massaging my black silverado's finish

[racer742]

I'm all for the porter cable DA setup, it just makes me alittle nervous that I'll make it worse with swirls, than better. I could use all the time saving advantages I can get, being a crew cab it takes awhile to do everything. Also do you tape your trim pieces off or just use some of that residue removal stuff??

Adam

[tguil]

Adam,

Just go ahead and buy a Porter Cable PC. It is almost impossible to mess up with it. When I first started using mine, I taped the black trim. Now that I have the hang of it, I usually don't. I just avoid getting close to the trim with the PC and do the close work by hand.

This site (Meguiar's) has excellent advice. Mike and Tim (2hotford) are experts in the use of the PC.

Take a look at this site too. It is about the best single source of information on the PC and its use.

http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=47

I suggest that when you are ready to buy a PC, order a complete PC kit from Mequiar's or Classic Motoring Accessories http://www.properautocare.com/ That way you will have everything you need for a great start.

You have a heck of a lot of truck to keep lookin' good. A PC will make the job fun.

Tom

[racer742]

I'll have to start stashing some extra $$$ on the side, I'v used some air power buffer before on boats and I didnt really care for the way they worked, now that's boats vs. cars so maybe I'll like the way the Porter Cable works, I know lots of people on this board have it so it cant be a bad deal or otherwise no one would recommend it and TONS of people do.

Adam.

P.S. both my parents have black vehicles that I could pratice on.

[gb387]

Originally posted by racer742
I'll have to start stashing some extra $$$ on the side, I'v used some air power buffer before on boats and I didnt really care for the way they worked, now that's boats vs. cars so maybe I'll like the way the Porter Cable works, I know lots of people on this board have it so it cant be a bad deal or otherwise no one would recommend it and TONS of people do.

Adam.

P.S. both my parents have black vehicles that I could pratice on.

Its well worth the $$$. Your are right tons of people recommend them. You can pick one up at Lowe's for about $100 then pick up some pads and backing plate from Meguiars for around $35.00. Don't use the pad that comes with the PC.

No fear on black, I know when I bought my truck I had only used the PC on light colored cars and I was a little concerned when I first tried it on black. I found it worked just as well on black.

[wblynch]

Originally posted by racer742

I'll have to start stashing some extra $$$ on the side,
...P.S. both my parents have black vehicles that I could pratice on.

Adam, Maybe you can convince your parents to finance the polisher in exchange for detailing their cars?

[Mike Phillips]

Just to chime in here,

Hi Adam,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

You've recieved a lot good and helpful advice from some very experienced members of our forum, as mentioned, the dual action polisher is going to give you better results than what you can achieve using your hands and will take a lot of the work out of cleaning, polishing and applying waxes, even removng waxes.

While much of what has been mentioned and recommended has been about removing defects it's vitally important to learn how to prevent instilling swirls and scratches in the first place.

Because you're working on dark colored cars with clear coat finishes, I would recommend looking into purchasing a Grit Guard Insert and a high quality washing mitt.




Meguiar's can show you how to remove swirls, but it's more important to learn how to prevent them in the first place.

Taking ownership of the washing process is a good start. Avoid the mechanical car washes because the brushes can scratch the paint and often times they use a very strong chemicals to clean your car which also strip off any wax protection.

Using a high quality wash mitt with a premium quality car wash will make the job easy and maintain your car's finish. Also using a Grit Guard in your washing bucket will prevent re-introducing dirt and other contaminants you've previously removed back into the washing process.

NXT Car Wash with a Grit Guard in a 5-gallon bucket



The nicest looking finish in the world wont' stay that way if it's not washed carefully.

Mike

[wblynch]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips


Meguiar's can show you how to remove swirls, but it's more important to learn how to prevent them in the first place.

...

The nicest looking finish in the world wont' stay that way if it's not washed carefully.

Mike

GREAT ADVICE !!!

That's why Mike Phillips is "The Man"

[racer742]

Will I still get good results with out a machine untill I get the spare cash to purchase one. Or will it be worse if I do it by hand and then go back at a later date and do it by machine.

Adam.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey racer742

Yes, you will still get decent results by hand. The main thing is that you are taking care of the finish one way or the other! I always enjoyed detailing a finish long before I began using machines to do it! Later on, when you are able to purchase the G-100 or PC, you can then further refine the finish.

Tim

[tguil]

Tim,

Good point. I detailed for over 40 years by hand. It kept me young.

Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Just to add to the discussion...

One of our members purchased a dual action polisher and a few detailing supplies and after buffing out a few friends and neighbor's cars on the side he earned enough money to pay himself back and has gone on to start a part time detailing business...

Just an idea...

Mike

[racer742]

Just a quick question on abbreviation clairification, a G-100 is what Megs offers right? Now what is a PC, I thought it stood for Porter Cable, maybe not thought

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

Sorry about that! The PC is the Porter Cable DA Polisher model 7424 or 7336. The Meguiar's G-100 is essentially the PC but with a Lifetime Warranty.

Tim

[racer742]

Whats the difference between the PC 7424 and 7336 Some one said you can pick one up a lowes for about $100

[gb387]

7424 - This is considered a "Polisher" by Porter-Cable

7336 - This is considered a "Sander" by Porter-Cable

They are the same machine inside and out. I do believe that the 7336 comes with a 6" counter weight and the 7424 comes with a 5" counter weight. It really doesn't matter what counter weight you have with the Meguiars backing plate. I have the 7424 and find it worked fine.

Here is a post with a test of the two counter weights:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3330&highlight=Counter+weight

Here it is at lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=51472-000041735-7336