Taking the plunge, buying a HUGE kit! Need you guys to look over it before purchase

[ihaveacamaro]

Hard to argue with that except OP is planning on Opticoating. I would have to agree with some other posters that OC at this point may be premature. And it takes all the fun out of buying and trying new polishes and sealants. I second the GG choice if you are only going to have one machine. It does have a bit more power and the fact that it does not seem as sturdy as the PC is offset by the lifetime warranty. I also agree with your pad suggestion if OP will give up on OC. I also agree with another poster that Optimim hyper polish is very good. I also love GPS. Whatever OP decides, he has come to the right place to get help and will have a lot of fun.

College kid = poor budget I'm trying to spend the least money for the best results. When I'm making a lot more money in the future, you can bet I will be buying all sorts of combos to try out :dblthumb2:

I've decided to go with Optimum Hyper Compound and Polish instead of M105/M205 though!

 

[Buckskincolt]

Thoughts? Thanks for the insight by the way :xyxthumbs:

The flat pads are cheaper! My opinion comes in here but I feel they correct better pad for pad, finish the paint better and absorb less product keeping more pad on the paint than the CCS. I have CCS pads and never use them now that I have found the HT and Flats. Just because that's what's in the kit doesn't mean that's what you have to go with! Some of the people that I read that like the CCS also say they haven't tried any others so.....

I guess I'm not getting why you want to purchase all this stuff just to polish and maintain your paint once every year or two? I feel you are a little ahead of yourself with the coating thing but that's just me!

I say buy a nice sealant polish your car, try some different things, perfect you system and techniques, then move into the coatings. For me I'm not a coating guy, I enjoy polishing and restoring the shine way to much!:wave:

 

[DaveT435]

College kid = poor budget I'm trying to spend the least money for the best results. When I'm making a lot more money in the future, you can bet I will be buying all sorts of combos to try out :dblthumb2:

I've decided to go with Optimum Hyper Compound and Polish instead of M105/M205 though!

Good choice. I've seen all the customization on the car. I understand the budget thing...just thought you might want to try some different looks before locking in. I'm sure it will look great!! :xyxthumbs:

 

[umi000]

College kid = poor budget I'm trying to spend the least money for the best results. When I'm making a lot more money in the future, you can bet I will be buying all sorts of combos to try out :dblthumb2:

I've decided to go with Optimum Hyper Compound and Polish instead of M105/M205 though!

Good choice - was going to suggest going with Optimum polishes and compounds too, since you're planning on using Opti-Coat afterwards. Just throwing out another option - you might also want to consider the Optimum Car Care 3 Pack. For the price of a bottle of Hyper Compound, you'll get Compound II, Polish II and Finish Polish.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

The flat pads are cheaper! My opinion comes in here but I feel they correct better pad for pad, finish the paint better and absorb less product keeping more pad on the paint than the CCS. I have CCS pads and never use them now that I have found the HT and Flats. Just because that's what's in the kit doesn't mean that's what you have to go with! Some of the people that I read that like the CCS also say they haven't tried any others so.....

I guess I'm not getting why you want to purchase all this stuff just to polish and maintain your paint once every year or two? I feel you are a little ahead of yourself with the coating thing but that's just me!

I say buy a nice sealant polish your car, try some different things, perfect you system and techniques, then move into the coatings. For me I'm not a coating guy, I enjoy polishing and restoring the shine way to much!:wave:

I'm gonna change and go with flat pads. In my totally unscientific google search of flat pad vs ccs on DA, almost everyone said flat!

Do you know if I have to pay extra to get flats instead of CCS on the DA kit? Or do I have to call?

Also, I totally understand where you're coming from, but for me, it's hard to be a coating guy. I would love to, but between juggling getting into Dental School, a very dynamic schedule (as in no such thing as normal 9 to 5 job kind of deal... every day is different with different classes and different plans), and all sorts of extracurriculars (girlfriend, oral biology research, and of course actually working and modifying my car), it would be much more convenient for me to "jump in" per-say and do the best I can (hopefully 90% correction or higher) and apply opti-coat.

I would love to spend more time washing my car and playing with coatings, but I just don't see that happening

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Good choice - was going to suggest going with Optimum polishes and compounds too, since you're planning on using Opti-Coat afterwards. Just throwing out another option - you might also want to consider the Optimum Car Care 3 Pack. For the price of a bottle of Hyper Compound, you'll get Compound II, Polish II and Finish Polish.

Interesting, what's the difference between hyper compound and compound II?

Good choice. I've seen all the customization on the car. I understand the budget thing...just thought you might want to try some different looks before locking in. I'm sure it will look great!! :xyxthumbs:

Thanks, I will be sure to post pics when everything is said and done!

 

[umi000]

Interesting, what's the difference between hyper compound and compound II?

One is sprayable, while the other is the usual paste/liquid polish. I think I've read that Compound II has a little more cut, though don't take my word on that.

 

[Buckskincolt]

I'm gonna change and go with flat pads. In my totally unscientific google search of flat pad vs ccs on DA, almost everyone said flat!

Do you know if I have to pay extra to get flats instead of CCS on the DA kit? Or do I have to call?

You will have to call in your order to make that change but I doubt there will be any price difference. AG is great about stuff like this!

Interesting, what's the difference between hyper compound and compound II?

The compound II has more cut and less working time than the Hyper Compound. Plus I really like the spray, it makes priming and adding product to the pads really easy.

Without seeing your car I would almost guess you might be able to just use the hyper polish and skip the compound all together. The hyper polish really changes with the pad used, cuts well,with a heavy cut pad and polishes out really nice with a polishing pad and will even finish further with a finessing pad.

Good choice going with the flat pads IMO!rops:

 

[jrs1418]

everyone is going to have their recomendations. And IMO if you're going with Megs, buy D300 correction compound instead of M105. I Find 105 a little harder to work with, especially in the removal where D300 wipes right off. I also heard the D300 is more abrasive too. And since we're talking about D300, just buy the Megs 5" DA microfiber pads instead of foam. MUCH easier to get good results IMO.

 

[ihaveacamaro]

One is sprayable, while the other is the usual paste/liquid polish. I think I've read that Compound II has a little more cut, though don't take my word on that.

I think I'm going to prefer the spray version, even though you can get much more quantity in terms of liquid. The whole no dusting and ease of application is very tempting over the liquid and better deal lol

 

[ihaveacamaro]

You will have to call in your order to make that change but I doubt there will be any price difference. AG is great about stuff like this!

Will call in today. And I can use the labor day discount now!

The compound II has more cut and less working time than the Hyper Compound. Plus I really like the spray, it makes priming and adding product to the pads really easy.

Yeah I think I'm going to go with the spray... even though it's ungodly expensive!! bogo helps with that though!

Without seeing your car I would almost guess you might be able to just use the hyper polish and skip the compound all together. The hyper polish really changes with the pad used, cuts well,with a heavy cut pad and polishes out really nice with a polishing pad and will even finish further with a finessing pad.

That would be awesome if I only had to use a polish, I'll be sure to try that first before the compound.

Good choice going with the flat pads IMO!rops:

Thanks for the great suggestion :xyxthumbs: See I'm not against changing my order, just need a good enough reason to!

Thanks again :hungry:

 

[umi000]

I think I'm going to prefer the spray version, even though you can get much more quantity in terms of liquid. The whole no dusting and ease of application is very tempting over the liquid and better deal lol

The liquid ones have very, very minimal dusting too, unless you over-apply or over-work the polish/compound

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Alright guys, looks like I have everything in my cart. It looks like this EXCEPT FLAT PADS not CCS.

What do you guys think?

View attachment 13239

View attachment 13240

 

[ihaveacamaro]

Thank you everyone for your help and insight. I hope to see you guys on the other side of a bright and mirror like car finish :dblthumb2:

Total cost with tax for everything was $571 *yikes*, I think I may need some with overspending on my car :help:


On the plus side, I got 15% off, a free 2 ounce sample, a free blackfire banner, a free "mystery gift" which AG says is worth 50, and free shipping!!

The liquid ones have very, very minimal dusting too, unless you over-apply or over-work the polish/compound

I just went ahead with the spray. I figure you can't wrong with either, but since I'm getting the spray polish, I wanted the matching spray compound LMAO!

 

[Robert8194]

College kid = poor budget I'm trying to spend the least money for the best results. When I'm making a lot more money in the future, you can bet I will be buying all sorts of combos to try out :dblthumb2:

I've decided to go with Optimum Hyper Compound and Polish instead of M105/M205 though!

Totally understand that. I was a poor college kid once many years ago. Now, I'm just a poor old guy with a wicked AG addiction. Good luck with the Camaro.

 

[Buckskincolt]

Thank you everyone for your help and insight. I hope to see you guys on the other side of a bright and mirror like car finish :dblthumb2:

Total cost with tax for everything was $571 *yikes*, I think I may need some with overspending on my car :help:


On the plus side, I got 15% off, a free 2 ounce sample, a free blackfire banner, a free "mystery gift" which AG says is worth 50, and free shipping!

You should have everything you need to get that mirror finish! Looks like AG took good care of you with the discount and free shipping + all the extra goodies:dblthumb2:

Did you get the flat pads or the CCS? If you swapped them was it any trouble or charge? That kit you ordered would be a very nice kit to point people to if it only had the flat pads!:buffing:

Don't forget to keep us posted on your progress!

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Here's my opinion:

PC7424XP
Meg's 5" Backing Plate
Meg's 5" MF Cutting Pads
LC 5" White Pads
Meg's 3" Backing Plate
Optimum 3" MF Cutting Pads
M105/D300/M205
Opti-Coat

I honestly don't think the orange pad will be enough to get all the swirls out of your paint.

The Optimum Hyper Compound Spray does not work as good as M105 or even D300.

 

[Buckskincolt]

The Optimum Hyper Compound Spray does not work as good as M105 or even D300.

Your right it works better!
Not as much cut as 105 but a lot less dust, and about 3 times longer working time. I'd put the hyper compound up against D300 anyday, D300 doesnt really impress me all that much. And with the lack of durability of the Meg Mf pads I know I won't be buying any more anytime soon.
Really don't know what it will take to get the swirls out, have never seen them or his paint! He doesn't have pictures so? There are a lot of unknown factors.

 

[kevin39208]

Your right it works better!
Not as much cut as 105 but a lot less dust, and about 3 times longer working time. I'd put the hyper compound up against D300 anyday, D300 doesnt really impress me all that much. And with the lack of durability of the Meg Mf pads I know I won't be buying any more anytime soon.
Really don't know what it will take to get the swirls out, have never seen them or his paint! He doesn't have pictures so? There are a lot of unknown factors.

Which would you recommend between the Optimum Hyper Compound/ Polish combo and the WG Duo 3.0 for another newbie to machine polishing?

 

[ihaveacamaro]

You should have everything you need to get that mirror finish! Looks like AG took good care of you with the discount and free shipping + all the extra goodies:dblthumb2:

Did you get the flat pads or the CCS? If you swapped them was it any trouble or charge? That kit you ordered would be a very nice kit to point people to if it only had the flat pads!:buffing:

Don't forget to keep us posted on your progress!

Hey thanks for the tip on the flat pads, AG Customer Service guy had to check but gave me the OK after. Whole process took only a minute, so pretty happy with the customer service Im the MAN

Funny story, after the polisher kit the AG Cust. Serv. guy said "and what's next?" He ended up saying that line like 10 times because of all the things I ordered lmao!

So go ahead and point people to that kit, the CCS can easily be exchanged for flats.

And I will be posting details asap! I'm going to work on my friend's beat up car first, and maybe then my brother's ford, and then finally to my car. That way I can dial in my technique before I hit my paint. I will be sure to post all the details!

Quick question on the Optimum Hyper Compound and Polish, since they don't really dust, will I have to tape stuff off? I thought the whole point of tape was to stop dust in small crevices and such.