Newbie Intro

[TimeTaker]

Hey everybody. Wil here from Jacksonville, FL. I'm no professional detailer, but very much the enthusiast with a passion that's a bit on the obsessive side. Almost all of my experience has been with different brands of department store products and application by hand, but I recently bought a DA polisher with a set of foam pads and I want to learn as much as I can here before I move up to that stage.

I have a 2001 Toyota Celica GT in Liquid Silver Metallic and a newly bought 2014 Mazda 6 Touring in Soul Red. I always try to keep them looking their best, but they still have some trouble spots. Even the new Mazda 6 came with dealer induced scratches and swirls, but luckily nothing major.

What I've been using recently is a combination of Gold Class car wash, Smooth Surface Clay Kit, Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, Ultimate Liquid Wax, and Gold Class QW and detailer. I really like the results I get from Meguiar's products and I'm sure this community is the perfect place for me to learn better tips and techniques from the pros.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Newbie Intro

Welcome to MOL!!

Looks like you've got a pretty effective process in place because your cars look fantastic!! Are you working by hand or with a DA buffer?

[TimeTaker]

Re: Newbie Intro

Welcome to MOL!!

Looks like you've got a pretty effective process in place because your cars look fantastic!! Are you working by hand or with a DA buffer?

Thanks!

I've been doing everything by hand with some decent applicators and MF towels, but I do have a DA. I need to do my homework here and learn more about proper technique before I use it though. Plus, with this nasty heat and humidity right now in FL, I'd rather wait 'til the fall to do a proper detail.

[Jarhead0754]

Like the king stoops said looks like u have it pretty well handled. Ur cars look flawless already but we all can never learn enuf. Even the crew at the all knowing meguiars headquarters will tell u that u will never know it all.

With that tho what little info I can give u would b to ask alot of questions. Not 1 person on this site will ever belittle u for asking a question that's been asked 1000 times. Also do some research on products meguiars has to offer. Someone like u where ur pretty obsessive, like the rest of us, will benefit from the mirror glaze or detailer line where u can buy product in bulk to save u alot of cash that can go to more product. Cuz most of everyone here has multiple of the same product like ultimate detailer, gc detailer, detailer line, and so on.

Also don't b afraid to ask questions about different brands such as nanoskin. There are just some things meguiars doesn't make that can take ur detailing to the next level.

And above all have fun, now u have a da ur work will b going to a whole new level. Get u some good pads and towels. I like meguiars 2.0 pads, and the supreme shine mf towels, and ultimate wipes. U can never have enuf and 20 of each still isn't enuf so start collecting.

But welcome to a wonderful community. Feel free to ask away.

[The Guz]

Re: Newbie Intro

Welcome. Both cars look great. You came to the right place to learn the technique for the DA.

[TimeTaker]

Re: Newbie Intro

Like the king stoops said looks like u have it pretty well handled. Ur cars look flawless already but we all can never learn enuf. Even the crew at the all knowing meguiars headquarters will tell u that u will never know it all.

With that tho what little info I can give u would b to ask alot of questions. Not 1 person on this site will ever belittle u for asking a question that's been asked 1000 times. Also do some research on products meguiars has to offer. Someone like u where ur pretty obsessive, like the rest of us, will benefit from the mirror glaze or detailer line where u can buy product in bulk to save u alot of cash that can go to more product. Cuz most of everyone here has multiple of the same product like ultimate detailer, gc detailer, detailer line, and so on.

Also don't b afraid to ask questions about different brands such as nanoskin. There are just some things meguiars doesn't make that can take ur detailing to the next level.

And above all have fun, now u have a da ur work will b going to a whole new level. Get u some good pads and towels. I like meguiars 2.0 pads, and the supreme shine mf towels, and ultimate wipes. U can never have enuf and 20 of each still isn't enuf so start collecting.

But welcome to a wonderful community. Feel free to ask away.

Welcome. Both cars look great. You came to the right place to learn the technique for the DA.

Thanks for the welcome guys and the good advice. Even though I've found most of my answers already with the search function, it's good to know I won't be groaned at for asking a repeat question, which I'm sure I'll do at some point. I've been in some forums, not really car care related, where if you ask something that you don't know was already posted, people will act like you committed the worst crime and then your thread gets locked or deleted lol..

[exploreco]

Welcome. I am fairly new myself and they have taught me so much. I just bought a DA myself and can't wait to try it out. I think I need to order some more pads though than what came with it and I agree with you, no one here has made me feel badly for asking something that they have probaly answered a 1000 times. I try to search as much as I can too, but know what you mean by the other forums that strike you down if the question has been asked before. Your cars look great!

[Jarhead0754]

Finally Someone else who actually uses the search button, or just reads old threads. That's how I learned most of everything here too.

But yes with a da u need ALOT. More pads than 2 or 3. That's all I thought u would need to if ur doing 1 car every few months. But no it's not. The more experienced guys will tell u AT&T least with a meguiars da and pads, u will need at least 3-4 polishing and 2-3 finishing pads per car/ per use. Cuz 1 polishing pad using UC will NOT. Do an entire car EFFECTIVELY. Even cleaning it nonstop it will just build up to much product where cutting will b reduced greatly.

That's something I had not known. Soo switch ur pads out for new ones. Say - for the hood, trunk, 1 for the roof, and 1 for each side. And that's just for the cutting, same goes for the polishing but u can get away with 2 for the whole car. Now these r just the 7" soft buff pads.

Another thing is to get smaller pad as well like the 4" soft buff pads for more of spot correction or just smaller panels such as a, b, or c pullers, and/ or bumpers and so on.

Anyways there's alot to learn but once u get the proper equipment setup ands laid out, then that's just half the battle.

[Coach]

Re: Newbie Intro

Welcome to MOL!
Your vehicles look great and it sounds like you have an "Ultimate" routine well established. Good for you!
Coach