Polishing my hand????

[Precision]

Hi Everyone,

I plan to do a full detail on my car and during the process I plan to perform the polishing step by hand. I was looking at these three products:

1.) Swirl-X
2.) Scratch-X
3.) Ultimate Compound

I looked at my car and I want to get rid of light scratches, light swirls, mild blemishes, and scuff marks.

I am pretty sure polishing by hand will take me longer than using a rotary buffer but I don't mind and I don't have a rotary at the moment. Which product would provide me the best result? I was checking out the Ultimate Compound and it looks like it gets rid of swirl marks, scratches, etc.etc.

Another question I have is, whichever of the products I would buy should I apply the product to my car at least twice? All three products are apply-on and wipe-off correct? Meaning, there is no waiting period. Also I currently have Color-X and afterwards, can I apply Color-X after Ultimate Compound or whichever of the three products you guys recommend me to buy?

I plan to use Color-X as a pre-cleaner wax. I love the shine of Color-X and I usually proceed with #21 or #26 after Color-X and I love the stunning results. My car is so shiny that it blinds me, Meguiars good stuff. Mike Phillips and everyone, thanks for the inputs.


Precision

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing my hand????

If it were me, I would want SwirlX and Ultimate Compound on my shelf.

What sort of car is it, any pics?

[Precision]

Re: Polishing my hand????

Hi,

I have an Acura TSX 2004. I was actually thinking of purchasing both of the products you've mention. Apply a coat of swirl-x and then followed by Ultimate Compound. Afterwards, I will apply Color-X and then Meg's #21. Thanks!!!

Precision

[Precision]

Re: Polishing my hand????

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask you Murr1525, if you had to polish by hand would you use all three products? No? Yes? If so, in which order would you apply the products? Thanks.


Precision

[Murr1525]

Re: Polishing my hand????

Yeah, I wouldn't do what you said...

Not familiar with Acura paint myself, so someone else may chime in on how it does by hand.

Generally, you would do a test spot with SwirlX, and see if it is strong enough. If so, great, do the car with it. Could take 2 applications.

If not, then do a test spot with UC, and see. If it is strong enough, good, if not, come back, post some more, and see what is wrong. Again, 2 or so applications if needed.

Now, after the SwirlX and UC, if they leave the surface looking perfect, you can wax right after them. Just two coats of your favorite wax.

If for some reason UC left a little marring behind, you could then follow up with ColorX+Wax, or SwirlX+Wax+Wax as needed. Might take a test spot to see what gets rid of the marring.

Of course to remove swirls, the products need worked in well. Not just wipe on/off. And be sure to use the surface of your hand/fingers to apply pressure to the pad, not your fingertips.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Polishing my hand????

Since you're working by hand, in all honesty UC is going to be your best bet here. It is important to use this or any other paint cleaner properly though.

You asked:

Another question I have is, whichever of the products I would buy should I apply the product to my car at least twice? All three products are apply-on and wipe-off correct? Meaning, there is no waiting period.

Essentially, yes, but keep in mind that "apply the product" in this case does not mean simply wiping it on and then wiping it off. You need to put some muscle behind the process here and work in just small areas at a time - no larger than probably 12" x 12". If you apply moderate pressure and work in circular motions, covering every square inch of paint several times, you should be able to get great results using UC by hand. We use this product in our Saturday Detailing Classes, almost always on black cars (check out pictures from Saturday Classes for more) and even working by hand we get great results. When working by hand you can literally feel your applicator start to drag a little when the product starts to dry, and that's a good indication that it's time to stop working on that spot and wipe the product off.

It is always advisable to stop after the first section and once again evaluate the finish in strong light. You want to get a feel for your progress here as there's nothing worse than doing the whole car only to find out you didn't quite get to where you wanted to be and you have to go over it again. Sometimes you do need a couple of applications, especially when working by hand, but it's much better to know that up front than when you think you're done!

I plan to use Color-X as a pre-cleaner wax. I love the shine of Color-X and I usually proceed with #21 or #26 after Color-X and I love the stunning results. My car is so shiny that it blinds me, Meguiars good stuff. Mike Phillips and everyone, thanks for the inputs.

You most certainly can do this following UC - sounds like a great plan!

[ronniejay]

Re: Polishing my hand????

If I were as close to Meguiar's Inc., 17991 Mitchell ,South Irvine, CA as you, I would go to as many of their free classes as I could.

[Emig5m]

Re: Polishing my hand????

I thought Swirl Remover 2.0 worked real well by hand.... Problem is it didn't have a long shelf life (kept indoors too) and turned very watery and I had to throw it out.

Swirl Remover 2.0 + #26 was like Scratch-X + NXT2.0 on steroids, lol.