The time is here

College Commish · 06-15-05, 03:02

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Wife just got me a 7336 from Lowes for my birthday and I order a few items from Excel Detail, now I am getting ready to attack my neglected 2000 Explorer. Has swirling and scratches, the extent to which I don't know how to classify, but it has been through 5 years of mixed hand washing, drive through washes and neglect, time to make her shine! My plan is start with the explorer than move to the BMW, well because if I screwed up the BMW, I would become suicidal and end it all. Anyway here is my plan

Wash - Megs Gold Class
Clay with Mothers OTC (forgot to order from Excel so OTC willl have to do)
Wash
SSR 2.5 with a Propel Green pad as needed (and it will be needed)
SSR 1 with Propel Blue
AIO with Propel Blue
SG with Propel Grey

I will probably phase it out wash and clay one night after work and the hit the SSR's and the twins on the weekend.

Now I am all excited, I want to go start now!!

Pics to come after clay and a wash

GaryRz · 06-15-05, 04:44

Those are exactly the same steps and products that I used on my (also neglected) 1999 Explorer. For a first effort I was pretty much satisfied.

Two things I would keep in mind:

1) Sling. I had no idea how the SSRs would fly!

2) Polish, polish, polish. Like someone here says, prep is everything. Don't be in a big hurry to start putting on the shiny stuff.

Good luck, and enjoy!

Prometheus · 06-15-05, 04:50

I usually do SSR1 by green pad instead of blue, but the blue pad would still work. Other than that, have fun!

themightytimmah · 06-15-05, 05:16

If its pretty neglected, use SSR2.5 via orange and SSR1 via green. That might give you a lil more cut.

College Commish · 06-16-05, 04:11

Thanks for the feedback!

I am going to see what kind of results I can get from the green pad and ssr2.5, if not I will have to order more abrasive pad. Maybe I will use the green pad, after cleaning, with the SSR1.

How long do I need to wait for the pad to dry?

Prometheus · 06-16-05, 05:53

I usually dont let it dry with product on it, as soon as you are done with it, throw it in water and let it soak in some soap (i have used both dish and laundry detergent, both work) for a while. Rinse and let air dry. To completely dry, it usually takes about a day, but it has been really humid here lately, so it may take less time depending upon where you live. Another option, which I dont really know about, is to put them in the dryer and just turn it on air. No heat or anything, just let the pads flip in the dryer. Might help them dry faster. Never tried it, dont know if I would exactly recommend it, but in a pinch it would probably work.

College Commish · 06-16-05, 08:20

After I clean the pad I use for SSR2.5, do I need to wait for it to dry before using it again with SSR1?

White95Max · 06-16-05, 08:27

You can quickly dry it in a couple ways:

1. Spin-dry. squeeze most of the water out or fling it out (think of the motion your arm does when you swing a flyswatter toward the ground). Then put the pad on the PC at speed 3 or 4 and most of the water will come out.

2. Sandwich the pad between a MF towel and press. The MF will soak up most of the water.

Prometheus · 06-16-05, 09:20

Paul's option #2 is what I would recommend, with spin drying there is a chance of separating the foam of the pad from the velco. I'd just do the squeeze dry with MF

a.k.a. Patrick · 07-10-05, 08:02

How did it come out ? Youve had a month! I want to see the Explorer. What color? I have a 00 Expedition, that Metalflake Rose color. Im interested in your line of products used....(Guinea pig!)