Which backing plate to use on a Makita?

[hook]

I`d like to share an encouraging word with my fellow newbies.



Tonight, I ended up with about an hour and a half to kill. Both cars are clean, and actually looking better than they have in a long time just because I`ve been paying attention to them - no new products (except the duster). Just attention and a little effort & time.



So I decided to try something new - clay. Just the hood of the Lexus, for a start. I used the Mothers kit, including their QD.



Amazing. The hood is perfectly smooth when stroked with a plastic bag-encased fingertip. The rest of the car still feels like someone sprinkled sand on it - even though you can`t see anything (even with a jewelers loupe, 10X). And it`s had 3M 39009 and 33089 (finish restorer wax, old product).



So I decide, what the heck, I still have almost an hour. So I put on a coat of AIO. Used a foam applicator and a clean, soft cotton towel to buff off. Was careful to use thin coats, and didn`t let it dry before removing. No problems.



All I can say is: WOW. I did 1/2 the hood, with a nice clean line down the middle. Buffed it out real well, so no cheating to see where the line was. Didn`t matter, from almost every angle under a pair of 100 watt bulbs (it`s night, and I`m in my garage) I could see the difference. Finshed up the hood, and the feel and look of the paint is amazing. Now I understand what everybody`s talking about...and I can`t wait to get the rest of the car done.



So, even if you`ve never used clay, never used a sealant, never used whatever...read, read, read...ask questions, and then, when you feel comfortable, try it. It`s worth it.



regards,

Andy



[Edited by hook on 07-17-2001 at 09:22 PM]

[Texunchief]

Andy, thanks for sharing your experiences with us other newbies. I`m looking forward to giving my cars the "first" Klasse treatment. Have fun doing the rest of your Lexus.



Tschus

[doctorthirst]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Andy. My shipment of Klasse, FI2, and 3m clay arrived last night and I can`t wait until the weekend to use them. It sounds like you had great results! Good luck with the rest of the car!



-- rob

[FastHappy]

hey Andy,

Just wait until you get a few coats of sealant glaze on top, it`ll just get better and better. Can`t wait to see the results.

[hook]

Snake,



I`ll definately bring it by when it`s done. Maybe we can get some pics, too. I might also be by sooner to get a few more MTs and let you see the Maxima - my goal onit is to minimize the water mark etching (if that`s what it is).



I think I`m most suprised by the difference the clay made. I pretty much figured the Klasse would look better than the stuff I was using. But the feel of the paint....I didn`t think it felt too rough before. Now if you touch the hood and then touch the roof, the roof almost feels like sandpaper. And I can tell the difference in the way a MT feels moving over the paint.



BTW, I referred a couple local people to you today. One used to show a `65 Mustang (Concours events), she knows her stuff, I think.



re,

Andy









[Edited by hook on 07-18-2001 at 08:47 PM]

Be sure to stick the Lexus on Tim`s site!

[janderson]

I have thought (for some time) that I was detailing my car correctly. Man was I wrong. I was probably doing more damage than good. I am getting a bar of clay to start with. Not really sure where to go from there. Any suggestions. I do not know what AIO is, but it seems to be quite popular. I would like to get out some swirl marks, so I am not sure what to do first.



I would like to clay the car, but I do not know where to go from there. Let me know what you think.

[JasonC8301]

How bad are the swirls?

After the clay (follow directions) I would use the 3M Finesse It II (available at NAPA) with a foam pad using bumber to bumber motions, then apply klasse AIO and a few coats of klasse SG (available at http://www.properautocare.com }, and if you want, a carnauba wax topper like OG blitz for more depth and wetness. Also quality towels are also important to a great finish, I am ordering a five pack of Mf towels from CMA (www.properautocare.com) next week.

MarylandBimmr, AIO is an abbreviation for All-In-One, which is a German made product by Klasse. It is an acrylic sealant and paint cleanser in one.

Here are some links (and by the way it`s sold at all the Bimmer dealerships here in San Francisco/Bay Area, too):

http://www.properautocare.com/klascomkit.html

http://members.tripod.com/el1snako/id157.htm

As much as I love Klasse, their leather/vinyl cleaner/protectant smells like kerosene and would never let it near my interior.

http://store4.yimg.com/I/classic-motoring_1641_2811609

[jrt81]

Okay, it looks like I may be able to borrow a Makita 9227 so I can see if I can handles a rotary or not.
I need your suggestions as to which backing plate is most recommended.
LC? or the Megs?
I daw the Meguiars W-64 5" bp, can I use this with the Hydrotech 6.5"?
Thanks for listening.

Raoul

[Old Pirate]

Okay, it looks like I may be able to borrow a Makita 9227 so I can see if I can handles a rotary or not.
I need your suggestions as to which backing plate is most recommended.
LC? or the Megs?
I daw the Meguiars W-64 5" bp, can I use this with the Hydrotech 6.5"?
Thanks for listening.

Raoul

I would go with a 6" Backing Plate for a better fit, But you can use the Meg`s one also.

[jrt81]

Thanks Angelo for the info.

One more thing, which finishing pad would you recommend?
The kompressor or the Hi-Gloss?

In case I get some holograms.

[Old Pirate]

Both will work fine.

[jrt81]

One more thing,

Which brand would you suggest? the Lake Country 6" or The Meguiars?

Thanks

[jrt81]

Both will work fine.

So, either pads in 6"?