Taking a week to get everything done

[Selectchoice]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

Is the Ultimate Polish the polish I should use?

What pad should I use for the ColorX?

I wouldn't worry about using colorX. The pics you posted make me believe it is too mild a product to remove a lot of the marks your paint has.

SwirlX is where I would begin. If your paint is soft it may be all you will need- and the only way to know how any paint will respond is by testing a particular product on a small area. If SwirlX isn't doing the job, then step up to Ultimate Compound and test again.

Ultimate Polish is a good product to use after Ultimate Compound- but only if you find Ultimate Compound leaves any marring or haziness behind on the panel you're working on. You may not need to use it. Try it out first on your test spot.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

It was actually 93-01, but mine is a '99. Yes, very fair statement. I used to keep it clean and stuff, but until recently I didn't realize that my method of washing the car was horrible. And, yes, there is no such thing as perfection, and I am not trying to get there, but what you are describing above, if the condition I would love to bring it to. Thanks

OK, so the car is 12 years old and recently hasn't been given the love it used to get. Sounds like your expectations are right where they should be, and we know you can get the car back to that point. No doubt a buffer is going to help tremendously in this endeavor, though.

From your other post just above the one we've quoted here, it sure sounds like you now have a plan of attack laid out - a good and proper plan at that. One quick note regarding the article on delicate paint: at the time that article was written we did not yet have Ultimate Polish in our lineup, so ColorX was used to remove the light hazing on that delicate paint. You will likely find Ultimate Polish will do an even better job, so rather than buying both ColorX and UP, stick with the UP.

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

OK, so the car is 12 years old and recently hasn't been given the love it used to get. Sounds like your expectations are right where they should be, and we know you can get the car back to that point. No doubt a buffer is going to help tremendously in this endeavor, though.

From your other post just above the one we've quoted here, it sure sounds like you now have a plan of attack laid out - a good and proper plan at that. One quick note regarding the article on delicate paint: at the time that article was written we did not yet have Ultimate Polish in our lineup, so ColorX was used to remove the light hazing on that delicate paint. You will likely find Ultimate Polish will do an even better job, so rather than buying both ColorX and UP, stick with the UP.

OK Thanks!

So one more question. Someone here had recommended that after I have things fixed in my car, my future details should be, Wash, ColorX, Wax. Do you recommend that I should do wash, UP, UW instead for future details then?

Also, the PC D/A is a 6inch D/A, but the in the article they used w8207 and w9207, which are 7 inch pads. Will those work on the D/A I am purchasing? Will other sizes also work, like 6.5 or 8 inch pads? Thanks again.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

So one more question. Someone here had recommended that after I have things fixed in my car, my future details should be, Wash, ColorX, Wax. Do you recommend that I should do wash, UP, UW instead for future details then?

You already have Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax and NXT Tech Wax 2.0 Paste - our goal is not to have you go out and purchase two more waxes (ColorX and UW) but to get your car in shape and keep it that way. So we'd recommend using Ultimate Polish as needed, and waxing every 3 months or so with the NXT Paste.

Also, the PC D/A is a 6inch D/A, but the in the article they used w8207 and w9207, which are 7 inch pads. Will those work on the D/A I am purchasing? Will other sizes also work, like 6.5 or 8 inch pads? Thanks again.

There are a couple of ways you can go here. The D/A you're looking at comes with a backing plate that will work with our earlier W8006/W9006 pads or with the Lake Country Pads if you're so inclined. If you want to go with our W8207/W9207 pads (these are machine washable, the others are not) then we really recommend you pick up our W68DA backing plate for use with them.

[rapport25]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

Looks like a great project. Enjoy!!!. Look forward to your before and after pics. I must admit using a d/a is very addictive

My favourite colour is black to work on. You can really tell that a black car has been detailed.

My neighbour has an e class merc and it is crying out to be detailed. Its covered in swirls and scratches.

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

You already have Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax and NXT Tech Wax 2.0 Paste - our goal is not to have you go out and purchase two more waxes (ColorX and UW) but to get your car in shape and keep it that way. So we'd recommend using Ultimate Polish as needed, and waxing every 3 months or so with the NXT Paste.

There are a couple of ways you can go here. The D/A you're looking at comes with a backing plate that will work with our earlier W8006/W9006 pads or with the Lake Country Pads if you're so inclined. If you want to go with our W8207/W9207 pads (these are machine washable, the others are not) then we really recommend you pick up our W68DA backing plate for use with them.

Well the NXT Tech wax is not mine, so I have to return it to the friend I borrowed it from. I tried to see if that would bring back the shine on the part where I used the UC. So I'll buy the Ultimate wax.

I'll just buy the older pads because that backing plate for the w9207/8207 is like $30! If I buy the W8006/W9006 I do not need to buy anything extra correct? And what is the advantage/disadvantage of the lake country pads?

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

Looks like a great project. Enjoy!!!. Look forward to your before and after pics. I must admit using a d/a is very addictive

My favourite colour is black to work on. You can really tell that a black car has been detailed.

My neighbour has an e class merc and it is crying out to be detailed. Its covered in swirls and scratches.

Thanks! I do intend on taking pics along the way! I might even do a little testing on a old beat up truck before I do it on my car. I can't wait to start! This is all so new to me, I feel like I am asking so many stupid questions, but hey, you gotta start somewhere.

[Murr1525]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

Definatley do a test spot/area. As the bumper with the UC showed, dont want to make an error and repeat over the whole vehicle.

And yeah, the ColorX was mentioned in general before you had mentioned other products you had.

You can always look into other products in the future as time/budget allows.

But it will certainly be more enjoyable to work with a machine in that situation.

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

A few more questions!

For the wheels and tires, what do you guys recommend for detailing those?

Engine detailing?

Trim pieces on the outside of the car?

Is the Ultimate protectant a good choice for the interior?

I also have the Gold class leather stuff and lexol leather stuff, opinions on those?

Finally (for now) masking tape for the car for trim pieces and the paint, I see that there is Meguiar's brand tape, but does it really matter what tape I use?

Thanks!

[Murr1525]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

1. Wheels and Tires: I like to use APC for tires and wheel wells, and the Aluminum Wheel Wash for the wheels.

2. Engine: I just wipe around a bit, have to get osme other advice there.

3. Trim: Soap is fine for cleaning, or APC if a deeper cleaning is needed. Then Ultimate Protectant to dress.

4. Interior: Its ok, the new spray may work better inside.

5. Leather: Well, Meguiars of course.....

6. Tape: You would want the 3M Blue Painters Tape otherwise.

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

Are all microfibers pretty much the same? I have like a big pack that I got from Sam's Club, is that ok for wiping the wax off and what not, or should I invest in the supreme one's from meguiar's? Or even the ultimate one?

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

You guys didn't tell me that the wax was not on my shopping list! Completely forgot to order it!

I'm just waiting for my items to come in now, I'll start posting updates when I begin the project!

[Murr1525]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

30,000 of us cant catch everything....

As far as towels, some are definitely better than others. I have some blue ones that came from a Costco or Sams Club, and they seem nice.

But I have enough Supreme Shines for my paint.

ADS sells some inexpensive MF towels that people seem to like.

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

So my stuff is supposed to arrive today, and UPS usually comes to my house at 11am, and it's 6pm and they still have not showed up. I have been waiting all day for it to be able to wash my car and get the process started. I wanted to wash and clay my car today.

But while I waited, I took the wheels off, washed them and the wheel wells, and vacuumed, steam cleaned, shampooed the carpet, cleaned and conditioned the leather, and put on some ultimate protectant.

Ultimate protectant is absolutely amazing. I love it, it's a very light gloss finish and just looks really awesome!

Some pics below of the progress. The pictures don't look that good, but in person it looks better!

[zobie02]

Re: Taking a week to get everything done

Help! I bought the Porter Cable Polisher 7346sp and the w8006 and w9006 pads, and I don't understand how they will attach. The pads use velcro but the polisher has a polishing pad or a sticker system...

I thought I didn't need any extra parts if I got this polisher