First time polishing, not sure where to start

If I were in your shoes [and I have been] I'd go with either a Megs or LC 5" backing plate and either Megs thin foam discs or LC Flat foam pads. [cutting and polishing pads are most important, you can survive with 1 black finishing pad for your own car]
Megs or Mothers claybar kit
Megs Ultimate Compound
Megs Ultimate Polish
Your choice of sealant
World of difference👍🏽
 
You definitely have your work cut out for you, but once you finish, you won't believe it's the same car.
 
Lord didn't expect it to be a good 10+ hour job. I'm assuming it'll easily be 15+ since it's my first time polishing and having to learn it. Seems like I got a great starting ground on what to purchase and where to start.
 
pdqgp said:
Not sure I follow. I use both and it's a deep black mirror finish :dblthumb2:
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I mean, some guys want a super shiny finish that's like looking at a mirror. No depth but blindingly bright. Sealants give you that. Zaino is a good example. I've seen cars done with Zaino that you can hardly tell what color it is because you just see reflections of the scenery around it. Impressive, but annoying IMO. Carnauba, on the other hand, doesn't shine quite as bright but can give knee-deep depth on dark colors. Of course, you can combine them and get a bit of both, too. But if you only want high shine you probably shouldn't top it with a wax. Personally, I dislike super shiny dark cars. They look blingy rather than sophisticated. But to each his own.
 
captainsquirts said:
Lord didn't expect it to be a good 10+ hour job. I'm assuming it'll easily be 15+ since it's my first time polishing and having to learn it. Seems like I got a great starting ground on what to purchase and where to start.
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do it in stages. You don't have to finish the entire car in one day. Hit the hood, roof and trunk one day. Left side another, right another, then the front and rear clips.

You can rinseless wash those areas before you do them making it easier.

This will keep you from rushing and you'll learn more along the way. You can also then spend time insuring each panel is done perfect.

Just a thought. I've been tackling a neighors van this way. Couple panels afterwork when I have a chance. I just go get the van and bring it to my house. Before and afters of it shortly.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk
 
I think that's what I'm going to do, hit some panels at a time. I'm reading that the Evo has very soft paint so looks like I'll that'll make things more interesting.
 
Everybody seems to be saying the orange and white pads. For the orange I understand its for the swirls/cutting. But the white when I read the description it says for applying waxes and sealants with a dual action polisher, or for jeweling paint with a rotary buffer. To me the white seems for a last step thing like applying wax/sealants. Wouldn't I need something in between the orange and white for applying the polish after doing my initial cut(not sure if this is right term)?
 
captainsquirts said:
Everybody seems to be saying the orange and white pads. For the orange I understand its for the swirls/cutting. But the white when I read the description it says for applying waxes and sealants with a dual action polisher, or for jeweling paint with a rotary buffer. To me the white seems for a last step thing like applying wax/sealants. Wouldn't I need something in between the orange and white for applying the polish after doing my initial cut(not sure if this is right term)?
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Nope.

Black or Blue for waxes or sealants. I know it can be confusing and it only gets more so.

The key thing to remember about pads is taking color out of the equation, the firmer the pad the more correction and aggressiveness.

Here I am applying Polish Angel Viking Coat which is a coating/sealant with a blue pad:





I prepped for the coating with PA Esclate which is a paint cleaner and used a white pad:



Bada BING!

 
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