Beginner trying to get a good black finish.
- Thread starter Mallowpuff
- Start date
Mallowpuff
New member
- Apr 11, 2017
- 49
- 0
- Thread starter
- #42
That's what I meant, say if I wash and clay the car, apply and remove step 1 and then apply and remove step 2, could it sit overnight? I just have to wash it the next morning and apply the wax?
Will do, I'll post when I actually get to it then post some pics when it's done.
Hey ..and if you have more questions..ill check back...and there are others more qualified than me..im just a hobbyist in the driveway...just try not to overthink it too much.....
If you take a break...do not drive the detailing car for an errand. You will have to wash it again....im okay if i have to move it for anither car to get through...but that my max confort level of moving..with you having dirt n gravel...if it really dry..i woyldnt move it between steps...you will stir up dust which will land back on your paint.
Its like the homedepot guy said to me first time i worked with exterior paint. .and he helped with a lot of newbie questions...after he covered the rooftops..he says..."at this point you need to start paint on the surface.."
If you take a break...do not drive the detailing car for an errand. You will have to wash it again....im okay if i have to move it for anither car to get through...but that my max confort level of moving..with you having dirt n gravel...if it really dry..i woyldnt move it between steps...you will stir up dust which will land back on your paint.
Its like the homedepot guy said to me first time i worked with exterior paint. .and he helped with a lot of newbie questions...after he covered the rooftops..he says..."at this point you need to start paint on the surface.."
custmsprty
New member
- Apr 11, 2012
- 7,496
- 0
I live in Florida so I can speak to trying to wash, polish, seal a black car in direct sunlight. Good luck with that.
The surface of your paint will easily reach 150-180+ degrees in no time which kills polishes and their working times.
Poor Boys has products designed to be used in the direct sun and I've experimented with them and it was still far from ideal.
What I have and would recommend is a medium to large size pop up tent.
I picked one up at Wallyworld. It's worth it's weight in gold for outdoor work.
I used it for this big Chevy as it wouldn't fit in my garage.
Mine has a gold top, I think it's a 10' x 10' and in a pinch I can set it up myself.
This was after, but you can get the idea, it was a little tight on the roof but I managed. I moved it around as I went along.
The surface of your paint will easily reach 150-180+ degrees in no time which kills polishes and their working times.
Poor Boys has products designed to be used in the direct sun and I've experimented with them and it was still far from ideal.
What I have and would recommend is a medium to large size pop up tent.
I picked one up at Wallyworld. It's worth it's weight in gold for outdoor work.
I used it for this big Chevy as it wouldn't fit in my garage.
Mine has a gold top, I think it's a 10' x 10' and in a pinch I can set it up myself.
This was after, but you can get the idea, it was a little tight on the roof but I managed. I moved it around as I went along.
Just get a can of Meguiars Ultimate paste wax (actually polymers without wax). Easy on/easy off, can be used in the sun, goes on everything without staining, good longevity.
Also, if your going to work by hand, get something like the polish pal to save the muscles in your fingers/hands. Griots makes one too. All 3" pads will work on them.
I would also get some Meguiar's Ultimate compound and maybe some 205. Good products to use by hand.
Don't beat yourself up. Working by hand should be an on going process not a weekend marathon. Just keep your paint going in the right direction.
Oh , and stay off the body lines when polishing. You should be fine.
Also, if your going to work by hand, get something like the polish pal to save the muscles in your fingers/hands. Griots makes one too. All 3" pads will work on them.
I would also get some Meguiar's Ultimate compound and maybe some 205. Good products to use by hand.
Don't beat yourself up. Working by hand should be an on going process not a weekend marathon. Just keep your paint going in the right direction.
Oh , and stay off the body lines when polishing. You should be fine.
Mallowpuff
New member
- Apr 11, 2017
- 49
- 0
- Thread starter
- #46
It looks like next weekend will be cloudy with no rain.. If that's the case I'll be so happy..
One more question I had, probably my last one before I start, what do I need in terms of towels.
I'm going to get 3 applicator pads, a wash mitt and a waffle weave MF. Do I need some normal MF towels too? Whether from somewhere local or from AG, I just need to know whether or not I should get a few.
I know that the polishes and wax go on with applicators but do they get taken off with MF towels? Does the clay lubricant get taken off with a MF towel?
One more question I had, probably my last one before I start, what do I need in terms of towels.
I'm going to get 3 applicator pads, a wash mitt and a waffle weave MF. Do I need some normal MF towels too? Whether from somewhere local or from AG, I just need to know whether or not I should get a few.
I know that the polishes and wax go on with applicators but do they get taken off with MF towels? Does the clay lubricant get taken off with a MF towel?
Mallowpuff
New member
- Apr 11, 2017
- 49
- 0
- Thread starter
- #47
Well, I'm back. Haven't done anything yet. Between being sick and busy this last week was lost. But I should be getting all my stuff in the next few days and getting it down.
I came back to say, I found a brand new sealed Meguiars Power System drill operated DA for $15 at the Home Depot clearance. How well do these things work? Are they safe to use for someone new to DAs/Auto detailing?
I came back to say, I found a brand new sealed Meguiars Power System drill operated DA for $15 at the Home Depot clearance. How well do these things work? Are they safe to use for someone new to DAs/Auto detailing?
Have also seen the DA power system for $15... SO worth the money. I first used it before getting my Griots DA. I use it with a HF angled drill that maxes out at the minimum rpm for the power system but has worked fine... I still use it for small panels. I haven't used it with a regular drill but it will be HEAD AND SHOULDERS better than doing everything by hand.
Mallowpuff
New member
- Apr 11, 2017
- 49
- 0
- Thread starter
- #49
Just got it, looks great!
Seems to have a lot of power with my Ryobi 18V cordless drill, but if I find I need more I have a PC corded drill.
Should I just use it the way it is says, in terms of pads? The yellow polishing pads for both polishes and the black waxing pad for waxing? Or should I use the burgundy pad for the first polish?
I will be using the Mother's 3 step system, so the 2 different polishes and then the wax.
Right now my plan is getting a pack of 2 yellow polishing pads and 2 black waxing pads.
Seems to have a lot of power with my Ryobi 18V cordless drill, but if I find I need more I have a PC corded drill.
Should I just use it the way it is says, in terms of pads? The yellow polishing pads for both polishes and the black waxing pad for waxing? Or should I use the burgundy pad for the first polish?
I will be using the Mother's 3 step system, so the 2 different polishes and then the wax.
Right now my plan is getting a pack of 2 yellow polishing pads and 2 black waxing pads.
Id stick with the oem instructions..dont know this system or their pads..if burgjndy is heavier cut than yellow..id buy it but try the yellow first on a test section and see if that getd you the results..if not then try burgundy.
Id read the oem instructions about the drill rpms etc and follow manual. Get an extension cord...the corded will always give you more juice...unless you have lithium ion batt..go with cord..the nicad will lose power as the battery wears imoacting your polish performance.
I just got my flex and used it the past 2 weekends to make the white camry look better than new...used wg 3.0 3 step system (finished with wg deep gloss finish) and then finished off with ps21 carnuba.
This baby is hydrophobic..i can blow on a water bead and have it dance on the coating.
Ill post pics this week when i catch a few mins..this process took me 4 full days.
Report back when yoy get your first ride done..im sure you will be estatic with your new (looking) ride.
Btw...if that system offers a mi rofiber pad ti remove /buff...may want to soend the money...all the mothers 3 step system requires each step to dry and its not easy to remove...especially the wax step.
Each step of mothers systems does stain plastic trim horribly...so either tape off trim with painters tape or apply back to black to prevent stainimg your trim..
Mallowpuff
New member
- Apr 11, 2017
- 49
- 0
- Thread starter
- #51
I'm ordering 2 sets of pads, I'll probably order yellow and black and hope I don't need burgundy. I would just get a single burgundy but the single packs only come with some product.
It is a Lithium Ion battery drill. The tool says 1200-2500 RPM and this drill is rated at 1900 RPM. I have a long extension cord, I just plan on doing the upper parts with the cordless so I don't drag the rubber cord all over the car.
I will tape all the trim, and unfortunately no microfiber pads. I will probably end up doing small areas with the tool, then wiping off with a towel.