Looking for a DA + Combo suggestions

S

Svyn

New member
Hello,

Basic introduction, I've been into clean cars since I was 13. I used to clean inside and out my parents vehicles and finally my own when I was old enough. I have a few vehicles of my own now that I would like to keep in better shape without all the hand work involved and finally caved into the fact that I need some power tools. Clay barring after every winter. I've used Klassie products since I can remember AIO followed up with a few coats of glaze. I am not a professional or do I look to ever get into detailing as a profession but I do enjoy having the right tools for the job. I live in western Pennsylvania, moved up from MD about 13 years ago. This environment is much more harsh than where I was in MD to cars. Salt, cinders, sand, calcium destroy the vehicles so fast up here I hate to even drive sometimes.

I have a variety of vehicles and colors starting but all ford: 12' Fusion charcoal metallic, 07' Fusion merlot metallic, 03' F250 midnight blue, 66' F250 black, 92' T-bird SC oxford white, and a '70's Caravelle boat (light and dark blue).

I hope to detail everything except the 66' with a DA. The 92 has some slight oxidization starting as the boat has heavy oxidization. These all get a detail come spring and before winter. It pretty much takes 5 weekends to complete them all and I don't want to continue to do it by hand.

I have read just a few posts here and I have been looking at the stickys and saw this short list here:

Four Star Ultimate Paint Cleanser 9.95
Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection 14.95
Four Star Ultimate Gloss Enhancer 9.95
Four Star Ultimate Spray And Clay Combo 28.95
Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish 18.95
Porter Cable 7424 Dual Action Polisher 139.95
Meguiars Foam Pad Accessory Kit 45.95
Four Star Rubber & Vinyl Protectant 32 Ounce 10.00
Soft Touch Microfiber Towel X 4 4.95 each
Premium Drying Towel 25x36 Inch Waffle Weave 10.95

I was looking to see if anyone suggested a combo or a different DA. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading and I look forward to suggestions and questions. Have a good one!
 
I bought the PC kit just over a year ago and if I could do it over again would buy the Griot's. Couple of reasons:

  1. Lifetime warranty
  2. Comparable price after factoring discounts
  3. More power

I am not dissatisfied with the Porter Cable machine; the GG is just better in most Detailer's opinion. Since I am just an enthusiast, my machine sits for long periods of time. It's nice to have the option in five years to call Griot's, tell them the machine failed, and get a replacement sent out - no questions asked.

I went on solely price and it was a mistake. Hope this helps! :rockon
 
Below:
I tried to pick minimal products to work for all your colors & paints.
I researched, and for your convenience I embedded product links.
Here's a starter list of tried and true products that work for me.

Machine:
Griot's Garage 6" Polisher (Optional HD model +$15)
Dual Action Flexible 5 inch Backing Plate

Pads:
Lake Country 5 1/2 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack
2) Orange 2) White 1) Black 1) Blue
Meguiars DA Microfiber Cutting Discs, 5 inches

Polishes:
Meguiars M101 Foam Cut Compound 32 oz.
CarPro Reflect Polish 500 ml.

Cleaning Products:
CarPro Iron X Lemon Scent 500 ml.
Nanoskin Autoscrub Towel – Fine Grade
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine
CarPro Eraser Intense Oil & Polish Cleanser 500ml.

Misc.
BLACKFIRE Bug & Tar Eliminator Sponge
Foam Pad Conditioning Brush

Wash:
CarPro Wool Wash Mitt
2) Grit Guard Inserts
CarPro Iron X Snow Soap 500 ml.

Finishing Products:
CarPro CQuartz DLux Plastic & Wheel Coating
Other products, Quick Detail etc.are IMHO dependent on your LSP choices.

Bottom Line:
Find what YOU like and what works for YOU. Use it regular and use it often.

_____________

image.php
Merlin
 
radarryan said:
I bought the PC kit just over a year ago and if I could do it over again would buy the Griot's. Couple of reasons:

  1. Lifetime warranty
  2. Comparable price after factoring discounts
  3. More power

I am not dissatisfied with the Porter Cable machine; the GG is just better in most Detailer's opinion. Since I am just an enthusiast, my machine sits for long periods of time. It's nice to have the option in five years to call Griot's, tell them the machine failed, and get a replacement sent out - no questions asked.

I went on solely price and it was a mistake. Hope this helps! :rockon
Click to expand...
Agreed, not to mention I'd rather have more power than less, especially on curves or curved panels.
 
You might check out the Rupes. I have heard great things about all of them including the Duetto. If you want a larger machine you might look at the 15ES or the 21ES. I have a Porter Cable PC and I do like it a lot but if I could do it all over again I would have purchased the Duetto. Any of the DA's do a good job with patience, time and good technique. Good luck. Update us with what you get and how you like it.
 
Four Star Ultimate Paint Cleanser 9.95
BLACKFIRE Gloss Enhancing Polish
Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection 14.95
BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finishing Paint Protection
Four Star Ultimate Gloss Enhancer 9.95
BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Polymer Spray
Four Star Ultimate Spray And Clay Combo 28.95
Yes
Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish 18.95
Which product is this?
Porter Cable 7424 Dual Action Polisher 139.95
Yes
 
the above are great suggestions and probably the way to go...but



big foot sightings have been numerous recently :)

and i figured i'd just do it right and go italian for my first polisher
 
Thank you everyone who has responded here or in PM I appreciate the guidance! Don't feel bad if I don't go exactly the route you suggest I am trying to absorb as much useful info as possible. I am probably going to wait until a coupon comes available and get the list together as this stuff adds up quick!

The Griot's HD is a good suggestion especially since it has a lifetime warranty for a little extra coin up front. I'm going to have to pass on the Duetto for now, I don't want to spend that much on a machine right now.

Things so far I'm sold on:

Griots Garage HD DA
Iron X

Now to continue reading, again thank you and let the comments keep coming!

:autopia:
 
IF you are just staring out and maintaining your own cars, you can't go wrong with either the porter cable or the griots. I have a poter cable which I got for $95 new and I use it a handful of times throughout the year maintaining 4 cars + my garge queen which stays in the garage most of the time. It is more than enough for the average enthusiast.

Some links that have already been provided which are good are these:
I would go 2 orange, 3 white, 1 black.
Lake Country 5 1/2 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - You Pick!
Dual Action Flexible 5 inch Backing Plate

These work great especially on cars with hard clear coat.
Meguiars DA Microfiber Cutting Discs, 5 inches

This is a nice clay alternative if you don't want the towel.
Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge – Fine Grade

Meguiar's ultimate compound and ultimate polish are great over the counter products that are user friendly and are good to learn with and get your technique down.

These wolfgang products are also great on top of the blackfire products recommended.
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0
Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0
Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover 3.0
Wolfgang Uber Compound

Good sale on wolfgang on the sister site.
http://www.wolfgangcarcare.com/
 
Yesterday Amazon had the PC for 94$ shipped, I bit. I was going to hold out for the Griot's, but the money saved will go to pads and polish. I think I am going to try the M105 / M205. Orange hex pads (picking up 2) for the M105 and white hex pads (picking up 3) for the M205. I purchased a 5" backing plate to accept the 5.5" pads. This is where I have stopped so far, I plan to watch more, and read more but didn't want to think suggestions have fallen on deaf ears. Work and the cold has kept me busy as to not be in the garage working on fun things or in the den on the computer!

I need to learn a bit more about the other colors, and what pad I should use on the boat with heavy oxidization.
 
Svyn said:
Yesterday Amazon had the PC for 94$ shipped, I bit.
...I think I am going to try the M105 / M205.
2 Orange hex pads for the M105 and 3 white hex pads for the M205.
I purchased a 5" backing plate to accept the 5.5" pads.

I need to learn a bit more about the other colors, and what pad I should use on the boat with heavy oxidization.
Click to expand...

That's a good place to start. The PC 7424xp is a good machine.

The basic rule: aggressive pad/aggressive compound. Finer polish/softer pad.

For heavy oxidation M105 is pretty aggressive, works great & is a bit finicky.
I would suggest getting a little Megs Ultimate Compound to add to the pad.
You can try it 3 spots M105 to 1 spot Megs UC or 2 spots M105 & 2 Megs UC.
M105 IMHO dries very quickly with very little work time and it can dust a lot.
To correct these issues I add a spot or two of Megs UC on the M105 pad.

A good place to start with aggressive DA cutting pads...
5" Surbuf, 5.5" wool or Meguiars microfiber 5" cutting discs.

That all said, I would study up on the Kevin Brown Method for using a DA.

Congratulations and welcome to our deep dark rabbit hole!
 
Took advantage of the 15% and free shipping here (thanks!)

More goodies on the way:

Meguiar's Ultra Fine Polish M205
Meguiar's Ultra Cut Compound M105
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax
Optimum Opti-Clay
Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel
Grit Guard Insert x2
Supreme Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
Tire & Trim Dressing Applicator

Now all we need is spring time and the roads to get washed from salt and sand!
 
Svyn said:
Took advantage of the 15% and free shipping here (thanks!)

More goodies on the way:

Meguiar's Ultra Fine Polish M205
Meguiar's Ultra Cut Compound M105
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Wax
Optimum Opti-Clay
Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel
Grit Guard Insert x2
Supreme Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
Tire & Trim Dressing Applicator

Now all we need is spring time and the roads to get washed from salt and sand!
Click to expand...

Wow great to hear this!!! Looking forward to seeing the results!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top