need some "experts" opinions on detailing process

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descout

New member
Hey all I just want some input on detailing my rig. My equipment is as follows:

-7336 PC variable speed random orbital

- constant pressure foam pads (3) white, black, red. I usually used the white with a swirl remover, black with the polish and red with the wax I believe.

-lots of terry cloth, microfiber cloths

-Microfiber applicator pad

-Clay bar



I am just looking for some suggestions on the step and products all of you would reccommend. The vehicle:

- 2000 Chev silverado white in color

-well maintained, hand washed usually weekly

-notice slight swirl marks

-does park outside for a few days at a time at an airport.

-chrome rims.



I guess I am looking to put my yearly wax and polish on and was looking for some suggestions. I currently was doing: clay bar, then 3m swirl remover for light colors(apply with buffer and hand wipe off), followed by a meguiars show glaze polish(apply with buffer hand wipe off), then a hand application of either mothers carnuba paste carnuba or meguiars paste carnuba waxes. I am out of my products and just looking to see what else is out there and what people like to use these days. Appreciate any input.
 
descout- Welcome to Autopia!



The paint on that vehicle is somewhat hard. The 3M SMR is far too mild to do much real correction on it, but between what the SMR and the #7 leave behind you're probably getting a decent job of concealing, which oughta last until the wax needs redone.



I'd use the PC with small pads (certainly no larger than 5.5" and I prefer 4"), and try to actually *remove* the marring in question. I'd use the Meguiar's M105/M205 twins from Meguiar's, orange foam (or Lake Country's cyan hydrotech) with the M105 and white or Lake's tangerine hydrotech with the M205.



Note that it'll take a *lot* of pads to do a vehicle that size as you need to clean them out frequently and most pads (especially the hydrotechs) don't work well when damp.



How to use those products is beyond the scope of this reply, but they are, IMO, user-friendly.
 
For a one step polish i've heard great things about HD's Uno. I currently use m205 with an orange LC pad for one step jobs with great results, but when I run out I plan on trying some HD Uno.



As far as a wax is concerned i have been using meguiar's m26 for awhile now with great results. Its very easy to apply and take off and you get great shine. But the protection might now be enough for a year long seal. For durabilty you should consider Blackfire wet diamond, this stuff works wonders. And for some added shine add a coat of m26 to the top of the blackfire.



hope that helped!

:)
 
Accumulator said:
descout- Welcome to Autopia!



The paint on that vehicle is somewhat hard. The 3M SMR is far too mild to do much real correction on it, but between what the SMR and the #7 leave behind you're probably getting a decent job of concealing, which oughta last until the wax needs redone.



I'd use the PC with small pads (certainly no larger than 5.5" and I prefer 4"), and try to actually *remove* the marring in question. I'd use the Meguiar's M105/M205 twins from Meguiar's, orange foam (or Lake Country's cyan hydrotech) with the M105 and white or Lake's tangerine hydrotech with the M205.



Note that it'll take a *lot* of pads to do a vehicle that size as you need to clean them out frequently and most pads (especially the hydrotechs) don't work well when damp.



How to use those products is beyond the scope of this reply, but they are, IMO, user-friendly.
Click to expand...



One quick question I have always wondered....Are most pads the same color for the same cut or roughness? Except where you noted the Lake Countrys colors.



Will the ultra cut compound be too tough on the paint to use yearly? And then would you reccommend applying the wax over the top of the M205?
 
descout said:
One quick question I have always wondered....Are most pads the same color for the same cut or roughness? Except where you noted the Lake Countrys colors...
Click to expand...



There are a few different types of green foam pads, and Griot's Garage sells an orange pad that's a lot milder than other orange foam (similar to the LC tangerine). Other than that things are pretty consistent. You could always ask here about any specific pads, somebody's probably used most everthing on the market.



Will the ultra cut compound be too tough on the paint to use yearly? And then would you reccommend applying the wax over the top of the M205?
Click to expand...



I'd hope you don't need to do such serious correction every year, but I pretty much take a "do what you need to do" approach to this stuff.



Yeah, you need to put some kind of wax over top of the M205; it's just an abrasive polish that "levels" the paint the way sandpaper levels wood.
 
Thanks.



I might just clay bar the vehicle, then do the M105/205 followed up with a wax over the top. Then hopefully next yr this time I can just possibly do the 205 to save a step since most of the swirls will hopefully be removed instead of just covered over.



One nice thing about white is that even a newbie like my self can get pleasing results.
 
descout- Yeah, I expect you'll be happy with the results. And you can still use the Showcar Glaze between the M205 and the wax if you want.
 
Is there anywhere that you can buy LC pads? I need to buy a couple more as you pointed out. I was looking at taking up this tomorrow now that I got time, I found a local store who can have the 105/205 in tomorrow morning but I am not sure where to even begin to look for pads other than on the net. I am near atlanta.
 
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