A Newbie's Checklist - seeking advice

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Thanks. My leather is grey and in good condition apart from a few smudges.

The reason I ask if your leather is dark grey is because you have optimum leather protectant listed. It's protection ability is great, however, it will definitely leave a bit of a sheen on dark leather. Not sure if you like that? If you want a lower sheen product, go with leather masters protection cream of ultima interior guard plus. You can also use ultima on your dash and door panels too eliminating the need for poorboys natural look. Then again, if you did that, you will need something for your tires as well. :dunno:

 

[deS]

The reason I ask if your leather is dark grey is because you have optimum leather protectant listed. It's protection ability is great, however, it will definitely leave a bit of a sheen on dark leather. Not sure if you like that? If you want a lower sheen product, go with leather masters protection cream of ultima interior guard plus. You can also use ultima on your dash and door panels too eliminating the need for poorboys natural look. Then again, if you did that, you will need something for your tires as well. :dunno:

looks like a light-medium grey to me. I actually dig the idea of using ultima by itself to clean the whole interior, could then do away with the leather protectant, poorboys and OPC and save some $$$. Although like you said, I'd have to get some wheel cleaner. What would you suggest for these?

 

[deS]

also, should I be worried about this? That is scary stuff. Mine's an Infiniti G35. Should I perhaps seek a weaker polish? I know the PC is supposed to be "foolproof" to use but there are people saying otherwise...

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

looks like a light-medium grey to me. I actually dig the idea of using ultima by itself to clean the whole interior, could then do away with the leather protectant, poorboys and OPC and save some $$$. Although like you said, I'd have to get some wheel cleaner. What would you suggest for these?

Actually, Ultima interior guard protectant has no cleaners in it, just protection. It's till a very good idea to buy OPC for interior cleaning. Dilute it 3:1 for even more bang for the buck. If you really want to save cash, you can use Poorboy's Natural look(good stuff) on all parts of the interior(except carpets) for protection. As far as a wheel cleaner, I'd suggest Griot's Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner. Awesome stuff!

Don't worry about that other thread! I think the dude held the polisher in one place for too long using a lot of pressure. As long as you constantly move the polisher, even with slow arm speed, you will not burn the paint with a PCXP. As far as the polish, you have M205 which is about the weakest you can get. Try that first with a white pad. If that doesn't work, move up to ultimate compound with an orange pad. If that doesn't work, then you can move to the yellow pad. DO A TEST SPOT FIRST so you can determine what system works for you. If I were you, I'd buy 3 yellow, orange, and white pads, and one blue pad(wax application). This way you will be ready for all situations with your pad of choice. One pad of each color isn't gonna work for the whole car. Pads get dirty and you need to switch them out. 3 of each should be perfect for each polishing step. 1 for wax application.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Here's a revised list for you including some thing you were missing in bold...

Duragloss 901
Meguiar's Wash Mitt
Stoners Glass Cleaner
Cobra MF Glass Towel
Cobra Miracle Towel
Cobra Drying Towel
Meguiar's Clay Bar Kit
Optimum Power Clean
Poorboy's Natural Look
Mother's MF Apllicators(use to apply Poorboy's Natural Look on interior)
Mother's Carpet & Upholstery Brush
Vinyl and Leather Scrub Brush
PCXP
5" Lake Country Backing Plate
5 1/2" Lake Country Flat Pads(3 yellow, 3 orange, 3 white, 1 blue)
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
Meguiar's M205
Griot's Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner
Mother's Wheel Brush(clean face)
Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush(clean barrels)
Mother's Tire Scrub Brush
Optimum Tire Shine
Ultima Trim Guard
Cobra Tire Dressing Applicator
Optimum Metal Polish
Collinite #845
Duragloss AquaWax

Obviously, you don't have to buy all of these. Just some thoughts.

 

[deS]

Dude, you're awesome. Thanks for taking your time to write everything up.


I've added some extra pads for the PC and along with some brushes/applicators. What do you think of using OPC @ 3:1 for wheels/tires and following up with 845 wax & Optimum Tire Shine?

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Dude, you're awesome. Thanks for taking your time to write everything up.


I've added some extra pads for the PC and along with some brushes/applicators. What do you think of using OPC @ 3:1 for wheels/tires and following up with 845 wax & Optimum Tire Shine?

You could most definitely use OPC at 3:1 to clean wheels and tires. I forgot to tell you that you can clean tires with it too. I have a spray bottle mixed up 3:1, and one bottle un-diluted. If you can afford it, buy a gallon. You won't need a separate wheel cleaner. You can use OPC to clean everything on the car except non clearcoted paint and glass. It's a very, very versatile product! You can definitely seal the wheels with #845, but the next time you use any cleaner(other than soap and water), it will remove it. Do you prefer a sprayable tire dressing or gel?

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Also, after thinking, you should switch Poorboy's Natural Look for Mother's VLR. It can do everything Natural Look can do, but it's probably a bit more matte looking. Very good stuff! However, you might want a bit more sheen(not bad) with Natural Look. It's up to you, though.

 

[deS]

Do you prefer a sprayable tire dressing or gel?

Doesn't matter really, whatever looks/protects best

Also, after thinking, you should switch Poorboy's Natural Look for Mother's VLR. It can do everything Natural Look can do, but it's probably a bit more matte looking. Very good stuff! However, you might want a bit more sheen(not bad) with Natural Look. It's up to you, though.

Interesting. Which do you think would look better on my black dash? Would I need to use OPC before applying VLR/Natural Look? The description of Natural Look states that it itself is a cleaner+protectant but not sure about the VLR.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Doesn't matter really, whatever looks/protects best

It really depends on if you like a shinier tire, or a more matte Tire?

Take a pick from any of these and you'll be fine:

DP Tire Gloss Gel
Optimum Opti-Bond Gel
Poorboys Bold n' Bright Gel
Optimum Tire Shine Spray
Poorboy's Bold n' Bright Spray

 

[SRTSean]

If he hasn't already thought of this, I would also suggest picking up some kind of cleaner for your microfiber towels and foam pads. I have only used the Griots microfiber cleaner, but it seems to work well.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

If he hasn't already thought of this, I would also suggest picking up some kind of cleaner for your microfiber towels and foam pads. I have only used the Griots microfiber cleaner, but it seems to work well.

Good point, Sean. rops:

Micro-restore is the bomb for MF. He can use OPC to clean his pads.

 

[Matt575]

Dude, you're awesome. Thanks for taking your time to write everything up.


I've added some extra pads for the PC and along with some brushes/applicators. What do you think of using OPC @ 3:1 for wheels/tires and following up with 845 wax & Optimum Tire Shine?

I'm learning you can never have enough pads. Get some of every color. Also get flat, CCS, and hydrotech. I wish I had done that!!

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I'm learning you can never have enough pads. Get some of every color. Also get flat, CCS, and hydrotech. I wish I had done that!!

If you have flat pads, you don't need CCS. Hydrotechs are great for hard paint, but don't finish well on soft paint, IME.

 

[eanelson]

You could most definitely use OPC at 3:1 to clean wheels and tires. I forgot to tell you that you can clean tires with it too. I have a spray bottle mixed up 3:1, and one bottle un-diluted. If you can afford it, buy a gallon. You won't need a separate wheel cleaner. You can use OPC to clean everything on the car except non clearcoted paint and glass. It's a very, very versatile product! You can definitely seal the wheels with #845, but the next time you use any cleaner(other than soap and water), it will remove it. Do you prefer a sprayable tire dressing or gel?

This. I'm new to detailing as well and was somehow smart enough to buy a gallon of OPC. I also got a gallon of APC+ and after using OPC, I have no clue what to use the APC+ for. I like OPC that much.

I used it at 3:1 on wheels, interior, engine, and leather. Here are a few shots with 50/50s of OPC at 3:1 for cleaning the leather.

Drivers side before:

Drivers side 50/50:

Drivers side marks:

Drivers side marks gone:

Backrest 50/50:

As you can see, OPC at 3:1 is VERY effective at cleaning leather (and really anything for that matter). I love this stuff and can't wait to use it more!

 

[deS]

nice pics. my leather essentially looks like yours so its great to see you had such good results with the OPC. :xyxthumbs:


Some Q's regarding the PC7424xp... do I need to tape anything off when polishing or is it safe enough for all surfaces? Can I safely apply polish on head/tail lights? What about those hard to reach areas such as door handles and side mirrors?


Thanks all.

 

[embolism]

unless your headlights are cloudy, I wouldn't use heavy compound on them or you will take the UV coating off. You could go over with the 205 if you wanted.

Taping is mainly for protecting body lines which have less paint on them, preventing pad contamination if you go over seals like around the sunroof and for preventing dust from getting everywhere.

There will be a time when you lift the pad from the paint before the pad slows down enough and you will put tiny dots everywhere that is a pain to clean up (happens to all us noobs). Tape helps save that hour of cleaning all the places where the polish residue accumulated.

You will have to hand polish the door handles and around emblems.

 

[deS]

Cheers.


When I'm applying polish by hand, can I use PC's 5.5" pads?


I just noticed I have some white residue on my black rubber trim near the windows... looks like the guy before me made the mistake of not taping it off before polishing, lol. What's the best way of getting rid of it? Paint thinner? What's a good product for protecting the trim once I clean it? Z recommended the trim guard plus but I'm already pushing the limit of my price range, do I have cheaper options? I have very limited trim on the car anyway so i'll take anything nice & cheap for the job.


Also I have a couple noticeable scratches on what I believe is aluminum material around the transmission box, any way to correct it? Doubt there's a cheap solution for it but might as well ask anyway.


Thanks again for the timely responses.

 

[maximus20895]

The pads are just for a polisher. If you are applying by hand you need a foam applicator pad.

I would not use paint thinner anywhere near your paint...

Just use some rubbing alcohol or some abrasive compound.

For trim, I like Hyper dressing, but that's out of your price range it seems. Let's see what others like.

I use Optimum metal polish as well.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Cheers.


When I'm applying polish by hand, can I use PC's 5.5" pads?


I just noticed I have some white residue on my black rubber trim near the windows... looks like the guy before me made the mistake of not taping it off before polishing, lol. What's the best way of getting rid of it? Paint thinner? What's a good product for protecting the trim once I clean it? Z recommended the trim guard plus but I'm already pushing the limit of my price range, do I have cheaper options? I have very limited trim on the car anyway so i'll take anything nice & cheap for the job.


Also I have a couple noticeable scratches on what I believe is aluminum material around the transmission box, any way to correct it? Doubt there's a cheap solution for it but might as well ask anyway.


Thanks again for the timely responses.

Use the round yellow foam applicators for hand polishing.

Clean the trim with OPC. Use Meguiars ultimate protectant for trim. It won't last nearly as long as ultima, but it's decent.

Not sure of the scratch location you're talking about.