new to detailing...

M

matryx

New member
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
183
Reaction score
0
Hi guys,

I'm not really new but I have never use a DA polisher to apply wax before. I've used Mother's 3 step system by hand and now that I picked up a PCXP I want to start using other products. I'm just not sure what the whole process.

This is what I usually do.

1) Wash and dry car
2) clay car
3) Mothers step 1
4) Mothers step 2
5) Mother step 3

I just recently bought a used Sparkling Graphite Metallic 2007 BMW 328i. I'm not sure if it's a hard or soft. How do I find out?

I also got the front bumper and hood repair and painted 7 days ago. I'm planning to get some compounding and polish done in the upcoming weeks to get rid of all the swirl mark and light scratches.

I would like some advice on what pads and if my process look correct?

For compounding/polishing I'm going to use
Meguiar's #105/Meguiar's #205. I'm planning to pick up some Lake Country Flat pads. I think the majority uses orange for 105, and white for 205? I've also heard a lot about the Meguiar's MF cutting pads. Is that something better?

For the LSP I'm thinking of using Finish Kare 1000P with the LC black flat pad. I want a product that is durable for the winters in Toronto, Canada

Also how many of these pads should I be looking to pick up?

Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
Do a test spot on your paint to see what is needed, there is not a common pattern to hard or soft paint, it varies from car to car even among the same models.

It depends on your budget for how many pads to get, more is better, probably at least 3 of each type.

The parts you just got repainted should only be touched by body shop safe compounds or polishes for as long as the paint shop recommends, typically 30 days.
 
I'm thinking of just getting 2 orange pads and 2 white pads. Not sure if I need to get the black/green pads.

For the FK 1000P how should I apply the wax? By machine or by hand with an applicator pad?
 
It will depends on the type of paint you have...
I'm used to work on very soft paints, to the point a black pad will provide some good level of correction with m205 or even po85rd....
On a hard paint the white pad will probably finish well, on a soft one I don't I'm quite sure it won't...
Apply wax by hand or machine is a matter of preference... I always like to apply paste waxes by hand... it's a pleasure thing to do once you get used to put the right amount on the pad... In the other hand, a sealant like the WDGPS, I like it better when applied by machine on a blue pad....
To sum up... you gotta try yourself to find out what works better for you...
 
Be careful doing to much buffing on the panels that were just repainted its usually better to wait about a month before applying any product because the paint is still curing. So if you cover it up with any sort of wax it can cause pitting. As far as pad selection i agree on the white pad with some m105 and 205 compounds.
 
ok I've decided Optimum Poli-Seal and Duragloss #105 for my AIO.

I'm looking for a LSP that is easy to apply and won't stain my trim. Something for darker cars. Any suggestions?
Also what quick wax spray would you recommend to go with it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top