G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

[rgcurtis]

Okay, I am new to the DA and I have been reading these posts for awhile now and I need some help....please. Here are the steps I have been using:

1. Wash w/ Meg's car wash. Kept hearing Mike P. (from his video) in my ear saying "remember don't scrub just one or two passes should do it."
2. Claybarred w/ Meg's Clay Bar Kit & QD as lube.
3. UC on difficult water spots & scratches.
3.5 Scratch X 2.0 by hand on stubborn scratches.
4. M105 w/ yellow pad on hood, roof & trunk.
5. M205 w/ yellow pad on entire car.
6. NXT 2.0 w/ black finishing pad on entire car.

Other things to note:
1. I put a black mark on the back of the pads to ensure I can tell when the pad is rotating (read this trick in post where a guy sent in a video and someone told him to do this). It helped.
2. Did small areas and took my time. (saw this on the same video post).
3. Don't press too hard. I let the DA spin some and pressed some.

The meat of help needed:
1. There are still some really bad water spots. Should I get a different pad?
2. Not all of the scratches are removed. Should I get a different pad? Or a more abrasive product? I read "Let's talk M105" from start to finish and everyone seemed to agree to start light and go heavy then go back to light.
3. I think I am going slow enough.

Overall I was pleased with the result, but, it is not quite the results like Mike P., Presidential Detail, or Bounty have posted. This was my first time using it. I know all of your are saying "Post pictures!" Well I am not overly versed at that just yet. I know this is a shot in the dark, but, you are the only ones to help me, plus ALL of you got me addicted to detailing. I will try to upload pics when the whole car is done and show you the spots I am talking about.

[Bounty]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Okay, I am new to the DA and I have been reading these posts for awhile now and I need some help....please. Here are the steps I have been using:

1. Wash w/ Meg's car wash. Kept hearing Mike P. (from his video) in my ear saying "remember don't scrub just one or two passes should do it."
2. Claybarred w/ Meg's Clay Bar Kit & QD as lube.
3. UC on difficult water spots & scratches.
3.5 Scratch X 2.0 by hand on stubborn scratches.
4. M105 w/ yellow pad on hood, roof & trunk.
5. M205 w/ yellow pad on entire car.
6. NXT 2.0 w/ black finishing pad on entire car.

Other things to note:
1. I put a black mark on the back of the pads to ensure I can tell when the pad is rotating (read this trick in post where a guy sent in a video and someone told him to do this). It helped.
2. Did small areas and took my time. (saw this on the same video post).
3. Don't press too hard. I let the DA spin some and pressed some.

The meat of help needed:
1. There are still some really bad water spots. Should I get a different pad?
2. Not all of the scratches are removed. Should I get a different pad? Or a more abrasive product? I read "Let's talk M105" from start to finish and everyone seemed to agree to start light and go heavy then go back to light.
3. I think I am going slow enough.

Overall I was pleased with the result, but, it is not quite the results like Mike P., Presidential Detail, or Bounty have posted. This was my first time using it. I know all of your are saying "Post pictures!" Well I am not overly versed at that just yet. I know this is a shot in the dark, but, you are the only ones to help me, plus ALL of you got me addicted to detailing. I will try to upload pics when the whole car is done and show you the spots I am talking about.

Ok....I have a few questions.

1. How many passes of M105 and M205 did you do?
2. What speed setting and what pressure (light/medium/heavy)?
3. Did you use the KBM or otherwise prime the pads?
4. How long did you work each product per pass and when did you stop?
5. Did you get a test area to look 100% before doing the multi-step process over the entire car?

Want to get some background info before just handing out advice since there's no pics. Hang in there, we'll get you squared away...

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Without seeing the pictures (I know, I hear the sighing) you have to maintain realistic expectations for a 7 year old paint finish. Not all of the scratches are going to come out, and some of the water etchings may be too deep without going to the next step (wetsanding). Perfection for your finish may be at it's best given the condition and age of your paint, and whether your ride is your daily driver or a show car.

But to answer your questions,

1. 6-8 serpentine passes covers one application and I try to limit applications to two on a factory clear.

2. Speed setting is typically 5

3. I use the KBM or M34 to prime the pad

4. I work the product until I see a shiny veneer in it's texture and make sure to wipe away before it drys.

5. No, not all areas of the car look like the test area. Some areas will look better, some worse.

EDIT: Looks like I answered Bounty's questions by mistake! :

[rgcurtis]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Ok....I have a few questions.

1. How many passes of M105 and M205 did you do?
2. What speed setting and what pressure (light/medium/heavy)?
3. Did you use the KBM or otherwise prime the pads?
4. How long did you work each product per pass and when did you stop?
5. Did you get a test area to look 100% before doing the multi-step process over the entire car?

Bounty, I knew you would reply....you set me up from "Let's Talk M105". Okay, here are the answers...
1. 3-5 passes in North (front of car) to South (back of car) & East (passenger side) to West (driver side). Also serpentine pattern. This was done to with each. The hood, roof & trunck got UC first.
2. Speed 5 per G110 users manual and other posts I have read. Pressure varied. Depending on the stubborness of the spot.
3. No clue about KBM or priming pad.....so no I did not do any of that.
4. I worked each small area (hood into 5 sections, roof 3 & trunck 2) for about 7-9 minutes. I did wait until it went from really hazy to almost clear.
5. No, not really. I could never get a perfect spot. Trust me I tried.

ClearlyCoated here are your answers.....
- I did wipe each area with a micro fiber lightly misted with 50/50 QD & Water (per Rick at ADS)
- I also never picked the DA up from the car until it came to a complete stop.
- This is actually my son's daily driver. He drives to and from college and around town when home.

I feel a little better when I step back and realize, NO ONE has ever done this to the car. Trust me it looks better, but, having OCD and seeing all of the results others get I am getting frustrated a little. Thanks for all of help though.

[Bounty]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Bounty, I knew you would reply....you set me up from "Let's Talk M105". Okay, here are the answers...
1. 3-5 passes in North (front of car) to South (back of car) & East (passenger side) to West (driver side). Also serpentine pattern. This was done to with each. The hood, roof & trunck got UC first.
2. Speed 5 per G110 users manual and other posts I have read. Pressure varied. Depending on the stubborness of the spot.
3. No clue about KBM or priming pad.....so no I did not do any of that.
4. I worked each small area (hood into 5 sections, roof 3 & trunck 2) for about 7-9 minutes. I did wait until it went from really hazy to almost clear.
5. No, not really. I could never get a perfect spot. Trust me I tried.

Ok, here's what I would try based on what you've already attempted, the tools at your disposal, and your estimated skill level. First of all, before we start going crazy all over the car let's make sure we can get a test spot to where you are satisfied and then when that process is verified as viable we move to repeat it over the rest of the panels.

Firstly, select and tape off a test area. Preferably a nice, workable, flat area that has some of the defects you want to remove...something like this:



Now that we have the work area selected, grab your G110 with your polishing pad. You're going to want to prime the pad using the KBM (Kevin Brown Method). Do a forum search and you'll find hundreds of posts on the subject but basically what you are doing is spreading the product over the face of your pad prior to touching it to the paint. Not like spreading butter over toast but rather a nice thin layer (sort of like wax) over the face of the pad and mildly working it into the pores of the foam with your hand. Using this method you can also extend your work time with the product if necessary by spritzing the surface with some water (although I would not worry to much about this right now).

1. With your primed polishing pad of M105 hit your test area with 3 vertical and 3 horizontal passes over the paint on speed 5 or 6 and use medium to heavy pressure (about 15 to 20 lbs).

2. Wipedown your test area and pull it out into direct sunlight. Inspect it from various angles and make sure all the defects have been removed to your satisfaction.

Remember at this point your section would have had two applications of M105/Polishing Pad via G110. If there are still swirls, sratches, and other defects you need to start accepting that given the tools at your disposal this may be the best it's going to get. Your only option would be a third pass of M105 but it's going to be a diminishing return situation in short order.

You don't have a more powerful machine (Flex or rotary) or mechanically abrasive pads (Meg's Burgundy or LC CCS pads) so this may be the extent of what you can do. At this point you can either accept the condition of the paint for a daily driver or commit to more expense and purchase the tools needed. I'd like to see the pics of your test area versus the rest of the car once paint is removed to really see what we're working with. If you run into more trouble or have more questions, PM me and I'll give you a call...

[rgcurtis]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

I am having trouble getting the pictures to turn out. I tried like 20 pics. I am using a yellow pad I got in the package from ADS for the M105 and M205 application. I think honestly, I am going to have to accept the condition of the paint and enjoy the progress I have made. Like I said "It already looks 10x better"....again thanks. Bounty - I sent you a PM.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT



Not to hijack the thread, but how do you like those CCS pads?

[Bounty]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Not to hijack the thread, but how do you like those CCS pads?

These are the ones custom-spec'd by Rick at ADS. They're slightly more aggressive than the standard white CCS pad and have a beveled front edge and the backside is recess-cut 1/8 inch and lightly raised. The rear of the pad is designed for easier centering of the pad to the various backing plates and provides more contact protection versus those CCS pads that have the velcro run all the way to the edge. The front beveling allows you to use the edge of the pad at angles to get into tighter spaces (big advantage on the Flex).

In short, I love them and the orange ones Rick sent me....

[rgcurtis]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Okay, Bounty and All.....after I pulled my head out of you know where (Mike P. keeping it family friendly) I got a clue and here is what I did:
1. M105 w/yellow pad
2. M205 w/yellow pad
3. Most spots and scratches gone, note, most, not all.

Earlier I had stated I used M105, well I did but I mostly used UC because I thought it was more aggressive....silly me....M105 is more aggressive than UC. I chased it with M205 and now I am satisfied. To bad the light went on at 9:15 p.m. EST. The only down fall, 3 hours wasted.

Bounty & ClearlyCoated....thanks a bunch. You guys were invaluable.

Now a "Newbie" question....What is the difference in the CCS pads v. Meg's pads?

[Bounty]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Now a "Newbie" question....What is the difference in the CCS pads v. Meg's pads?

Look carefully at the face of the CCS pad above. CCS stand for Closed Cell Structure and represents those pits or dimples you see in the face of the pad. These small circular depressions contain closed cell foam so they do not absorb product like the rest of the pad face. This allows fresh product to be reintroduced while buffing by the operator by simply pressing down on the machine slightly. They also break up the surface tension by allowing slightly less area to abrade the paint at the same time. They also trap air and reduce surface heat somewhat.

Because the dimples "store" product they are not typically recommended with DAT (diminishing abrasive) products but many people do use them that way. They are produced by Lake Country (LC) and can be custom-spec'd by vendors like Autogeek, Proper Auto Care, and ADS. These custom pads can have added features like beveled edges, recessed back cuts, different backing materials or foam layers, etc. They also come in 8 levels of mechanical abrasiveness and the Meg's pads have three (cut, polish, and finishing). Meg's pads have one or two size pads while LC pads come in sizes from 4" up to 7" for all possible areas.

Meg's does make excellent products and their pads have been used with much success. I personally only use the LC CCS pads...even used them on my G110 when I had it. Hope that answers your question...

[rgcurtis]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Got it. Kinda like paper towels (bounty v. cheapo) in a weird sense. Last question, are the CCS pads washable?

[Bounty]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Got it. Kinda like paper towels (bounty v. cheapo) in a weird sense. Last question, are the CCS pads washable?

I do not like to machine wash any pads but many people do machine wash the CCS pads. I just toss them in a bucket of Dawn/water while I'm performing a detail for them to soak. After it's done, I empty my bucket in the sink and hand wash them under as hot water as my hands can stand and let air dry....works great and pads last me forever.

[Jokeman]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

Im not a fan of the CCS pads. I have found the Meg's pads and LC Flat pads from Proper Auto Care to be the best. The flat pads just plain work!

[rgcurtis]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

UPDATE: My son (19 yrs old) did a COMPLETE pass of M105 w/yellow pad today while I was at work. When I got home we did a complete pass of M205 w/yellow pad. Then we only had time to do wax the hood w/ NXT Tech Wax 2.0. OMG!!!! The results were MONEY!!! We were able to get about 95% of the scratches, etches, and marks out. My son was able to get some before and after pics during the process. I will upload them in a new thread to show all of you the results. BIG TIME PROPS TO: Bounty & ClearlyCoated!!!! Thanks you guys. Now, I am truly addicted to this detailing stuff.

[Bounty]

Re: G110 Help Needed on '02 Mustang GT

UPDATE: My son (19 yrs old) did a COMPLETE pass of M105 w/yellow pad today while I was at work. When I got home we did a complete pass of M205 w/yellow pad. Then we only had time to do wax the hood w/ NXT Tech Wax 2.0. OMG!!!! The results were MONEY!!! We were able to get about 95% of the scratches, etches, and marks out. My son was able to get some before and after pics during the process. I will upload them in a new thread to show all of you the results. BIG TIME PROPS TO: Bounty & ClearlyCoated!!!! Thanks you guys. Now, I am truly addicted to this detailing stuff.

Good job, Chief!! Glad I could be of some small help...