Another Newb Trying to Decide on Pads and Polishing Compounds...and More

[K1500 Cheyenne]

:nervous: Alright, I really hate to start a thread like this, but I'm still kind of overwhelmed by the wide variety of pads and polishing compounds out there and am COMPLETELY new to detailing. I've read through this thread in its entirety and I think it's given me a great starting point. Just so you guys know/can tell me what kind of paint I'm working with, I'll be doing the detailing to my '98 Chevrolet K1500 pick-up (hence my username) in Light Pewter Metallic. There are a few light(er) scratches from shrubs and other small plants that like to jump out in front off me off-roading, and few months back I tried polishing compound by hand and as a result have tons of obvious scuff marks all over my paint. :dig



Before I get to the polishing stage, will any clay bar and lube do? I'm just looking for the best for my money, not the greatest there is.



On to my main source of confusion, from what I understand, the plain, flat foam Lake Country pads are the best direction to go (I was originally looking at the CCS pads). I got my 7424XP with a 5" counterweight and Lake Country backing plate so I can use the more-preferred 5.5" pads. Would an orange, two whites, and a black be a good starting point? I gather that the M205 is a safe enough polishing compound for a beginner, correct? Should I consider the Ultimate Compound additionally, or instead? Are either of those fine enough to use as finishing compounds? How many pads and how much compound will I need to do a few vehicles (maybe six at most including my truck, just for family)? If I'm way off base on the pads and compounds, let me know what I should use instead.



While I'm at it, I plan to straighten up my mom's paint on her '99 Odyssey with Deep Velvet Blue Pearl paint. My sister and her friend put silly string on the hood a long time back and it never came all the way off, so needless to say her paint is even worse off. :bat Will an orange be enough for this?



I think that's about all I have to ask for now! Sorry it's so long and I hope you guys don't mind me asking! :thx

 

[imported_BobbyG]

I'm in the same situation and hope some of the more experienced users chime in.



I bought a Makita 9227C buffer and would like a recommendation of which foam pad to use for what. I see so many to choose from a variety of manufacturers and the grades seem almost endless. While I may be mistaken I get the feeling that there is no set standard on color and aggressiveness which in my opinion compounds the issue.



Most of what I do involves minor scratches and like blemishes at the very worst so no heavy oxidation will be concerned with. I'm looking for some pad recommendations that will work with my buffer that will allow me to achieve a mirror like finish when I'm through.



Some good choices for polishes, wax's, and sealants would also be great!



These are some of the sources that I see mentioned here.



Lake Country



DRC1000



Meguiar's



Thanks in advance,



Bob

 

[gmblack3]

M205 is very easy to use and is safe.



Ultimate Compound has more cut then M205. On lighter colors like yours, you can 1 step with UC. Try with a white pad at first, then move up to orange if you need more cut.



M105 has the most cut of the three and will need followed up with M205.



Please see my sig for M105/orange pad tips via the KBM. This process will work with UC too.

 

[Accumulator]

I'm in the same situation and hope some of the more experienced users chime in.



I bought a Makita 9227C buffer... I'm looking for some pad recommendations that will work with my buffer that will allow me to achieve a mirror like finish when I'm through...

Welcome to Autopia!



Finishing out hologram-free with a rotary is very (and I mean *VERY*) challenging. I'd certainly recommend you finish with 3M Ultrafina on a zero-cut finishing pad.



To avoid burning the paint, I'd do any serious correction with mild wool pads (dunno who has good ones these days, sorry) or foam polishing pads (Meg's or LC). Sorry, I'm about two generations behind up-to-date on pads as I haven't needed new ones for a long time.

 

[Accumulator]

.. Just so you guys know/can tell me what kind of paint I'm working with, I'll be doing the detailing to my '98 Chevrolet K1500 pick-up (hence my username) in Light Pewter Metallic.

The GMs I've had of that vintage had pretty hard clear.

Before I get to the polishing stage, will any clay bar and lube do? I'm just looking for the best for my money, not the greatest there is.

Short answer: ClayMagic blue.

On to my main source of confusion...

gmblack3a's advice is spot-on per usual :xyxthumbs

Would an orange, two whites, and a black be a good starting point?

Buy more orange pads. OR consider just getting the new LC HydroTech pads in Cyan (aggressive) and Tangerine (milder).



But get plenty so you don't have to stop and wash/dry them all the time.

How many pads and how much compound will I need to do a few vehicles (maybe six at most including my truck, just for family)?

I bet you'll want far more pads than you expect. Product goes a LONG way as long as you use the correct amount, so I would'nt worry about having enough of that.

While I'm at it, I plan to straighten up my mom's paint on her '99 Odyssey with Deep Velvet Blue Pearl paint...Will an orange be enough for this?

The Honda paint will almost certainly be a *LOT* softer than the GM, so yeah, an orange pad oughta be plenty. For that matter, an orange pad with M105 is usually plenty for most anything (just might take a while).