My Porter Cable XP Experience w/Photos

[scott3257]

To start off a little history. Up until a week ago I have doing things all wrong...I wont even get started on how I "maintained" my vehicle, but I thought an occasional (once a year) wax and weekly washes were acceptable. Ohh yeah and I clayed it twice in 4 years. Well been reading on here for a few weeks now and just purchased a whole slew of new goodies. In the photos I have the Costco brand MF`s. I have a batch of quality Cobras on the way. I figured teh Costco MF`s were fine for my practice vehicle.



History on the practice vehicle. Black 2005 Honda Civic. Been sitting on my RV slab for the last 1.5 years with nothing done to it. Seriously, just been sitting on the side of the house, baking in the socal desert sun for the last 1.5 yrs.



I have been using 3D products purchased at my local retailer. The "Wash and Wax" and "Final Touch" work great. I also purchased my clay from them as well as other items. Some of the 3D products I have are not listed on their website???



I used a combo of Megs 105 and 205 along with the #26 Yellow Wax to top it.



First the car before:

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/First.jpg

Close Up:

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/FirstCU.jpg



Supplies

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/Supplies1.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/Supplies2.jpg



Washed and Clayed

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/First1.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/First2.jpg



Clay After

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DClay1.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DClay.jpg



205 with No Wax

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/205nWax.jpg

[scott3257]

Forgot to mention. I only did the trunk as my training exercise. I split the trunk in quarters to try different combos on the four areas. On the Top Left I did nothing. Top Right was 205 no wax. Left Bottom 205 + wax. Bottom Right 105+205+Wax.



After I was done, I noticed some DEEP scratches some to the paint some to the primer and one to the bare metal. Being as I am new, I was note sure how much to polish the finish. I did not want to wipe off the clear coat just to smooth out the finish. I would like a PRO`s opinion on if I should have kept going to remove some of the deeper scratches? Where do you guys stop and realize the scratches are too deep. Also what would you use to cover/fill the scratches when a good carnuba wax is not enough? Would you have recommended a repaint if it was a customer?



Ok now the After Shots. I did notice when done the car does have a blue pearl flake in the paint. Kinda cool to see the after results.



With a Pelican 8060 Flashlight

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DoneFlash.jpg



In the Sun

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DoneLast1.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DoneLast2.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DoneDeep-1.jpg

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DoneDist-1.jpg



This one you can see the water spot on the camera.

http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/zz185/scott3257/DoneCU.jpg

[Accumulator]

scott3257- Welcome to Autopia!



Wow, that`s quite an improvement, I bet you`re very happy with your results. First time too, huh? Glad you`re off to a good start...I can`t help thinking that you must`ve put some good thought into what you were doing :xyxthumbs

[scott3257]

I can only imagine what the results will look like on somewhat maintained vehicle? Those damn deep *** scratches, really bother me. Ohh well its a practice car. Been totaled out and sitting on the side of my house so might as well use it. Typical chicks car, rarely washed and never waxed.

[mharris2007]

I`d be stoked with the 105 --> 205 --> wax combo. Especially on a neglected vehicle!