Finally purchased a DA polisher!

[Eldorado2k]

Yup yup. I'm on speed 5 UC. Just about done with the whole passenger side. Just got the rear quarter panel to go. Same orange pad. I've been cleaning on the fly frequently and it looks to be in good shape. I even got down low and hit underneath the trim section of the doors. Figured it's gotta be done, and aint no use moving onto the next step if I'm gonna make a mess later.. Once I hit that panel I'm free to start polishing. But I'm starting to get tired and I havn't had a real meal all day.. But it's 4:45 and sunsets just after 7, so I'm debating. But I want to be completly done by tomorrow nite.

I like the results so far though. I messed around with several light sources and it was a pita trying to find the swirls on the pass side, especially in the shade.. Then I got a big mirror and reflected the sun to it.. Bingo! It worked perfectly and I got to work on them. I like the freedom the machine gives you. Pressure on the DA really makes a difference when you need it to

I'm hoping to maybe go 3 times over with the UP. Once with fairly moderate pressure on the white, then light on the black, then finesse blue style. The UP says re apply as needed for additional gloss right? Or does it sound like overkill? I'm figuring it's worth a shot since there's no cut on the last 2 pads.

[The Guz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

After going over with UC I follow with UP using the same technique used with UC to refine the finish and move on. For me that is good enough.
Try a test spot going over with UP 4-6 passes and see if you get the results you are looking for. If you are happy then continue polishing and seal the paint. I'm sure you will be happy with just one application of UP.

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Appreciate the work in progress pics and step by step share of your experience with your DA polisher.

Question: You said you've been using UC for correction and UP for polishing. Is UC more aggressive than Swirlx? Wondering if I should use UC when it's time for me to break out my new polisher. (Weather still is too unsettled to do a full-on restore job. More snow/rain predicted this week. Just ran the car through the touchless wash today and dried it with MF.)

I normally enjoy winter weather because I am a cross country skier, but this year I'd just like spring to get here to let me get busy on the car.

On another note, I learned from another forum that I should get a touch up pen from the dealer to fix paint chips with the best color match. Apparently, the dealer has touch up pens keyed to the paint codes for all its vehicles.

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Quik update, along with a few things I've noticed: 1. This is going to take awhile. It's fine, It's Saturday.
2. Losing your DA virginity is kinda tense, and seems like big mistakes are being made.. But once you relax, it's fun.
3. Music helps with the relaxing part. For some reason, I wanted to listen to the music from the MeguiarsAsia youtube video. [the Ultimate Compound "how to vid"]
4. That music either makes you feel like a polishing badass or just cracks you up. Or both. Lol.
5. The Meguiars Asia dudes must be real funny guys in real life.. Correcting out of this world swirls a half hood at a time, in direct sunlight, speed 4, with great theme music in the background, just to show how a Real badass does it! Haha. Those dudes are great
6. Smoothest clay session I've ever had. It had been 5 months and bearly any contaminents on the paint. This is what half the hood looked like, and most of it was light dust from being parked overnight.

I do the same thing with music, but I listen to contemporary jazz while I'm working--I consider it equivalent to meditation from the amount of stress relief and joy that comes out of it.

Update: 8400 miles today.

[The Guz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Appreciate the work in progress pics and step by step share of your experience with your DA polisher.

Question: You said you've been using UC for correction and UP for polishing. Is UC more aggressive than Swirlx? Wondering if I should use UC when it's time for me to break out my new polisher. (Weather still is too unsettled to do a full-on restore job. More snow/rain predicted this week. Just ran the car through the touchless wash today and dried it with MF.)

I normally enjoy winter weather because I am a cross country skier, but this year I'd just like spring to get here to let me get busy on the car.

On another note, I learned from another forum that I should get a touch up pen from the dealer to fix paint chips with the best color match. Apparently, the dealer has touch up pens keyed to the paint codes for all its vehicles.

Here you go.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...t-surprise-you!

You can get touch up paint from duplicolor at your local auto parts store.

[Eldorado2k]

I put the work down for the night. I've learned from experience not to detail with limited visability. Even though it's tempting, It's too unpredictable.

[Eldorado2k]

Times like this is when I envy those with space in the garage.

Btw, I spent way too much time chillin out today. Chattin with the neighbor, then my buddy came over. I ended up ordering pizza and even ended up detailing my interior earlier today when I should've been polishing. Lol.

Tomorrow I plan to knock it out though. It looks pretty darn shiny for just some UC right now. It feels great to know those swirls are actually gone for good! Awesome!

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Finally happened:

Was on my way to work at 5:25 AM, ran over a flat rock which skipped down the driver's side door and bounced off the passenger's door on that same side.

Don't know how, but it didn't leave a dent or chip the paint. There are some circular scuff marks on both doors, though.

I see this as a perfect opportunity to fire up the new HF buffer. Question is, what is the best compound to use? I'd categorize the swirl marks as 'moderate.'

Thanks.

[Eldorado2k]

I would take a less agressive option to start things off if I were you. I know you probably can't wait to use your new DA, but if 1 minor scuff is the main reason, I would start by taking just a bit of Ultimate Compound on a clean microfiber towel to it 1st.

Thinking of needing to bust out the machine for 1 minor scratch might be overkill? Kinda like using a grenade to kill a housefly :p
You may end up removing it with with just a few moderate passes by hand.. Or maybe later when you happen to be in the middle of removing swirls with your DA. But keep in mind the likely result prior to attacking it, because you should already know just by looking at it whether it's fixable or not. Also keep in mind that some fixable scratches Aren't worth the comprimise you might end up with.

[you don't want to dig too deep and remove too much paint.] That might not be a problem with this 1, but it's a good rule to play it safe and use the Least agressive method 1st!

[The Guz]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Quite a few people have experienced the following with M105:

- Short working time;
- The product drying out easily and becoming hard to remove;
- Dusting.

It's all stuff that can be fixed with adjustments to technique, but it's not something that's ideal for a newbie IMO.

And yes, you can defintely obtain the same results with UC.

I typically use the pro products M105/M205/M21 but today I was helping my brother to show him how to detail his car since he just picked up a harbor freight DA. I showed him that he could obtain great results with UC, UP and NXT 2.0. The hood on his car had some deep scratches as well as the passenger side fender. UC couldn't pull these out. The clear coat is harder certain parts of his 03 Grand Prix than the clear coat on my 99 Grand Prix. So I was going to go with D300 + microfiber cutting pad and I forgot to bring my D300 doh!

So I decided to go with M105 + MF cutting pad. I have to agree with what Davey posted. I'm not a newbie with M105 but boy it can be tough to use and it is a pain to remove when it is over worked and dry's out. I was working small sections and I still had the same issues with it. I even mixed UC with it to have a longer working time, limit the amount of dusting and keep it from drying out. It's not the easiest compound to use but it got the job done. I actually switched to another manufacturers compound to do the drivers side of the hood. It did not dust, has a long working time and did not leave a haze. M105 did leave a haze which M205 and polishing pad removed. I need to get some M101 and see if that truly is better than M105. These are some of the reasons why I don't use M105 too often or even recommend it. UC is a better alternative to starting out and if one needs more correction D300+MF cutting pad would be my recommendation.

do yourself a favor and do the grease mod to that HF da

I need to do this on my brothers HF DA.

I put the work down for the night. I've learned from experience not to detail with limited visability. Even though it's tempting, It's too unpredictable.

That's a good idea. You are better off waiting for better lighting to make sure you are getting the desired results.

Finally happened:

Was on my way to work at 5:25 AM, ran over a flat rock which skipped down the driver's side door and bounced off the passenger's door on that same side.

Don't know how, but it didn't leave a dent or chip the paint. There are some circular scuff marks on both doors, though.

I see this as a perfect opportunity to fire up the new HF buffer. Question is, what is the best compound to use? I'd categorize the swirl marks as 'moderate.'

Thanks.

For the area the rock left it's mark I would go with UC on a foam applicator pad. That should be more than enough to remove it. Then use some wax on it until you are ready to polish the car. As far as your question of which compound to use for moderate swirls, give UC a shot. If you need more correction then M101 or M105 would be the next step up. I would do a test spot and see if UP or M205 (which is my choice out of the 2 as it is more versatile) can get the job done.

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

I typically use the pro products M105/M205/M21 but today I was helping my brother to show him how to detail his car since he just picked up a harbor freight DA. I showed him that he could obtain great results with UC, UP and NXT 2.0. The hood on his car had some deep scratches as well as the passenger side fender. UC couldn't pull these out. The clear coat is harder certain parts of his 03 Grand Prix than the clear coat on my 99 Grand Prix. So I was going to go with D300 + microfiber cutting pad and I forgot to bring my D300 doh!

So I decided to go with M105 + MF cutting pad. I have to agree with what Davey posted. I'm not a newbie with M105 but boy it can be tough to use and it is a pain to remove when it is over worked and dry's out. I was working small sections and I still had the same issues with it. I even mixed UC with it to have a longer working time, limit the amount of dusting and keep it from drying out. It's not the easiest compound to use but it got the job done. I actually switched to another manufacturers compound to do the drivers side of the hood. It did not dust, has a long working time and did not leave a haze. M105 did leave a haze which M205 and polishing pad removed. I need to get some M101 and see if that truly is better than M105. These are some of the reasons why I don't use M105 too often or even recommend it. UC is a better alternative to starting out and if one needs more correction D300+MF cutting pad would be my recommendation.


I need to do this on my brothers HF DA.



That's a good idea. You are better off waiting for better lighting to make sure you are getting the desired results.



For the area the rock left it's mark I would go with UC on a foam applicator pad. That should be more than enough to remove it. Then use some wax on it until you are ready to polish the car. As far as your question of which compound to use for moderate swirls, give UC a shot. If you need more correction then M101 or M105 would be the next step up. I would do a test spot and see if UP or M205 (which is my choice out of the 2 as it is more versatile) can get the job done.

Sounds like a good plan. So I'm planning on doing the whole car with UC and the HF DA orbiter. Just a bit more attention to those spots should do the trick.

As an aside, just did the touchless wash yesterday, clayed and waxed. Asked my girlfriend if she could see the scuff marks, and she said she couldn't. They are visible when you look with an oblique angle (close to the door, looking from back to front).

Thanks for all the suggestions about posting photos. I think the best course of action is to have my daughter take the photos, since she has an Android phone that will upload with no issues.

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

I would take a less agressive option to start things off if I were you. I know you probably can't wait to use your new DA, but if 1 minor scuff is the main reason, I would start by taking just a bit of Ultimate Compound on a clean microfiber towel to it 1st.

Thinking of needing to bust out the machine for 1 minor scratch might be overkill? Kinda like using a grenade to kill a housefly :p
You may end up removing it with with just a few moderate passes by hand.. Or maybe later when you happen to be in the middle of removing swirls with your DA. But keep in mind the likely result prior to attacking it, because you should already know just by looking at it whether it's fixable or not. Also keep in mind that some fixable scratches Aren't worth the comprimise you might end up with.

[you don't want to dig too deep and remove too much paint.] That might not be a problem with this 1, but it's a good rule to play it safe and use the Least agressive method 1st!

Great advice, always go from the least aggressive solution first.

Will wait until it's time to go over the entire car, and take care of them that way--see post farther down this thread.

Thanks again for the advice!

[Eldorado2k]

Work in sections. I found out the hard way the whole car might take alot longer than you might expect, even with the machine.
Due to: It being your 1st time. You being a perfectionist. Getting your technique just right. Etc..

[billddrummer]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Work in sections. I found out the hard way the whole car might take alot longer than you might expect, even with the machine.
Due to: It being your 1st time. You being a perfectionist. Getting your technique just right. Etc..

Called me out on several things in one extremely effective post!

• Being a perfectionist--working that through many areas of my life right now
• Being my first time--yep, but don't want to make more work for myself down the road
• Getting my technique just right--so that I can, if I wish, offer this service (for a reasonable fee) to other people
• And one you didn't mention--the extraordinary pleasure I feel when an attractive woman says "what a nice looking car! Can I have a ride?"

My goal for my DD is to make it look so good that my coworkers will have to ask me 'how I do it.'

Then I can bill them.

I'm looking at acquiring a BMW M Roadster (1998-2002) as my next vehicle, and that car will need to look its best at all times. What I learn on this forum will allow me to make that a reality.

Thanks!

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Finally purchased a DA polisher!

Check it out my friend, I've got 1 more for ya.. If possible, test the waters that 1st time, even if it's just on a single panel, on a guinea pig vehicle. You can easily impress a family member even if they couldn't care less about their cars finish. Those type of friends actually make the best test subjects just in case something goes wrong aka you learn a valuable lesson to avoid on your own ride. That lesson could be anything from technique to product results, time it takes, work involved etc... It provides that little bit of piece of mind and could prevent having to deal with unexpected surprises that 1st time around on YOUR precious ride.