day, every day. Better yet it'll open a whole new world to you of machine polishing. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. ;)

That being said, the cost of the machine is literally just the tip of the iceberg. To get enough pads to be able to do more than one car, one type of paint, and get it all done in a single day (by using pads and pulling them off, then grabbing a clean pad and continuing until the job is complete) you'll spend a LOT more on the pads than you did on the buffer. Sure, you might try 6 pads, but you really need AT LEAST 12. And that is just a start. :D

It's a whole new world..... a fun one at that. :props:
 
stilltipping3 said:
buy a cheap HF machine to learn with. U will be out with pads and a machine for under $80. Its not the best but to start its ok for the price.
Click to expand...

:iagree:

*hf da polisher = $50 w/ coupon
*5" backing plate = $15
*4x hf 6" pads (3x blue polishing, 1x black finishing) to learn on = $20
or LC 6 pack of 5.5" flat pads = $35

you can absolutely get by with this setup, and you can use the products you currently have and put utilize them more efficiently and effectively
 
I agree, it's cheap and with a decent backing plate you can't go wrong, like you said a good way to learn.
Later get a GG6, you will always have the HF as a backup, even set it up for the small pads which comes in handy :dblthumb2:



stilltipping3 said:
buy a cheap HF machine to learn with. U will be out with pads and a machine for under $80. Its not the best but to start its ok for the price.
Click to expand...
 
Man you have opened a can of worms now....I know you said you plan to hold off on a polisher for now, but that will make the biggest difference for your results. Eventually you will have to take that step if you want to get serious (or get some serious exercise doing everything by hand and not get the same results) When you're ready to take the plunge, I'd start with the HF polisher, then follow all of the suggestions you get here and get the PC, GG, Rupes, Flex, Megs....did I miss any?

We are all dedicated to and love our polishers. While trying to decipher through all of the suggestions you get, consider how much use your polisher will get, what your budget will allow and go from there. Then watch for a good sale on a kit. I have a flex and love it. I also have a PC and love it. Each have a different use for me. I'm in no way suggesting you need to buy multiple machines, just saying they are all good and will get the job done. You will also need to invest in more pads to really get the best results. There are several threads on here about pads...opinions vary almost as much as they do on the DAs. The one area I think most will agree on is the size of the pad..5-5.5".

Until you step up to a machine, the best area to improve your technique IMO, isn't in the products you use, but in the results you get. Start looking at all of the nooks and crannies that don't get cleaned. Cars have so many places that the average person never thinks to wash. Walk around your car, open every door, trunk, hood, and look for grime that you have missed. Take notes of what you find, you'll be amazed. For example, one area I see many people forget is the extendable camper mirrors on HD trucks. Are you forgetting these little details?
 
Thanks, right now I can only afford something for about $150 or less for the whole system. Any suggestions?
 
Jersey John said:
Thanks, right now I can only afford something for about $150 or less for the whole system. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Save your money until you can afford more. Spend the $150 on items such as grit guards, (by the inserts and put them in a $5 homer bucket from home depot), MF towels, brushes... Doesn't do any good to do paint correction if you don't have the tools to properly maintain it.
 
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