Hey All,
After doing my research, I came up with the following of which I hope to purchase tonight (quick feedback requested!). I know it is less than what you all recommended but I've got to start somewhere and maintain my budget for this; I am also saving for my wedding! Looking for thoughts/opinions. The products and pads combo are for me to correct the Corolla's paint and wax it as well as just wax my Impreza. Since I am new at machine work, I decided to stick with MEGS products and go with SMAT products to Bubba-Proof (thanks, Mike) my first attempt at paint correction. Thoughts?
Pinnacle XMT Pad Cleaner (2 QTY)
Pinnacle XMT Pad Conditioner (1 QTY)
Duo Spur Wool and Foam Pad Cleaning Tool (1 QTY)
Grit Guards (2 Pack)
Dual Action Microfiber Bonnett Kit (1 QTY)
5" and 3.5" Backing Plates (1 QTY)
LC 5.5" CCS Pads - Pick 6 Kit (1 Orange, 1 White, 2 Grey, and 2 Red)
LC 4" CCS Pads - Pick 6 Kit (1 Orange, 1 White, 2 Grey, and 2 Red)
MEGS X2000 Water Magnet (1 QTY)
MEGS X2020 Microfiber 3 Pack (4 QTY)
Wolfgang Carpet and Upholstry Restorer Spray (1 QTY)
White Standard Carpet Brush (2 QTY)
MEGS UC (1 QTY)
MEGS SwirlX (1 QTY)
MEGS UP (1 QTY)
MEGS Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax (1 QTY)
MEGS Clay Kit - G1016 (1 QTY)
3M Scotch 233+ tape (2 QTY)
Chinchilla Microfiber 3 Pack (1 QTY)
Best,
Alan
Well Alan, looks like you're about to pull the trigger.
YES -----
Pinnacle XMT Pad Cleaner (2 QTY)
DON'T NEED IT - Pinnacle XMT Pad Conditioner (1 QTY)
NO - Duo Spur Wool and Foam Pad Cleaning Tool (1 QTY)
GET THE FOAM PAD BRUSH INSTEAD
YES -
Grit Guards (2 Pack)
WHY? -
Dual Action Microfiber Bonnett Kit (1 QTY)
YES -
5" and 3.5" Backing Plates (1 QTY)
LC 5.5" CCS Pads - Pick 6 Kit (1 Orange, 1 White, 2 Grey, and 2 Red)
LC 4" CCS Pads - Pick 6 Kit (1 Orange, 1 White, 2 Grey, and 2 Red)
STILL NEED MORE ORANGE AND MORE WHITE PADS!!!!!!!!!!
LIKE 3 OF EACH - MINIMUM
WHY -
MEGS X2000 Water Magnet (1 QTY)
WHY - MEGS X2020 Microfiber 3 Pack (4 QTY)
WHY - Chinchilla Microfiber 3 Pack (1 QTY)
GO TO Microfiber Tech (or The Rag Co) and get MORE TOWELS for LESS money.
The X2020 is only about a 300gsm towel and you REALLY need at least a 360 dual-plush towel , if not a 400 ultra fine unit to keep from putting swirls (in that Subaru paint).
The 530 GSM towel from Microfiber Tech can serve as a compound, polish, LSP, AND a drying towel. It's an amazingly versatile towel.
If you really want a drying towel, without fail, the Korean drying towel from Microfiber Tech is one of the best. (
I like it better than even the Dry Me a River from TRC as it's a WHOLE LOT softer.)
However, If there is ONE towel worth getting from Autogeek, that'd be the Guzzler (foam core) drying towel. It's crazy absorbent, and doesn't wad up like many do.
The key with drying is to lay the towel flat, then pat or rub the back of it with an open hand. Just as long as you don't rub the towel all over the place, being as water has zero lubricity.
OK -
Wolfgang Carpet and Upholstry Restorer Spray (1 QTY)
OK -
White Standard Carpet Brush (2 QTY)
Try this one on for size,
Carrand Deluxe Interior Brush
These may get you started.
MEGS UC (1 QTY)
MEGS SwirlX (1 QTY)
MEGS UP (1 QTY)
Can't go wrong with the "Ultimate Twins", nice products and extremely long working time for a SMAT based product.
Make sure you AT LEAST get some samples of Wolfgang compounds/polishes.
I'd say add a bottle of Megs D300 as it's a great all around compound. It can cut, but it'll also finish well for a SMAT product.
OR....
Go for the gusto and get a bottle of Menzerna FG400. This is one of the most amazing all around products out there. It'll cut AND finish. Thing is... it finishes so much better than a cutting compound has any right to, it's amazing in fact.:xyxthumbs:

rops::dblthumb2:
On hard paint it'll finish down with a single pad, just pull the pad and 'clean on the fly' and mist the area half way through then finish it down.
The trick (on softer paints) is starting with two pads, one orange (or white), then a white or blue (or red). Work the product a bit with both pads then 'clean on the fly' to both pads. Wipe the area down, then go back with your cutting pad and 3 pea sized drops of product and do 4~5~6 passes. Then VERY lightly mist the area with distilled water (
if you see drops, or water runs down the panel it's too wet) and go back with the polishing pad for another 4~5 passes. While not a true 2-step it'll look like you did go with a 2-step. I call it a 1.5 step process.
WHY? - MEGS Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax (1 QTY)
Much MUCH better sealant/waxes are at Autogeek.
Might as well just get Megs Ultimate Liquid Wax and keep up the 'synergy' with all your other Megs Ultimate products. :xyxthumbs: Another thought would be Megs M21 2.0 sealant as it's very affordable, pretty darned good, AND available locally.
YES -
MEGS Clay Kit - G1016 (1 QTY)
OTAY - 3M Scotch 233+ tape (2 QTY)
I buy a ton of blue "delicate surface" painters tape for general purpose duty. For heavy duty stuff I'll break out the green 3M stuff, and even the little thin vinyl 3M stuff for sharp lines from time to time, but overall the stuff from Lowes/Home Depot will get you there.