Kenta from Sweden!

[kentaa]

Hello!


Im getting increasingly discerning for every time when it comes to keeping my car clean, many recommend your products here in Sweden, I have never used your products so far but will do so now during the week. I joined here to get rid of some questions I had.


question 1
I have a red audi a5 and it is neither solid or METTALIC. it is pearl effect and the color is Misano red. I wanted to know what rules are applicable to the pearly effect if one is to polish and wax.


question 2
What products do I need to first wash clean the car then remove small scratches then polish with the machine and then wax the car. appreciate a list of the products you recomend in numerical order. It's my first time

Regards.
Kenta

[Murr1525]

1. Nothing different, same steps and procedure.

2. Do you have any picture of the swirls/scratches? What sort of machine are you thinking of using?

[kentaa]

Actually, I have no pictures but it's these kinds of scratches that are visible only when the sun shines brightest. I also noticed that after I washed the car, it feels like the paint is little gritty when I touch with my hands. I have not decided yet what machine it will be.
thinking of Meguiars own machine but am afraid it is a bit too much for beginners or?

[Murr1525]

A good quality DA polisher wouldnt be too much for a beginer, they are quite safe.

The only thing with being a beginer is just a matter of learning the products, how they work, technique, etc. It can also be a bit more work that people think at times, which takes practice to get used to.

Is this completly first time detailing, or just with the Meguairs products, swirl removal?

[Andy M.]

Welcome to MOL!

[kentaa]

Thx, Its my first first time I am aware of the risks have read a lot recent days, but what you say is true I must have some experience about the products hope you can advise me as to what products I need and how they work.

[Murr1525]

Well, I ask because you may find it better to detail, and 'shine the car up' the first time, and tackle swirls the second time.

So let me list a couple ideas and sets of products to look at. You may need to compare as well with what is available there, and we can find alternates as needed.

This would be the most simple detail to still cover all the steps:

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets, good quality towels, mitts
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay Kit
3. ColorX (my favorite) or Cleaner/Wax
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0, Ult. Wax, or other favorite

None of that will really tackle swirls (ColorX with a machine maybe), but it is just to shine things up, and get you practicing, and also not too tiring at first by hand either. Also makes a great quick detail in the future.

Now this detail will start to be a little more effort, usually better results, but still quite mild, not really going to tackle swirls by hand. Applied by machine, there is more of a chance:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean/Polish - Ult. Polish is good. SwirlX is also an option.
4. Wax
5. Wax

For a stronger detail, and really getting after the swirls, you would be looking at this. Could be done by hand or machine, more removal by machine of course:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - Ultimate Compound
4. Polish - UC may need followed up with Ult. Polish. And Ult. Polish would be your mild cleaner/polish for future details. Should not need UC every time.
5. Wax
6. Wax

So you can see each one adds a little more time, effort, etc. And swirl removal does take a little practice at first usually. You just want to be sure to use foam pads, and mild polishing/finishing pads. Dont want to use something agressive that adds more swirls that it removes. Just let the product to the work.

7. Maintain - Something like Ult. Quick Wax or Gold Class Spray Wax is great to use after future washes, esp while drying.

So yeah, give those a look over, see what you think, what may be available around you, and ask some more questions.

[kentaa]

great guide thank you. Will try this at the weekend and hopefully i will upload some mbefore and after pictures. One last question, Can I use just 1 Foad pads during the polishing and vaxnings moments or do I replace with new ones for each step?

[Murr1525]

Sure, see what you can do or find, and keep us posted along the way.

You would want to look at one pad per product at least. And be sure to have a spare or two by hand incase you drop one. Dont use a dirty pad on the paint.

By machine, you may find you want 2 polishing pads or so for the swirl removal step. Then 1 or a polish, 1 for a wax.