First time using P.C.

[dietoremain]

I will be using the P.C. for the first time on my truck. Thanks to a friend(imacarnut, on here). He got it at lowes for an amazing deal for me. This will be my first time using a clay bar as well.
I was planning to do it in these steps:

Wash with Gold Glass (using grit guard of course)
Clay with Meguiars Quik Clay System
Apply #80(or #83 ?) with P.C.
Next day: Quik Detailer and apply #21 using P.C.

I also was loaned a copy of the DVD so I cant wait to watch it and learn the answers to everything I have been wondering. Anyone else have any suggestions? Its a 99 White Toyota Tacoma I have some oxidization(sp?) on my roof and a few other parts, otherwise much of the paint is in good shape for a truck that the previous owner *cough* my dad *cough* didnt take care of.. if anyone has any good tips send em my way. thanks alot. I will also post before and after pics on the "show off" forum of course.. haha.

[Murr1525]

Re: First time using P.C.

Sounds like you will be in good shape really... Have the right pads, and everything as well?

[dietoremain]

Re: First time using P.C.

Allen(imacarnut) is taking me to a friends shop to pick up the backing plate, 2 polishing pads(one for colorx one for the cleaner/polisher that he gives me, and the finishing pad for #21 . and whatever else i need. I just bought a new gallon of gold glass car wash and ordered the quik clay kit and a new microfiber mitt. My dad will also be using all this on his car( 05 camry ) which is in way better shape than mine but yeah I cant wait.

[Murr1525]

Re: First time using P.C.

Sounds good... #80 should be fine to start with. Maybe you will find some extra deep swirls, etc, that might want the #83, but that is something to worry about your next detail. Just get #80 down for now, and the hang of taping, etc.

[TripleDES]

Re: First time using P.C.

I have a question to add to this. Since having a very clean car before you begin is vital so you don't introduce dirt to the buffer, how do you know when you've clayed enough?

My 9 year old Integra still has a bit of a bumpy feeling even after I clay extensively. Should it be clayed a second/third time to get the paint as smooth as possible?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: First time using P.C.

I have a question to add to this. Since having a very clean car before you begin is vital so you don't introduce dirt to the buffer, how do you know when you've clayed enough?

My 9 year old Integra still has a bit of a bumpy feeling even after I clay extensively. Should it be clayed a second/third time to get the paint as smooth as possible?

If the paint still feels bumpy or textured after claying, then it could be you have some contaminants that are very hard themselves and are bonded very tightly to the paint, epoxy paint overspray is an example of a very difficult to remove above surface bonded contaminant.

Before doing anything else, see if you can fix one small section, you need to dial in a process that will fix one small section and then you can duplicate this over the rest of the finish. In this situation, try claying a small section on the hood, about a foot squared. Use up to 8 to 13 pounds of pressure with plenty of lube and focus on the task at hand.

Often times at our Saturday classes when people are not removing all of the above surface contaminants it's because they are not focused and not claying hard enough. You don't want to push down on the clay so hard you put a dent in your sheet metal but at the same time some people, because they either don't know or are scared of making a mistake just barely push on the clay while moving it over the surface.

Detailing clay works by sanding off anything sitting on top of the surface and then trapping the removed particles into itself, the harder and mored tightly bonded to the surface the contaminants are, the more work will be required to remove them.

It's best to remove them with clay because the foam pad oscillating on the polisher will tend to just glide over them, not remove them.