First time detailing questions

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miginus

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I will be detailing my new car (2015 GTI) for the first time this weekend.

I noticed my car has some minor swirls all over it. This is how it was from the dealer.

I was looking at Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish as a possibility.

As of right now, my plan was to:
1) Wash it with dawn to strip what they apply at the factory
2) Clay
3) Use a polish
4) Souveran
5) Wolfgang Sealant

How is that? Should I add another step like Meguiar's #7 or Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion?

I'd appreciate some help.

Thanks!
 
You'll want to use the wax after the sealant, not the other way around. You don't need the #7 that's really for single stage paint (which for the most part stopped being used by 1990). The PCL you would use only if you weren't polishing beforehand.

Arguably the Wolfgang sealant doesn't need a wax topper, but maybe after a couple of months if you want to refresh it, so to speak. Souveran is considered a beauty wax that doesn't have great longevity.

If it was me I'd skip the Souveran and just reapply the WDGPS every couple of months.

EDIT: Or, get some Wolfgang Deep Gloss Liquid Seal for an easy top-off.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
You'll want to use the wax after the sealant, not the other way around. You don't need the #7 that's really for single stage paint (which for the most part stopped being used by 1990). The PCL you would use only if you weren't polishing beforehand.

Arguably the Wolfgang sealant doesn't need a wax topper, but maybe after a couple of months if you want to refresh it, so to speak. Souveran is considered a beauty wax that doesn't have great longevity.

If it was me I'd skip the Souveran and just reapply the WDGPS every couple of months.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. I always thought it was wax and then sealant. Good to know!
 
Make sure to do a test spot so you know what your results will look like.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
You'll want to use the wax after the sealant, not the other way around. You don't need the #7 that's really for single stage paint (which for the most part stopped being used by 1990). The PCL you would use only if you weren't polishing beforehand.

Arguably the Wolfgang sealant doesn't need a wax topper, but maybe after a couple of months if you want to refresh it, so to speak. Souveran is considered a beauty wax that doesn't have great longevity.

If it was me I'd skip the Souveran and just reapply the WDGPS every couple of months.

EDIT: Or, get some Wolfgang Deep Gloss Liquid Seal for an easy top-off.
Click to expand...

Agreed. After Polish just seal it.

No need for #7

What pads are you planning on using?
 
miginus said:
I have a Griot's Garage orbital along with pads my friend gave me because he upgraded. I have a white pad, three finishing pads, and one red wax pad.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you need more pads for polishing. Someone else will have to make recommendations; I'm only familiar with the Rupes system.

You don't need to use Dawn when you wash. The clay and polishing will remove whatever is on the car now. I would add Iron-X as a decontamination step.
 
Yeah depending on the brand of pad that may last you a hood and quarter panel. I would buy at least 5 more white pads to be safe.

Any thing below polish (except megs #9 or equiv) I do with an applicator or by hand. So I cannot comment on softer pads.

Also you should buy (definitely buy) a 3" backing plate for your DA. The larger pads will not perform on things like door pillars, mirrors and bumpers. This means you will also need probably 3 3" white pads for the backing plate, although it is okay, not ideal, to larger pads to size.

Anyways...Congrats on the German over-engineering!! Welcome to the club!!
 
Have you thought of using Carpro Iron X on the car before claying it?
 
What color is the GTI? I have a candy white 2011 and heard that the lighter colors have very hard clear coat. My candy white was ridiculously hard to cut through. If you end up buying more pads, pick up about four orange pads. They will give you slightly more cut on the hard clear. If it's a darker color you might get by with white pads, only a test spot will tell.

Orange pads with Menzerna Intensive Polish 2500 is going to be your winner for great, quick results from a single stage polish.


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