Cadillac detail

**longms** · 12-14-2009, 10:39 AM

I am going to be detailing an `06 Black CTS here in a few weeks and was wondering if there were any tips or things to look out for on these cars?

How hard/soft is the paint? Are there any products one might suggest over another for this color/car combo?

I have menzerna products and plan on using those. Orange LC with Menzerna SIP and white LC with Menzerna 106FA. I will also be using a PC with this detail.

Thanks in advance.

**vtec92civic** · 12-14-2009, 11:24 AM

If i`m not mistaken Cadillac paints/clears are hard to correct. It will all depend on how severe the defects are and how much you plan to correct.

You might need a Purple Foamed Wool Pad or something like M105.

**D Tailor** · 12-14-2009, 11:35 AM

I just completed a collection of Escalades and found the paint to be pretty soft. D151 and an orange pad cleared up the light paint.

**D Tailor** · 12-14-2009, 12:34 PM

But I forgot to read where you will be using Menzerna....so maybe something like orange with IP or FPII would work?? I don`t know. Do what I do, take your arsenal and try a couple combos when you get there. start with the less aggro first.

**jimmie jam** · 12-14-2009, 01:12 PM

my DD is a CTS. the clear is ````` soft on my car, FWIW.

**longms** · 12-14-2009, 01:18 PM

Well if it is your daily then I think you might have some pretty specific first-hand experience with it. I will start with a white pad with 106FA and go from there. I do think I will be picking up some M105 for my M3 soon though. Waterspots are my nightmare through the summer months while I am in Alabama.

**jimmie jam** · 12-14-2009, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by longms

Well if it is your daily then I think you might have some pretty specific first-hand experience with it. I will start with a white pad with 106FA and go from there. I do think I will be picking up some M105 for my M3 soon though. Waterspots are my nightmare through the summer months while I am in Alabama.

yes, i do have specific experience. might not help though. this car is garage kept and only has been driven 19,000 miles in 3.5 years - rairly in bad weather. all i`ve ever used is 3M finesse-it II topped with IW 845. it has never needed "full" correction but you are on the right track with products IMO.

**longms** · 12-14-2009, 02:56 PM

Well I have not gotten specifics from the client but am just trying to do some homework so I don`t speak with them blindly. I will be able to better assess the nature of the paint once I find out how the vehicle is used.

I am hoping this is, also, not a daily driver and I can really pay attention to making the paint "pop" rather than mainly protecting it. I have heard that M105 is rather user friendly so I may pick some up before just to have it?

This is for anyone who knows but do the foamed wool pads work like a wool pad on a rotary? Would this be the most extreme pad I could use with a PC? I mainly use the orange and white LC pads. I only have 5.5" sizes and need to get some 4" pads as well.

**StadiumDetail** · 12-15-2009, 11:28 AM

I had a client drop by with wanting a 2-step on his black CTS-V. If he books it I`ll let you know what I find out.

**VroomVroom** · 12-16-2009, 03:56 PM

Last year I did a CTS and found the clear to be very similar to that of my GM truck. Hard, but not German hard, if that makes sense.

I was using Menzerna stuff at the time, applying by PC with LC pads. I ended up mixing SIP in with IP roughly 50/50 w/ orange pads...the IP gave me a lot more working time and the combo actually finished pretty well. I made a second pass with FPII/white. Good luck...

**longms** · 12-18-2009, 10:08 AM

VroomVroom- Yea I think I understand what you mean about being hard but not german hard. Glad to hear menzerna products worked out for that clear.

Stadium Detail- Ok hopefully you get the business and am looking forward to your feedback.

Thanks fellas

**RaskyR1** · 12-18-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Last year I did a CTS and found the clear to be very similar to that of my GM truck. Hard, but not German hard, if that makes sense.

I was using Menzerna stuff at the time, applying by PC with LC pads. I ended up mixing SIP in with IP roughly 50/50 w/ orange pads...the IP gave me a lot more working time and the combo actually finished pretty well. I made a second pass with FPII/white. Good luck...

I just did a CTS-V a month or so ago and would agree with this. I found Menzerna to finish down very well on the car too.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/pro-det...orrection.html

**longms** · 12-18-2009, 10:35 AM

Looks like some very nice work. I saw your thread a while ago but did not see what products you used. I think that my trusty menzerna products are going to be good.

I have some 106 but was looking at po85rd. Does one product finish down better than the other? Seeing as how I will be dealing with a black car I want this car to be looking real slick to get this client coming back for more.

Thanks

**RaskyR1** · 12-18-2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by longms

Looks like some very nice work. I saw your thread a while ago but did not see what products you used. I think that my trusty menzerna products are going to be good.

I have some 106 but was looking at po85rd. Does one product finish down better than the other? Seeing as how I will be dealing with a black car I want this car to be looking real slick to get this client coming back for more.

Thanks

Difference would be minimal IMO.

If the customer is willing to pay for a 3-step then SIP orange, 106ff white, po86rd blue would give you more gloss than just SIP orange, 106ff white.

**longms** · 12-18-2009, 10:43 AM

That is what i figured. I have heard great stuff about it and always wanted to try that polish. Would there be a difference in using a grey or a blue pad with the po85rd? I have grey pads already and would like to keep my expenses down for now/