Just some basic questions from a Newb.

[Jarhead0754]

They don't recommend it cuz it can leave alot of hazing. It was really geared more toward the rotary polisher. Also with the new damf system there's no need for it as the mf pads will remove worse defects alot faster leaving no marring.

But depending on how bad the paint is it can take u a long time. Some guys spend 2 days at 10 hours a day. The good news is once. Ur done getting it into good condition , u won't have to spend that much time again as long as u maintain it.

Seems like u got the bug biting u pretty hard. Just wonder if ur gonna turn out like most everyone on this site as having OCD with meguiars products. After u go thru the consumer phase next step is to add the mirror glaze or to the detailer line. Just wait , u will see what I'm talking bout, tee he

[The Guz]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

That makes sense. Sorry to for being AWOL, got started on the car yesterday morning and finished right before dinner. I must be really slow, I spent 4 or so hours claying the car, and 8 hours using the UC and PC LOL

I noticed that the UC is not as agressive as I would like, or maybe it was the pad I was using(yellow). While it did remove a lot of very minor defects and swirls, some of the others are still there. Should I increase the speed and spend more time on the spot? It was also hard to let the machine work as I was trained on a rotary and it was hard not to move much faster.

Too I found the UP to more difficult to remove than the UC and had issues with streaking. Also since my garage is not very well lit, I noticed this morning in the sun some spots where there was still remnants left. Will that come off with a wash and my waxing? As well it looks like when I was removing it with the MF cloth it almost looks like there is directional wipe marks. Maybe I did not remove it all?

Thank you again guys!!

Chris

Since this is your first time it can take some time until you get a hang of things. As you get more comfortable and better your technique you will get faster. Claying for 4 hours is indeed to long. You will learn as you go and next time this should take you about 30 min. Compounding and polishing are the longest steps.

My first question is what speed were you using with UC? Did you clean the pad as you moved from panel to panel? Cleaning the pad as you go is vital. A dirty pad with spent product is not efficient in correcting ability. You also want slow arm speed and moderate downward pressure when using a DA. You also want to work an area no larger than the width of your shoulders. Keep practicing and you will get better. There are plenty of videos that will help you in understanding the proper technique.

If after all this and you need a much more aggressive compound then you can go up to M105 or even the DAMF system which comes with D300 and microfiber cutting pads (which correct hard paint with ease).

Another recommendation is to get a lot of microfiber pads. You want as many microfiber towels so you avoid cross contamination and also the possibility of leaving product behind.

Like I said practice makes you better.

[Soarer5]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

The W67DA backing plate (4-13/16" diameter) was meant for 5.5" MF pads. So using it with 6.5" pads results in a large unsupported area at the outer edge.

[Soarer5]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

I take that back, didn't realize the Megs velcro was so much smaller than diameter. I'm used to Buff N Shine where velcro is almost to the edge.

[BadBenz94]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

They don't recommend it cuz it can leave alot of hazing. It was really geared more toward the rotary polisher. Also with the new damf system there's no need for it as the mf pads will remove worse defects alot faster leaving no marring.

But depending on how bad the paint is it can take u a long time. Some guys spend 2 days at 10 hours a day. The good news is once. Ur done getting it into good condition , u won't have to spend that much time again as long as u maintain it.

Seems like u got the bug biting u pretty hard. Just wonder if ur gonna turn out like most everyone on this site as having OCD with meguiars products. After u go thru the consumer phase next step is to add the mirror glaze or to the detailer line. Just wait , u will see what I'm talking bout, tee he

It got me...has had me for some time, don't think I can afford to go as detailed as some guys here having two kids and a family. Just not enough time right now... but that doesn't mean from time to time I won't spend some considerable time on this lol.

Too what is the DAMF system? Is it something I can use with my PC?

Thank you again for all the advice!

Chris

[BadBenz94]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

Since this is your first time it can take some time until you get a hang of things. As you get more comfortable and better your technique you will get faster. Claying for 4 hours is indeed to long. You will learn as you go and next time this should take you about 30 min. Compounding and polishing are the longest steps.

My first question is what speed were you using with UC? Did you clean the pad as you moved from panel to panel? Cleaning the pad as you go is vital. A dirty pad with spent product is not efficient in correcting ability. You also want slow arm speed and moderate downward pressure when using a DA. You also want to work an area no larger than the width of your shoulders. Keep practicing and you will get better. There are plenty of videos that will help you in understanding the proper technique.

If after all this and you need a much more aggressive compound then you can go up to M105 or even the DAMF system which comes with D300 and microfiber cutting pads (which correct hard paint with ease).

Another recommendation is to get a lot of microfiber pads. You want as many microfiber towels so you avoid cross contamination and also the possibility of leaving product behind.

Like I said practice makes you better.

Yeah I figured four was too long, I was being super cautious with it and was hitting every last inch almost like I was wet sanding to perfection. In fact a couple of spots on the deck lid looked similar to that, even though I thought I was using too much lubricant, I must not have in a few spots.

I was using the guidelines posted in another section, I think number 4 on the PC. I cleaned the pad like a mofo, between getting the excess off with a towel to using a brush, it was very frequent. I had quite a few MF towels but like I said, my lighting in my garage is not very good and I had the door just opened a few inches for some light and air but didn't want dirt flying around to contaminate anything.


Like you said, practice and more guidance from people like you will make this more comfortable and fun.

Thank you,

Chris

[The Guz]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

This is the DAMF system. You won't need to compound all the time. Just be sure to maintain the car with proper technique (washing, drying, etc..). If you do then the next time a polish like UP or M205 should be more than enough to remove minor swirls.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?47855-Using-Meguiar-s-D-A-Microfiber-Correction-System

[BadBenz94]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

Here are some after pics. The work made the paint look amazing, I thought it look good before, but did not think it could have come out this good. The only bad things now, is it (to me anyway) points out the glaring issues with the paint( it is starting to check in a few spots on the hood, roof and trunk as well as previous bird dropping damage 0 ) however it is 14 years old and the first 6 years of its life was in Texas and who knows how well they tended to it. I picked it up with 43k miles on the clock. She now has 89k.

This is a before shot, unfortunately, it looks good in this pic, but up close it was a mess of small scratches, spider webs, you name it and the clarity was very much lacking up close.



Here are some "after" shots. Still probably cant tell as they were all taken with my phone. The first one is showing bird drop etching that I don't believe can be fixed...although I didn't try the red pad on her, I think its to the "bone"



Same spots on trunk lid near the right front of the trunck















Looks almost black from a distance!



And final shot before you are totally sick of my car, I really need to find someone willing to shoot below the moldings on the car to get rid of this, although the car could use a repaint, that is not in my budget anytime soon.



Thank you again everyone!

Chris

[The Guz]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

Nice job. Looks great.

[Jarhead0754]

Wow it turned out amazing. Would of liked to see some before shots, but looks great. I couldn't really tell from the pics but the inside barrels of the rims looked a little dirty. I don't know if ur aware of it or I'm wrong about it. In case I'm not and u don't already know but u night want to pick up a Daytona speed master wheel brush. That will make it easy to clean and give ur detail that extra pop. Again assuming u never clean the inside of ur rims.

Anyhow look into the damf. Dual action micro fiber pads. It's an amazing system and better than the red cutting foam pad. But being ur 1st detail after a long break it looks amazing.

[BadBenz94]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

Nice job. Looks great.

Thank you!

Wow it turned out amazing. Would of liked to see some before shots, but looks great. I couldn't really tell from the pics but the inside barrels of the rims looked a little dirty. I don't know if ur aware of it or I'm wrong about it. In case I'm not and u don't already know but u night want to pick up a Daytona speed master wheel brush. That will make it easy to clean and give ur detail that extra pop. Again assuming u never clean the inside of ur rims.

Anyhow look into the damf. Dual action micro fiber pads. It's an amazing system and better than the red cutting foam pad. But being ur 1st detail after a long break it looks amazing.

Good eye! No, I didn't clean them, I usually take them off about once a quarter or so to clean the backs but if that brush is as good as you say I'll buy it. Will I need a different backing pad for the DAMF? Too, just looking at the pic with the bird droppings, do you think that is repairable or does it look cooked?

Thank you for all the help.

Chris

[Jarhead0754]

I don't own a Daytona brush but have done alot of research on it. Again check out YouTube and u will b amazed how easy it is. And u won't have to take ur tired off just to clean ever again. They're around $15.

And yes on the backing plate. However if u buy the system ( which would be alot smarter) it will come with everything u need, including the backing plate.

[BadBenz94]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

I don't own a Daytona brush but have done alot of research on it. Again check out YouTube and u will b amazed how easy it is. And u won't have to take ur tired off just to clean ever again. They're around $15.

And yes on the backing plate. However if u buy the system ( which would be alot smarter) it will come with everything u need, including the backing plate.

Thanks Brett! What do you think about the bird droppings? Maybe you can look at the car yourself and tell me what you think?


Chris

Thanks

[Jarhead0754]

I don't have alot of experience with paint correction. But that 1st pic, is it 2 spots I'm seeing? Maybe we can get murr or guz to chime in on their opinions. Or even mr stoops himself as those guys are far more experienced and knowledgable than I am. Cuz my thought would b to try the the damf system if the other pads and compound didnt work

[Top Gear]

Re: Just some basic questions from a Newb.

Good work, BadBenz! I've yet to see any hazing issue with the Soft Buff DA pads. In fact, the UC/Burgundy combo is not aggressive enough for my hard paint, and requires a lot of passes and higher speeds. If your paint is softer, just keep the speed down to 4 or medium. Also, check after each pass that you've removed only what you need to remove. Compounding is the most demoralizing and hard work of detailing, but the rest is your payoff for slogging through it