I did a test panel on my own truck today, as I've been so used to using the rotary/3M Perfect It 3000 system that I knew this would be a learning experience...didn't take pictures because although it's visibly noticable, my camera wouldn't show the differences in panels very well since my truck is white...here's how I went about it. The truck has been severely neglected mainly because it's my beater truck (though I wouldn't say it's bad enough to be considered a beater...just a typical work truck).
Washed the door, chamois to dry it, then a large microfiber follow-up drying. Hit it with a light clay bar and got it glassy smooth...thing had swirl scratchs/spiderweb scratching all over it.
First thing I did was apply the Ultimate Compound using the PC and the yellow cutting pad. Worked the panel three full times, each with less and less pressure.
Now here is where I screwed up...I didn't pick an orange pad with the kit, so I instead went to the white polishing pad and worked the panel 3 full times using the Meguiars Swirl X...thing was already looking MUCH better!
Now here's another mistake I made...I didn't pick a Green Polishing/Finishing pad, so I ended up applying my M205 with the Gray Finishing Pad...needed a few extra passes, but it did the job, and it was already looking much better.
Follow that, I applied the Klasse sealant on the panel by hand, and buffed off by hand with a microfiber towel 25 minutes later. I then applied the XMT 180 by hand with a foam applicator, let it set for about 20 minutes, and it buffed off with the microfiber surprisingly easily, and I am rather happy with the result.
Things that I figured out:
- I've used the M105 before...I had to do a detail a while back and the customer requested the 105/205 system, and his paint was pretty well shot, and I liked using it...although I like how the Ultimate Compound performs on neglected paint, I'm not entirely sure it would cut as well as the 105 on SEVERELY neglected paint, so I think I'm gonna keep some M105 on hand for the bad ones.
- With the proper pads, I'm imagining it wouldn't have taken as many work-overs on the panel if I had the proper pad/polish configurations
- The DA buffer...well, I like working that MUCH better then the 'ole rotary.
So now I have an orange pad, a green pad, another yellow pad, and some 105 on order.
...and what is this "SIP" you speak of?
Thanks for the prompt reply!
