Changing from Consumer to Professional Products

[dgaplin]

I'm detailing cars as a second job and have 4 years experience. Also, I have a g110v2 arriving tomorrow. So, I have always used the consumer line but want to try the professional line for better results. Here's what I've been doing recently:
Clay
Ultimate Compound or Swirl X
Ultimate Polish
NXT 2.0

A similar process using the professional line would be:
Clay
M105 (is this too abrasive to use on every car?)
M205
M21
M26

Correct?

[Mark58]

Re: Changing from Consumer to Professional Products

Have you considered Microfiber System?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49598

[Murr1525]

Re: Changing from Consumer to Professional Products

I'm detailing cars as a second job and have 4 years experience. Also, I have a g110v2 arriving tomorrow. So, I have always used the consumer line but want to try the professional line for better results. Here's what I've been doing recently:
Clay
Ultimate Compound or Swirl X
Ultimate Polish
NXT 2.0

Its not really a matter of getting better/worse results. It is just different options for different paints, and also buying in bulk.

A similar process using the professional line would be:
Clay
M105/UC (is this too abrasive to use on every car?) If the car needs it. It is a bit stronger than UC, not quite as DA friendly.
M205/SwirlX/Ult. Polish
M21 M21 2.0 is like Nxt 2.0
M26 This will be more like Gold Class. If you wanted to use both waxes, or not, etc

See Red

And as mentioned, there is the MF system, plus all the other glass cleaners, APC's, dressings, etc, etc.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Changing from Consumer to Professional Products

Since you are using a DA, I doubt whether your eye would be able to tell the difference between the consumer and professional line. The professional line is formulated to be used also with a rotary.....which in the hands of a "pro" can produce some stunning results.

[greg0303]

Re: Changing from Consumer to Professional Products

As Mat pointed out the biggest advantage of Mirror Glaze Professional Line products is that they are available in bulk sizes and can be used with rotary buffers.

M105 is noticeably more aggressive than UC and not ultimate product in all cases.

Mark suggested good solution: DA MF Correction System if more cut/ defect removal needed, it will get you close to rotary buffer league.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Changing from Consumer to Professional Products

You won't necessarily get better results using the Mirror Glaze Pro line of products - as others have mentioned not only are they suitable for rotary use and available in larger sizes, but most of them (excluding the waxes/sealants) are body shop safe, which usually means nothing for a detailer.

If you're good at what you do, you should be able to get outstanding results using most of the consumer line - and with regard to UC and M105, with a DA you'll generally have a much better user experience with UC. M105 set a new standard for us with regard to defect removal, but that's when discussing sanding mark removal with a rotary buffer and wool pad. Where M105 stepped up the game was speed of removal and quality of finish when dealing with sanding mark removal. But it seems to be everyone's new go-to for simple swirl removal with a DA and we sometimes wonder how in the world anyone removed defects prior to 2007 when M105 was introduced?

Don't use M105 as a crutch. If you can remove defects with a less aggressive product, do it. For some paint systems, and some defects, it's far more aggressive than you probably need and UC, which is derived from M105, is likely a better solution in many, many cases. A follow up with M205 or Ultimate Polish can do wonders for clarity after the initial defect removal phase. UP has more polishing oils in it, while M205 is probably a bit better at overall refining of the finish - a clarity enhancer if you will. That's certainly one place where you may notice an improvement in overall result by using the Mirror Glaze Pro line over the consumer line. And in some cases, this alone could make a pretty noticeable difference. But you still have to use it right. Nothing on the market is so good that it will make up for poor technique or a lack of passion. Nothing.

[dgaplin]

Re: Changing from Consumer to Professional Products

Thanks for the advice. I got the DA today and man it's awesome! I did the trunk and hood of my '88 BMW 635CSi. This car has seriously hard paint. The process I used was:
-UC with yellow pad
-UP with yellow pad
-UP with black pad
-NXT 2.0 with black pad
-Deep Crystal Carnauba using hand.

Many scratches and water marks were removed. Deeper ones are still present but overall the finish is killer for a 23 year old car! I thinking more pressure would do the trick on the deeper ones but I didn't press too hard this being my first time using a DA. I'm going to do the hood tomorrow. If more time and pressure doesn't do it, maybe I'll try M105.