Advantages to using DA for sealant/wax?

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Dale1990

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Hi all,

I'm going to be working on my new-to-me Tuxedo Black Lincoln MKZ over Christmas week and have a question about applying the sealant and wax with a DA buffer - Griots 6" in my case.

First, let me cover my plan to see if anyone objects... After a good washing, I plan to hit it with a Nanoskin autoscub to get rid of the contaminants (sat on a car lot for awhile) followed by polishing with Wolfgang TSR and Finishing glaze to get rid of the light scratches (nothing major).

From there, I planned to use 2 coats (for winter longevity) of Wolfgang deep gloss sealant followed by a coat of Pinnacle Sovereign (just because I like it :)). I've never used the Wolfgang sealant but I have used Blackfire and liked it.

My question is will I see much benefit to applying the sealant or the wax with the buffer? I have a Lake Country CCS blue "finessing" pad if that is OK. I liked the look of BFWD + Sovereign when done by hand but if the machine can do it better I'm willing to try.

Thanks!
 
I love machine waxing it's easier,faster and it's distributed thin and even
 
I apply WGDGPS with a DA and red, blue or green pad, then remove the pad from the DA and hit the small stuff by hand with the same pad

Much faster

More even coverage

Able to apply thinner, which saves on product and makes wipe off even easier
 
This is probably my most favorite part of detailing. Applying Sealant/Wax with a DA. IMO A DA can cover faster, put on a coat more uniformly, and is faster than applying sealant/wax by hand.

I use either the Lake Country Gold CCS, Red CCS, or Black Hybrid Pads or Red Hydro-Tech Pad. I wonder if you get the feeling I like Lake Country Pads?...LOL

If I can use the Flex 3401 VRG with a 6.5" Pad I will. I usually put sealant on with that. I use my PC7424 XP with a 3" Red Hydrotech pad for the wax (that I am using, currently). It is a really pliable wax so I cannot take it out of a jar like the hard waxes (Souveran is a hard wax) and spread the wax on the pad. If I can I will use the 6.5" Pads.

I will use the foam applicator for the hard to reach places a DA can't.

This is the ONLY way I will apply Sealant or Wax. Once you try that technique, you will never go back to applying by hand.

As for the products you are using; they are outstanding products and you are fine with any of them. IMO Pinnacle Souveran is one of my favorite waxes.

As for Speed setting for Sealant/Wax: I use speed setting 1.5 - 2 with the Flex 3401 VRG

I use Speed setting 2.5 - 3 with the PC 7424 XP.

These are the lower settings as you are just trying to spread the sealant/wax as much as possible.

Your GG 6" DA should be similar to the settings of the PC7424 XP I mentioned above.
 
if you apply your lsp by DA it wil ensure even coverage through out the diameter of the pad being pushed into the finish and you will use less product because it spreads out further. you can always do the first coat by hand and then the second by DA or vice versa...
 
If you do not top the Tuxedo Black Metallic with the wax, the flake on your MKZ will be a crazy rainbow of colors.

The DA with the blue pad is the way to go.
 
Thanks for the tips everyone! The speed recommendations were going to be my next question. :)

It sounds like using the DA is the way to go - thinner, more even coverage and easier to remove.

Thanks!
 
I use 3-4 as speeds to apply my LSP's with my Porter Cable. I use a gold LC pad and simply transfer a nice even thin layer on the paint from the pad.
 
One mistake I made, and see it with hindsight now, was using the cheapie Backing Plate-Foam Pad that came with my PC7424XP, and using it a few times on my cargo trailer. It wound up getting torn up, and had to toss it.

In retrospect, I should've reserved that, and gotten myself some 6" MF Bonnets to slip over it.

Apply with a 5" Backing Plate-Soft Pads, and take off with the other Plate and Bonnets. I'd assume I could probably just get a couple 6" white flat pads, and some MF Bonnets and use them on a 5" LC Backing Plate with no issues? (No need to of course go crazy with high speeds of 5-6), 3-4 is probably more suitable on the PC.

Can recall back in the olden days, with Waxcoa-Craftsman Polisher-Waxers, would get very nice results. They weren't effective for correction of course, but worked fine for final products. Only downsides were they are a little bit large and hard to maneuver in tight spots.

I believe that not only did one get a more uniform spread of product, used less product, but by machine to apply and remove, it seemed like the products were "worked into" the paint better as well, giving a much more even, and uniform final look to the finish.

That variances in hand pressure, and also quantity of product applied could often cause an unevenness to look.
 
Throw away any bonnets....they are trouble

Using a White polishing pad to apply LSP, is also a poor choice IMO

If you are using an AIO or Cleaner Wax on hard paint, a white pad could work
 
Just a note; I've always liked to apply by hand because it helps me to stare at the paint longer and closer. Sometimes, I find blemishes, dust, dried polish, etc hiding-out.
 
expdetailing said:
Just a note; I've always liked to apply by hand because it helps me to stare at the paint longer and closer. Sometimes, I find blemishes, dust, dried polish, etc hiding-out.
Click to expand...

Dat true. Especially on some gorgeous well cared for ride. It's more "intimate"!
 
allenk4 said:
Throw away any bonnets....they are trouble

Using a White polishing pad to apply LSP, is also a poor choice IMO

If you are using an AIO or Cleaner Wax on hard paint, a white pad could work
Click to expand...

Yes, there's softer pads to be had.

Not sure if you were replying to me, but I imagine with a MF bonnet on a DA for apply- removal, it wouldn't matter much what the pad type was.
 
expdetailing said:
Just a note; I've always liked to apply by hand because it helps me to stare at the paint longer and closer. Sometimes, I find blemishes, dust, dried polish, etc hiding-out.
Click to expand...

To me my favorite part is removing the LSP. Usually when I am using the DA I am already looking for the blemishes and dust. But either technique by hand or by DA; applying the LSP and removal is my favorite part. I usually follow up with an incredible Spray Wax (not sold by AGO) as the final touch.

But your technique by hand makes sense. Either way we are admiring our final work. Just like an artist would when he finished his painting...all fun stuff!!

:dblthumb2:
 
Dereksdtail said:
Applied 476 with 3" black pad today so much easier and smoother��
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Way cool! I like the 3" Red Hydro-tech Pads by Lake Country (I think they call it Crimson) and the reason why is that the pad is about 1.25 inches thick. Gives more of a cushion when applying. Try that and see what you think.

But again, fun stuff.

My PC7424 XP with a 2 7/8 LC backing plate with a couple of extension works wonders! Try the Hydro-tech. :props:
 
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