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  • #1

    New to the Detailing world

    Hello all!

    I've got a 2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata in Sparkling Black Mica with a clear bra on the front. I read that the Mazda paint is thin/soft.

    My detailing experience does not extend beyond wash/clay/wax.

    I'm planning on purchasing a Porter Cable 7424XP soon. Also I'm looking at Hex Logic white/blue/black pads. I've got Megs UP on hand already (works great on quartz countertops).

    Now to my questions. I don't believe my paint to be in bad condition. My car only has 4k miles on it, garage kept, washed regularly in season. Would the white pad with UP be a good starting point or should I begin with blue pad? I don't want to be too aggressive with potentially thin/soft paint. What about glaze, sealant, or both? If sealant is used is there a need for wax? Same purpose/result?

    I don't want to overload my first post with too many questions, but I'm sure there will be more to come.

    Thanks in advance!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: New to the Detailing world

    Welcome!

    UP certainly is a good starting point, since it's not very aggressive, but can do some minor correction while greatly enhancing gloss - especially on black.

    I'm not familiar with the colors of Hex Logic pads, but the idea is generally to use a finishing pad with UP.

    Do a test spot with that and see if that gives the results you're after. If not, you step up to the polishing/cutting pad (on a test spot) and see if that does the trick.

    If not, you may have to go for a more aggressive product like ScratchX or Ultimate Compound.

    A glaze is used to enhance beauty / gloss and to temporarily fill in or hide minor swirls. Do you want to temporarily hide the swirls or remove them? If, like most people you wamt to remove them, then I wouldn't complicate things with a glaze at this point.

    For maximum protection, you would want a sealant. A sealant is just a synthetic wax, so yes, they both serve the same purpose, but a sealant will last longer. There is no need for both a sealant and a wax, but some people do it purely for looks (apply a wax on top of a sealant), because to them a carnauba wax looks better (especially on black).

    So basically, after your UP and/or UC you can apply a sealant like UW (Ultimate Wax) and be done. Or if you really want to take it to the next level, do one more step and apply a carnauba wax on top.
    Originally posted by Blueline
    I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

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    • #3
      Re: New to the Detailing world

      Thanks.

      Hex logic pads...white light/medium polishing, blue light polishing/finishing, black finishing.

      Is the sealant best applied with the DA or does it matter? Are there products that we don't want to apply with DA?

      Told you I'd have more questions!

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      • #4
        Re: New to the Detailing world

        You can apply sealant either with a DA or by hand.

        I think it's easier to lay down a thin, even coat by DA. But many prefer to do it by hand.

        Either way, you would remove the sealant / wax by hand.

        All the products we've spoken about can be applied via DA..
        Originally posted by Blueline
        I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: New to the Detailing world

          Welcome to MOL! I can't really add more to what davey said, so just a welcome!
          2017 Lexus RX 350 - Satin Cashmere Metallic
          2016 Honda Odyssey Touring - Crystal Black Pearl
          2010 Ford F150 Lariat 4x4 - Royal Red Metallic

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          • #6
            Re: New to the Detailing world

            Do spray sealants work as well as the conventional sealants? What are the differences in the type of sealant, polymer or acrylic?

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            • #7
              Re: New to the Detailing world

              Hello,
              I tried sending you a PM but not sure if they are going through? Anyhow, I'm about to list a like-new Meguiars G110v2 polisher if interested. This is better than the Porter Cable, btw. Let me know if interested and welcome to the forum.

              Ralph

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              • #8
                Re: New to the Detailing world

                Originally posted by IrishStout View Post
                Do spray sealants work as well as the conventional sealants? What are the differences in the type of sealant, polymer or acrylic?
                1. Generally not...... GENERALLY. There may be some high end spray sealants that out-perform some lower end traditional sealants.

                2. It's just terminology. I wouldn't get too hung up on that. The term 'polymer' is extremely broad and covers many many different compounds. Acrylic is a polymer!!
                Originally posted by Blueline
                I own a silver vehicle and a black vehicle owns me. The black one demands attention, washing, detailing, waxing and an occasional dinner out at a nice restaurant. The silver one demands nothing and it looks just fine. I think the black vehicle is taking advantage of me, and the silver car is more my style. We can go out for a drive without her makeup and she looks fine. If I want to take the black one out, it is three or four hours in the "bathroom" to get ready.

                Comment

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