Detailing help

[rebelde33]

I just got a buffer and wanted to ask a few questions about detailing. I've been detailing by hand before but I don't know what to do now that I have a buffer. Anyways first I use the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner in liquid form, then I use a paste polish, and then the NXT spray wax. Can anyone tell me how to use these products effectively with my buffer? What types of pads and bonnets should I use for each?

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing help

What type of buffer did you get?

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing help

Another note for the moment, a spray wax is not the same as a coat of a liquid/paste wax. A spray wax is just a booster wax, that is it puts back a bit of wax lost from washing, etc. It does not offer the same protection as a regular coat of wax.

[rebelde33]

Re: Detailing help

I got one from Autozone forgot what it's called though. Would it be preferrable if I use all liquid products when detailing with a buffer?

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing help

You might want to read this over...

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

It sounds like you got a regular orbital buffer... I am not sure if it is going to do what you really want it to.

[rebelde33]

Re: Detailing help

I'm going to try it with this one. I heard it works really well to shine up a car especially if it's black. What bonnets should I use for the paint cleaner, polish, and wax? All 3 would be liquid not paste nor sprays.

[brickyardz]

Re: Detailing help

I'm going to try it with this one. I heard it works really well to shine up a car especially if it's black. What bonnets should I use for the paint cleaner, polish, and wax? All 3 would be liquid not paste nor sprays.

There are not as many choices from what I have seen for bonnets on an orbital buffer. You probably have your choice of terri cloth, or micro fiber and if you can find it, there are some blue bonnets you can use to apply product with but I would stick to the terri or micro fiber bonnets. Use some for applying the wax and seperate ones for removing it or use a micro fiber towel to remove it by hand.

I don't recall ever seeing foam pads you can purchase for an orbital buffer but if you can find them I would use a foam pad for applying product and a micro fiber for removing it.

I use the Meguiars G100 and I still remove product by hand using the Supreme Shine MF towels. I just find it easier to remove product this way then using a machine and you can get in all the contours of the car easier.

[rebelde33]

Re: Detailing help

There are not as many choices from what I have seen for bonnets on an orbital buffer. You probably have your choice of terri cloth, or micro fiber and if you can find it, there are some blue bonnets you can use to apply product with but I would stick to the terri or micro fiber bonnets. Use some for applying the wax and seperate ones for removing it or use a micro fiber towel to remove it by hand.

I don't recall ever seeing foam pads you can purchase for an orbital buffer but if you can find them I would use a foam pad for applying product and a micro fiber for removing it.

I use the Meguiars G100 and I still remove product by hand using the Supreme Shine MF towels. I just find it easier to remove product this way then using a machine and you can get in all the contours of the car easier.

Ok thanks. Would I need to clay my new car? It's 2008 do I doubt it has any contaminants but if I do should I clay before the paint cleaner?

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing help

If you havent clayed it, I would definately do it. Between rail travel and sitting on a lot, who knows what has landed on it.

[rebelde33]

Re: Detailing help

Alright I'll clay it then. Is the paint cleaner really necessary then?

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing help

Well, I mean it is kind of up to you, but clay and cleaning are two different steps.

Clay removes contaminats bonded onto the surface.
Cleaning removes dirt from the pores and imperfections of the paint, and depending on the product, could remove swirls,etc.

So if we assume that there is the chance for dirt, etc to land on the durface and need clayed off, then there would also be the chance for dirt to be in the pores/imperfections of the paint.

[rebelde33]

Re: Detailing help

Would I clay first and then apply the paint cleaner? Or vice versa?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Detailing help

Would I clay first and then apply the paint cleaner? Or vice versa?

Clay first, then use the paint cleaner.

As for pads to use on your new buffer, ADS sells Meguiar's Gold Class foam pads specifically for 9" - 10" orbital buffers. You can find them at http://www.autodetailingsolutions.co...%20Bonnets.htm Use one with the paint cleaner and another for applying the wax.

[roushstage2]

Re: Detailing help

Depending what size buffer you got, there are foam bonnets out there. Those would be best for applying the products.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing help

Step 1 - Wash car
Step 2 - Dry car

Step 3 - Feel paint with your clean hand, check to see if it's very smooth or if you feel little bumps or other surface contaminants on the paint. If they didn't wash off then you need to clay

Step 4 - Clean paint if needed. Look at the paint in bright light like sunlight, do you see swirls, stains, etchings, etc. If so use a paint cleaner to remove these defects. A new car shouldn't need to be clayed or cleaned, but if you invest some time reading on this forum you'll come to learn that more often than not the Dealership will swirl out your car by having their in-house detailers work on it. We call them Horror Stories, here's one.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21139

Step 5 - Polish the paint - This is option, that means you don't have to do it. Being a brand new car you shouldn't have to polish it and if you paint is in great condition, (as it should be), you probably won't see any visual difference if you do polish it. So because this step is optional you can skip it and go right to wax. We include it here because we type up "thorough" replies and we're a company that offers pure polishes because our type of customers want the best looking finishes and pure polishes tend and trend to increase gloss and beauty. But again,if your car is brand new it's pretty hard to make BRAND NEW PAINT look better than it already does, again assuming it's in great condition and being a new car it should be in great condition.

Make sense? For more information on on pure polishes and this entire topic you really need to read and digest this,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2409

Step 6 - Apply wax - This is pretty basic.
Step 7 - Apply a second coat if you like.

You'll find a ton of information in the Hot Topics forum because they're hot topics that get asked all the time.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80

Hope this helps...