Help Me Put Together A PC Kit

ousooner2

ousooner2

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Looking to take advantage of the Black Friday deal and would like to pick up a PC, whatever pads I might need and a few products. I have 2 brand new cars ('13 BLACK Accord and a '13 WHITE Civic). I know Honda is known for their soft paint so I'm not sure if I need a special pad or anything to use on these vehicles. Obviously neither has swirls as we've only had them for about 4-5 months.

I will be starting to detail other cars too. A few newer '10 and '11 Lexus' (one is black and one is dark red). I'd love to be able to help him remove the scratches/swirls marks he has, but don't want to mess anything up. From what I've seen in video's and the forums, it's pretty hard or impossible to mess anything up with the PC 7424xp. Also would likely work on my dad '14 Accord and a few other cars for now...hopefully pulling in more work as word of mouth spreads!


Now, I've seen there are TONS of different pads, pad sizes, etc etc....and I'm just too lost to read up right now AND purchase what I need within the BF sale time window. I was hoping you all could help me put something together! :dblthumb2:

I'd like to stay right around $180ish for everything (PC7424xp, pads and a good polish)

I already have:
1. Chemical Guys Blacklight
2. Menzerna PowerLock
3. Blackfire WDAFPP (sample bottle)
4. CarPro PERL
5. DG Rinseless w/ Aquawax
6. Meg's APC+
7. Plenty of MF towels, applicators, bottles, etc


...so I'm assuming I'll just need a polish and then move to my Blacklight or Menzerna correct?


Thanks fellas! :props:
 
I'd get the Griots polisher over the PC. It's just as safe but has more power. And I have a PC, Griots, and Flex 3401.

One is on the cyber buster page now :-)

And, I had a mini with soft paint. I used either Menzerna 4500 or Wolfgang Finishing Glaze and a Griots polisher to take out light swirls and dullness. I always recommend the Wolfgang Twins and a HT pad kit and you will have a simple system that'll do most anything you would want within reason.
 
Check out the cyber buster I think the griots kit is on there for 179!!!!!!!!

Edit: what he said^^^^
 
I would say it will come down to personal choice, to choose between the Griots, or PC DA.

In either case, you'll probably wish to have at least one, and perhaps better would be two LC Backing Plates.

The standard concensus by the folks here is usally a 5", and the 3.5" Urethane Backing Plates.

Thus, the compatible Pad sizes for these two Backing Plates would be 5.5", and 4" for tighter areas. Pads that many like, are either the standard slim LC Pads, or the HydroTech Pads in the respective sizes.

As for degree of aggressiveness of the Pads, and you are doing vehicles that have well cared for paint, the White Pad material would be a good versatile bet, in that you can then regulate the amount of correction cut with the compound-polish you use. I would say a minimum of 1/2 dozen of such Pads should be good to begin with.

It's easier, and better to use a number of pads (once you determine which pad works best) per vehicle, rather than relying upon one type Pad to correct an entire vehicle. Heat is a Pad's enemy, which will considerably shorten their life. Time sometimes too is of the essence, rather than washing Pads.

A few Orange Pads might be also wise to have, in case you find areas in which the White Pads aren't cutting it, or you're correcting a vehicle that has a greater degree of paint damage.

Whether you choose to apply either waxes and sealants via machine, then the Blue, Black, or Red Pads would be the proper choices for such.

In whatever DA choice you make, it is wise to also purchase a small pack of spare Backing Plate Fiber Washers. In case you lose one, you then have the proper spares on hand. Either DA usually come with adequate length Power Cords, but you have the option to opt for longer cords here at AG/Autopia as an option. That will be your personal choice?

Different folks use different methods of storing their DA's when not in use. I myself have two small cheapo Stanley Tool Boxes, in which to store each, my PC, and Griots 3" DA, the Backing Plates, Wrenches, Handles, Washers, etc. It all stays together.

Hope these ideas, and suggestions help you,
Mark
 
Thanks guys! I contacted AutoGeek right after I put this up and they told me the Meguairs kit is a very popular one and a good buy (Meguiars Porter Cable Ultra Polish Kit with 5.5 Inch Pads, Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Polishing Kit, Meguiars polishes, Porter Cable 7424 Mirror Glaze). I'd assume #105 and #205 can be used on just about anything (#105 if there are bad swirl marks....probably just start out with #205 on the newer vehicles)


I'll have a look at the Griots machine. I've never done this before, so my main concern is just to make sure I don't really mess something up. I'm just hoping it's a matter of using the correct pads and polishes for the amount of correction and after you find the combo that works on the car...it's easy. Just scared that I would start with something too aggressive or something and mar/scratch the paint so bad I couldn't get it out.

The amount of pads and colors are just ridiculous for a new guy haha. Guess I have some reading to do! And hopefully find a comparison chart!
 
Don't worry about messing anything up. I used to do the same thing. With the PC am Griots it's not going to happen. Just start off with the least aggressive products first on a test section and go from there.
 
It has everything you need to get started the only thing you should consider adding is more ccs pads
 
^ Yeah that's what I was thinking. The others come with polish, but this guy doesn't.

So the Griots is $140 (can't use 25% off) and I don't need any MF towels...and if I really don't need the pad cleaner (if cleaning them some other way is fine then I'll just do that instead of buying that)....then maybe it's cheaper to just buy the polisher, pads and a some polishes. Not sure which pads to have a look at yet (just looking at the pads that came with the kit now) so I'll have to see what it comes out AFTER using 25% off on all 'other' stuff besides the Griots
 
I don't know if it'll be a great setup or not, but I went with:

Griots Polisher
Lake Country Hydro-Tech pads
Wolfgang Swirl Remover/Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
 
tssgery said:
I don't know if it'll be a great setup or not, but I went with:

Griots Polisher
Lake Country Hydro-Tech pads
Wolfgang Swirl Remover/Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
Click to expand...

Good choices! But you are going to need a finishing polish to compliment the WG Total Swirl Remover.. Like the WG Finishing Glaze or Menzerna sf4500!!
 
CWallace said:
Good choices! But you are going to need a finishing polish to compliment the WG Total Swirl Remover.. Like the WG Finishing Glaze or Menzerna sf4500!!
Click to expand...

Thanks. I actually got the WG Finishing Glaze too... just failed to mention it.

Now I just need it to warm up a little so I can use this stuff on my car!
 
That's the same combo I started with? Except I opted for the PC, only to upgrade later to the GG6! You won't regret your purchase!
 
Great choices. You'll be amazed at how well it works. Just remember polishing with a PC or Griots takes time so don't get frustrated. Just pick a day you don't have any plans and take your time.

Enjoy!
 
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