1 detail--100 questions

[bob-e]

Well I finished my first exterior detail with the DA polisher and my big black truck looks 100 times better. Problem is it needed to look 200 times better. It took 6 hours, but it was worth it. Things I learned along the way and questions:

Taping--I used the blue 3M and it was great, but I taped too much and wasted too much time imo. I think I can get by with just taping rubber moldings and cleaning the rest as I go--there wasn't much splatter.

#83--I used #83 with a polishing pad and while it got alot of scratches out, it didn't get them all and they don't seem that bad (can't feel them with my fingernail). I did the 15 lbs of pressure, 2'x2', work until clear, work slowly, with #83. Sometimes when I would be working it and it was ready to wipe, all of a sudden the pad would find some more #83 in it and start spreading more. Too much #83 on the pad? I added a .50 piece amount for every 2x2 section. So sometimes I would have tough to wipe areas. Bad technique or do you think I should try #83 with a cutting pad and then #83 again with a polishing pad?

Wax with gold class with a finishing pad. Worked like butter. Only problem here is, I used liberal amounts (read: a buttload). When I cleaned my pad afterwards I squeezed so much wax out I was tempted to scrape it back in the bottle.

Hyperdressing on the tires: 1st time user of this stuff and I love it. 1:1 gave me perfect, lasting shine without too much bling.

All-season dressing on the wheel wells and molding. I love this stuff even more than hyperdressing. It smells awesome--do any of you use it on interiors?

Thanks for reading my long post. I know experience helps a ton, but I just don't know what I would change for next time. Hopefully you all can help.

[bob-e]

Re: 1 detail--100 questions

pics:

before:


after (my after "light" pic didn't turn out)

[Michael Stoops]

Re: 1 detail--100 questions

#83--I used #83 with a polishing pad and while it got alot of scratches out, it didn't get them all and they don't seem that bad (can't feel them with my fingernail). I did the 15 lbs of pressure, 2'x2', work until clear, work slowly, with #83. Sometimes when I would be working it and it was ready to wipe, all of a sudden the pad would find some more #83 in it and start spreading more. Too much #83 on the pad? I added a .50 piece amount for every 2x2 section. So sometimes I would have tough to wipe areas. Bad technique or do you think I should try #83 with a cutting pad and then #83 again with a polishing pad?

Hmmmm..... a .50 piece amount of M83 for a 2x2 section actually sounds sort of light to me. Did you apply the product in a ring around the outer edge of the pad? That will certainly help to spread it a bit better. Also it is really important to regularly clean your pad when using M83, and I do mean regularly!! I didn't care too much for M83 at first because I found it difficult to remove at times, and it dusted a lot. Now that I clean my pad after every section I get great results with it.

As far as using a cutting pad with M83 and then following with a polishing pad and M83, might I recommend substituting M80 for that last step? While Meguiar's does not recommend a cutting pad on the DA I have used it with great results, but the combo of a cutting pad and M83 can leave the paint a little hazy, all the more noticeable on black. Following this with M80 on a polishing pad will quickly eliminate the haze and leave a beautiful finish, all ready for your LSP of choice. (NOTE: I believe the reason Meguiar's recommends against a cutting pad on the DA is because of the hazing possibility and a general lack of understanding on the part of your average consumer as to the steps needed to achieve ultimate results.)

Two final observations: 1) I really think 6 hours of work on a vehicle this size and with those defects is VERY fast, especially this being your first attempt. 2) Wow, your truck looks waaaaay better than before you started!!!!!

[bob-e]

Re: 1 detail--100 questions

Thanks for the reply Mike that really helps. Guess what? I didn't clean the #83 pad once. Oops. I missed that in my research. I saw that done in a rotary video but not DA. Do you use a soft bristle toothbrush to clean it?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: 1 detail--100 questions

Thanks for the reply Mike that really helps. Guess what? I didn't clean the #83 pad once. Oops. I missed that in my research. I saw that done in a rotary video but not DA. Do you use a soft bristle toothbrush to clean it?

Cleaning pads on the DA is a bit different than on the rotary since the pad isn't really "spinning". What you do is to firmly press the pad against a terry towel, holding the DA in one hand and the towel in the other, then turn the machine on. Firm pressure will force quite a bit of the product out of the pad and into the towel as well as reduce some of the dried product on the surface. Do this often once the pad starts to saturate and you should see better results.

[Whelan]

Re: 1 detail--100 questions

Hey Bob, black is a fantastic color when its clean isn't it!

I followed my 83 application with some 80 then Gold Class wax. My hatch looks just like that picture you put up of all the scratches. The 83 left a bit of a haze on spots so the 80 was necessary and gets rid of the finer swirls and scratches as it goes. Final Result!