Hey Guys

2

2BTAMED

New member
I'm new to the forum, been reading for a while, but I can't seem to find a definitive answer in all my searches, but I know you guys can definitely help me out with an answer.



All my cars are black, and so I have the issues of small swirls/scratches all over the paint, nothing major but noticeable to anyone who is anal about how their paint look,



Through all my searches, I cannot seem to find what product a a guy like me should be using that will do the job. I've read everything from Poorboys to Menzerna to Meg's to even Klasse products will work,



So I guess what I'm simply asking is, for someone new to the Machine world (done everything by hand for years), who will be using a PC, what product should I be using to remove swirls for first timer? is there a good product to start with or is it always just personal preference?



I've used ScratchX many times, but it only does so much, I'm sure it does more with help of Machine, but I still think there is something better to be using?





Thanks Guys!
 
2BTAMED said:
Through all my searches, I cannot seem to find what product a a guy like me should be using that will do the job. I've read everything from Poorboys to Menzerna to Meg's to even Klasse products will work,
Click to expand...



Boy is that a loaded question. No easy answer because IMO, it doesn't matter. You just need products appropriate to what you want to achieve. A good, experienced detailer can get exceptional results using just about anything. The experienced ones have discovered through trial & error and sharing info what works better in different situations and on different finishes. Long answer short, you'll get answers all over the spectrum on people's recommendations but until you dive in and get your feet wet all you'll be getting is opinions and tales of what worked for others. There's no pat beginner's recipe.



If you've got Scratch X on hand, try a test square with a white pad and see what you get after 2 or 3 passes. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction move up to an orange pad. If after a few passes you determine you need something more aggressive and want to stick with OTC products you may want to give Ultimate Compound a try with a white pad and if that doesn't do what you want move to an orange pad. The point is, in many instances this is a trial and error endeavor. Nobody can point you to a specific product that is guaranteed to give you the results you seek as, IMO, technique and experience will trump products and equipment every time.



Sorry to sound gloomy but there is no right answer to your questions. Now dive in there and amass hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of products and tools and chase the perfect finish like the rest of us putzes! :LOLOL



TL
 
TLMitchell said:
Boy is that a loaded question. No easy answer because IMO, it doesn't matter. You just need products appropriate to what you want to achieve. A good, experienced detailer can get exceptional results using just about anything. The experienced ones have discovered through trial & error and sharing info what works better in different situations and on different finishes. Long answer short, you'll get answers all over the spectrum on people's recommendations but until you dive in and get your feet wet all you'll be getting is opinions and tales of what worked for others. There's no pat beginner's recipe.



If you've got Scratch X on hand, try a test square with a white pad and see what you get after 2 or 3 passes. If that doesn't work to your satisfaction move up to an orange pad. If after a few passes you determine you need something more aggressive and want to stick with OTC products you may want to give Ultimate Compound a try with a white pad and if that doesn't do what you want move to an orange pad. The point is, in many instances this is a trial and error endeavor. Nobody can point you to a specific product that is guaranteed to give you the results you seek as, IMO, technique and experience will trump products and equipment every time.



Sorry to sound gloomy but there is no right answer to your questions. Now dive in there and amass hundreds and thousands of dollars worth of products and tools and chase the perfect finish like the rest of us putzes! :LOLOL



TL
Click to expand...





Thanks for the input. That's what I was expecting to hear, that is all trial and error, and just a personal opinion.



In regards to my situation, I was thinking of jumping right ahead to a orange pad with ScratchX, and if that didn't meet my expectations then I think i'll bypass OTC products and get something like Poorboys or Menzerna products
 
Also,

I've read there is a difference between domestic and import paints? or in regards to clearcoats? can anyone please explain this to me, as I've owned/own both and I really don't understand what people are saying?
 
Ultimate Compound/M105 (UC dusts less) and M205 is a real good place to start as it has always been a proven winning.



When you hear about different clears they are talking about how hard or how soft it is. You will run into both in domestic and import paints.
 
2BTAMED said:
...Through all my searches, I cannot seem to find what product a a guy like me should be using that will do the job. I've read everything from Poorboys to Menzerna to Meg's to even Klasse products will work...
Click to expand...



Well, honestly, that's like saying you need a new pair of shoes but are getting recommendations all over the board, like Nike, Addidas, Asics, New Balance...At the end of the day they all do the same thing. Some may have slightly different qualities, but they are all just shoes at the core. Same thing with what you are wanting. What you are looking for is a polish that is designed for machine use. Poorboys/Menzerna/Meg's are all just different brands that make polishes. It honestly really doesn't matter which one you go with, just pick one and give it a shot. Poorboys is a good affordable starting point, since generally their products are very easy to use and not too pricey. The Menzerna/Meg's equivalents will do the same exact thing, but they might have a faster working time, less dusting, less gumming up the pads, marginally better finish, etc... Everyone on these boards have their own preferences and their own different needs, so you'll here things all over the board and honestly it gets confusing. As mentioned above, the best thing is just to pick something and give it a shot, see what you think.



My recommendation is to go with the 16 oz versions of Poorboys SSR 2 or 2.5 (depending on the condition of your paint) and SSR 1. They are affordable and very easy to use. Then after you have a feel for machine polishing and understand it a bit better, you'll understand all the talk that goes on about the different polishes here a bit better.
 
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