After much searching, and reading, I still don't know what to use??

xTravBx · 06-10-06, 10:33

Okay. With all the abbreviations of products, even after searching I'm still at a loss as to what to buy.

Here's what I believe I narrowed it down to.

I'm going to be doing a full detail, once my PC7424 shows up. I'm getting this kit:

Porter Cable 7424 Variable Speed Polisher
D.A. 5 Inch Flexible Backing Plate
1- 6.5” Orange Light Cutting Pad
1- 5.5" Orange Light Cutting Pad
2- 6.5” White Polishing Pads
2- 6.5” Gray Finishing Pads
2 Cobra Microfiber Detailing Towels
1 Packet of Snappy Clean

First I'll clay bar. I got that covered, no need for input on that.

Next I'll polish. I have a 2001 black VW. The paint is not in bad shape. It's not great, but not neglected. I plan on doing poorboys SSR2.5, followed by SSR1. Is that good for polishing? Or should I use Sonus polishes? SFX2 Followed by SFX3?

And what pads should I be using to polish? And just wipe away the dry polish with a detailing MF towel?

So then after I polish, I seal. Klasse High Gloss Sealant? Any other ideas?

What is the abbreviation AIO for? Klasse All in one? Is that a wax to be used after a sealant?

And what is S100 that people say to use as a wax, instead of P21S ?

And what pads am I using with my PC7424 with all these products?

This is a ton of questions, thanks for reading!

MDRX8 · 06-10-06, 11:39

This is JMHO I would use Menzerna Intensive Polish with a orange pad. Folow by Menzerna Final Polish white pad. Then AIO X 2 with gray pad. Letting it cure 24 hours between coats. Then Your S100 w/ gray pad X 2 24 hours apart. If you really want a awesome look use Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax. Have Fun!!

xTravBx · 06-10-06, 11:43

AIO X 2 ?

Does that mean Klasse All in One, 2 coats?

Followed by s100 2 coats?

Thanks for the help. I'll search out those products.

Accumulator · 06-10-06, 01:40

xTravBx- Maybe I can clear up some of this stuff, it *is* confusing when you're first getting into it.

The Klasse All-In-One (AIO) is a combo cleaner/synthetic sealant. Think of it as a "cleaner wax". You use it to prep the surface before applying the Klasse Sealant Glaze (KSG or just SG). Generally one uses AIO after the abrasive polishing and then applies multiple layers of the SG about 24 hours apart. After building up a few layers of SG (you can just add one after each wash), some people put wax on top (a "wax topper") to improve the look. But then you can't add more SG as it won't bond to wax.

AIO: polishing pad. KSG: finishing pad, but I'd recommend that you apply it by hand to get a *very* thin application, so thin you can barely see it.

The only issues I have with the Klasse twins are that they require a basically perfect surface (no "swirls" etc. AKA "marring") to look really good. This isn't always practically attainable, especially when you're just starting out. So I generally recommend a long lasting wax like Collinite instead. More forgiving of a little marring, very long lasting, and great beading. A bit easier to use correctly than SG too, which some people find tricky.

I myself recommend 1z Paint Polish for people just getting started. The 1z line is *VERY* user-friendly. It's not like you'll go wrong with any of the major brands, but note that most people vastly underestimate how long it takes to do a full detail, so I like to stick with stuff that's easy to use and that gives acceptable results even if things fall a little short of perfection.

Some VWs have very hard clear. If yours is one of them, finding stuff that's user-friendly and forgiving of minor flaws might be a good idea

xTravBx · 06-10-06, 02:01

Thanks a lot for the detailed response.

Where in NE ohio are you? I live in Cleveland. Do you run a shop, or are you a home detailer?

Where do you get your 1Z products? And what ones do you recomend?

Accumulator · 06-10-06, 02:38

I'm well south of you (guess NE Ohio is pretty vague

) and I just do my own stuff these days.

I'd order 1Z stuff from PAKSHAK . Don't let the location trouble you, they don't charge much for shipping.

I like having all three 1z polishes on hand, the Extra (used to be called Ultra, it's good for nasty marring like scratches), the Paint Polish (this is the general-purpose one that you'll use most often), and the very mild MetallicPolishWax (like a nice cleaner wax). People I know who couldn't care less about detailing still get good results with this stuff, and that tells me something

Put some 476S paste wax (or 845 Insulator Wax) from Collinite on after the 1z polish and you'll be all set. See if Pakshak has the Collinite. If not you can order it direct from COLLINITE , it's inexpensive and the people there are very friendly and helpful. Again, this isn't the only good approach, but I'm confident it'll work out OK for you.

Oh, while you're at PakShak, check out his great MicroFiber products!