best compounds & polishes?

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I'm new to DA machine polishing & wanted to know what compounds &/or polishes you use? And what wax you follow them up with? In the past, I've used megs products by hand (ultimate compound, polishing compound, scratchx) I'm looking for paint corrrection for '09 black & '97 dark green Hondas that have pretty severe swirls, spiderwebbing, & below clearcoat scratches (which I don't expect to get out much) the green honda also has some crazing/cracking (not extreme tho). What about for other lighter cars? I was thinking of megs m102 or maybe menzerna but that's kinda expensive & I try to get the most out of my $
 
There "is" a wealth of information here. Take the time to read and familiarize yourself with some of the basics.

Everyone starts off as a beginner but with some reading, questions, and trial, error, and practice you'll be amazed how much you'll be able to do. After reading and understanding some of the basics, the more hands on your are the quicker you'll build your knowledge and gain experience.

This link contains articles written by Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips

The is the general order or operation for detailing the vehicles exterior.

  1. Wash
  2. Clay
  3. Compound
  4. Polish
  5. Seal
  6. Wax
Try not to become overwhelmed with all the products as you'll only become more confused and at the same time broke if you try to buy them all. Pick one product that will satisfy each step above and begin but above everything else make detailing enjoyable.

Autogeek has a kit section that contains everything you need to get started. For starting off I recommend a dual action polisher. These come on a variety of flavors and Autogeek carries most of them so take your time and educate yourself.

The kit pages below will give you an idea of what's available but if you do decide to purchase a Porter Cable 7424 style polisher opt for the 5 1/2" flat pads right off. The 6 1'2" are just too large and this has been confirmed many time over.

If you want to try something over the counter give Meguiar's Ultimate Compound a try. This product is not overly aggressive and when used with an Orange then White foam pad produces impressive results.

Kit Page

Car Care Kits, Car Care Cleaning Kits, Complete Detailing Kits

Decent kit

Pinnacle Twins & Meguiar's G110v2 Dual Action Polisher Kit FREE BONUS

Much better kit

Menzerna Porter Cable XP Maximum Shine Kit FREE BONUS

Flex Kit

If I were in the market for a kit this would be the one I'd choose.
Pinnacle Flex XC3401 Polishing & Swirl Remover kit, Pinnacle polishes, swirl removers, finishing polish, flex buffer

Menzerna products

If I had to recommend a bundle that would satisfy 90% of your paint correction needs this would be it!

Menzerna Power Gloss, Power Finish & Super Finish Bundle, Menzerna Polishes Combo, Nano Polish, Power Finish Polish, Power Gloss Compound

Don't overlook a one step product

One Step Product

Klasse

Klasse ALL-IN-ONE Auto Polish, Klasse All In One, klasse aio, Acrylic polish

Menzerna Sealing Wax

Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60, Menzerna APO 60, Menzerna wax

Meguiar's D151

Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151

Pinnacle XMT

Pinnacle XMT Clean & Shine Bundle

Forum Favorite

Klasse All-In-One, Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze, Pinnacle Souveran, Pinnacle Crystal Mist Spray Wax come together to create a forum favorite kit.

Sealants

Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealant

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant

Other quality sealants

  • Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
  • Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze
  • DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant
Wax

Collinite 845

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax

Pinnacle Signature Series ll

Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax will give you a deep, wet finish will exceed your expectations. car wax, carnauba paste wax, pinnacle
 
I'll be using a machine as soon as I figure out which one I'm getting. I just purcased a defective pc 7424xp, returned it, & got what seems to be another defective pc (from diff. seller than AGO)....I'll either be getting a pc from AGO now or researching other DA's that will accept the 5' bakcing plate/ 5.5" pads I have.... i'm familiar w/ the flowchart of 2bucketwash, clay, compound etc but thanks a lot for product tips & bundles, I'll prob. be purchasing some of that stuff soon!
 
WOW...where do we begin..?...you can't go wrong with Menzerna, Wolfgang, Pinnacle, Optimum, Megs new DA MF system, and even those from 3D (Uno), Duragloss, etc.

My favorites:

1) Compounds: Megs 105/D300, Ultimate compound, Optimum Hyper compound

2) Intermediate Polishes: Menzerna, Wolfgang, Megs D205/D300, Optimum Hyper polish

3) Jeweling Final Polish: Menzerna PO85rd

But the more I use the new Megs DA MF system, you can do almost any correction with great results using just Megs D300, D301 for daily drivers. You should easily get 85% correction from this combo. I would be happy frankly to have one product line that can do it all. Megs comes really close...but there are always special cases where 85% isn't good enough.
 
silverfox said:
But the more I use the new Megs DA MF system, you can do almost any correction with great results using just Megs D300, D301 for daily drivers. You should easily get 85% correction from this combo. I would be happy frankly to have one product line that can do it all. Megs comes really close...but there are always special cases where 85% isn't good enough.
Click to expand...

how much does that cost?
 
itsinthedetails said:
how much does that cost?
Click to expand...


The Megs system runs 90 for thr 5.5" and 100 for the 6". It comes with a backing plate sapecifically designed for the pads. Make sure you use it. Here's a link: Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System, paint polishing system, car polish, car detailing system, compounding system, remove scratches

Many here have used the system and achieved incredible results. Based on what forum members have achieved with this system, 85% correction is likely a lowball on what it can do once you become familiar. The only "downside" is the last step is a final polish/wax combo. So, if you want an advanced sealant, you'll have to strip that or switch out the finish wax for something like Meg's M205 or WG Finishing Glaze or Menzerna P106. Depending on how much you want to spend and how well you're gonna take care of each car, it may be worth it for one and not the other. If I hadn't bought standard polishes and pads right before this came out, this is the way I would have gone. Once I go thru what I have, I will be trying it.
 
itsinthedetails said:
what do u follow up the m105/m205 with?
Click to expand...

If I want one last polish to give a car an extra amount of shine I've been using Griot's Polish #4 because that's what I have for that step, lol. But the 205 does finish out pretty damn nicely and you can go straight to sealant after using it. Also been using Griot's Paint Sealant, but am almost out of that and will be trying something new.
 
BobbyG said:
The is the general order or operation for detailing the vehicles exterior.

  1. Wash
  2. Clay
  3. Compound
  4. Polish
  5. Seal
  6. Wax
Click to expand...


Aren't sealants & waxes the same thing? Or do you mean a synthetic wax followed by a carnuba wax for extra shine? Also, what's the diff b/w compounds/polishes? the abrasiveness? Pinnacle or Wolfgang for example offer "swirl remover" products that are marketed like a polish...but if I'm right they're used as a first step after claying, like you would use a compound... :/
 
I like the Megs DA MF system b/c it seems easy to use & is only 2 steps, but I don't feel like spending the money & getting new pads when I just bought ccs foam pads. How about something like pinnacle advanced swirl remover/wolfgang total swirl remover? can a product like that replace a compound like megs m105/205 or menzerna so I don't have to compound->polish->wax? Is there a wax out there that has some light cutting power in addition to protection? (not like a cleaner wax that cuts but doesnt necesarily give long-lasting protection i.e. zymol (the best smelling wax on the planet). speaking of cleaner waxes, when are they to be used? when the car is clean but has light defects that need perfecting right? inotherwords, not in a correctional "system" like this where defects are already being compounded/polished out b/c it would be just an extra step, right?)
 
itsinthedetails said:
I like the Megs DA MF system b/c it seems easy to use & is only 2 steps, but I don't feel like spending the money & getting new pads when I just bought ccs foam pads. How about something like pinnacle advanced swirl remover/wolfgang total swirl remover? can a product like that replace a compound like megs m105/205 or menzerna so I don't have to compound->polish->wax? Is there a wax out there that has some light cutting power in addition to protection? (not like a cleaner wax that cuts but doesnt necesarily give long-lasting protection i.e. zymol (the best smelling wax on the planet). speaking of cleaner waxes, when are they to be used? when the car is clean but has light defects that need perfecting right? inotherwords, not in a correctional "system" like this where defects are already being compounded/polished out b/c it would be just an extra step, right?)
Click to expand...

I take it you have not seen the Three Rules of Quality?

Rule 1 - There are no shortcuts.
Rule 2 - See Rule 1.
Rule 3 - See Rule 2.

If your car's defects are very light or you aren't fussy, you can try a good All In One product like Optimum Poli-Seal. I haven't used them but Poli-Seal and a couple others get some good comments on the forums. I see Poli-Seal mentioned frequently. Or you could try just using a "finish polish" like 205 or WG FG.

But, if you want a real high gloss polish, you're gonna have to go to at least a two-step polish. Whether that Meg's M105/205 or WG TSR/FG or Menz or ... doesn't matter.

Cleaner waxes will clean up very light defects. I don't use them. If the job's worth doing, it worth taking the time to do it right (see Rule 1), so I'd use a final polish and follow with a high quality wax or sealant/wax combo.
 
HeavyMetal said:
I take it you have not seen the Three Rules of Quality?

Rule 1 - There are no shortcuts.
Rule 2 - See Rule 1.
Rule 3 - See Rule 2.

If your car's defects are very light or you aren't fussy, you can try a good All In One product like Optimum Poli-Seal. I haven't used them but Poli-Seal and a couple others get some good comments on the forums. I see Poli-Seal mentioned frequently. Or you could try just using a "finish polish" like 205 or WG FG.

But, if you want a real high gloss polish, you're gonna have to go to at least a two-step polish. Whether that Meg's M105/205 or WG TSR/FG or Menz or ... doesn't matter.

Cleaner waxes will clean up very light defects. I don't use them. If the job's worth doing, it worth taking the time to do it right (see Rule 1), so I'd use a final polish and follow with a high quality wax or sealant/wax combo.
Click to expand...


Nice summary Craig... :xyxthumbs:


Also, the Meguiar's Microfiber DA System is formulated for and intended for use only on factory baked on paint. You can try to use it on re-paints and single stage paints but test first to a small area to make sure you're getting great results before buffing out the entire car.

We did all the work on this car using Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover and Advanced Finishing Polish topped with Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax, all done by machine.


1962CadConvert025.jpg




And it was a mess when it came here...

1962CadConvert005.jpg





:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
We did all the work on this car using Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover and Advanced Finishing Polish topped with Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax, all done by machine.
Click to expand...

Wow that caddy looks great! I detail for money but have been compounding & waxing by hand. Results have been okay, plus most of my clients have been non-car buffs & people who don't expect a perfect finish with great DOI, but I've decided that I need to improve, so I want to practice DA paint correction on my 2 hondas first- great candidates b/c theyre in bad shape (dont have a garage so cant wash in winter, & b/c I've been busy doing other peoples cars lol) Plus I'll have 2 shiny cars when I'm done :P Then, I will have more confidence when detailing for money, & will be offering even more for the money I charge. A 3 step process like you used would probably be okay mike, & it seemed to be very effective! I guess my main problem is that I need be just as thorough but much faster on the interior so I can squeeze in a 3 step paint correction process!
 
It takes me ~ 12 hours to do a full detail on a car so hopefully machine paint correction with 3+ steps will wind up being faster than 2 step hand compounding & waxing. Also, I'll make sure to do test spots first. :buffing:
 
I've been researching & I like the poorboys SSR 3, 2.5, 2 & 1 swirl removers & & the fact they seem to be usable in sun & have a decent working time for a noob. they're also very affordable! I might go for menzerna sealing wax ap or natty wax...want pinnacle soverain but thats expensive...
 
itsinthedetails said:
I detail for money but have been compounding & waxing by hand....
Click to expand...

You didn't tell us that up front. It sure helps when someone gives you all the info. Clairvoyance is not my strong suit.

Most detailers offer a few levels of service - a basic wash and wax, a mid-level "all-in-one" correction and seal/wax, and higher end full custom polishes and seal/wax. If you're really goona do this for money, you may want to consider that. If all you ever offer is a full correction, you're either gonna have to cheat yourself by charging too little or chase away customers who don't want to pay for or don't need a full up correction.

I'd suggest you get familiar with the M105/205 polishes. Many of the pros here use that. Seems almost an "industry standard". Suggest you also choose an all-in-one for those customers who don't want to pay for or don't need a full 2 step. Like I said, Poli-Seal seems real popular for that application.

As far as wax, why not go with Collinite 845? It's like 15 bucks a bottle and beats nearly all waxes for durability and most for looks - even the "high priced spreads".

'Course for those customers who want the extra protection and are willing to pay for it, you'll need a sealant. While there are many choices, I think you'd be hard-pressed to beat either Optimum Opti-Seal or Menzerna Powerlock there. The cost isn't that high and a bottle will last you many, many cars.

You do need to test these products on your own cars to become familiar with how they work and what you can achieve. Only offering one option and guessing what it will do for a customer is not a good way to go.
 
itsinthedetails said:
Wow that caddy looks great! I detail for money but have been compounding & waxing by hand.
Click to expand...

Step up to machine polishing, you'll never look back... just assembled this...

DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing


I have one of a series of e-books close to being finished, which will be jam packed with everything you need to know about machine polishing paint.



itsinthedetails said:
I guess my main problem is that I need be just as thorough but much faster on the interior so I can squeeze in a 3 step paint correction process!
Click to expand...

No. Good intentions, wrong approach...

If you're working on daily drivers, then stick to using one-step cleaner/waxes for the exterior. Read this article,

A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business


These are both one-step projects, perfect for daily drivers...

KISS Detail - Extreme Makeover - Toyota Highlander

Dodge Neon Extreme Makeover with Dodo Juice


--> Balance <--

:xyxthumbs:
 
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