Brand new car; what would you do?

[davidg]

Yes, it is pretty mild. My thinking is, mild is what I'd need; right?


Dunno about a 'lot crew', it really shouldn't get touched.

Just make sure it doesn't get any pre-delivery washes. That's what I mean by "lot crew".

I've never touched a polisher to a Ford. I did touch up a newer Volvo a girl I was seeing had and I had to bump up to an aggressive pad with medium polish(orange LC and #2 XMT IIRC) to make a dent. I highly doubt the paint will be that hard, but as cardaddy said, 1.5 step is a good thing to have in the arsenal.

 

[jpegs13]

Save yourself the $13 and skip the polishin' pal. You will rarely if ever use it. Buy another pad in its place

 

[swanicyouth]

I love the Polishin' Pal. It's the best way to apply waxes by hand. Of course, if you plan on applying by machines - skip it. By hand, there is no faster or better way.

I like it because you hold it for above, so 100% of the surface stays in contact with the paint. If you use a UFO foam, you have to hold it, so it's not all in contact with paint.

 

[jankerson]

I love the Polishin' Pal. It's the best way to apply waxes by hand. Of course, if you plan on applying by machines - skip it. By hand, there is no faster or better way.

I like it because you hold it for above, so 100% of the surface stays in contact with the paint. If you use a UFO foam, you have to hold it, so it's not all in contact with paint.

I use the Meguiar's 3" Professional Hand Pad for applying by hand, with the 4" Black Pads, works great.

It's like the Polishing Pal, but Meguiar's vers.

 

[Romans5.8]

Save yourself the $13 and skip the polishin' pal. You will rarely if ever use it. Buy another pad in its place

Well I already bought it. LOL. I've used it once so far on the wifes car. I like it for hand applying waxes. But, I could probably take it or leave it.

Just make sure it doesn't get any pre-delivery washes. That's what I mean by "lot crew".

They've been instructed not to wash the car. They are going to do a quick pre-delivery inspection to make sure everything is there (and I'm sure to document the condition so nobody comes back with a huge dent in the door and say 'it looked like this when I bought it!'), then I'm gonna drive it home.

Bottom line is I'd not even ATTEMPT to do a vehicle with less than 3~4 of a single pad. It can be done with 2, say the polishing stage, but you'll be stopping and cleaning quite a bit. Using a dirty, product full, paint spreading pad will literally grind away everything you are trying to do.

Okay, so, what pads should I stock up on? I bought the CG pads so far but I'll take any recommendations!

Y'all are costing me money!

 

[jankerson]

I would stick with Polishing and finishing pads for now.

EX:

LC White or Tangerine pads... Polishing Pads...

LC Gray or Crimson ..... Finishing Pads...

 

[Russ57]

I'd agree with the need for a lot more pads. If you had the experience to know when to clean them and the proper equipment/procedure that would be one thing. However this is your first go around. BTW, I am in the same boat although my cars are hardly new.

I'd be thinking in terms of at least 6 pads in a given color. Lake County 5.5" seems to get the nood as best value. Orange, white, and black might be enough to get by with. In your case, you probably won't need the orange unless the dealer decides to prep the car

Remember it is the combination of the paint on your car, the pad you use, the product you use, and the pressure/speed/time that it is worked.

From what I understand Ford has a hard clear coat. That could mean you will need a more aggressive pad and product than you anticapate.

Then we have the whole concept of non-diminishing abrasives vs. those that are designed to break down. That too determines your technique.

As mentioned above, take your time and know what you want to get and the right product to use. I have also found that certain defects are very light dependant. So you might want to add a Brinkman light to your kit and spend some time inspecting paint. I wouldn't want my brand new car to be the first car I took a DA machine and compound to.