New Car Advice

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

I agree - get the 5.5 in pads - you'll get much better results on a PC.

As far as which pads, I was referring to Meguiars pads when I said yellow polishing and black finishing pads. Unfortunately the color scheme is not consistent between different foam pad manufacturers. The LC pads which you posted are still very good pads though (I have many myself).

I like to keep it simple - I would just get 3 orange and 3 black LC 5.5in pads. The orange is versatile enough to be used for M205 if you want a little more cleaning/cutting power (as in your case) and also compounds such as M105 / UC. The black is versatile enough for finishing polishes like M205 and also applying wax. Make sure you use a new pad for each new product.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

You have helped but I wanted to pick your brain some more (hope u don't mind)

I wanted to ask how many white pads (with M205) to do one car? Do you go thru all 3 in one detail session? if I have 3 white pads, do I use one for the front hood and fenders, one for the sides, and one for roof and back hood/fender? What speed for the white pads?

Also, when you say clean the pads every other application, I guess that means for every other 2' x 2' section, I will stop, brush out the pad, and then start again?

Could I then use the black pad with a wax and then another black pad with a sealer? For the wax and sealer does having 2 black pads suffice?

What speed setting for all those steps on the PC? Finally, if I do need the orange pad for swirls, what speed is recommended?

I think I'll play it cautious on the orange pad til I feel more comfortable with the PC...

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: New Car Advice

You have helped but I wanted to pick your brain some more (hope u don't mind)

I wanted to ask how many white pads (with M205) to do one car? Do you go thru all 3 in one detail session? if I have 3 white pads, do I use one for the front hood and fenders, one for the sides, and one for roof and back hood/fender? What speed for the white pads?

Also, when you say clean the pads every other application, I guess that means for every other 2' x 2' section, I will stop, brush out the pad, and then start again?

Could I then use the black pad with a wax and then another black pad with a sealer? For the wax and sealer does having 2 black pads suffice?

What speed setting for all those steps on the PC? Finally, if I do need the orange pad for swirls, what speed is recommended?

I think I'll play it cautious on the orange pad til I feel more comfortable with the PC...

Yes, your getting the picture now. When I first started I only used one pad for the cleaning step, with the pressure, and product being applied (over saturated and only cleaned pad about 4 or 5 times during use) I really wasn't doing the job with the correct technique and my pads wasn't lasting long at all. My details was good but not great and with a 5'' backing plate while using the 6.5 pads with the pressure and over saturating with products my pads were being broken down and only got sometimes 3 or 4 vehicles use out of them.

Ya, 3 pads are about right for the 1st cleaning step, because your removing very small amounts of clear not to mention contaminants on your pad while it's spinning. Why it's so important to clean your pad after every couple of applications of product, or like you stated after every other 18''X18'' area your working on. Just like the reason working on a smaller section helps you focus on that area being cleaned and in turn doing a better job also remember to over lap each pass and when you clean your pad every couple section. Remember to prime every new pad and when switching pads & to clean on the fly and with a foam brush also if you have compressed air to blow air across the pad while spinning. Keeping your pad/s cleaned and not over saturating them you will not only save and keep your pads longer and in better shape but your polishing will be bunch better as well!

Since the cleaning steps is the most important step in any detail or polishing I will work on the front of the vehicle in sections.(just like imagining marking out sections of your hood into 6 section or so in that 18''X18'' to cover that area) I will work the hood/fenders/front bumper 2 to 3 section passes/or up to 2 to 3 times to make sure it's the cleanest possible, then switch to a new pad and prime it before starting on the roof and trunk lid. Doing same process with 2 to 3 section passes or times and will switch again before doing the sides, and again prime pad. Also will be using speed 5 or 6 on the DA and remember to use about 12lbs. to 15lbs.(you can practice using your bathroom scale with the wieght of your DA and hand to get an ideal of how much pressure you need to apply) on this step while using slow arm speed as well. Now look at how your paint has gloss or the reflection your getting at spending all that time on the cleaning step is so important and now your paint is finally cleaned! If/when you have to use the cutting pad use with the same technique but remember that the cutting pad's foam is more aggressive then polishing pad so don't work as long and check procress often when using as for spot repair on scratches or blemishes until you get better familar with it and the technique.

After spending 3,4 and sometimes I have spent 5 hours or more on this step alone depending on the size of the vehicle and severity of the finish. Your now ready to apply and penertrate the oils back into the pores of the paint that have been broken down or deteriorated over time, and in this step I will grab a finishing pad (usally 2 on this step)or a small 4'' foam hand applicater(one reason I apply my polish by hand 90% of the time/ I find it faster going in straight back and forth motion and I'm not using up my finishing pads) and apply my polsh, if your applying my DA use speed 4 and use medium arm speed with about 5lbs to 8lbs pressure and make about 2 cover passes and I don't focus on working on the 18''X18'' area just applying an even coverage over surface. At this rate you can apply polish to entire vehicle and when ending where you started , then remove product.

LSP(Last Step Product) Use a finishing pad on speed 3 on your DA with the wieght of the machine with alittle more then medium arm speed with 2 cover passes again to get even coverage.***IMPORTANT*** Apply very,very thin applications of your favorite LSP, almost were you can't see it and use 2 pads on this step. Wait the 12 hours or so for the LSP to cure or crosslink to the surface before applying your second coat for even coverage and it looks better to your eyes. Now this is where some detailers has different thoughts about this process of layering or topping your LSP and I say try it for your self and see. If you can tell a difference in the gloss(light colors) or more reflections(darker colors) then your the only one it matters too and counts!!!! Just remember never apply another LSP with cleaners in it over your first application because it can remove some or all of your first layer of protection and wasting your time.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

Update:

I was waiting for my latest stuff that you guys helped me pick out and this week received my 5.5" backing pad, white, black, and red foam pads along with foam cleaner and brush.

Yesterday, I washed the Lexus via 2 buckets using 2 different wool mitts. I washed the tires and rim as well. I dried the car well with a Meguiars waffle towel and then clayed using the yellow (mild) I purchased from Chem Guys, always wiping the area with a microfiber when done. I noticed very few contaminants being picked up and instead had to deal with flys getting attracted to the scent of the lube (smells like pink chewing gum). Note: I have the Meguiars waffle towel and the 1st time I used it, it dried my entire car but this time, it was too saturated and I wonder if washing it ruined it (I don't know what temp I as I didn't notice but I think it was hot water).

After claying, I used the PC with the 5.5" white foam pads and applied M205 polish and did 20"x20" sections. I did a 3 section pass each time (i would first do overlapping sections going up and down, then side to side, then up and down). I applied the product on the pads in an X pattern. I cleaned the pads after every other 20"x20" was completed and used the pad brush. After I had repeated this awhile, the foam pad was getting slightly ripped up due to me applying too much pressure on the white pads with the pad brush. So, I changed pads and when I cleaned the foam pad, I would go to setting 6 on the PC and lightly brush it ( a lot of fine mist polish will whip off by itself and this AM I am feeling it in my lungs so I might suggest a mask during the clean step). Anyways, the polishing took a long time and I did section by section, always wiping with one of 3 microfiber cloths.

I then changed to the 5.5" black wax/sealant foam pad and applied Meguiars Finishing Wax D30116. I didn't change pads as the wax seemed to go well and since the car is so clean, I just used this pad and it quickly did the entire car. I didn't really let it set and instead as I did each section with 2 passes, I would then set down the PC and wipe off the wax….did I need to let it set longer before buffing off with microfiber?

Today, weather permitting, I plan on using the red pad (softest) and applying Meguiars ULW as my sealant. I do wonder if there is added benefit since both D30116 and ULW are synthetic products. Also, do I need to let it set before buffing off?

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

It does not hurt to top off D301 with something that offers a little more protection. With Ultimate wax it's a wipe on wipe off product. I believe on the directions it states wait 3-5 min before it can be removed. So as an example say you start on half of the hood. Once you do half of the hood you can go to say a fender. By the time you finish applying to the fender the ULW on half of the hood should be ready to be removed.

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

Update:

I was waiting for my latest stuff that you guys helped me pick out and this week received my 5.5" backing pad, white, black, and red foam pads along with foam cleaner and brush.

Yesterday, I washed the Lexus via 2 buckets using 2 different wool mitts. I washed the tires and rim as well. I dried the car well with a Meguiars waffle towel and then clayed using the yellow (mild) I purchased from Chem Guys, always wiping the area with a microfiber when done. I noticed very few contaminants being picked up and instead had to deal with flys getting attracted to the scent of the lube (smells like pink chewing gum). Note: I have the Meguiars waffle towel and the 1st time I used it, it dried my entire car but this time, it was too saturated and I wonder if washing it ruined it (I don't know what temp I as I didn't notice but I think it was hot water).

After claying, I used the PC with the 5.5" white foam pads and applied M205 polish and did 20"x20" sections. I did a 3 section pass each time (i would first do overlapping sections going up and down, then side to side, then up and down). I applied the product on the pads in an X pattern. I cleaned the pads after every other 20"x20" was completed and used the pad brush. After I had repeated this awhile, the foam pad was getting slightly ripped up due to me applying too much pressure on the white pads with the pad brush. So, I changed pads and when I cleaned the foam pad, I would go to setting 6 on the PC and lightly brush it ( a lot of fine mist polish will whip off by itself and this AM I am feeling it in my lungs so I might suggest a mask during the clean step). Anyways, the polishing took a long time and I did section by section, always wiping with one of 3 microfiber cloths.

I then changed to the 5.5" black wax/sealant foam pad and applied Meguiars Finishing Wax D30116. I didn't change pads as the wax seemed to go well and since the car is so clean, I just used this pad and it quickly did the entire car. I didn't really let it set and instead as I did each section with 2 passes, I would then set down the PC and wipe off the wax….did I need to let it set longer before buffing off with microfiber?

Today, weather permitting, I plan on using the red pad (softest) and applying Meguiars ULW as my sealant. I do wonder if there is added benefit since both D30116 and ULW are synthetic products. Also, do I need to let it set before buffing off?

Well done!

Firstly, how does it look in full sun? Did you achieve the results you were after?

I'm not sure why you used the D301 with a foam pad, but anyway, it won't hurt anything. D301 is a cleaner wax, so it has a little bit of cut (cleaning) properties. It's protection won't be as durable as a dedicated synthetic wax like ULW, so yes, I would definitely top it with ULW afterwards.

Then take some pics and post them up!

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

I have to take some pics in the daytime and post. Will try next weekend. It does look great!

I also detailed the interior and decided to put 2 applications of Scotch Guard on the interior mats as well as the underlying carpet. I dressed the dash and doors with the Meguires Quick Interior Detailer and it worked great to remove passenger scuff marks on the door and backside of the front seats. After I cleaned the windows with Sprayway Glass Cleaner (using a new waffle), I decided to try this on the exterior of the windshields. I used the red foam pad on my PC and applied the ULW to the windshield (exterior only) and ran the PC on 3. Then, I wiped it with the microfiber and then did it again but the 2nd app was with Meguiars Ultimate Quick Wax sprayed on the windshield and pad…

My logic is that I've seen vids of detailers putting sealants on the windshield as a form of water repellant so I figured, what the heck…anyways, if it rains, I'll report how the windshields do. Has anyone every tried this? The windows are totally smooth and clear right now as the buffing with the cloth made them super slick (as opposed to "squeaky clean").

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

It's common to use an LSP on the windows. I typically use ultimate quick wax stand alone on all windows.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

Great to know that it works. BTW, now that the car is in an ideal state, how often do I have to reapply the ULW? I'm hoping I can just wash the car every 3 to 4 weeks and apply UQW. I'm hoping I won't have to use the PC and ULW for the next 3 to 4 months ( even longer?)…it's garaged at nite and during the day, car is parked in a structure so it is out of daylight most of the time.

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

Yeah, good move waxing the windshield. You can use UQW on it in the future.

As for upkeep, in those conditions you might get 4-6 months out of ULW. Just wash it regularly and use UQW while drying!

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

I have a question on applying my LSP, ULW, when I was applying it with the red foam pad: I still used the PC over a 20"x20" section and did 3 section passes. After every other section, I would apply more product. I noted that the red pad was supersaturated with product and I was curious if I really need to reapply that often or if I can do larger sections. I used quite a bit of the bottle for 2 cars and was looking to adjust my "dosage" for next time…

[h_bomm]

Re: New Car Advice

You are using way too much product. I got the New Car Kit that comes with a 4oz sample bottle of ULW and I have waxed 4 vehicles with it and still have some left. I usually use about 5 or 6 pea sized drops, maybe a smidge bigger than a pea for the first couple passes till I get some product in the pad then I use 3 drops. Every once in a while I will not apply fresh product to the pad but instead I will press the pad against the body to squeeze out some of the wax that is in the pad and wax with that. Then the next pass I will put 3 more drops on.

[Murr1525]

Re: New Car Advice

I dont think the red pad is the right pad either? If Meguiars pads..

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

The red foam pad is from Lake Country:Red UltraSoft Wax/Sealant CCS Smart Pads™ DA 5.5 inch Foam Pad.

I washed em with foam cleaner but after a week, they are still wet in the garage. Do folks let em sun dry or does that make them rougher over time (plus I want them not picking up debris)

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

You want to ring them out as much as possible then lay them face down. Should dry in a day or 2 that way.