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Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

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  • #1

    Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

    Hello everybody. First post here but I can already say I have learned quite a bit just reading around. I'll go ahead and apologize for the long post but wanted to make sure I get everything out.

    I am not new to the whole clay, waxing, etc but I am new to the world of the DA polisher. I will be picking one up this week to detail my truck and the wife's car. I'll probably get either a Griot's DA or Porter Cable (whichever one I can get the cheapest) but leaning more towards the Griot's since it's a little more powerful and comes with the 6" backing plate. The vehicles I will be detailing are:

    2008 Silverado CC in Graystone Metallic
    2005 Audi A4 in Dark Green Metallic

    I have always clayed and waxed by hand but never applied any polish and never applied anything with a DA. My detailing set-up that I'm thinking about is as follows:

    DA Polisher
    Mequiar's Ultimate Polish
    Meguiar's Ultimate Wax (I also have a bottle of Deep Crystal Carnauba left)
    Meguiar's Clay Kit
    Pads: Will probably use Meguiar's Yellow and black pads (6.5" Soft Buff) since I can get them here locally. Thought about also going with Lake Country White and Black/Grey pads as well

    The wife's car has some slight swirl marks but nothing too deep. You can't see them from a distance but when you get close you can see them. I don't think it will require compound, just some polish. Is the UP the way to go or should I go with the Deep Crystal Polish? After the polish, follow up with a wax and should be good to go?

    As for my truck with it being the gray (not really dark but not as light as silver), I can't really tell if there are many swirls. I'm sure they are there they are just hard to see. Let's say that there are not swirls. If I were to apply the UP with there being no swirl marks, will it cause swirls? If there are swirls, I assume that I can use the UP followed with a wax to get it rid of the swirls and be good to go?

    Here is the method I plan to follow:

    Wash
    Clay
    Ultimate Polish
    Ultimate Wax (or Deep Crystal Carnaube since I have some left)

    Will the above method and products work well on my vehicles? I don't want to cause more swirl marks by using the UP or the DCP if either vehicles don't need it. Since these are daily drivers (and my truck sees use as a truck) I'm just looking for some good protection and some good shine and luster from the paint. I try to keep both washed once a week but sometimes that doesn't happen.

    Again, sorry for the long post but after reading through countless threads here and on Autogeek.net, I think I might have overloaded myself.

    Thanks guys!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

    I have always clayed and waxed by hand but never applied any polish and never applied anything with a DA. My detailing set-up that I'm thinking about is as follows:

    DA Polisher
    Mequiar's Ultimate Polish
    Meguiar's Ultimate Wax (I also have a bottle of Deep Crystal Carnauba left)
    Meguiar's Clay Kit
    Pads: Will probably use Meguiar's Yellow and black pads (6.5" Soft Buff) since I can get them here locally. Thought about also going with Lake Country White and Black/Grey pads as well
    Sounds good. May want UC on your shelf if you want a stronger cleaner. Having a cleaner/wax on hand for a quicker detail can be nice. Also can consider #205 instead of UP.

    The wife's car has some slight swirl marks but nothing too deep. You can't see them from a distance but when you get close you can see them. I don't think it will require compound, just some polish. Is the UP the way to go or should I go with the Deep Crystal Polish? After the polish, follow up with a wax and should be good to go?
    DC Polish has no cleaning/swirl removal ability, so that wont help. Will end up with UP or UC.

    Yea, UP then wax. 2 coats is usually recommended.

    As for my truck with it being the gray (not really dark but not as light as silver), I can't really tell if there are many swirls. I'm sure they are there they are just hard to see. Let's say that there are not swirls. If I were to apply the UP with there being no swirl marks, will it cause swirls? If there are swirls, I assume that I can use the UP followed with a wax to get it rid of the swirls and be good to go?
    Well, if UP is strong enough to remove the swirls, then yes, it would remove them. Assuming good technique and everything.

    If something stronger like UC is needed, then no it wouldnt remove them.

    Here is the method I plan to follow:

    Wash
    Clay
    Ultimate Polish
    Ultimate Wax (or Deep Crystal Carnaube since I have some left)

    Will the above method and products work well on my vehicles?
    Yes.

    I try to keep both washed once a week but sometimes that doesn't happen.
    Be sure to get some Ult. Quick Wax for after future washes.
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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    • #3
      Re: Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

      Thanks, Murr.

      I already have some Quick Wax so I've got that covered. I don't think either one will need UC (I def know my truck won't) but I might pick some up to have one hand just in case.

      Since the DC Polish does not have any cleaning/swirl removal ability; can/should I use that instead of the UP on my truck if there are no swirls since I won't need the swirl correction? I know I'll need the UP/205 on my wife's car though.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

        You will still likely want the cleaning ability to remove dirt and whatnot, so still better than the DC Polish.
        2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

          Well I can't get the Griot's until the 7th because none of the Advances carry them in stock and have to order it. I can get the PC 7346 locally at Lowe's for less than the Griot's. If I can get the pads this week I'm going to pick that one up so I can detail this weekend.

          From everything that I've researched (on here and other places), the 7346 is exactly the same as the 7424XP. The only difference is that it comes with both the polishing pad and a sanding disk and a 6" counterweight. I plan on using a 6" pad so the 6" counterweight might actually work better than the 5" counterweight that comes with the 7424XP.

          This PC should be good to use for detailing? I might get the PC and detail this weekend and then order the Griot's and return the PC when it comes in.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

            Just a couple quick comments:
            Do NOT use that polishing pad that comes with the Porter-Cable. It is good for one thing only. You can buy a microfiber "bonnet" for product removal. However, in three years I've only done that once. I've never worried about counterweights and I use a variety of backing plates and pads from 7" to 3". I suppose if I did, the Porter-Cable might run a little smoother. Finally, I have one of each Porter-Cable and cannot, nor do I try, to tell the difference in my hands. Usually have one with one size backing plate and pad and the other with a different sized plate and pad.

            In most cases, you will not need speed 6. It is really tough on pads. A lot of heat is generated in the hook and loop interface.

            You will so love having a PC, especially on the crew cab truck!!

            "fishing for swirls in a sea of black"
            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
            David

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

              Originally posted by Mossyoakglock View Post
              I might get the PC and detail this weekend and then order the Griot's and return the PC when it comes in.
              Is it just me or does this seem a rather liberal use of a return policy?

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Is this the right course of action and detailing set-up?

                Originally posted by wifpd4 View Post
                Just a couple quick comments:
                Do NOT use that polishing pad that comes with the Porter-Cable. It is good for one thing only. You can buy a microfiber "bonnet" for product removal. However, in three years I've only done that once. I've never worried about counterweights and I use a variety of backing plates and pads from 7" to 3". I suppose if I did, the Porter-Cable might run a little smoother. Finally, I have one of each Porter-Cable and cannot, nor do I try, to tell the difference in my hands. Usually have one with one size backing plate and pad and the other with a different sized plate and pad.

                In most cases, you will not need speed 6. It is really tough on pads. A lot of heat is generated in the hook and loop interface.

                You will so love having a PC, especially on the crew cab truck!!
                I was planning on getting a new backing plate when I pick it up since it only comes with the polishing pad and the sanding disk. I guess if I feel the 6" counterweight doesn't feel right I can always buy the 5" counterweight. They are not that much anyways.

                From what I've gathered I'll used speed 4-5 for applying the polish and then speeds 2-3 for applying the wax. Does that sound about right?

                Comment

                • #9
                  Make sure you apply no more then 5 IBS of pressure when doing paint correction else you will prematurely wear out your yellow buff pad.

                  I admit I was intimidated buying lake country pads because they had so many. Meguiars makes it simple. Black and yellow pad.

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