My First DA Use

[gmitch23]

Well fellas I have a ways to go to make your level but here's my first go! I love my car but hate that its silver becuase it's hard to get that "ooooooo" reaction from polishing it.
My steps were
wash gc
clay
UC
cleaner wax
NXT

Also i need to give kudos to NXt. I last waxed it in August and when i clayed it, the clay was pretty clean! It's my daily driver that is not garage kept!
Before


Afters




Sorry i dont have more pics but its hard enough trying to make swirls show on a silver car without halogen lights.
Any advice will be gladly taken!

[Joe Dragon]

Re: My First DA Use

Nice job, there's a clear difference in the before & after pics. My car is silver too & although it doesn't get the oh's and ah's dark colors get, lots of people comment on how clean it is. But I wouldn't care if no one said anything about it, I do it for myself.

What was it like using the DA, what's the learning curve like? Been thinking of getting one but can't seem to justify the expense right now.

[Shawn T.]

Re: My First DA Use

Nice job! That silver looks really nice!

[Michael Stoops]

Re: My First DA Use

Huge difference in the before/after shots, no doubt about it! If you want to shoot for more of a "wow" factor with silver, try using Ultimate Polish or M205 on a black finishing pad via DA after UC but before your wax. Either product can work wonders for the clarity of the finish and really make the metallic pop before waxing.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: My First DA Use

Now there's a household tip I'm gonna try on my silver Avalon. Thanks Mike.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: My First DA Use

Experiment with it a bit, Joe. Some paints will respond better to the polishing pad, some with the finishing pad. From personal experience I like to run the finishing pad at speed 4 and really take my time massaging it in, so to speak. The end result is added clarity and "sharpness" for lack of a better term. This can also be done on a rotary at very slow speeds with a finishing pad - works like a charm!

[Blue Apollo IV]

Re: My First DA Use

Looks excellent to me. Shiny!

[gmitch23]

Re: My First DA Use

Nice job, there's a clear difference in the before & after pics. My car is silver too & although it doesn't get the oh's and ah's dark colors get, lots of people comment on how clean it is. But I wouldn't care if no one said anything about it, I do it for myself.

What was it like using the DA, what's the learning curve like? Been thinking of getting one but can't seem to justify the expense right now.

I've been dying to get a DA since i first came to this site a year ago. Learning curve isnt very much if you do your research on here and online. I personally like Meg's videos and write up as well as the "junkmans videos" (google him) I'm like you on the expense thing but if we had darker cars then its well worth it. But for what its worth, my wife says she can tell a difference and she sees nothing! lol she said my car is silver again and not grey. The hardest part to using it though is that with a silver car you cannot see when you need more wax or product. And its easy to miss spots wiping off. O and thanks for the compliment

[gmitch23]

Re: My First DA Use

Huge difference in the before/after shots, no doubt about it! If you want to shoot for more of a "wow" factor with silver, try using Ultimate Polish or M205 on a black finishing pad via DA after UC but before your wax. Either product can work wonders for the clarity of the finish and really make the metallic pop before waxing.

Thanks for the tip! I will try that in a month or two. Hopefully it wont need UC that time.

[gmitch23]

Re: My First DA Use

Looks excellent to me. Shiny!

btw, love the blue stang! i enjoyed ur write up on it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: My First DA Use

Thanks for the tip! I will try that in a month or two. Hopefully it wont need UC that time.

If you're careful with your washing and drying process it shouldn't need much beyond just a coat of wax even after several months.

[rcktpwrd]

Re: My First DA Use

looks great!

Joe the DA is worth it!!! I got a Griot's 6" from ToolTopia on sale a little while back it was just over a hundred bucks and worth every penny!!!

[Joe Dragon]

Re: My First DA Use

That's what I'm starting to think too, Rocket. The thought of doing my wife's Sienna van makes me tired just imagining what's involved as far as doing it by hand; my Avalon is bad enough. I guess my main hesitation now is figuring out how to use it without someone to show me the ropes. One of the better detailing shops here in Denver will be giving some demos in April & I'll be going; maybe I can corral one of the guys & pay him for half an hour of his time to get me started, in addition to watching the videos here.