Buying latest stuff for a new car on order and need help

N

NWS Alpine

New member
Hey guys I have a 2012 Ford Edge Sport in White Platinum tri-coat that we be here in a couple weeks. I am going in circles with what I need to get it done right the first time. I have never had a brand new car so I'm not sure what steps are needed and or not needed. From reading the Ford clear coat seems to be easy to work with but not sure about the newer paints. My current 6 series BMW is really hard.



What I do have is microfibers and washing supplies. I have a Flex 3401 too. I dont have any new pads so I need some pads and polish/compound. If you were to do this yourself what would you get. I also will be getting Optimum Opti-coat so the supplies I need have to be for getting a perfect base for the opti-coat. Big fan of Optimum products and Meguiar's.



I am very interested in the new microfiber pads. Not sure if the finishing pads and some 205 will be all I need? Also need some clay and iron x type stuff. Not sure what is typical with new cars. I hope there is minimal polishing needed.



I will try my best to not let the dealer prep the car but sometimes they don't always listen.
 
All of it is going to depend on if they touch the car and if it has any acid rain damage. If all is well you can get by with PO85rd and some finishing pads. If things took a turn for the worse, you will need a real polish. I prefer UNO before Opticoat because it isn't oil laden like 205. I also highly recommend a decon wash prior to using Opticoat.
 
Thanks for the suggestion of Uno. Seems to be a similar technology to the new meguiars stuff. I like that it is water based too like you mention. How well does Uno finish? How are their pads with a Flex 3401?



Before using the opti-coat I was going to wash with Optimum Power clean as I see it's recommended.
 
NWS Alpine- Since you're obviously looking to do this right, and especially since it's your first new car, I'd be downright adamant that the dealership not mess it up. As in, I'd refuse delivery if they "don't listen". NO WAY would I accept a new vehicle that needed an overall polishing, even with just M205. Having a friendly little chat with the sales manager oughta take care of this.



I'd plan to decontaminate it, *maybe* give it a quick going over with PO85RD just for added gloss, then rewash with the alkaline part of the decon. system prior to doing the OptiCoat. But sure, if you want to use the PowerClean that'd work fine too. I just figure that you'll already have the decon. stuff anyhow and IMO this is a good application for it (otherwise, mine usually just sits on the shelf wheras I can find all sorts of uses for PowerClean).



Decontamination systems are simply a great new-car approach, especially on light colored vehicles.



And yeah, I'd be pretty leery about using M205 before OptiCoat, those oils can be incredibly tough to remove some times. The second decon. wash oughta fix that, but still....
 
NWS Alpine said:
Thanks for the suggestion of Uno. Seems to be a similar technology to the new meguiars stuff. I like that it is water based too like you mention. How well does Uno finish? How are their pads with a Flex 3401?
Click to expand...



UNO finishes beautifully but on darker colors you can get a bit more gloss using P085RD (or whatever they're calling it now). I haven't tried HD's pads but people seem to like them. I've been using Meguiars and Lakes since they are readily available. The lake 5.5's are my preference now.
 
Wash, clay, inspect the surface and assuming the dealer didn't do anything ugly to the paint, Optimum Finish would be good to use for added gloss. Then an ONR or regular wash, followed by an IPA wipedown and you should be good to go for the Opti-Coat application.
 
Alright so I have a good idea of what I need now. I am getting a foam cannon too since I have access to a Honda power washer. This will make touch up washes a breeze with opti-coat.



Here is the list:

Meguiars Cutting and finishing MF DA pads

HD Uno

Foam cannon

Auto Int ABC

Opt-coat

Opti bond tire gel

Optimum Power Clean

Optimum spray wax (refilling my stock)

Optimum car wash

Optimum leather protectant

Opti mitt

Fine clay
 
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