Number of pads and foam pad or something else for swirlx and polish

[sonicview]

Hi Guys,

I found very good information here on this forum, have few doubts about the procedure, so though to ask you.

I got a preowned black color car, don't know if that was detailed in the past or not so thinking to do it as soon as possible. I already purchased all the meguiars product from walmart, but did not find the applicator, i don't have the rotor and planning to do the whole 5 steps by hand.
My plan is...

1) Wash with NXT Generation Car Wash
2) Use smooth surface clay kit
3) Use SwirlX (as suggested to start with the light stuff before i decide to use the ultimate compound)
4) Use deep crystal system polish
5) NXT generation Tech Wax 2.0

(1) I have everything for wash.
(2) Clay kit have the microfiber towel with that, i also purchased few more for cleaning/removing the swirlx/polish/wax.
(3) I am confuse about the applicator for swirlx and polish, Should i use the Meguiar's soft foam applicator for both? I saw the video, it says to use the soft foam applicator, but will it not gonna ripped apart if i will use it for the swirlx?
(4) Wax came with one soft-foam applicator, don't know if that is enough for the whole car, if not then i have to order some more, is it going to be different soft foam applicator that the one i am suppose to be use for the swirlx/polish.

I have nissam maxima, how many applicator i should use to detail my car one time. I don't think one pad gonna be enough to wax the whole car, any suggestion for number of pads for one car to clean, polish and wax?

When i apply swirlx, how hard i am suppose to push the applicator pad ? Am i suppose to push the pad hard so that it can cut the polish easily?

Do we simply apply and clean the "deep crystal system polish" as shown in the videos or we need to rub the polish for few minutes so that the polish can penetrate inside? All the videos are self explanatory but some how i feel they are for demonstration, and real time will be different than the shown in the video.

Thanks for your time and help

Rick

[Murr1525]

Re: Number of pads and foam pad or something else for swirlx and polish

See Red:

Hi Guys,
i don't have the rotor and planning to do the whole 5 steps by hand.
Doing a lot of swirl removal by hand will be hard, but you can certainly get everything shined up, and then see where it stands. Over time, you may do more defect removal on a panel each day or something. If you are new, a rotary isnt the way you want to go.
My plan is...

1) Wash with NXT Generation Car Wash
2) Use smooth surface clay kit
3) Use SwirlX (as suggested to start with the light stuff before i decide to use the ultimate compound)
4) Use deep crystal system polish
5) NXT generation Tech Wax 2.0

OK, good. Remember two thin coats of wax would be best.

(1) I have everything for wash. 2 buckets, hopefully a Grit Guard, or at least looking into one along the way.
(2) Clay kit have the microfiber towel with that, i also purchased few more for cleaning/removing the swirlx/polish/wax. OK
(3) I am confuse about the applicator for swirlx and polish, Should i use the Meguiar's soft foam applicator for both? I saw the video, it says to use the soft foam applicator, but will it not gonna ripped apart if i will use it for the swirlx?
Well, its not that soft. It will hold up, unless you snag it on emblems or something.
(4) Wax came with one soft-foam applicator, don't know if that is enough for the whole car, if not then i have to order some more, is it going to be different soft foam applicator that the one i am suppose to be use for the swirlx/polish.
Yeah, you'll want at least one applicator per step. Working by hand, you can use one applicator per step, but having some extras is good in case you drop it on the ground, etc. Better to get a clean one, and set the one on the ground aside to be washed. And yeah, usually an online purchase.

I have nissam maxima, how many applicator i should use to detail my car one time. I don't think one pad gonna be enough to wax the whole car, any suggestion for number of pads for one car to clean, polish and wax?

See above. You can buy in a 4-pack I think online, so 2 of those and one in the wax will have you set for a while. They can be washed after use as well.

When i apply swirlx, how hard i am suppose to push the applicator pad ? Am i suppose to push the pad hard so that it can cut the polish easily?

If you are new, this may be a case where you want to do a good basic detail to get started and learn a lot, and then focus on more difficult things like swirl removal, etc next time. You'll just want to think of the SwirlX like a hand lotion, work it in with a little more effort than that at first. Then just build up a little more 'passion' behind the pad if needed. Be sure to hold the pad so you apply the pressure with the undersides of your fingers/palm, not your fingertips.

Do we simply apply and clean the "deep crystal system polish" as shown in the videos or we need to rub the polish for few minutes so that the polish can penetrate inside? All the videos are self explanatory but some how i feel they are for demonstration, and real time will be different than the shown in the video.

Just apply like a hand lotion, wiping with just a little pressure. Do about half a panel, then remove. Same with the SwirlX, do about half a panel, then remove.

As far as the videos, it is pretty simple to do a basic detail. Its the swirl removal where there is more passion, effort, technique, etc.

Rick

[sonicview]

Re: Number of pads and foam pad or something else for swirlx and polish

Thanks Murr1525 for your time and detailed explanation, it helped me alot.

Regarding the pad i have a question, the size of Meguiar's soft foam applicator is small, do they make them in big size too, because i don't see it online. If big size is available then it will make the task easy and fast as compared to small pads.

Also don't you think when we use the swirlx or any cutting compound then it is a good idea to use like 5-10 foam pads applicator for a car, what i thinks that every time when we rub the pad against the car body it will cut a small layer of polish (without that it is not possible to remove the swirl/scratches) so if it will cut then small particles will enter in the pad and then if we use the same pad for the whole car during the cleaning process then those partcals will rub against the body again and again and finally it will make it's own micro scratched, what do you think about this, I really don't know much about the technology behind the pads but as a common man i think so. Please enlighten me in about this.

Thanks
Rick

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Number of pads and foam pad or something else for swirlx and polish

First off, great advice from Murr on all points - but we sort of expect that from him!

As for using multiple pads when hand working to correct a vehicle, it is a good idea to change pads a few times while working on the car. Just as it is with pads on a D/A, you'll start to load up the applicator pads with product and paint. Cleanliness is important so switching to fresh pads every so often is a good idea. Unfortunately there is no set timing for when to switch as that depends on how much correction you're doing. There is only one size available, however, but since you're going to be working in very small areas at a time, a small pad will actually work better for you.

[Murr1525]

Re: Number of pads and foam pad or something else for swirlx and polish

See red

Thanks Murr1525 for your time and detailed explanation, it helped me alot.

Regarding the pad i have a question, the size of Meguiar's soft foam applicator is small, do they make them in big size too, because i don't see it online. If big size is available then it will make the task easy and fast as compared to small pads.

I think there is just the one size of the yellow ones. You really dont want bigger. When working by hand, the part of the pad 'working' is what is under your palm/fingers, so going to a bigger pad wont help that. As far as something like a wax, that just needs spread, maybe it would save a little time, but not enough to worry about.

Here's a case of them:

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/x3070.html

Also don't you think when we use the swirlx or any cutting compound then it is a good idea to use like 5-10 foam pads applicator for a car, what i thinks that every time when we rub the pad against the car body it will cut a small layer of polish (without that it is not possible to remove the swirl/scratches) so if it will cut then small particles will enter in the pad and then if we use the same pad for the whole car during the cleaning process then those partcals will rub against the body again and again and finally it will make it's own micro scratched, what do you think about this, I really don't know much about the technology behind the pads but as a common man i think so. Please enlighten me in about this.

It can be good to change, but I think you'll find the pad is getting a bit dirty, or just dropped, before there would be a loading up of fine paint pigment.And of course if you are just doing gentle cleaning, it wont matter as much. Doing more heavy duty defect removal, clean foam can help.

In contrast, working by machine with a foam pad, the pad adds more cleaning ability, and soaks up some product. So there the surface stops working as well when it is loaded up, and the pad itself gets a bit too heavy to spin well.

Probably a meandering answer, but assuming the car is in good shape, you're going to be fine, dont over think it. Like I mentioned, just change if you drop it, or if you think it is looking a bit too dirty. Or if you want to anyway, its ok...



Thanks
Rick