Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

[Bster13]

Hello, I'm a newb who is trying to get his learn on....I've got the PC, the Edge2k adapter, clay, detailing spray, a wax/sealant of my choice, etc. etc. but now I need polishing/compunding products for the wknd warrior I am looking to work on my car and friends.

I'm going w/ Meguiar's line of products. I want to know what are the core polishes/compounds I "need" given the existing pads and new Porter Cable 7424XP I have. The thought is I can use one polish for multiple uses with the pads I have. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I found this post listing the Meguiar's product line, listed from heavy to light cutting ability: archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31644&page=2

And here is a post trying to line up the various manufacturer's pads cutting ability: autopia.org/forum/machine-polishing/101750-meg-s-pad-v-s-lc-pad.html

Here are the pads I have:

Edge 2000 White Foam Pad

Edge 2000 Yellow Durafoam pad

Edge 2000 Green Durafoam pad

Red Edge Wave Finishing Foam Pad

Edge Blue Duraform Pad

I hear a lot about M105/205, but is that all the "core" polishing products I need? What else?

Also, I'd like to buy in at least 32oz bottles for the economical choice. How long can these products be stored? Do they need to be "room temperature?" out of an unheated garage in the winter?

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated!

[Bster13]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Well, I had to pull the trigger due to a Memorial Day sale, so if anyone sees any holes for a wknd warrier, please let me know. Thanks!

Meguiar's #21 2.0 Synthetic Sealant 64oz.
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 32oz
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 32oz
Meguiar's #3 Machine Polish

[Murr1525]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

#105 and #205 will cover about everything. May want a cleaner/wax to deal with friends quickly.

Might have picked #7 instead of #3.

A UQW would be great.

And of course interior, wheels, tires, metal, glass, etc, etc....

[Mary S]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Welcome to MOL!

Sorry that you post got lost. It is probably because most people here aren't familiar with the Edge pads.

It looks like you've done a great job of researching.

I am repeating your 2 links:

Comparison cutting ability of different manufacturer's pads



Nice reference! I didn't know about that one.

Order of aggressiveness of Meguiar's products

And here is another helpful one

Order of agressiveness of Meguiar's SMAT (super microabrasive technology) products


Basically, as far as compounds/polishes are concerned, you chose correctly. With at least 3 levels of aggressiveness in the pads that you have and 1 compound (105) and 1 polish (205), you should be able to get the level of aggressiveness you need for any situation by varying the pad, the compound/polish, the speed on the PC, and the amount of pressure you apply, and you can also vary the number of passes. And both 105 and 205 can be applied by hand if needed in a small area (best used with a foam applicator).

As you have probably read, always start with the least aggressive method first, and then raise it as needed, so you don't remove more paint than you have to. Once you have gotten a test spot with the results you want, you can do the rest of the car with the system you came up with.

Another all-in-one you might consider in addition to the cleaner wax is:

Meguiar's D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream

As you can see, this vendor sells his own sample sizes of most Meguiar's products which are not available in these sizes elsewhere.

This is a very good product, and again, you should be able to get a pretty good range of cutting ability by varying the pad or the other factors I mentioned.

If you get any hazing from using your medium or light cutting pads on your PC, which you may or may not, don't panic, just follow with a polishing pad with 205 and it should take it right out.

As far as shelf life is concerned, I don't know the answer to that question, perhaps someone else here can help. I bought the 32 ounce sizes too so I'd be interested in the answer too.

Again, welcome to MOL!

[Bster13]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Thanks Mary. For shelf life, I was told "up to two years" by a vendor over the phone and Meguiar's FAQ (http://www.meguiars.com/faq/index.cf...ection=_22#_22) states:

You can typically expect Meguiar's surface care formulations to retain their full effectiveness for three to five years, as long as the container has been sealed tightly, and has not been frozen.
Always shake Meguiar's liquid products well before using, especially if they have been sitting for an extended period of time.

Can you guys clarify something for me?

Are cleaner waxes (removes slight imperfections and then protects) and cleaner polishes (removes slight imperfections and then beautifies) just quick ways to get a result in an all-in-one product?

The way I see it, with my 105/205 combo, I can get a nice mirror finish by using various pads and varying pressure on my PC. Then I have a #3 Machine Glaze to really make it pop, and then #21 Sealant to protect it. I feel like I "got it covered" for the most part. I mean look a this example, to my newb eyes, the 105/205 combo produced a mirror finish and I would just need sealant now (not even #3 perhaps):

www detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/polishing-how-to-with-meguiars-m105-m205/ *(Add a period after www and copy and paste into your browser to view the link)

I don't think Cleaner Polishes and/or Cleaner Waxes will do anything for me, other than speed up the process of removing light imperfections and then beautifying and then protecting. The cutting ability of a cleaner wax or a cleaner polish is at a M205 or less, and then I have #3 and #21 toe beautify and protect, right?

[Shawn T.]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Actually, D151 PRC is more aggressive than M205. It is also more aggressive than Swirlx.

[Bster13]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Ah, then most likely too aggressive for my skill level at this time. Can you comment on my thought on "cleaner" products? Thanks!

[Mary S]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Thanks Mary. For shelf life, I was told "up to two years" by a vendor over the phone and Meguiar's FAQ (http://www.meguiars.com/faq/index.cf...ection=_22#_22) states:

Can you guys clarify something for me?

Are cleaner waxes (removes slight imperfections and then protects) and cleaner polishes (removes slight imperfections and then beautifies) just quick ways to get a result in an all-in-one product?

The way I see it, with my 105/205 combo, I can get a nice mirror finish by using various pads and varying pressure on my PC. Then I have a #3 Machine Glaze to really make it pop, and then #21 Sealant to protect it. I feel like I "got it covered" for the most part. I mean look a this example, to my newb eyes, the 105/205 combo produced a mirror finish and I would just need sealant now (not even #3 perhaps):

www detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/polishing-how-to-with-meguiars-m105-m205/ *(Add a period after www and copy and paste into your browser to view the link)

I don't think Cleaner Polishes and/or Cleaner Waxes will do anything for me, other than speed up the process of removing light imperfections and then beautifying and then protecting. The cutting ability of a cleaner wax or a cleaner polish is at a M205 or less, and then I have #3 and #21 toe beautify and protect, right?

I apologize if I may have confused things with the mention of PCR (D151) and cleaner wax, because I had the impression you wanted to have an all-in-one product to use for faster details for friends under some circumstances, and for some reason I thought you had bought a cleaner wax. You are right, what you have is totally self-sufficient for doing a total correction and protection.

This link shows where D151 falls on the lineup of aggressiveness.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40514&highlight=order+aggressiveness+smat

Some of our professional detailers who show pictures and examples of their work have shown surprisingly awesome transformations with the use of just D151. Considering where it falls in the lineup of SMAT products, somewhere between 105 and 205, and yet it is actually quite a bit more economical than either of these, plus it has the added benefit of giving wax protection in the same step, it is worth thinking about trying this out at some point. You can certainly do without it, do all your touch up details with 205 and add the sealant in a separate step, but this adds another option, one you might use for detailing for a friend or a customer when they don't want the full works.

We also have people who use it for the correction and then also add a wax layer on top of it. I couldn't figure out why this made sense at first, except if you look at not only the time saving but the economics of this product.

Hopefully, for your own car, once you detail it to perfection, you will be able to keep it that way by taking really good care of it, but if it eventually needed a boost, a cleaner wax might be the way to go.

I hope that lessens the confusion of my prior post.

[Bster13]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Ok, so above and beyond my M105/205 combo, a cleaner wax or D151 can work when time is of the essence. I appreciate the clarification...happy detailing this wknd everyone.

I'm headed here:

http://www.greenwichconcours.com/Main.htm

[Shawn T.]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Another interesting fact about D151....since it was made for high production shops, it actually leaves some protection even when immediately wiped off. Of course, you will achieve the best protection when left to haze but its just another interesting fact.

[Murr1525]

Re: Newb trying to get outfitted w/ the polishes I "need."

Just incase it wasnt mentioned (lots of info above), you will tend to get the best defect removal with a cleaner or cleaner/polish product, such as SwirLX, 105/205, #80, etc.

But they leave no protection behind.

The cleaner/wax type products (Cleaner/Wax, ColorX, #6, #66, D151) will leave some protection behind. So for some people, they are an entire detail, for a lot of us here, it is a quick way cover a few steps, and then use a regualr wax after to really finish it off nicely.