Newbie questions

HyperPete

HyperPete

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Hello. I'm Pete, and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge you provide here. I am a bit overwhelmed by it all! I have searched the forum for a good 30 minutes and, while I have found a lot of great information, I still have two very basic questions.

I purchased a Porter Cable 7424, but I am unsure what pads I need to get started. I have a 2017 Honda Ridgeline in Pearl white. Other than the original detailing performed by the dealership, it has not been detailed. I think I would just like to start by washing off the nasty car wash "waxes", and then applying wax and removing it. I have Meguires Ultimate Wax (liquid), Meguires NXT (Liquid) and Rejex, each of which I have used when manually detailing my motorcycles. I know that there is a video on how to detail a new vehicle, but for now I just want to get a coat of wax on the truck.


  • What can I use to remove the spray-on "wax" from my local touchless car wash? It seems to be a greasy mess. I imagine that ammonia is too harsh; I do not want to damage the finish.
  • What pads (and quantity of each) should I use to apply wax, and what pads should I use to remove it? I purchased an assortment of pads before I found this site, so I am pretty sure I'll need to get more / different pads. I know there are endless choices, I'm just looking for recommendations on what I can use to get started so I don't have to watch countless videos at first.

Thank you in advance!
 
59 views so far and no replies. I have continued to read various posts, and have not found my answers concerning which pads to apply wax, and which to remove. I realize that it's more likely personal preference than an absolute, but would still appreciate your input.

It looks as if the suggested procedure is to:

Wash and dry
Iron-X
Clay
and THEN wax or polish.

I have every intention of doing this properly once the weather breaks, but would like to wax it to protect it ASAP. Is this wrong?
 
Since the PC 7424 is not that powerful you should be purchasing 5.5" THIN pads. I assume you purchased a 5" backing plate for the 7424. Here's a link http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-thin-pro-foam-pads.html As you can see in the pad descriptions you would use either the red or black pad to apply wax. For removal of the wax after it is dry you don't use the polisher--just buff off with a microfiber towel.
 
ski2 said:
Since the PC 7424 is not that powerful you should be purchasing 5.5" THIN pads. I assume you purchased a 5" backing plate for the 7424. Here's a link http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-thinpro-5-inch.html As you can see in the pad descriptions you would use the red pad to apply wax. For removal of the wax after it is dry you don't use the polisher--just buff off with a microfiber towel.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have a 5" backing plate. Thank you for the suggestions.
 
If you are only using the PC to apply wax you could use about any soft light cut to no cut foam pad.

If you plan on trying to remove paint defects then the smaller (5.5") and thinner pads would be recommended. The thinner the pad is the less mass there is and the better the pad should rotate. Mike P says you can't correct without pad rotation.

Something like a cleaner wax or an all in one (AIO) would be good for your situation. Basically it a "wax" with mild abrasives mixed in that will clean, polish, and protect all in one step.

Here's a good thread on them.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...cleaner-cleansing-lotion-pre-wax-cleaner.html

Most will also recommend at least claying the paint first, but if you just want to get it waxed you could always plan on that later. One problem with claying is that it almost always has the potential to marr the paint. It's not hard to fix and cleaner wax or AIO should do that without much work.
 
I don't think I have any AIO at this time. I do think that I have a bottle of paint cleaner somewhere, either Mothers or McGuire's. In May, or if we get a warm weekend before then, I'll try my hand in doing it right as is recommended in the many threads I have read. In the meantime, I'll check out the thread you have recommended. I'll order some thin pads and some microfiber towels. I know I have a lot to learn, and it appears that lack of information is NOT a problem on this site!

Thank you.
 
I'm not a fan of telling people with little experience to use an AIO. Mixing polish(and the oils with them) with a sealant can lead to a big mess. I would use your paint cleaner and follow with a non-staining (as in plastic and rubber) sealant.

Get some Meguiars 205 (or any of the better polishes/compounds regularly mentioned on the site) latter and practice with it until you are sure you know how to avoid getting product everywhere. Then try an AIO.
 
Thank you. Just ordered pads and towels. Perhaps I can add the 205 before the order is prepared.
 
Ok, then buy a good AIO like Optimum Poli-Seal if you do decide to someday. I intentionally use it on trim. It cleans it up and looks great. I wouldn't use it really wet and let it bake in the sun without wiping it off, but you wouldn't want to do it with a wax or polish either.

You can make mess with any product if you use too much, including a liquid wax.

For wax, you want to apply it thin and use sparingly.
 
1st of all Welcome to AGO! I have the PC7424XP too and love it and still use it. To remove the wax, there are several "Wax Removal" Products AGO sells. That might take care of your removing wax. The Pad I would use would probably be a white pad. Or you can use an IPA Isolpropyl Alcohol mix and use a couple of MF towels to remove the wax. But after you wash your vehicle I would suggest Claying your vehicle.

The Pads that I use for the PC are goes as follows

Lake Country CCS Orange Pads = Compounding Pads for scratch and swirl remover products.
Lake Country CCS White Pads = Polishing Pads for smoothing out the scratches from the Compound Polish.
Lake Country CCS Black, Red or Gold = LSP (Last Step Product) whether it be sealant or Wax. So to answer one of your questions on wax application, these are the pads that take care of it. There really isn't much of a difference in terms of Pad softness (IMO) for the Black, Red or Gold. I prefer the Gold in this case just because.

As for the 5" Backing Plate and your Pads...that is (IMO) the limit of the PC7424XP effectiveness. The PC will run better with smaller pads and smaller BP. The max BP I will use now is the 4" Backing Plate with pads.

I can't give any comment on the products you use as I do not use any Meguire's products.

But if it were me, I would look into the Mike Phillips how to section and get one of his Books on how to detail. I have his Old book that he no longer sells as the updated version s the newest one. I hope I helped a little.
 
Thank you again, to each of you for your replies. I made two orders so far based upon advice here and in my other thread about cleaning my cargo trailer. The first arrives tomorrow, and the second on Saturday. I already have smaller pads for my PC which I'll use on my motorcycles.

I know I have a lot to learn, and I'll continue to read threads and view videos. I won't be detailing for income, just maintaining my vehicles. It's going to take me a while to "pay for" everything that I have purchased so far, but at least I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I have done it right. Sunday will be in the upper sixties and sunny, so I should be able to do a good and thorough job on my Ridgeline. The trailer will have to wait. The only step I'll be skipping on the new Ridgeline will be the Iron-X.
 
Well, last weekend I FINALLY got the Ridgeline done. I took the advice given here and washed, clayed, polished with Meguiars 205 using my PC7424XP and a white pad, then followed up with the only wax I had on hand - Turtle Wax Ice Paste. (I have since received my Collinite for future use.)

It did come out looking GREAT, but it's so hard to tell on white paint... Anyway, here are some photos:


View attachment 56906


View attachment 56907


View attachment 56908
 
Now I have another question, I am picking up my mom's black 2010 Rav4 to detail and sell next weekend. She has MANY scratches in the paint, some very deep, others relatively superficial. I know the deep ones won't come out, but do you think that Meguires 105 on orange Lake Country pads should be aggressive enough for the more superficial scratches? I do have a direct drive buffer, but I am afraid to use that and end up burning through the thin factory paint.
 
For decent scratches I personally would use M105 and an orange pad. I've had excellent results with both. But TAKE YOUR TIME and let the machine do it's job. Make sure to do a small test spot.
Keep in mind you will need to polish after using the 105 as it doesn't finish like some other compounds out there (like Menzerna).

Welcome and good luck! :xyxthumbs:
 
DetailKitty said:
For decent scratches I personally would use M105 and an orange pad. I've had excellent results with both. But TAKE YOUR TIME and let the machine do it's job. Make sure to do a small test spot.
Keep in mind you will need to polish after using the 105 as it doesn't finish like some other compounds out there (like Menzerna).

Welcome and good luck! :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Thank you. I plan to use the 205 after the 105. I'll get before and after photos.
 
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