New Car Advice

[punkguins]

HI. Bought a new 2014 ultra white Lexus and am looking for advice on how to keep it looking brand new. I bought the Porter Cable and the Meguiar's DA Microfibre correction system (comes with D300 and D301). I also purchased Ultimate Liquid Wax and Ultra Finishing Polish 205.

I think after my next wash, I was gonna use the 205 with the Porter Cable using the microfiber cutting head (DMC6) and then apply Ultimate Liquid Wax as a wax and sealer (I would either hand apply or use the Porter Cable with the microfiber Finishing Disc, DMF6). is that overkill?

To date, I have just washed the car twice and then sprayed on Ultimate Quick Wax only.

I just want to ensure I don't ruin a new finish that doesn't have any swirl marks. I also purchased a very mild clay but I won't do that to the new car until the surface feels like it needs it.

Thanks ahead of time!

Last question: is the D300 and D301 really not needed for this new car at this point? I used it on my 20 year old Honda last week for practice with the Porter Cable (i clayed it first). The oxidized paint was removed and looks much better. I still see some swirl marks but I figure it hasn't been waxed for over 15 years so I probably need to get a tougher cutting head if I want to get it as close to swirl free as possible

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

Welcome!

So the paint is in good condition (no swirls etc)?

Definitely clay it - nearly all cars (even new ones) need that. You'll be surprised at how much contamination you'll pull off the surface.

Assuming the above is correct, the DAMF Correction System is probably overkill for you. Do you have any foam pads? They are less aggressive. If so, perhaps just use the M205 on a foam pad, then wax. If not, you could either use the M205 on the MF finishing pad, then wax, OR just D301 on the MF finishing pad and call it a day.

But either way, I'd definitely clay it first.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

Thanks!

I want the least aggressive treatment so I think I'll get a foam pad and use the M205 before waxing/sealing. Which pad would you recommend? Also, your response implies foam is softer than microfiber pads. Is that true or does it depend on the manufacturer? The Lexus forum seems to have owners that state Lexus paint is soft and prone to chips. Is there a rule of thumb for soft paint and whether it's foam or microfiber?

I think I'll clay very carefully as I saw what the medium grade clay did to my 20 year old car. I bought the softest clay I could from a local detailing shop so I'll try that this weekend. Thanks again!!

[Murr1525]

Re: New Car Advice

Softer isnt really the right word, but polishing and finishing foam pads would be more gentle.

[Detailing by M]

Re: New Car Advice

Welcome to MOL!!!

I'm sorry to tell you but your car is all swirled up.
Never in the history of "new" cars has there ever been a perfect one.

To make it look it's best you'll need to polish or compound it.

The choice is yours.
Personally I would do both and then coat it.

But since I don't think your seeing what I would see I would just use D301 on a MFFP and you should be happy with the results.

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

Thanks!

I want the least aggressive treatment so I think I'll get a foam pad and use the M205 before waxing/sealing. Which pad would you recommend? Also, your response implies foam is softer than microfiber pads. Is that true or does it depend on the manufacturer? The Lexus forum seems to have owners that state Lexus paint is soft and prone to chips. Is there a rule of thumb for soft paint and whether it's foam or microfiber?

I think I'll clay very carefully as I saw what the medium grade clay did to my 20 year old car. I bought the softest clay I could from a local detailing shop so I'll try that this weekend. Thanks again!!

Get a couple of yellow polishing pads and black finishing pads. Try both on a test spot and see which results you like best. I'd personally just go for the yellow for your case.

Yes, foam is less agressive than MF pads i.e. MF has more correcting ability, but can also marr soft paints, meaning you'd have to follow up with a finishing polish. The foam would be more suitable in your case, especially if your car is supposed to have soft paint.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: New Car Advice

to MOL punkguins

Congratulations on the new car!

Here's something very important everyone should remember!

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?60634-quot-use-the-least-aggressive-product-to-get-the-job-done-quot&highlight=using+the+least+aggressive+product+to+get+the+jobe+done

I agree with Davey g the DAMF system is over kill for your new car , could be good for your 20 year old honda but again, it is to much to start out with, things like older paint,oxidation UV rays damaging the finish and you didn't post any pics so I'm just giving examples, what you could be getting into with out starting with the least aggressive products to get the job done & doing a test spot! To me that's scary because it's like jumping right in and removing paint right off the bat not knowing the condition of the paint and how thin it could be being that old and the reason behind using least aggressive products & a test spot!

And has far as claying your new vehicle or old, Meguiars offers 3 types of detailing clay to help with the needs your after as you know, but to this day I have yet to use it in any way the cosumers brand/ mild or aggressive to harm or hurt the paint besides hazing the paint alittle on severly neclected paint with the aggressive clay but that's wasn't nearly as bad as what I was working with! It's not going to damage your finish, it's job is to glide across your surface with a detailing lube and abrade off any above surface bonded contaminants that is on or in your paint's surface.

Again Davey g nailed it with his recommendation (he's one smart guy)for your new car and about all of the guys on here would tell you the same thing, clay it first and then the M205 Ultra Finishing Polish (which is a fantastic cleaner/polish) and along with your Porter Cable and get you a 6 pk of Lake Country 5.5'' LLC pads ( my personal pick of pads ) 4)polishing & 2)finishing because with these 2 different pads along with machine speed/ arm speed/ and pressure and M205 you have the abilty to have a less aggressive to pretty aggressive combo nation to tackle almost anything you could face with yur new or old car besides deep scratches. And later on when you get comfortable and find your technique I would also step up to the cutting pads to offer you even more aggressiveness.

There's tons more info and the do's and don't but were all here to help each other out, and remember the only stupid question is the one you! me! or anyone didn't ask. here's some great articles to read and go through to help give you a better understanding of some things and maybe shed some light on things you may have been wondering about!

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?33-How-To-Articles

And some great how to video's!

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?134-How-To-Videos

And as for the D300 & D301 you didn't make a mistake just future purchase spending that you will be needing some where down the road, so go get you a black test hood and start practicing

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

Even though your car is new, that does not mean there are no swirls. It is common for a new car to have DISO (dealer installed swil option) when they wash it before you get it. Wash it and clay then pull it out into the sun do see the tue condition of the clear coat. White hides things a little better so that may be why you don't see the swirls.

I agree with getting some foam pads. It would allow you to a couple of test spots to see if you are getting the deired results. It's possible M205 and a polishing pad wiuld be all you need. If you need something more aggressive you can use D300+cutting disk and follow up with M205+foam polishing pad or D300+foam polishing pad followed up by M205+foam polishing pad.

I would definitely clay the car.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

Hi, I really want to thank everyone for the great advice and quick responses. Awesome group!

On my next wash, I'll take it out in the sun and really examine it for swirls. After the wash and dry, I'm gonna test a 2'x2' area and use a mild clay, then a yellow foam pad with the M205 and buff clean. Then, I thought I might just compare it to surrounding areas and take a pic. I'll just continue on repeating the procedure.

Once I do the entire car, I'll use Ultimate Quick Wax as the wax & sealer. Here I was curious if I should use a foam hand applicator or again my Porter Cable with the suggested black foam pad.

I can't wait til try it all out!!

Thanks.

[davey g-force]

Re: New Car Advice

Good plan.

Although UQW is a great product and durable for a spray wax, it's still only meant to be a "top-up" or booster to a proper coat of wax.

You should apply Ultimate Wax the first time, and maybe once every six months*, and use UQW in between.

*Just a guide, dependant on numerous variables.

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

OK. Looks like I need more advice in regard to foam pads. Using this link, I was going to purchase the white (for M205) and blue foam pads for Ultimate Liquid Wax (that's what I meant in previous post, not UQW). Both pads would be 6.5". So, my question is: did I pick the right colors for the products? And, when do you buy the black pad vs. the blue pad? Also, what setting do I use on the porter Cable for these pads?

http://www.chemicalguys.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BUFLC%5F104%5F6&CartID=2

[punkguins]

Re: New Car Advice

OK. Looks like I need more advice in regard to foam pads. Using this link, I was going to purchase the white (for M205) and blue foam pads for Ultimate Liquid Wax (that's what I meant in previous post, not UQW). Both pads would be 6.5". So, my question is: did I pick the right colors for the products? And, when do you buy the black pad vs. the blue pad? Also, what setting do I use on the porter Cable for these pads?

http://www.chemicalguys.com/ProductD...4%5F6&CartID=2

or my previous post, here are the Pad Choices:

Lake Country 6.5 Inch Polishing Pads
Heavy Cutting	Light-Medium Cutting	Heavy Polishing
Light-Medium Polishing	Finishing	Ultra Light Finishing

[synesthesia]

Re: New Car Advice

Congratulations on your new Lexus. I just purchased one for my daily driver. What I have discovered is that the lexus plant in Japan takes good care in wet sanding its base coats prior to applying the clear. Have fun detailing it. The clear coat is durable but not as hard as BMW.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: New Car Advice

Check to see what weight is on your Porter Cable DA (or call where you bought it and ask if the weight is for the 5.5'' or 6.5 inch pads.

The 5.5' pads are more suited for the porter cable and just better all around! (IMO)

If you can swing it I would get a 6 pk deal and get 3) white polishing pads/ 2) black finishing pads and 1) orange light-medium cutting pad, and a micro fiber pad cleaning brush (will save you time and money in the long run and it's important to brush your pads)

Because that's about what it takes to do a good job on just one vehicle. A minimum of 3 polishing pads for the cleaning step (keeps your pads from getting to contaminated and over saturated with cleaners/ even though you still need to clean your pads on the fly at least every other application of product and a micro fiber pad cleaning brush and comrpressed air if you have it) Also 2 finishing pads for your LSP>Last Step Product amd I recommend a light cutting pad because there always that area or spot that has a little more swirls or scratches and after going over that area a couple times and it don't help I thin grab the cutting pad)

And as soon as you can I would get another 6 pk of pads (you can't have enough) and again get 3) white polishing pads 1) black finishing 1) light-medium cutting pad and 1) heavy polishing or the ultra light finishing.

I keep all my pads labeled(so I don't cross contaminant with different products) and in there original bag but not sealed and in big sealed plastic totes, And same way for my micro fiber towels, (in different sealed totes) again in there own totes, my Meguiars in one/ another quality micro fiber in another and last my misc older cheaper micro fiber for door jals ans such in another.

I don't think you can be to clean just can't see leaving my pads and micro fiber towels out in the open to collect dust or just one grain of sand could do a number on a finish after you've just spent many hours polishing to perfection and then the last wipe could send it all down the drain!

Hope I've helped

[The Guz]

Re: New Car Advice

I just realized you are local to me. For all I know I have probably seen you around town. I would definitely get the backing plate to use the 5.5" pads. The porter cable works great with that size pad. Also you may want to consider taking a trip to detailing.com and check out their vast variety of items.