Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 7
How to use Detailer's Paint Coating Prep
Now that the paint has been polished we're going to apply the Detailer Paint Coating but in order to prepare the paint for the coating we're going to show how to use the Detailer's Coating Prep Polish,
How to apply Detailer Paint Coating by Hand
You want to use a very soft foam or microfiber applicator pad, make sure it's surgically clean. Apply about a nickle to a quarter size of product to the face of the pad. When a pad is new it's dry so I like to use a little more and actually prime the pad. Priming the pad ensures the the foam is lubricated before you rub it over the paint.
Remember, paint that is polished to a high level will tend to show even the faintest or shallowest scratches, so at this level of gloss you really need to bring up your own level of carefulness.
Gently work product over surface
All you're trying to do with the Detailer's Coating Prep Polish is massage the surface of the paint to loosen and remove any residues left over by the polishing process to create a clean surface for the paint coating to bond to. There's no need to rub hard, just massage gently over a small panel and wipe off and far larger panels divide the panel into sections.
No need to dry
Note there's also no need to let this product dry before removing, after applying and working a section you should immediately and carefully, wipe it off.
How to apply by machine
Since you're not trying to do any correcting or abrading of the finish, best results by machine are with a simple dual action polisher like a Porter Cable 7424. Use a clean, soft foam polishing pad or even a clean, soft finishing pad.
Speed Setting 4
On the Porter Cable, to get a pad to rotate while it's oscillating you pretty much need to be on at least the speed 4 setting. You don't NEED the pad to rotate but I find the pad and tool will glide over a panel easier when the pad is slowly rotating and not just jiggling or oscillating at low OPM's. Pick a slow setting that suits your own preferences, this is what works for me and this is what I shared with Eric.
Apply product to face of pad
Apply a few well placed nickle sized drops of product to the face of the pad, you can prime the pad by spreading product out over the entire face of the pad if you prefer as this will fully lubricate the face of the pad.
Machine clean a panel at a time
Be sure not to turn the polisher on until the face of the pad is in contact with the paint and then after turning the polisher on move it slowly over a panel and let the machine do the work of massaging the Coating Prep over the finish.
No drying time needed
You don't need to let the Detailer's Coating Prep dry and as it's true with most paint care products, Detailer's Coating Prep will be easier to remove while the film of product is still wet as this wetness acts as a lubricant during the wipe-off process.
Use premium quality microfiber towels, folded 4-ways to gently remove any residues.
After you have removed the Detailer's Coating Prep the paint is now ready for application of the paint coating.
Now that the paint has been polished we're going to apply the Detailer Paint Coating but in order to prepare the paint for the coating we're going to show how to use the Detailer's Coating Prep Polish,
- By Hand
- By Machine
How to apply Detailer Paint Coating by Hand
You want to use a very soft foam or microfiber applicator pad, make sure it's surgically clean. Apply about a nickle to a quarter size of product to the face of the pad. When a pad is new it's dry so I like to use a little more and actually prime the pad. Priming the pad ensures the the foam is lubricated before you rub it over the paint.
Remember, paint that is polished to a high level will tend to show even the faintest or shallowest scratches, so at this level of gloss you really need to bring up your own level of carefulness.
Gently work product over surface
All you're trying to do with the Detailer's Coating Prep Polish is massage the surface of the paint to loosen and remove any residues left over by the polishing process to create a clean surface for the paint coating to bond to. There's no need to rub hard, just massage gently over a small panel and wipe off and far larger panels divide the panel into sections.
No need to dry
Note there's also no need to let this product dry before removing, after applying and working a section you should immediately and carefully, wipe it off.
How to apply by machine
Since you're not trying to do any correcting or abrading of the finish, best results by machine are with a simple dual action polisher like a Porter Cable 7424. Use a clean, soft foam polishing pad or even a clean, soft finishing pad.
Speed Setting 4
On the Porter Cable, to get a pad to rotate while it's oscillating you pretty much need to be on at least the speed 4 setting. You don't NEED the pad to rotate but I find the pad and tool will glide over a panel easier when the pad is slowly rotating and not just jiggling or oscillating at low OPM's. Pick a slow setting that suits your own preferences, this is what works for me and this is what I shared with Eric.
Apply product to face of pad
Apply a few well placed nickle sized drops of product to the face of the pad, you can prime the pad by spreading product out over the entire face of the pad if you prefer as this will fully lubricate the face of the pad.
Machine clean a panel at a time
Be sure not to turn the polisher on until the face of the pad is in contact with the paint and then after turning the polisher on move it slowly over a panel and let the machine do the work of massaging the Coating Prep over the finish.
No drying time needed
You don't need to let the Detailer's Coating Prep dry and as it's true with most paint care products, Detailer's Coating Prep will be easier to remove while the film of product is still wet as this wetness acts as a lubricant during the wipe-off process.
Use premium quality microfiber towels, folded 4-ways to gently remove any residues.
After you have removed the Detailer's Coating Prep the paint is now ready for application of the paint coating.
