Looking for Advice

[VinnieZ]

Hey guys...I am new here and I was hoping to get some advice on products/detailing. I drive a blue 2002 Ford Explorer.

I used to work for a Mercedes dealership when I was in college (just graduated last year) so I have done some detailing (with light buffering). We used to use Ardex products but I dont think they are widely available to the public and I cant really see how to match everything up.

First, I was hoping to get some advice on products to purchase.

I have always wanted to get my own buffer. Back at Mercedes, we used to use a Rotary buffer, but it looks like an orbital buffer would be the way to go since I am not THAT experienced with a Rotary buffer. I was looking at either the Meguiars G100 on their website or this deal for a Porter Cable kit with all the pads (www autogeek.net/hk7424.html). What does everyone think?

Second, what chemicals do people recommend? I am going to get a new clay bar (the one I have is pretty old). Does the Meguiars kit come with lubricant spray? Or do you have to purchase that separately?

We used to use this compound called 3 (made by Ardex) and then finish it off with a polisher called B, then wax. I wanted to try to follow a similar process as the cars used to turn out great. What chemcials would be good to use with the Rotary buffer?

I believe I have all the interior products that I need. However, what do you guys recommend for a cloth interior? Anything special from Meguiars or just your basic interior foam and scrub?

If you can think of anything that I am missing, I would really appreciate a heads up! Thanks for your help guys!

[jmakado]

Re: Looking for Advice

Alright, that is actually a very complex question as it depends a lot on the condition of the paint and what you are trying to get done. That being said, the new SMAT products make suggestions a lot easier as you can actually control the cut of the product a lot more than you could before. Also, do you have a Wal-Mart local to you? If so, then get the Smooth Surface clay kit. It includes clay, lube, a SS towel, and a sample of cleaner wax. Cleaner Wax is great on things like wheels, chrome, etc.

For your polishing needs I would suggest a kit from ADS. Since you are starting from scratch it will be the most cost effective way to get everything you need. I did some looking for you and this is what I would suggest:

http://autodetailingsolutions.net/g110-kit-2.html

That includes just about everything you will need to get started polishing. Pick up some Ultimate Compound while you are at Wal-Mart getting your clay kit and you will be good to go.

Now go to the hot topics and how to section of this forum and read, read, read. The amount of knowledge you can learn here will amaze you.

[VinnieZ]

Re: Looking for Advice

jmakado, that ADS deal looks great! I am going to order that and I will stop by Walmart tonight to check out what they have.

After I get everything, I intend to do a full detail on my explorer.

I have a question about glass. Back at Mercedes, we used to put our Ardex window cleaner on the windows, and go over them with steel wool. Is that safe to do?

First, I intend to give the car a really good cleaning. I have really good wheel acid (Eagle One) for the tires. After that, I am going to clay the car, then attempt to buff with the G110. Can you explain to me the different pads? I never fully understood that. Also what chemicals should I be using? the ultra finishing polish that came with the kit? and is that it? No other chemicals?

I was thinking about buying #83 Maguiars BSP Dual Action Cleaner/Polish to use with the buffer. What are your thoughts?

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Looking for Advice

On your trip to WalMart, also pick up a bottle of NXT 2.0. This is a sealant wax that you would want to apply after the 205 polish treatment. On top of that you can apply your favorite wax. Meguiars makes an excellent wax called Yellow Tech Wax (M26) available at Pep Boys, Autozone, Kragen, etc, or Gold Class Wax (again at WalMart). You may also want to pick up Ultimate Quik Detailer to maintain your finish between washes. Although we keep mentioning WalMart, all of these products are also available from automotivedetailingsolutions as well. If you order enough gear from ADS, you get a free Meguiars duffel bag.

[jmakado]

Re: Looking for Advice

Yellow pad is for polishing. It has little cut on it's own but with the Ultimate Compound you are going to get at Wal-Mart it actually can do a fair amount of correction. The black pad is a finishing pad. It has no cut on it's own but with the M205 polish that comes with the kit it has some minor correction ability and a ton of finish polish potential. The key is to do a test spot after you have the car washed and clayed. Try different combos between your pads and polishes until you get the results you are after. With just two different pads and two different polishes your job of finding what works is going to be pretty easy.

So here is a reference for you:

Pads:
Yellow is for polishing/defect removal
Black is for final polishing/finishing

Polishes:
Ultimate compound is for polishing/defect removal
M205 is for final polishing/finishing

If you take some time to read through this forum you will see that these pads and polishes can be used in different combos to get different results. But for now it's best just to keep it simple.

Step 1. Ultimate Compound with the yellow pad
Step 2. M205 with the black pad
Step 3. Finish up with a coat or two of your favorite wax. NXT is great!


Again, I strongly suggest that you read through the Hot Topics and How To forums on here as they will answer a lot of the questions you are going to have about using the machine and products to get the best results.

[jmakado]

Re: Looking for Advice

If you order enough gear from ADS, you get a free Meguiars duffel bag.

The duffel comes with the G110 kit I mentioned earlier.

[CieraSL]

Re: Looking for Advice

I'm somewhat familiar with Ardex products, since we used to use them at the Honda dealership where I work before we switched over to Auto Magic. Did you first compound with 3000 Plus, follow it up with Seal-B, and then wax? I think that was your process. Why were you using steel wool on the glass? If they're rough you can just clay them as you would the rest of the car. Also, I would not recommend using an acid-based wheel cleaner for regular wheel cleaning. That would be fine for an initial cleaning to remove excessive brake dust and grime, but for regular cleaning you are better off to go with a product like Meguiar's All Wheel Cleaner. Runs $5 at Wal-Mart. Some links for you to read through:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle simplified

List of Links 2.0

Hope this helps! By the way, to MOL!

[VinnieZ]

Re: Looking for Advice

Hey guys...I went ahead with my detail without the buffer (going to wait till I have a little more money saved). I spent a good 8 hours working on it. I did a good wash with a power washer. I then clayed the car with the Maguires Surface Kit (the paint felt great after that) and then I applied NXT 2.0. I was so happy with the way everything turned out.

One question I did have though, my explorer looks like this:


This is not my explorer, but same color.

What do you recommend for cleaning the gray plastic panels at the bottom? I got a little bit of wax on them in a few spots and in some spots, it has what looks like oil stains.

Thanks for your help!

[VinnieZ]

Re: Looking for Advice

Any advice?

[CieraSL]

Re: Looking for Advice

Gold Class Trim Detailer or Supreme Shine would probably be your best bet

[Alex C.]

Re: Looking for Advice

GC Trim Detailer, Black Wow, Supreme Shine Protectant and All Season Dressing come to mind. Supreme Shine would probably be the easiest to find locally.

Edit: Ciera beat me to the GC trim

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Looking for Advice

For dressing plastic and rubber, check this out...

G10810 Gold Class Trim Detailer