I Took The Plunge!!!

[00Monte]

Well, I did it! I called today and ordered my G-100 on the special deal for $149.99. Also bought some extras:

2 - Sets of 3 pads(2 polishing and 1 finishing)
Quick Clay Kit
#83
#81

I am currently using Deep Crystal Wash, ScratchX, ColorX, NXT and #26 as well. Will switch to NXT wash when out of the DC. I am really excited about the G-100. Can't wait to see what it and the #83/#81 does to remove swirls on my black Monte. Will keep you posted will try to remember to make before pics of swirls and micromarring.

Obsessed and proud of it,
Don

[Mike Phillips]

Re: I Took The Plunge!!!

Originally posted by 00Monte
Well, I did it! I called today and ordered my G-100 on the special deal for $149.99. Also bought some extras:

2 - Sets of 3 pads(2 polishing and 1 finishing)
Quick Clay Kit
#83
#81

Obsessed and proud of it,

Don

Welcome to the club!

I've never met a single person who regretted purchasing the G-100.

Mike

[Mark McGuire]

Way to go 00Monte, you won't be sorry, you have taken the first step, when you get started that's when the learning curve starts, you'll have lots of questions, this is the place to ask. GOOD LUCK!

[Marc08EX]

I agree with Mike, it would take a lot of work out of your hands and it would give you better and more exceptional results. It's also fun! Post pics when you use it and the results it gives! Good luck man! Congrats on your purchase.

[00Monte]

It's heeeeere! The receptionist called me and said, "Your toys are here!" Thank you Meguiars! Will post after my first use which may be this weekend since we have revival going on at church this week.

Don

[00Monte]

I Took The Plunge - Help!

Well, I have a lot to learn. I tried out the G-100 this weekend and don't have a clue what I am doing. I thought I had a pretty good idea from reading posts on proper use.

I washed and clayed first. Then started in with DACP on a yellow Megs polishing pad to remove some pretty bad swirls. I worked in areas about half the size of the trunk lid (2x2). I worked the product and worked it and worked it some more and still had a haze. I would say I worked it for three to five minutes. I guess I used too much product. I put about four dime size spots of product on the pad and then mashed it to the surface in a few spots. Then started on 3-4 bumping up to 4-5 once the product was loaded on the pad pretty well. The product came off pretty easily most of the time.

After doing the trunk lid, I wasn't terribly impressed with the results. I got to thinking about stepping down in abrasiveness and went over it with the Hand Polish on a Megs polishing pad. It did not want to come off at all. I was very sparing with the amount of product and it left a greasy film that was extremely difficult to get off with a MF.

The hood had very serious swirls. I did half of it and compared. The swirls were much better, but the overall finish was worse than before. I can't explain it. It almost seemed cloudy (possibly micromarring). I know, this is where you say, "This post is useless without pics". I didn't have time to get them this time. I ended up having to put brake pads on the car first thing so by the time I was polishing it was starting to get hot.

In some ways I think the panels I did look better and in some ways I am not convinced. Also noticed that in areas where there is a corner, eg. where horizontal surface of trunk and vertical surface of the trunk meet, there are a pretty significant number of scratches that weren't there before. I know neither the backing pad or the cord touched the surface there.

Needless to say, I know there is much to learn. This was the first try. I will try to get pics next try. I only did the trunk and hood because I wanted to find out more about what I was doing before going further. I have some areas on the sides where there are some pretty significant spider-web swirls. I will try to get before and afters on this section.

Anything stand out that I may be doing wrong? Just my impatience with product? Too much product? I am all ears and willing to do whatever you guys suggest.

Sorry for the long post. I love the G-100. It is a great tool. I just need help learning the way to use it properly. It's kinda like golf. I feel like I have been trying to putt with a sand wedge in my hands - not much luck. Given the proper training, I will utilize my tools much better.

Don

[Mike Phillips]

Hi 00Monte,

Sorry to hear you're not getting the results you were hoping for. I'm sure it's just a matter of technique.

How many pounds of pressure would you guess you're applying to the head of the polisher? For removing swirls and other defects, you want 3-5 pounds. You want to start with just the weight of the polisher, and then push down until you hear the motor engage or bog down. For your secondary polish, you want to use less pressure, but more than the weight of the machine. For applying pure polishes and all waxes but cleaner/waxes, you want light pressure, just a little more than the weight of the machine.

Always use overlapping motions, overlapping the previous pass by 50%. Use a slow arm speed, moving the G-100 slowly over the finish, not quickly.

THe #81 Hand Polish is completely non-abrasive, for whatever reason, neither I or anyone else noticed you didn't have a milder cleaner/polish, less aggressive than the #83 but with more cleaning ability than the #81. I would recommend either the #82 Swirl Free Polish or the #80 Speed Glaze and I would lean towards the Speed Glaze on a yellow foam polishing pad after the #83 on about the 4.0 to 5.0 setting.

After that, apply a couple of coats of wax and then evaluate the total results.

Mike

[00Monte]

Hey Mike,

No need to be sorry. This is like anything else - a learning curve. I am not mad or disappointed - just ready to learn. I want to learn to do this stuff at a professional level and anything less than perfect is - well, less than perfect.

I started to order the Swirl Free Polish when I placed my order, but the rep told me he would cut that out - that it was overkill. Not complaining. Just letting you know why I chose the products I chose.

So you are saying I need to step down to the SF to take out the effects of the DACP. Then go to a pure polish from there if neccessary. I may just need to start over and try it again. I may find that some careful attention to details like arm speed, pressure, etc... make all the difference in the world. I am concerned about not having the SF, though. Might need to hold off until I can afford to order again.

You keep teaching and I'll keep listen and doin' what you tell me!

Don

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by 00Monte
So you are saying I need to step down to the SF to take out the effects of the DACP. Then go to a pure polish from there if necessary. I may just need to start over and try it again. I may find that some careful attention to details like arm speed, pressure, etc... make all the difference in the world. I am concerned about not having the SF, though. Might need to hold off until I can afford to order again.

You keep teaching and I'll keep listen and doing' what you tell me!

Don

Every paint can be a little different and as such, a recipe if you will needs to be discovered for how to best work on and produce good results. That's what's nice about having a selection of tools in your tool box, (different Meguiar's products).

Typically, if the #83 is removing the defects, but leaving behind micro-marring, or a hazy looking finish, you will need to re-polish the finish again with another cleaner polish that is less aggressive than the #83. The #81 Hand Polish is completely non-abrasive so this isn't going to be the correct product to use.

The Speed Glaze is a much less aggressive product than the #83 DACP, but more aggressive than the #82 Swirl Free Polish and the #9 Swirl Remove 2.0

I would recommend the Speed Glaze for re-polishing after the #83.

Mike

[00Monte]

I would recommend the Speed Glaze for re-polishing after the #83.

Sounds like a plan.

Thanks

[Mark McGuire]

Hey Monte, like you I have been on a learning curve since June. I have a ton of product and I have finally settled on 83 DAPC w/8006 yellow pad at 5, follow that with 80 speed glaze w/8006 on 4.5 to 5, then 81 hand glaze w/9006 finish pad at 3 to 4, followed with two coats of NXT, at least 12 hrs apart, on a 9006 at 3. Put it on and let it sit for 30 mins or so, then take it off with a MF. I think the most important thing to do is to move the PC very, very very slowly, so slow you almost think its not moving, thats when it does its best work. Also, and this is just me, but after the first few times using the PC I took the side handle off and put one hand on the top and one the the body and have never gone back, to me much better control and better pressure on the pad. This doesn't work for everyone but it worked for me. You might try it. Keep working at it and mostly have fun. Ask all the questions you need to.
Mark

[Marc08EX]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips


For removing swirls and other defects, you want 3-5 pounds. You want to start with just the weight of the polisher, and then push down until you hear the motor engage or bog down. For your secondary polish, you want to use less pressure, but more than the weight of the machine. For applying pure polishes and all waxes but cleaner/waxes, you want light pressure, just a little more than the weight of the machine.

Mike

Mike,

Hey! How are you doing? I was just wondering about how 3-5 pounds of pressure looks like.. Is it like this:


I was just wondering since you said that you should push down until you hear the motor engage or bog down. But you said in the garage life's detailing day that you don't want to push too hard that you can hear the motor bog down. Image is shown here:


Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Bri
I was just wondering since you said that you should push down until you hear the motor engage or bog down. But you said in the garage life's detailing day that you don't want to push too hard that you can hear the motor bog down.

Thanks!

You need to use some common sense. When you apply pressure to the head of the G-100, even a little it will begin to bog the motor down, but just a little. Add a little more pressure and it will bog down a little more, add more pressure and it will bog down even more. I use the reference 3, 4, or 5 pounds of pressure as a guide. If you apply more than that, you will really bog the motor down too much and probably harm your finish.

Do you own a G-100?

If not, you should consider purchasing one and then practicing with it. That way you will have some real-life experience.

Mike

[00Monte]

Mark,

Thanks for the encouragement. Toward the end of my first round, I started trying to slow down like you are talking about - almost not moving at all. I think that is when I started seeing the best results. I also am certain I was using too much product. Next time I am going to cut back on the product and SLOW DOWN. I need to get the #9 before I try again though.

I will get pics this time so you guys can see the results. I may take pics in the process too if something looks out of sorts and maybe of how much product I am using etc...

Don

[Marc08EX]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
You need to use some common sense. When you apply pressure to the head of the G-100, even a little it will begin to bog the motor down, but just a little. Add a little more pressure and it will bog down a little more, add more pressure and it will bog down even more. I use the reference 3, 4, or 5 pounds of pressure as a guide. If you apply more than that, you will really bog the motor down too much and probably harm your finish.

Do you own a G-100?

If not, you should consider purchasing one and then practicing with it. That way you will have some real-life experience.

Mike

Yes, I do own a G-100 and I just wanted to know the facts and be sure about it. I've already detailed 3 cars with the proper steps for a full detail job.

So, does 3-5lbs of pressure look like this?


I was just asking since I didn't know how it really felt like as I don't want to apply to light of a pressure nor too much.