How Do I know what polish/pads to use? So many options!!

[sparkism13]

So, I recently bought my daughter a 2006 Infinit G35 in Laser Red. It's a beautiful car, but the paint is downright awful. From afar it looks glossy but get up close and you can see it was neglected. My main concern is getting rid of the swirl marks and getting it back as glossy as possible. The swirl marks are ALL OVER the car and in certain light the car looks like it's covered in spider webs.

My head hurts from reading about all the polishes, compounds, glazes, orange, yellow, blue, white, black, grey, etc. pads out there.

My question is on what combination product and pads to use. I plan to use a PC DA polisher. I don't know exactly what products and pads to use because I don't know how aggressive I need to get with product/pads. I'm not sure if I have oxidation or not. The paint is fairly glossy and I don't see obvious water spots.

I thought about going with an all in one or a cleaner wax, but I want to do at least a two step Swirl Remover then polish at least once.

So, I plan to wash/clay but then what? How aggressive should I go? I'm thinking Meguiar's #01 or #02 on an orange pad, followed by Meguair's #9 or finer on a white pad. I plan to top it off with Meguair's #26 yellow wax which I already have and love. What are some tips to inspect the paint and determine how aggressive to go? Am I on the right track with the combo I stated above?

Thank you in advance, Mike and everyone else. Let me see if I can get a pic or two up.

 

[sparkism13]

Here are some pics. I used Meguiar's cleaner wax (by hand) about a month ago, and hasn't been washed in a couple of weeks so it curently has water spots (not permanenet) but as you can see, from far away it looks decent. That Meguiar's cleaner wax is awesome, by the way.:xyxthumbs:

Then you get up close:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:

I'm thinking Meguiar's #01 or #02 on an orange pad, followed by Meguiar's #9 or finer on a white pad.

#1 in Meguiar's Professional Line is for use with rotary buffer only.


From my article here,

For Use with Rotary Buffer Only - Read the Directions

You can use the #2 and #9 but there are products with more current abrasive technology that will work better and give you better results.

I plan to top it off with Meguiar's #26 yellow wax which I already have and love.

Good to go with #26

What are some tips to inspect the paint and determine how aggressive to go? Am I on the right track with the combo I stated above?

If you're a Meguiar's guy then get the UC and UP here,

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

Meguiar's Ultimate Polish



You never actually stated what type of tool you're using.

I assumed some type of DA but I could be wrong?


:dunno:

 

[top189h]

I've used menzerna fg400 on a white pad with a griots polisher on an 04 red g35 and it was lsp ready before. This is also my usual go to combo. However on softer paints, I have found m205 on a white pad to be good or if need be even on a finishing pad.

 

[EVOlved]

I'd go with Menzerna polishes fg400 and sf4000. Pads I'd get 4 Meguiars Microfiber cutting pads and at least a six pack of foam probably 3 orange and 3 whites.

And always remember to try the least aggressive method first.

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Hi Mike
If it were me (IMO) I would look at Menzerna FG400 with a 5" or 5.5" Orange Pad from Lake Country. Their CCS or Hybrid is fine. I would go Speed setting 5 with your PC

2nd Step I would go Menzerna SF4000 (I prefer SF4500 but more people like SF4000) with a White Lake Country CCS or Hybrid 5" or 5.5" Pad at speed setting 5

These are what I would use. Then a sealant or wax or sealnt/wax (which I prefer). Menzerna Power Lock or Wolfgang Sealant are IMO one of the best.

3rd and most important....PATIENCE!! You will have great results. Here are some before and after pictures of the same panel. Different angle but you will get the idea.

 

[sparkism13]

Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:



#1 in Meguiar's Professional Line is for use with rotary buffer only.


From my article here,

For Use with Rotary Buffer Only - Read the Directions

You can use the #2 and #9 but there are products with more current abrasive technology that will work better and give you better results.




Good to go with #26




If you're a Meguiar's guy then get the UC and UP here,

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound

Meguiar's Ultimate Polish



You never actually stated what type of tool you're using.

I assumed some type of DA but I could be wrong?


:dunno:

I probably would've realized that..............right when I went to put the #01 on the pad.

Sorry, I only mentioned "DA PC" but it's a PC 2474xp. So am I on track with my pad selection? (lake Country pads) Orange with the #02 and White with the #09?

Also, I just found your videos about the Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System. Not sure how long it's been out but it almost seems like it would be a good fit here. Has it proven itself to be effective? Would love to get your thoughts here.

And, yes, I do love Meguiar's products but only because I can get them locally and they have always delivered. However, if you have other suggestions on newer technology, I'm more than open for suggestions!

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Sorry!! When I took the before photo I had the file setting too fine and it is too large for a post. I will figure out how to reduce the setting to AGO's standard. Again, my apologies in advance and that is why there are no before photos, however, there were swirls galore!!

BTW, I used a PC7424 XP for this correction. Took a long time and you need patience but the results speak for it self.

 

[sparkism13]

Hi Mike
If it were me (IMO) I would look at Menzerna FG400 with a 5" or 5.5" Orange Pad from Lake Country. Their CCS or Hybrid is fine. I would go Speed setting 5 with your PC

2nd Step I would go Menzerna SF4000 (I prefer SF4500 but more people like SF4000) with a White Lake Country CCS or Hybrid 5" or 5.5" Pad at speed setting 5

These are what I would use. Then a sealant or wax or sealnt/wax (which I prefer. Menzerna Power Lock or Wolfgang Sealant are IMO one of the best.

3rd and most important....PATIENCE!! You will have great results. Here are some before and after pictures of the same panel. Different angle but you will get the idea.

That looks awesome. So FG400 with Orange and SF4000 with a white pad. OK, so it sounds like I'm on the right track. I just need to decide on what brand to go with. I like Meguair's because I can get most of their stuff locally, but I am not opposed to trying something new. Thanks for the tip!

 

[allenk4]

You will get a ton of suggestions on the Forum, keep in mind that most of us here are out of our mind about Detailing

As you are just getting started and are probably only working on a few cars a year....I would "Keep It Simple Simon", as Mike Phillips always says.

The Wolfgang Four will correct virtually any defect on virtually any car you come across.

Your PC paired with a 5" backing plate and 5 1/2" pads either makes a powerful defect remover at a great price. The smaller pads will yield better results than 6 1/2" pads for most people

I suggest:

Lake Country 5' Backing Plate

Lake Country CCS 5 1/2" Pads
Orange x4
White x3
Black x2

Lake Country Pad Cleaning Brush

Wolfgang Uber Compound
Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover
Wolfgang Finishing Glaze (polish)
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant


Remember Technique Trumps Products everytime

 

[sparkism13]

You will get a ton of suggestions on the Forum, keep in mind that most of us here are out of our mind about Detailing

As you are just getting started and are probably only working on a few cars a year....I would "Keep It Simple Simon", as Mike Phillips always says.

The Wolfgang Four will correct virtually any defect on virtually any car you come across.

Your PC paired with a 5" backing plate and 5 1/2" pads either makes a powerful defect remover at a great price. The smaller pads will yield better results than 6 1/2" pads for most people

I suggest:

Lake Country 5' Backing Plate

Lake Country CCS 5 1/2" Pads
Orange x4
White x3
Black x2

Lake Country Pad Cleaning Brush

Wolfgang Uber Compound
Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover
Wolfgang Finishing Glaze (polish)
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant


Remember Technique Trumps Products everytime

Ouch! 4 steps might be too much for me to handle. I don't want to do more than 2 passes with the DA polisher. So could I do the compound then one of the polishes with the DA, and then a wax coat by hand? I guess I could use the DA to apply the wax too so maybe I could get it down to three steps?

I'm assuming the (pads) orange = Uber, White = Swirl remover & Glaze, black=sealant?

Could I skip the Glaze step?

 

[EVOlved]

I think he's trying to tell you, you have to do a test spot to see if you even need to go all the way to compound. You may only need TSR then glaze. Or compound then TSR or glaze. I mean 3 stepping is never bad you can "jewel" the paint with the glaze and a finishing pad.

 

[David Hayward]

I'm all for orange pad with fg400 and white pad with sf4000. The bulk of my vehicles end up with this after a test spot.


The meguiars microfiber system is awesome also. For a diy user I really like this package. It's all you need to slap on your pc, backing plate, pads, cutting compound and polish, and you even get an apron all in the one boxed kit.

The mf cutting pads may end up being more aggressive than you need but for a weekend warrior looking to diy their own car and nothing else, you typically don't have 10 hours up to 2 days to do your car like some of us doing this professionally, so it may help speed up the process with that Porter cable.

 

[Quiksilver5882]

If you want to keep it simple, you can't go wrong with the Hydrotech pad line and a microfiber cutting pad. If you like Meguiars go with M101, D300, and M205. If you like Menzerna go with FG400 and SF4000. If you like HD there's HD Adapt, Cut, and Polish.

Pick a brand and master your technique! Then jump around and try others if you are inclined.

 

[allenk4]

Ouch! 4 steps might be too much for me to handle. I don't want to do more than 2 passes with the DA polisher. So could I do the compound then one of the polishes with the DA, and then a wax coat by hand? I guess I could use the DA to apply the wax too so maybe I could get it down to three steps?

I'm assuming the (pads) orange = Uber, White = Swirl remover & Glaze, black=sealant?

Could I skip the Glaze step?

If you are only willing to do 2 passes, you will need to use only compound and polish that contain Super Microscopic Abrasive Technology (SMAT)

Two passes is not enough to sufficiently breakdown Diminishing Abrasive Technology (DAT). This will lead to leas than optimal results


The Test Spot will tell you which products and pads are required


Start with least aggressive products that you "think" will give the results you seek

If you have swirls and light scratches...I suggest TSR with a White Pad for your 1st Test Spot

If that combo does not get all of the defects out to your satisfaction, you need to get slightly more aggressive. I would suggest trying TSR with an Orange Pad next on a separate area of the car

If that still doesn't get everything out...go Orange pad with Uber Compound

The idea is to do as few steps as possible and remove as little paint as possible, while getting the results that You are looking for

Four steps would be generally the maximum number of steps for a non-show car

There are products that allow you to get OK results in 1 step. They are called All-in-one's (AIO)

For vehicles that are in decent shape with swirls and light scratches, a compounding and a polishing step will be sufficient.

The WGFG is used to squeeze out the last little bit of shine possible. If you are happy after TSR, stop.

Make sure you do your Test Spot all the way thru the process. You don't want to polish the entire care and then step back and say, Gee, I wish I had compounded 1st or more commonly...I probably could have skipped that 2nd polishing step, because I really can't see a difference


Sorry to say it, but in most cases.....two passes ain't gonna cut it

 

[allenk4]

:nomore:

If you want to keep it simple, you can't go wrong with the Hydrotech pad line and a microfiber cutting pad. If you like Meguiars go with M101, D300, and M205. If you like Menzerna go with FG400 and SF4000. If you like HD there's HD Adapt, Cut, and Polish.

Pick a brand and master your technique! Then jump around and try others if you are inclined.

OP only wants to do 2 passes, so the Menzerna products are ruled out because they are DAT and won't breakdown properly

 

[sparkism13]

:nomore:


OP only wants to do 2 passes, so the Menzerna products are ruled out because they are DAT and won't breakdown properly

Wait, when I said two passes I meant two steps as in a compound step then a polish step. Sorry, it may have sounded like I only want to run the pad over an area twice. No way. I will at least put in the effort to do each step correctly.

 

[sparkism13]

I think he's trying to tell you, you have to do a test spot to see if you even need to go all the way to compound. You may only need TSR then glaze. Or compound then TSR or glaze. I mean 3 stepping is never bad you can "jewel" the paint with the glaze and a finishing pad.

I think I was missing the concept of a test spot, which now seems so obvious. :doh: Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[sparkism13]

I'm all for orange pad with fg400 and white pad with sf4000. The bulk of my vehicles end up with this after a test spot.


The meguiars microfiber system is awesome also. For a diy user I really like this package. It's all you need to slap on your pc, backing plate, pads, cutting compound and polish, and you even get an apron all in the one boxed kit.

The mf cutting pads may end up being more aggressive than you need but for a weekend warrior looking to diy their own car and nothing else, you typically don't have 10 hours up to 2 days to do your car like some of us doing this professionally, so it may help speed up the process with that Porter cable.

Thank you. You're right, I don't have the time to dedicate to all three of my vehicles. My daughter's G35 is my main concern but I will no doubt target my other cars. They are much better maintained so light swirls are the only defect on those.

Anyhow, if it takes a pro 8-10 hours or even two days for a all out correction, it will take me twice as long! I just started reading about the Meguiars MF system and that sounds like something made for someone like me. I'm thinking I'll compound and polish/wax my cars once with the "system", and then periodically use just the polish/wax or other all in one for twice(?) annual maintenance. Been wanting to try the Klasse AIO but want to get rid of the heavy swirls first.

I wonder if I could substitute the Klasse AIO for the polis/wax in the Meguiars system. Anyone ever use the Klasse with a DA polisher?

 

[sparkism13]

If you are only willing to do 2 passes, you will need to use only compound and polish that contain Super Microscopic Abrasive Technology (SMAT)

Two passes is not enough to sufficiently breakdown Diminishing Abrasive Technology (DAT). This will lead to leas than optimal results


The Test Spot will tell you which products and pads are required


Start with least aggressive products that you "think" will give the results you seek

If you have swirls and light scratches...I suggest TSR with a White Pad for your 1st Test Spot

If that combo does not get all of the defects out to your satisfaction, you need to get slightly more aggressive. I would suggest trying TSR with an Orange Pad next on a separate area of the car

If that still doesn't get everything out...go Orange pad with Uber Compound

The idea is to do as few steps as possible and remove as little paint as possible, while getting the results that You are looking for

Four steps would be generally the maximum number of steps for a non-show car

There are products that allow you to get OK results in 1 step. They are called All-in-one's (AIO)

For vehicles that are in decent shape with swirls and light scratches, a compounding and a polishing step will be sufficient.

The WGFG is used to squeeze out the last little bit of shine possible. If you are happy after TSR, stop.

Make sure you do your Test Spot all the way thru the process. You don't want to polish the entire care and then step back and say, Gee, I wish I had compounded 1st or more commonly...I probably could have skipped that 2nd polishing step, because I really can't see a difference


Sorry to say it, but in most cases.....two passes ain't gonna cut it

This is great, thank you. I will go with a compound and dedicated polish (no wax or sealant) this time around. Top it off with a good wax. I have Pinnacle Sovereign(?), Dodo Juice, NXT 2.0, #26 Yellow Wax, and probably a few other waxes I haven't used yet.

Going forward I would like to find a good one step product to use with the DA polisher. I've only ever used Meguiar's cleaner wax and by hand only. Do you have an AIO that you recommend for paint that is kept in good shape?