Meguiars D301 or a separate Polish and Wax?

[Saluki2003]

I have a Black Mustang and looking to make that black paint look as slick as possible.

I just picked up a PC 7424XP and the Meguiars DA paint correction MF system. I'm just wondering if I would be better off using the D300 then the D301 or to use the D300 then a separate Polish and Wax? If you recommend the separate polish and wax over the 301 can you please give me some product names and what pad to use with them or if the MF finishing pad from the Meguiars kit will be ok?

Thanks guys.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

No mention of paint condition in your thread starter.
Just some food for thought.

Depends upon the condition of the paint you're starting with, if the paint is in good condition maybe, if the paint is neglected, as in lots of deep swirls and scratches then "no".

You normally get better results with a multi-step process where you're using dedicated products,

1. Dedicated or true compound
2. Dedicated or true polish
3. Dedicated or true finishing wax

When you're using a one-step cleaner/wax you're depending upon a single product to do multiple tasks and it's never going to do as good a job as breaking the process up into dedicated steps using dedicated products specific to each step.

Here's a 1947 Plymouth Coupe I did a two step too years ago using ONLY a one-step cleaner/wax and then topped with what is more or less a finishing wax, originally had some light cleaners in it, it's been reformulated a few times so I don't know the current status of the product but since it's sold and marketed as a retail product the the average "Joe Consumer" then by default it needs to have some level of cleaning to create a visual difference to a "Daily Driver" or the customer will be unhappy. Keep in mind the average "Joe Consumer" doesn't know half of what people that hang out on detailing discussion forums know.


I rubbed this car out by hand on purpose to show what could be done by hand even though I had electric polishers at my disposal. It actually takes less talent and skill to use a tool like a DA Polisher than it does to work by hand....


Here's what ColorX did by hand to a 1947 Plymouth Coupe,

Before - Horrible Swirls throughout the finish

First we removed the white paint overspray using Meguiar's Quik Clay System now replaced with Smooth Surface Clay Kit.

Then applied one hand application of ColorX followed by one hand application of NXT Tech Wax Liquid

I did this car back when ColorX first came out, I saw the car right before I moved from California to Florida and it still looked great. (Taught the owner how to maintain the paint)

 

[Saluki2003]

No mention of paint condition in your thread starter.
Just some food for thought.

My bad...the paint has what I think is pretty bad swirls. I'm a complete noob so I'm not sure how bad it really is. The only pics I have are from when it was overcast but I'll see if I can get some pics of it in the sun.

If I was going to use a separate polish and wax which brands would you recommend? What pads would you use with them?

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Congrats on the new DA.:dblthumb2:

There's quite a few Meg's fans here at AGO. I'm sure that you'll get the advice that you're seeking.

icture: would be nice, indeed.

Happy detailing...:buffing:

 

[Success]

I like the D300/301 two step. It's gets the paint nice pretty quickly. Buy some collinite 845 and top the 301 with that and you'll have some serious longevity.

 

[zmcgovern45]

I enjoy the D300 and MF cutting pads, but never felt the need to use the MF polishing pads and D301... just feel like foam pads and dedicated finish polish, sealant, and wax will produce better results.

 

[Kitoy22]

Get a black finishing pad and M205, this will be your finishing polish combo, then top this with your choice of wax or sealant, look into the blackfire line, you have lots of choices there.

 

[cardaddy]

The reality of the MF system is that it IS a multi-step system. Dedicated cutting pad and compound, followed by polishing pad and 'finishing wax' although the latter is actually a polishing wax.

The only real way to answer your question is to try it on the paint system you're working with. D300 of course is respected and with the cutting pads works out very well. Not all the cut of 101/105 but you don't need that much cut all the time. D301 by itself is pretty darned nice in the way it finishes out. I did a "Black Mica" Mazdaspeed 3 Tuesday with it and it turned out fantastic. I had honestly thought I'd do an AIO like D151 on it, (or M83) and even tried several different pads with 205 but ended up going for the "system". (again) Did not 'top' it this time around though, (the customer was already getting much more than he was paying for). I did turn him on to UQW and had him apply that over it however. rops:

Meguiar's doesn't really address it, but it seems that the MF system has it's share of 'fillers'. Not that it's a bad thing either! FWIW I've been able to treat D301 more like a polish and use a sealant or spray/liquid wax over it just fine.

 

[Saluki2003]

Good to hear. I'll pick up "the system" as well as a separate pad and wax or sealant.

What pad and sealant would you recommend to go on after the 301 for a Black Mustang?

Sent from my ADR6350 using AG Online

 

[cardaddy]

Good to hear. I'll pick up "the system" as well as a separate pad and wax or sealant.

What pad and sealant would you recommend to go on after the 301 for a Black Mustang?

Sent from my ADR6350 using AG Online

Make sure you get the 5½" system for the PC. Actually I have two, both are 5½. (had a nice discount code both times)

Wax or sealant, just depends on the 'look' you're going for. Me, I'd probably hit it with M21 2.0, with a green CCS pad, buff it off and let it sit overnight. Then you have several choices; Megs Ultimate Liquid Wax for more of that oily sealant look/feel. OR... M26 yellow wax on a black or blue pad for a 'wax' look that pops rather nicely. Either that or Coli 845 with the same soft pad and it'll pop as well.

Keep it up between waxes with Megs Ultimate Quick Wax, (more of a sealant actually). OR Duragloss D151 Aqua Wax. They have a drastically different tactile touch between them BTW, and UQW is probably a bit more durable, but may not look as 'wet' as DG 951.

I'm sure someone here has better input on that car, with that (black) paint. I've not done one in black but I know the above products work, no matter what the color.

 

[Success]

I love m26 but collinite 845 for durability