Getting started with a DA questions..

[paul.segovich]

Hello all. It's been awhile. I've been lurking a bit more and I think it's just about time to order my 'starters kit' as I'll call it for my new car which I'm picking up in May.
[Christmas money before I blow it on something dumb haha].

As most of you know I've always got a question about one thing or another, so I'm going to lay it all out there.

I'll lay the foundation here. Fairly new to detailing, and I ordered a black car. I don't have any supplies to detail, so I pretty much need to order, or find everything needed. Feel free to edit the list, or offer suggestions where needed.


step 1 - Wash
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

step 2 - Paint cleaning and surface prep
Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner
Smooth Surface® Clay Kit

Step 3 - Polish
Deep Crystal® System Polish

Step 4 - Wax
Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax

Step 5 - maintain
NXT Generation® Speed Detailer

DA G110.
The pads have always confused me. I'm not the best with numbers, but I've found this post...

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38996

According to that I should be able to get away with.. W8207/W9207.
Is that all I'd really need? I should get more than just one of each, right?

Obviously I'll need two buckets, and two grit guards.

Wash mitts anyone? Suggestions? Links?

Microfiber towels come in packs of 3, right? So, 4 packs should cover that, give or take?

Products for the engine bay/wheels/interior? What would be decent to get me started with these? Again, I don't have any products at all yet. So I need to start from scratch..ie. brushes, solvents, towels for drying, applicators, dressings....

You guys have always been so helpful, I really appreciate this. I know this post is all over the place, spanning many topics, that have been covered before but I get lost in the sauce and turned around and just frustrated. I hope this isn't too much of a pain.

Thank you in advance everyone, oh, And Merry Christmas!

-Paul

[searle]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

small point, but for step-2 do 2a-clay followed by 2b cleaner, not the order you listed them.

when you say "new car" do you mean brand-new, or new-to-you (usede). If brand-new, the paint-cleaner probably may not be needed (but wont hurt).

[ziggo99]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

Also, polish has always been an optional step according to Meguiar's. If you still want to, go for it, won't hurt anything. You may want a bottle of something stronger than DC1 around if it doesn't give you what you wanted; maybe a bottle of SwirlX would do. For wheels wells, assuming you're doing everything OTC, I would use foam tire cleaner if not too bad. If it is, a long handle scrub brush and car wash soap will take care of it. For the tires, a good scrubbing will help, followed by a tire gel such as the Gold Class High Endurance and I like to use foam applicators. It'll last longer than the sprays out there. Engine bay...I've used tire foam and it works well. Black Magic came out with a degreaser/dressing foam specifically for engine bays. I saw some at Autozone.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

small point, but for step-2 do 2a-clay followed by 2b cleaner, not the order you listed them.

when you say "new car" do you mean brand-new, or new-to-you (used). If brand-new, the paint-cleaner probably may not be needed (but wont hurt).

Thank you about the step-tip. I'd like to think I just typed it backwards, but who knows haha.

Yes brand-new.

Also, polish has always been an optional step according to Meguiar's. If you still want to, go for it, won't hurt anything. You may want a bottle of something stronger than DC1 around if it doesn't give you what you wanted; maybe a bottle of SwirlX would do. For wheels wells, assuming you're doing everything OTC, I would use foam tire cleaner if not too bad. If it is, a long handle scrub brush and car wash soap will take care of it. For the tires, a good scrubbing will help, followed by a tire gel such as the Gold Class High Endurance and I like to use foam applicators. It'll last longer than the sprays out there. Engine bay...I've used tire foam and it works well. Black Magic came out with a degreaser/dressing foam specifically for engine bays. I saw some at Autozone.

I'll have to check that out when I'm home. Thank you!

[searle]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

I have used Meguiars for years on my previous full-race 96-Camaro-SS and when I sold it 6 weeks ago, with 320,000KM and hundreds of Meguiars waxes, it still was getting compliments about how great it looked:

I just picked up my brand-new car (red again) 5 weeks ago and found that claying was absolutely needed to smooth the finish. I gave it a light paint-cleaner "just-in-case". I believe in glaze-oils ("pure-polish") for an enhanced "wet-look" depth for red or black cars even if they are clear-coated, so I gave it a coat of M07 (DC1 would be fine as well):

In addition to your regular maintenance (wash+QD), I recommend UQW every couple of weeks to re-boost the wax in between full re-waxings (every 6-8 weeks?). That said, I would recommend you redo the clay+cleaner+polish every spring as part of a full detail, and possibly every fall (I do that to prepare for the winter, then 2 coats of NXT-2.0 for maximum winter protection).

During the summer I wax with #26, a carnuba similar to GC. Although in the interest of full-disclosure I personally first wax with NXT20 then top with #26 since I have lots of time and enjoy the process. But, after good initial preparation, GC or NXT or #26 or ... should all do a fine job (depending on what very subtle finish variation most appeals to you).

The extra time for clay+cleaner+glaze once (or twice) a year will give you the difference beweeen a good finish and a great finish. The actual wax you use will have much less affect but will slightly change the finish and they have different protection and water shedding abilities.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

If you haven't already, read through this, I wrote this back in 2007 and northing's changed as far as using correct technique.

Tips & Techniques for using the G110, G100, G220 and the PC Dual Action Polisher


The most important thing to do when first starting out is a Test Spot

How to do a Test Spot

Dial-in your system and prove it works to one small area before going over the entire car.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

Hey thanks both of you. I know that was a super noob post with many very general questions.
The patience the members of this board show, really gains my utmost respect.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

Missed the 5 minute edit window =/ ...

Not to beat a dead horse or anything, and although those threads were extremely helpful, not all of my questions have been answered.
What about the pads I need? Amounts of towels, types of mitts, etc?

Sorry, this christmas money is burning a hole in my pocket and I want to order the stuff haha =/

[searle]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

I have never had to do any serious correction, so all I have is a cheap DA and just have several finishing pads for it (no agressive/cutting pads at all). Given you have a brand-new car, I would think finishing pads is all you need as well. I personally have 3 finishing pads, one for glaze (M07 in my case) which is very messy, one for wax, and one for the spring/fall cleaner (which could have actually been a very slightly more agressive pad).

One wash mitt is probably enough, although 2 would not hurt. More important is to be sure to use the 2 bucket wash method, or worst-case use one bucket with a grit-guard and lots of care. Ideal is probably 2 buckets with grit-guards in both. You could save money and just get a grit-guard for the main first-rinse bucket, but why risk problems with a very small saving.

Get lots of nice (SS) MicroFiber towels. Figure out what you think you will need, then double it.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

Thank you again searle.

[searle]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

... Given you have a brand-new car, I would think finishing pads is all you need as well. I personally have 3 finishing pads, one for glaze (M07 in my case) which is very messy, one for wax, and one for the spring/fall cleaner (which could have actually been a very slightly more agressive pad)...

So, just to be clear, I would think you could get away with two W9207 Finishing pads, and maybe one W8207 Polishing pad. You should also consider a third W9207 Finishing pad for use with cleaners if/when you just need a very mild cleaning (with no correction - which may/should be the typical case if you do careful washing and waxing and create almost no swirls)

[paul.segovich]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

I've sort of assembled a 'wish list' if you will. Gone through taken all of your advice and adjusted my approach now.
I hate to say this is all inclusive. I'll pick up some cheaper terry cloths at the store and the 5 gallon buckets as well. But in general, I think this is about all that I can think of wanting or needing. Asides from the random squirt bottle here and there.
I'm not starting a business or anything, and just plan on working with my car.

I know it's a bit jacked up, and things may not be spelled right or something like that. But hey, I've worked hours on it now haha.

Suggestions? Tips? Opinions? Thoughts?

Thank you again guys. You all rock.


Dual Action Polisher:
G110V2 179.99

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G110V2

Pads:
SoftBuff™ 2.0 Polishing Pad W8207 - 13.99
http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+W8207 x2

SoftBuff™ 2.0 Finishing Pad W9207 - 13.99
http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+W9207 x3


Applicators:
Even Coat™ Microfiber Applicator Pads 3.99 [2pack]
http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+X3080 x2





Tires:

1-Gal Meguiar's D103 All Purpose Cleaner Plus 14.49

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/d10301.html

[Good for wheel wells too]

20 inch brush Montana Original Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush 28.99

http://www.autogeek.net/20inbrmoorbo.html

Meguiar's Spoke Wheel Brush 7.99

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/mespwhbr.html

Swissvax Wheel Brush 11.99

http://www.detailersdomain.com/swissvax-wheelbrush.aspx

Car Wash:

Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner 12.49

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+GOLD+1

Grit guard - 9.99
http://www.gritguard.com/index.php/t...rd-insert.html x2

Mothers Genuine Lambs Wool Wash Mitt = 8.99
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...1825096&sr=1-1 x2





Paint cleaning and surface prep:

Smooth Surface® Clay Kit 19.99

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G1016

Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner 7.49

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+A3016

Polish:

Deep Crystal® System Polish 7.49

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+A2116

Wax:

NXT Generation® Tech Wax® 2.0 17.99

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12718

Maintain:

Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer™ 9.99

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G14422

Misc:

Tire shine:
Gold Class Endurance® High Gloss 7.49

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G7516

Interior:
Gold Class Protectant Wipes 5.99

http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G11500

Drying:
Water Magnet® Microfiber Drying Towel 8.99
http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+X2000 x2

Microfiber Towels
Supreme Shine® Microfiber Towel 3Pack 6.99
http://meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+X2020 x6

[searle]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

The list looks pretty good, but you may have difficulty finding DC1 Paint Cleaner since it has been discontinued in the USA. If you cant find it, then pick up SwirlX which is very slightly more aggressive but still suitable for your limited use (say twice per year using DA, light pressure and lower speeds).

Just F.Y.I., SwirlX was extremely mild, has now been updated to SwirlX-2.0 which is very slightly more agressive but still perfectly suitable for your light use - and can even be used (especially with DA) to correct light swirls.

[paul.segovich]

Re: Getting started with a DA questions..

Thank you again searle for your input. I'll certainly make note of this.
There really wasn't any emotional attachment to the DC1 paint cleaner, so I'm sure that I'll just pick up the SwirlX-2.0 and be done with it.