Proper pad use

Harleyguy

Harleyguy

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Ok i started my new venture today detailing my black vette OMG what did i get into .Anyway when you go from one step to another for example i started with klasse all in one then to the sealant do you change pads if your using the same color pad?? And lets say i use a gray pad for sealant can i use the same pad for waxing ?? If i watch the videos one more time i think i'm going to go crazy but at least i ma have a clean car .I think i'm also using to much product it seems to be a haze when i finish applying the all in one .And to top it off i also wanted to learn how to use the XMT 360 and 180 on another panel i think i'm trying to many things at once ,I did this to try and see what product works on black so any feedback on that would be great .Thanks
 
My honest opinion would be to ditch all of those products. I know thats probably not what you want to hear, but theres nothing special about those products.

Never use the same product on the same pad, UNLESS you thoroughly clean it prior to using the next product on it. Some people will say to only use one product per pad. I only do that with my applicator pads for waxes and sealants. For polishes and what not you can interchange pads as long as you clean them.

The best results will come from properly polishing the paint. Unfortunately, you arent going to achieve this by using klasse all in one and or XMT 360. Another unfortunate thing about vettes is the clear coat is EXTREMELY hard. Most paint correction on these cars require experienced rotary users and high quality polishes. You MIGHT want to consider letting a pro do the paint correction on it, then you can maintain it.
 
Oh great that's not what i wanted to hear i guess that's about as honest an answer can be .I only bought those products since it was recomended by AG. The finish on the car is really not that bad i just want it too look as best it can. Will see what the next step is Thanks
 
All in ones aren't strong enough to do much correction. Klasse is non abrasive, and XMT has ultra fine abrasives. How bad is your paint? With a black vette I would definetly do at least a 2 step, unless your paint is alomost flawless.

The normal amount of polish to use is a quarter size amount in the middle. You could also use 3 small dots around the edges.

There are other polishes that would work better than all-in-ones. Meguiars #105 followed by #205, Menzerna SIP followed by 106FA, Wolfgangs TSR followed by 106FA. You could even try Menzerna power finish 203 by itself(if paint is not too bad), or 106FA by itself if not much correction is needed.

I would not use the same pad for different products either. What are you using? Flex, PC, or rotary.
 
Ok i'm using the pc starting out with the orange pad to start then finishing with a gray pad.The paint really is not bad close to flawless but under the lights you see some light scratches .I was thinking about picking up xmt #2 and xmt # 1 and taking from there if the clear coat is that hard as D&D was saying i may not giving it enough time to break down .I also have two others cars to use the 360 on or the all in one but the vette is my main project now .I do also own a rotary but trying to stay away from that for now
 
:whs:Those are a great combo you can't go wrong with. Menzerna polishes are made for hard paint/cc's. Try the white pad first with the SIP, then 106FA with the grey pad. If you need to bump it up use the orange instead, then white with the 106.

Use a figure 8 pattern when polishing. Overlapping each pass. Go until the polish starts to turn clear.
 
I would not waste your money in picking up the XMT stuff. Step up to Menzerna sip and 106fa. These polishes have enough cut to work on the vette clear, the others do not. Even thou the scratches look minimal they will be very hard to take out. Also just in case you might want to pick up some m105, but start with the sip on and orange pad, then follow with sip on a white pad, then finish with 106fa on a blue pad. These polishes will take a little bit longer than others to break down but the results are well worth it. Like others have said do not mix products on pads unless cleaned. If you have the rotary you can start with sip on a white pad ot 106fa on a white pad then finish with 106fa on a blue pad. Here are a few pictures with using 106ff on a white pad, followed with 3M Ultrafina on a blue pad with a rotary. The wax used was Swissvax Mystery.
vette090.jpg

vette091.jpg

vette034.jpg
 
All i can is WOW i will purchase those products .Will the other products i have work well on my colbalt,infinti,Ford sporttrac ??
 
ASPHALT ROCKET said:
I would not waste your money in picking up the XMT stuff. Step up to Menzerna sip and 106fa. These polishes have enough cut to work on the vette clear, the others do not. Even thou the scratches look minimal they will be very hard to take out. Also just in case you might want to pick up some m105, but start with the sip on and orange pad, then follow with sip on a white pad, then finish with 106fa on a blue pad. These polishes will take a little bit longer than others to break down but the results are well worth it. Like others have said do not mix products on pads unless cleaned. If you have the rotary you can start with sip on a white pad ot 106fa on a white pad then finish with 106fa on a blue pad. Here are a few pictures with using 106ff on a white pad, followed with 3M Ultrafina on a blue pad with a rotary. The wax used was Swissvax Mystery.
vette090.jpg

vette091.jpg

vette034.jpg
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I see a swirl:D just kiddin! Looks great.
 
Thanks Loudog2, I see a couple myself.:D

Vinnie, how about some sun shots so everyone can judge the finish a little better, even photos don't really show much, atleast the sun helps see some difference.
 
I've use the XMT product line on my Chevy Cobalt SS...and liked, but wasn't thrilled with the results. Menzerna is in my future and will be used the next time I do my car. Go with the Menzerna...you won't regret it.
 
that was all i had, just after my last detail, it was mostly cloudy and my camera skills arent the best either....
 
joshs07redss said:
I've use the XMT product line on my Chevy Cobalt SS...and liked, but wasn't thrilled with the results. Menzerna is in my future and will be used the next time I do my car. Go with the Menzerna...you won't regret it.
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Polishing is an art not a science. From your prior posts, it did not seem to have much prior polishing experience. Pad selection, how much polish you use, how you work it, etc. will make a big difference in results. Technique is far more important than the polish. An experienced XMT user probably could get the results you wanted so I would not dismiss it so quickly.
 
Here are some pics of my first attempt with a ton of help from ASPHALT ROCKET i used Menzerna SIP then the 106fa .I had trouble using my rotary so i switched back to my porter cable.I wasn't able to contol my rotary. I was advised it may of been the orange pad,next time use white pad .Will try it again what's the worst that could happen LOL .
 
Bunky said:
Polishing is an art not a science. From your prior posts, it did not seem to have much prior polishing experience. Pad selection, how much polish you use, how you work it, etc. will make a big difference in results. Technique is far more important than the polish. An experienced XMT user probably could get the results you wanted so I would not dismiss it so quickly.
Click to expand...

Polishing is an art but some polishes have it and some don't. Menzerna is always going to out perform XMT polishes, actually several others out there will.
 
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