Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

[elocon]

Hi there everyone. I have been doing a lot of research on here for the past few days, and really like everyone's positive attitude. I was hoping that you could check my process to see if I'm heading in the right direction.

My main goal before doing any research was just to get rid of wash swirls and holograms. But, I got hooked after looking at so many before/after pictures, and decided to create a whole system. I will be working with a Porter Cable 7424 and lake country pads.

This is the process I thought might work:
Step 1:

Wash 2 Bucket Method

Step 2:

Claybar

Step 2b:

M205 on white polishing pad

Step 2b Option 2:

M83 on white polishing pad

Step 3:

Polish - #7 on white polishing pad

Step 4:

Protect - #26 on gray finishing pad

I read that 205 works like magic, and I could try using that first before moving up to the more aggressive 83.

I'm on a budget, and only ordered one white polishing pad. Is there going to be a large problem with cross-contamination? Should I just "clean them on the fly" before moving to the next polish?

How does this all sound?
Thank you

[Carfire]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

Welcome to Meguiars Online!!
To me it sounds good.
205 does work like magic.
If you do end up using 83 do not forget to go back and use 205
Good Luck

[elocon]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

Welcome to Meguiars Online!!
To me it sounds good.
205 does work like magic.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

If you do end up using 83 do not forget to go back and use 205
Good Luck

Oh! I didn't know I had to do that. Thanks for filling me in.

[Megafast13]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

I would do M83 before M205. Or do M205-M83-M205 like he said ^.

Most Agressive>>>To>>> Least Agressive But always use the least aggressive to get the job done.

If I were you I wouldn't just clean the pad on the fly. I would do the car on the M83 and then wash and dry the pad then go back and do M205. They are different products and I don't think they should be mixed IMO.

Try M205 on a test spot, if you like those results than there is no need for the M83.

[Carfire]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!


I do not know your financial situation, but the best thing is to get 2 different pads, one for each compound/polish.
I do not think 205 and 83 should be mixed together, especially since 205 is a finishing polish and a more aggressive compound.

[Megafast13]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

Down the road, you really want to have at least 2 Polishing Pads and 1 Finishing Pad.

If you wait, you can make your job a lot easier/faster.

[akimel]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

Elocon, I think Carfire and Megafast are right. You need more than one polishing pad. In fact, if you are going to use two different polishes, you will probably need at least four polishing pads. First off, you do not want to apply two different abrasove polishes with the same pad, at least not without washing and drying it in between. Second, when your pad becomes saturated, despite repeated cleaning on the fly, you will want to switch to a fresh pad. I think that the experienced detailers will attest that they employ several pads in the course of polishing a car. Start saving your pennies!

[Murr1525]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

You could also apply your pure polish by hand. It isnt the most intense step.

[akimel]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

You could also apply your pure polish by hand. It isnt the most intense step.

I've never applied #7 with a machine. I've just assumed that given its oily nature that it would be best to apply it by hand.

Does anyone have experience applying #7 with a D/A polisher? I presume one would use a finishing pad at speed 3 or so. Does that sound right?

[elocon]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

Thanks everyone for your help/advice!

Just to clarify, I should first start off with the 205 and do a test spot. If i like those results, I should NOT use the 83, right?

If I find that 205 is not enough and that I have to use 83, I should do this: 205-83-205? What is the purpose behind using it in this format?


I will also save my pennies and buy separate pads for different polishes. Thanks!

[Murr1525]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

I recall Mike Ph. saying a polishing pad for the pure polishes.

[Murr1525]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

If I find that 205 is not enough and that I have to use 83, I should do this: 205-83-205? What is the purpose behind using it in this format?

You would only do the test spot/area with #205. If you did not like the results, then you would do a test spot with #83 followed by #205. Then you would do the entire car with #205, or #83 followed by #205.

[elocon]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

You would only do the test spot/area with #205. If you did not like the results, then you would do a test spot with #83 followed by #205. Then you would do the entire car with #205, or #83 followed by #205.

Thank you very much for clarifying.

[elocon]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

After doing a little more reading. I was wondering why people usually use the 105/205 or 83/80 combos? Is there anything wrong with combining the two processes like I am doing in my plan (205/83)?

[Megafast13]

Re: Getting ready to detail for the first time - please check my process!

There is nothing wrong with it, but those "tag Team Duos" work REALLY well together on all paints.

It sounds like you're low on cash, but in the future get the new M105 and a couple more Polishing & Finishing Pads.