Bought the PC 7336; have some questions!

[ThePhreak]

I just ran out to Lowes tonight and bought the Porter-Cable 7336 for $100. Now I can't wait till it gets warm out (30's for the next 2 weeks; joy), but I guess it's good because I need to stock up on supplies anyway! To start off, I have a 2001 Dodge Neon with cobweb/swirls throughout the whole car. The shine is not too bad I guess, not not as shiny as it was a few years ago. It has not been waxed in over a year probably, and has not been maintained either. (Pictures of the car below)

1. For washing, I already bought some NXT Wash. I was wondering if for the first time (the car hasn't been waxed in a year+) I should wash the car with Liquid Dawn first to get all the prior **** off of it, if anyone could tell me I'd appreciate it.

2. Next after I washed it with the NXT, I planned on using the Quick Clay System to take off anything still left on the surface.

3. After claying the surface and getting it nice and smooth, I didn't know whether to go with Swirl Remover, Speed Glaze, Show Car Glaze, Machine Glaze, Body Shop Professional Swirl Free Polish, or even Body Shop Professional Dual Action Cleaner/Polish. If I could get suggestions on what to use it would be appreciated. I definitely want to get rid of the swirl marks!

4. After polishing it with whatever you guys recommend, I was going to wax it with NXT Liquid Wax, but if anyone has suggestions throw 'em at me!

5. For my rims, I planned to go with Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner and then Hot Shine High Gloss Tire Spray.

6. For maintenance I planned on going with Quik Detailer since I can use that with the Clay too.

Also, I have a problem with the front bumper of the car. I heard that the bumper is plastic, so it looks like the clear coat is peeling off. There is a picture below. Can anyone tell me how to take care of that?

That's basically all I know, so if anyone has ideas and can help me with the polish / wax or whatever, I'd be very greatful. I also have no idea of what I need to buy as far as pads/bonnets/towels. What is the difference between the "3 Polishing Pads" and the Soft Buff® Foam Polishing Pads? I've tried to look but I get some different answers at different places. I have the Porter-Cable 7336, so if you could tell me exactly what I need it would help a lot, and also how exactly many pads/finishing pads for what I want to do. Thank you very much for all your help! Can't wait to get to ordering!


Heres the pics:
(theres snow on the car and its nightime, so it's not as bad as it seems, just trying to show the swirls / bumper)



What I have come up with s far:

Quik Wax 16 oz. (473 ml) $4.99
Quik Clay Detailing System 16 oz. (473 ml) $9.99
NXT Generation® Tech Wax 18 oz. (532 ml) $14.99
Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner 24 oz. (710 ml) $4.99
Speed Glaze 32 oz. (946 ml) $14.99 1 $14.99
Body Shop Professional Dual Action Cleaner/Polish 32 oz. (946 ml)
Hi-Tech Applicator Pad 6 pads $3.90
DA Velcro Buffing System $32.95
Water Magnet Drying Towel $8.99
Supreme Shine Microfiber (Three-Pack) Three-Pack $9.99
Ultra Plush Chenille Wash Mitt $4.99

======
SUB-TOTAL $129.76

[romulus]

just hang on. I am trying to response your questions.

[romulus]

Hello ThePhreak,
First, you came up with a good selection of products. So here is my take in how to proceed. I will answer based on your bullet points.
1- Do not wash your car with liquid Dawn because it’s too harsh for your paint. I know, your car has never been waxed. But why do the same step twice if you are planning to use the NTX wash. The NTX wash should do a good job in removing all the road grime. If you notice any tar, use a bug-tar remover. In my case, I did use some WD-40 to loose it, then wash the entire car.

2- Yep, you got it right. Do the entire car this time. After this detail, you can do the horizontal areas at least the next detail. Again, that will depend of how much dirt is in your car. To save a bit of time, I clay the car while wet.

3- As Meguiar’s and the other pros recommend “use the less aggressive product first�
I will start in a test spot (16� x 16�) with the yellow pad 8006 and #80 “speed glaze� with a speed setting of 4 or 5 and about 3-5 lbs of pressure. Go over a few minutes then wipe the residues. If the cob webs are still there then step up with #83 Dual action cleaner and polish. If you ended up using #83, it is recommended to go over again with #80 because it contains some of the TS oils. If you already have the DA Velcro buffing system you should have two 8006 pads and one 9006 plus the Velcro backing plate. So dedicate the two 8006 pads for the #80 and #83.





4- Once done polishing, you can go straight to wax. However, if you want a bit of dept you can use # 7 show car glaze. Just to warn you, its a bit harder to remove. Most people found that Deep Crystal Polish is easier to remove. So, IMO is a better product for you since you are starting to get serious about detailing. Just apply the product by hand in a small area with a foam applicator. Work it a few minutes and wipe off (no need to let it dry) and move to the next area. Once done, apply the NTX wax by hand or with your DA polisher with the 9006 pad. If you use your DA, just go over the area a few passes and move on to new areas. Let it cure for 15 minutes and remove it with a MF towel. If you are not sure if is cured enough, do the swipe test. It’s your personal preference if you want to use the liquid or paste version. They are the same.





5- You got it. Just remember to clean the wheels first before washing the entire car. You don’t want any brake dust and wheel cleaner on your paint after washing the car body.

6-Yep, quick detailer for maintenance.

Now, based on the picture of your bumper. You got a clear coat failure. The only way to fix that is to have the bumper painted again.
As I mentioned earlier, if you have the DA Velcro Buffing System it should come with the backing plate, two yellow 8006 for polishing and one 9006 kind of pink pad for the final wax.
Here are the differences: the 7006 (maroon pad) is the firmest. It is the most aggressive pad. It should never be used in you DA because will leave buffing marks. Its ok to use on a rotary buffer. The only time you can use in you DA would be if you have the ultimate bonnet to buff out the wax.



The 8006 yellow pad is the one that most people use for polishing, specially if you have the #80 and #83 products. It’s a medium density foam and is less aggressive pad. You can use this pad with your ultimate bonnet as well.

And the 9006 pad is dedicated for the final wax or for pure polished like show car glaze or deep crystal polish. It is the softest pad and it has no cutting abilities. Since is the softest, it is not recommended to use with the ultimate bonnet.

As for how many buffing pads, that will depend on how many product you want to use with your DA. I guess I am repeating my self, to summarize base on you list.
One 8006 for Dual action cleaner polisher (#83)
One 8006 for Speed Glaze (#80)
One 9006 for your NTX Wax if you want to use your DA
I guess that is all you need for now. So, feel free to ask any question.
Cheers

[Mike Phillips]

Great jog on the reply romulus!



Mike

[Mark McGuire]

Great reply romulus, not only have you been reading, but learning as well, way to go.

[ThePhreak]

Originally posted by romulus

I guess that is all you need for now. So, feel free to ask any question.
Cheers

Thank you for your in depth response! I just have one question; does anyone know if I could somehow paint my bumper myself? I just turned 17 and got my license, and all this detailing stuff is costing me around $275, so I don't really have the money to bring it in and get it painted!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by ThePhreak
Thank you for your in depth response! I just have one question; does anyone know if I could somehow paint my bumper myself? I just turned 17 and got my license, and all this detailing stuff is costing me around $275, so I don't really have the money to bring it in and get it painted!

Sure you can. It will require some work on you end however.

You'll want to go to a PBE store, (Paint, Body & Equipment), and have them mix you some paint that matches your factory paint. They can put this into an aerosol can, you might want to get a few cans, show them you're bumper and ask them how many they think it will take. Also ask the paint mixer what to use and how to use it, the products to prep the surface, most of the guys I have met in this industry will be happy to show you and walk you through the process. You can also pick up a book on basic body work and learn a lot from it. Next, prep the finish accordingly, tape off the surrounding areas and have at it. Take your time and do a good job and you should be able to do well enough that it will look dramatically better than it does

Mike

[rpalena]

Which Lowes?

I was unable to find the pc 7336 at my store (Turnersville, NJ). Which one did you find it at?

Thanks

Never mind, found it at another Lowes.