New guy w/ brand new S2000- advice needed.

**nas00** · 07-24-2008, 12:44 AM

Hi

I`ve watching these forums in awe for the last few months and finally joined up today. I bought my S2000 Monday and cant wait to give it is first wash. The break in from the mufflers and brakes`s is leaving dust everywhere, oh that and its Berlina Black so it show`s every spec!

I`ve been an avid car detailing nut but never really stepped up to levels seen here. Just for fun, not for buisness. On my prelude I stuck with washing, polishing by hand, claying, and waxing... usually would just go to the local store and pick up a 3-step system.

Unfortunately, the dealer washed and waxed my new S2000 and there are light swirl marks everywhere. I decided I do not want fillers in the paint, so most of my current polishes in the garage are of no use.

Here`s my plan of attack w/ new wash mits and MF towels-

- Wash the car using two bucket system (Meguiars NXT car wash)

- Clay w/ clay lubricant or car wash (I think I have a Mother`s clay bar, is there a less aggressive bar readily available?)

- Wash again.

- Polish exterior by HAND using adam`s MF applicators (Menzerna 106ff or FPII- it`s the same stuff right?)

- Ditto for polishing jams, engine bay, etc

- Wax by Hand (Adam`s Yellow Carnuba wax)

- Wipe it down w/ a quick detailer.

- Adam`s VRT for Tire`s.

- Stoner`s for Glass.

Then i`m gonna get the whole front end clear bra`d. My real concern is the Menzerna for the polish, do you think it`ll work. What is ZPC/ ZAIO, would that be more appropriate for what I want do? I do plan to get a PC in due time, but I would want months of practice on old cars before I step up my new car... I`ve read on here that Honda`s have extremely soft paint, so I want to be careful as possible.

Any and all advice/comments/ critics welcome!

Oh and PRE- Detail pics. I know I know... its dirty and it only had 200 miles on it.

-Nas

**imported_beachwolverine** · 07-24-2008, 11:16 AM

Congratulations - that is a sweet looking S2000.

There are several members here which much more polishing experience than me, but gerneral opinion is it is very difficult to remove even minor swirls by hand. I would urge you to get a machine polisher - several threads on the pros and cons of common brands. I would also suggest you do a careful examination after polishing to ensure the finish is swirl free - cleaning with 50/50 IPA is recommended after polishing to get rid of any fillers that might be hiding the swirls.

Have fun - that`s a great ride.

**pwaug** · 07-24-2008, 12:16 PM

Go to the Megs website and look at a number of posts in the "Working by Hand" forum. It is very difficult to remove swirls by hand, but Megs M105 with a MF applicator has made it much easier without leaving behind additional marring. I did my wife`s 11 year old Escort (significant swirl marks) by hand with M105 and ColorX and got great results, but it was allot of work. Best to do one panel a day rather than the entire car at once.

**03k20a2** · 07-24-2008, 12:33 PM

FPII and PO106FF are not the same, the PO106 has a little cut and the FPII has zero cutting ability...nice car by the way, keep it clean

**nas00** · 07-24-2008, 06:18 PM

Thanks for the responses. = )

So the concesus is not to even try by hand huh?

What can I do until I am able to get a PC and actually get good with it? Should I just get one of those orbital polishers from autozone/ pepboys? Or just throw a coat of wax on her for the time being?

**qwertydude** · 07-24-2008, 06:34 PM

Best thing to get if you`re going cheap is a 6 inch random orbit. It has the same motor as the big 10 inch so it bogs down less with pressure. I`ve been using it and getting good results. Just go slowly, use a wool bonnet and a medium cut compound, or even something like m105. Then follow with a swirl remover like fine cut no.2, no. 83, or no. 9. I`ve gotten fairly damaged finishes to almost pristine.

**BigJimZ28** · 07-24-2008, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by nas00

Thanks for the responses. = )

So the concesus is not to even try by hand huh?

What can I do until I am able to get a PC and actually get good with it? Should I just get one of those orbital polishers from autozone/ pepboys? Or just throw a coat of wax on her for the time being?

the very best think anyone can d for there car is it learn to wash it and take care of it the correct way... this is even more inportant with a black car because it will show everything!

so IMO the best thing you you to do is hang around here read (start with the "how to" @ the top of the page)and ask questions:nervous2:

**imported_beachwolverine** · 07-25-2008, 08:01 AM

so IMO the best thing you you to do is hang around here read (start with the "how to" @ the top of the page)and ask questions

+1 to that advice.

While I don`t know your financial situation, you just spent $30K or so on a new car - seems like $200-$300 for a PC/Flex/UDM to care for it should be within reach. The random orbitals are pretty much fool proof so you really don`t need to worry about a learning curve.

**nas00** · 07-25-2008, 12:41 PM

Yeah, money is not really an issue (*knock on wood*), but I`m more concerned about damaging the paint from a PC because I dont have the technique down pat. I think i`m just gonna do a nice wash and maybe polish a little with some Meguiars paint cleaner by hand and a carnuba wax for now, and go ahead and order Menzerna products and a PC. Any recomendation for where to purchase these products online or in so cal?

Do you think I`ll be able to get away with just using 100FF/FA and FPII. The Intensive polish may be more cut that I need (?), because I`ve seen pics on here of people removing some nasty scratches w/ the the intensive polish. ????

Oh after polishing would I need a glaze and a carnuba wax?

What is recomended for a black cars?

Thanks for all the help.

**imported_beachwolverine** · 07-25-2008, 01:58 PM

Again, I am not the polish/detail expert here. I urge you to do some searches for advice from the experts. But, yes, I would start out with a non-agressive polish/pad combo (say Menzerna PO106FF and white Lake County pad) and see how it does. In general, you always want to start out with mild combination and get more agressive if that does not work. I doubt your new car has significant issues, so going easy is the best way to start.

Sure you will be a little nervous when you do your first 2` x 2` area. Trust me, you won`t screw it up - but even if you somehow did - the worst is you would take it to quality detailer to fix your small mistake.

And yes, you will need a sealant or wax after polishing. Again, millions of recommendations here as to product and procedure. I`m a fan of Ultima Paint Guard Plus (UPGP) and Danase Wet Glaze (DWG) but there are many good products.

Good Luck