HELP...should I go PC7424 or microfibre for detailing LAVA RED 2012 Mustang 5.0 GT?

[SOREBACK]

I just bought a 2012 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 with "rare" Lava Red paint. The car looks "black" to 99.9% of people unless you are out on a very sunny day, then you will see that is is actually dark purplish metallic.

They detailer put a lot of swirl marks from when they first detailed it for me. Since then I have added some more due to the "100% cotton" towel I bought from Target which was made in a foreign country. I wash and dried the towel the correct before using it and it still is adding more swirl marks to my car. The cr is gagrge kept and only driven to car shows and extremely nice days. So please help me figure out what set-up you would recommend for my baby.

I have a Porter Cable 7424 DA and 6.5" velcro backing plate but no pads. I want to know if I shoud spend the money on pads or microfiber towels to do the job right? (which ones to buy) Then I need the recipe for the "mirror" like shine.

I currently am using Zaino:
Z-18 ClayBar
ZFX Flash Cure Accelerator Additive
Z-7 Show Car Wash
Z-5 PRO Show Car Polish for Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches
Z-2 PRO Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes

I'm not happy with these products. I followed the instructions word for word.

Now I want some professional advice, so PLEASE send me in the right direction as to which products I should go with to get the "mirror" showcar shine!!!

CLAY BAR = ???
WASH = ???
CLEANER = ???
POLISH = ???
WAX = ???

PADS = ???

-or-

MICROFIBER TOWELS = ???


Any advice will be deeply appreciated.

THANK YOU!!!!:dblthumb2:

 

[DetailedByPrecision]

Wash:I use CG citrus wash and gloss because I can use it to maintain or strip old wax at 2oz/2gal ratio.

Clay:I use the mothers one

Cleaner21s paintwork cleanser

Polish:This will be a tricky one because not every paint is the same and you will need to experiment which product and pad works for your particular paint. The popular ones are M105/205, and the menzerna line.

Wax:There are a lot of great wax out there from carnuaba to sealants. Just your choice of preference.

Towels:I like the Chemical Guy towels. Good price and good quality.

 

[Twister]

Get some good quality microfiber towels. That dark color will show swirls easily so you should do what you can to minimize the swirls you put in. What are you using for washing? There are a lot of different opinions on this so you will have to pick your preference. I use wool wash mitts because I feel they rinse out better.

 

[BobbyG]

It sounds like you have a gorgeous Mustang! Since the dealer was kind enough to include the rotary buffer trails and swirl option free of charge toy may need to do some light compounding. Always do a test spot with a lesser aggressive product and base your direction from there..

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

1. Wash - Duragloss 901
2. Clay - Mothers or Meguiar's Mild
3. Compound - See Menzerna bundle link below
4. Polish - See Menzerna bundle link below
5. Seal - Menzerna Power Lock, Detailer’s Pro Series Poli-Coat
6. Wax - Collinite 845, Pinnacle Souveran

Since you already have a Porter Cable 7424 polisher the pads below seem to work best and I use these as well.

Lake Country 5 1/2" Flat Pads

Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads

5" Backing Plate

lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate

Paint Correction

Menzerna Bundle

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

 

[HeavyMetal]

:iagree:

I'd add a bit to Bobby's list. First, is to recommend the Souveran for wax since this is a show car. Souveran is a gorgeous wax but it's not known for longevity. But since you say your baby is only a show car, that's not an issue. Second, get some Ultima Trim and Tire Guard for the tires and trim. The stuff is unbelievable. You can also use it on the wheel wells and under the hood. Next, pick out a good wheel rim glaze. I like the DP Wheel Glaze, it lasts, it's good against brake dust and has a very nice shine. Next is a good interior protectant. Many like 303 Aerospace, others like Ultima Interior Guard. Last is for the leather. There are a lot of various cleaners and conditioners. If your leather is coated (most are), then a gentle clean with Woolite diluted 16:1 is all you'll need. Using a conditioner on coated leather is a bit questionable but I use the Lexus one made by the same folks who make the leather for them. It does seem to soften the leather a bit. Megs is also very good. As is Lexol, etc.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I have a Porter Cable 7424 DA and 6.5" velcro backing plate but no pads.

Is that the XP model or one of the first generation units?

Regardless, invest in a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads, these smaller diameter pads will rotate so much better under pressure than larger and thicker pads.


As for product choice, what you want are two very high quality polishes... a medium strength polish and a finishing polish, you will use the medium strength polish with a polishing pad and the finishing polish with a finishing pad.


I worked for Meguiar's for years and they make great products and their SMAT compounds have pretty much set the standard an aggressive compound that finishes out like a finishing polish.

For finishing polishes though, it's pretty hard to beat anything in these lines...

• Menzerna
• Pinnacle
• Wolfgang

I cut the clear on this GTO with M105 with a wool pad on a rotary buffer and then did the polishing work using Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover with a polishing pad on a Porter Cable DA followed by Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish on a finishing pad on the Porter Cable DA and the results are exactly what you want and that is you want the clear to be 100% clear and defect free so you can see the color coat underneath.

I have not waxed it yet because the paint is less than 30 days cure.


1970 GTO - Wetsand, Cut and Buff

After another 20 or so days pass by I'll seal the paint with Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax as this is a true show car wax with no cleaning ability that leaves a perfectly clear finish.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Also read through this...


The short how-to guide for using a DA Polisher
How to maximize the ability of the 1st Generation Porter Cable Dual Action Polishers


And this...


DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing


:buffing:

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I currently am using Zaino. I'm not happy with these products. I followed the instructions word for word. Now I want some professional advice, so PLEASE send me in the right direction as to which products I should go with to get the "mirror" showcar shine!!!

Mike and others have given you great advice, I just wanted to reiterate a few points. The first is, as we used to say, "process > product" which means that understanding the steps, and proper technique, is a lot more important to success than which product you use. Another is "prep is everything" or that "95% of the look comes from the prep" meaning that although Zaino may be a great sealant, if you don't get the look from your prep work, no wax or sealant is going to put it in for you.

And you definitely need high-quality wash media and toweling, and want to practice good wash technique and wipe-down protocol to prevent reintroducing swirling once you've got it corrected.