first detail almost complete, please advise

[vdubpower]

well i set off today to detail the brilliant silver S 500.
after the wash and dry, i used the mothers clay bar, which was really cool, i broke it in half in case i dropped it but claying is quite fun, and easy. How many times over a section does one keep rubbing??

next i used the 4oz mothers cleaner wax that came with the clay. OK this was the first time i used the PC. and i dont know if i did it right

i only had the white pad it came with and i made a circle of wax on the pad, and the smudged that onto a panel about a dozen times to spead the wax and then turned it on speed 4. whats the best technique for use, i just did a back and forth motion until the wax was a thin haze. then i would use a micro fiber clothe to remove that layer

to my dismay i didnt see any of the cobweb scratches removed at all. how long over an area do u need to bufff??
can u take the wax off completely with the PC or get it off with a cloth as i did?

in the AM i will appply the NXT liquid wax i have. how much shold i put on the pad?

how does one clean pads, unfortunatley i only have that one pad for now. should i rinse it under the tap??

can mircofibers towels go in the wash

thanks

[Murr1525]

Well, Mothers cleaner/wax may or may not be able to remove swirls, not if it is only a mild cleaner. It is probably close to Megs Cleaner/wax, which is good, but wont remove many swirls. WIth a PC, you probably would need o go to #83 or #80 to remove swirls. Naturaly, you dont want to waste what came in the box, but it may be best for quick protection, not removing swirls.

I do it all by hand, and removing wax, etc by hand after applying with PC is quite alright.

Yes, Microfiber towels can be washed, though watch for any speacial instructions. I think it says dont bleach, or use fabric softener, or something.

The other PC questions will have to be answered by someone else, but hope this helps.

[JeffM]

Order some pads and a backing plate from Megs, the one that comes with the machine, assuming it is a store bought one, isnt suitable for many people;s paint.

Cleaner waxes arnt usually what people reach for for swirl removal.

When claying you can feel the stuck on crud, when its gone you will know.

I only use enough NXT to get a thin layer, i use the machine on 3 or 4, and just spread it until i get an even thin coat.

I clean my pads in the sink using warm water and whatever dish soap i have on the counter.

NXT wont come out easy. I little trick i use, may not be optimal or not, but after NXT-ing one vehicle, i will switch over to a cleaner product, and use the same pad, clean the wifes vehicle. Then i will do her car by hand.

The pad comes clean alot easier with this method, for me anyways...

But i would ditch the white pad before you go much further. Megs has some great shipping. I would rather wait a little while and use a better pad, then to make more work for myself later.

[vdubpower]

ok s o in terms of pads, i will first need the 6 inch back plate and then get what, the 8006 pad that is should use with a "polish" to remove swirls and then the 9006 for waxs like nxt??

[rusty bumper]

Here's the kit you need to order for the PC.

While placing your order, it would be a good idea order this set too.......You won't regret it.

If you want to remove swirls, then #80 (Speed Glaze) works pretty good....



Speed Glaze comes in the quart bottle too.

I like to use Murphy's Oil Soap to soak & clean my pads in. NXT wax is pretty tough though. It might take a little longer to clean it from the pad.

I wouldn't be too concerned with washing the pads after every use though, as it might cause the velcro to come unglued from the pad.

[vdubpower]

ok so the number 80 is considered a professional product right, im just curious what would be equivalent with the "consumer" line, would it be the the number 7 mirror glaze.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by vdubpower
ok so the number 80 is considered a professional product right, im just curious what would be equivalent with the "consumer" line, would it be the the number 7 mirror glaze.

Body Scrub is close to #80, but I can't find a link for it.

MPPC is considered a pro product, but it could pass for a consumer item IMO. It's a little stronger than #80, but not by much. MPPC is found at the auto paint stores for the most part.

#7 is just a pure polish with no abrasives at all.

[Murr1525]

Dont be scared off by the name 'Proffesional Line'. They are actualy geared for use with the PC, where as the Consumer Line products are more meant for use by hand. If you want the most out of the PC, #80, or #83 if you need the extra cleaning power, and the professional polishes, waxes are the way to go.

For instance, #21 is similar to Nxt Wax, but is a slightly different formula that doesnt gum up as easily, and can be spread and applied by machine easier.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Murr1525
Dont be scared off by the name 'Proffesional Line'. They are actualy geared for use with the PC, where as the Consumer Line products are more meant for use by hand. If you want the most out of the PC, #80, or #83 if you need the extra cleaning power, and the professional polishes, waxes are the way to go.

For instance, #21 is similar to Nxt Wax, but is a slightly different formula that doesnt gum up as easily, and can be spread and applied by machine easier.

I agree.

Go for #80 if nothing else, because it's not hard to use at all.

[gb387]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
I agree.

Go for #80 if nothing else, because it's not hard to use at all.

#80

[vdubpower]

sounds good, about number 80

i finished off the mercedes today with the NXT.
i didnt notice too much differnece in what the car looked like after i had done it with the mothers cleaner wax and nxt

didnt really get any swirls out either, dunno if its my technique or what..

i put a thin layer of wax on the pad, then patted it against the panel, covering most of it, then turned the machine one on speed 4 and when back and forth, horizontal, then vertical , then horizontal again, then just wiped the residue off with a microfiber.

dunno if im using too little wax maybe or not waxing long enough, or maybe its just because i need to get 80 instead

also, the car has rockerpanels that are plastic, ididnt bother claying them or the bumpers, but im wonderin, next time should i, and can i also buff them as i would the car

[rusty bumper]

The "4" setting is not going to clean very much, unless you have a lot of patience (Providing the product does not dry on you 1st).

I recommend at least a "4 1/2" setting, but the best cleaning power is achieved with the "5" setting.

#80 can handle the "5" setting with ease.

**************************************************

I wouldn't buff the plastic panels with something forumlated for paint.......Use something that's made for plastic and vinyl in that area.

[the other pc]

Originally posted by vdubpower
ok s o in terms of pads, i will first need the 6 inch back plate and then get what...?

The WDAV99-B 3 pad set is a good deal and gets you the right pads but the W-DAV99 DA Velcro Buffing System also comes with the backing plate.

If the rocker panels are a textured, unpainted plastic I wouldn't try to buff them. Normally you just wash and use a dressing like Exterior Trim Detailer , Gold Class Trim Detailer or #38.


PC.

[vdubpower]

im gonna get the pads but because i am moving on friday to chicago, i dont have the time to do anything extensive so for now im just gonna wash , clay and NXT the other 2 S classes.

ill try the speed at 4.5 with the nxt.

one thing i loarned is never take the pad off the car when it is spinning, LOL,

how much pressure should one use, i found myself holding the handle down with some mild force, then i would just let go and hold it with the body of the machine

oh and the rocker panels on this car are painted the same color as car, and go up about 1/3 of the door. they are more like side panels i guess.

thanks all