Ok...need professional advice

[A6Rox]

I've been reading the forums for awhile now trying to see if someone has the same issue as me, but I can't find anything so here's the deal:

I have a black 2006 Audi A6 and needed to take out swirls and light scratches from a crappy dealer detail job. I purchased the PC7424 XMT Intermediate Swirl Kit about a week ago from AG (love them, by the way...my wife doesn't love them as much). I did a normal wash/dry, and Pinnacle clay bar, then used the PC as decribed in the video on the AG site....XMT#3 w/ Orange CCS pad, XMT#1 w/ White CCS pad, XMT Carnauba Glaze w/ grey pad, then I topped off with Blitz carnauba wax. It definitely improved the paint, but there are still some light scratches - sorry for the lack of pictures...I'll try to post some tonight. Anyway, I just ordered XMT#4, XMT 360, and Megs QD. I also have 3M IHG that someone else recommended.

My questions are:
1) is the XMT#4 a decent enough compound to remove some other minor scratches that the #3 didn't?
2) how "dirty" can my car be to use just the QD to make it look a little nicer?
3) what's the best drying towel to use? Right now I just have a water blade that I use with a waffle weave MF towel
4) what's a decent tire dressing to use? I use the Armor All Tire Gel now and it's on the side of my car if it doesn't dry for 3 days
5) with the products I have, am I using them correctly?
6) how many towels are enough for a recreational detailer to have? I see some of the garages on this site and, although I'm in awe, it frightens me...
7) what's the best product for remove light scratches on the wood trim around my radio controls (again, I'll try to post pictures tonight)

Thanks....I think that's it for now....any excuses to buy more stuff is always appreciated (by me, not by my wife)

 

[ScottB]

XMT4 is a bit to harsh for normal detailing it is considered a compound in my book. I would have personally done the XMT3 with an orange pad, then XMT 3 with a white pad, and finally XMT1 with a grey pad. You might be seeing micromarring from the original pad/polish combo and as long as fingernail cannot decifer them you likely can remove them.

1. Very abrasive, not needed in most light swirl instances
2. not very dirty, even pollen is abrasive. Qd'ers are best for quick spots and birdie doo-doo removal.
3. Cobra WW MF Guzzler, get rid of the blade quickly trust me !
4. Poorboys Bright Bold, Stoners More Shine and Surf City Beyond Black -- I have found all gels fail to dry properly and need a good second buff or will spit. Make sure to get water out of the ribbings first or it will never dry.
5. Sound like you are doing ok
6. I find 10,000 to be correct (ok I have a MF towel issue) but seriously two-three of each type per vehicle is acceptable. Keep segregated from all other towels and laundry especially when washing.
7. A very light plastic polish

 

[Jimmie]

XMT4 is a bit to harsh for normal detailing it is considered a compound in my book. I would have personally done the XMT3 with an orange pad, then XMT 3 with a white pad, and finally XMT1 with a grey pad. You might be seeing micromarring from the original pad/polish combo and as long as fingernail cannot decifer them you likely can remove them.

1. Very abrasive, not needed in most light swirl instances
2. not very dirty, even pollen is abrasive. Qd'ers are best for quick spots and birdie doo-doo removal.
3. Cobra WW MF Guzzler, get rid of the blade quickly trust me !
4. Poorboys Bright Bold, Stoners More Shine and Surf City Beyond Black -- I have found all gels fail to dry properly and need a good second buff or will spit. Make sure to get water out of the ribbings first or it will never dry.
5. Sound like you are doing ok
6. I find 10,000 to be correct (ok I have a MF towel issue) but seriously two-three of each type per vehicle is acceptable. Keep segregated from all other towels and laundry especially when washing.
7. A very light plastic polish

Everything killr said. +1 for two passes with XMT3.

 

[A6Rox]

Thanks guys....appreciate the advice. I'll use Meghan's coupon as an excuse to order some new wheel supplies and MF towels. Also, what are your thoughts on wheel wax? I've never used it, but am looking for something to reduce brake dust (I HATE it...and assume others do as much as me).

 

[ScottB]

dry the DP Wheel Glaze or Poorboys Wheel Sealant instead. P21S is a great wheel cleaner as needed, or DP Wheel Gel as a backup. If you truly want to reduce brake dust, change to ceramic pads.