New guy needs help with a PC

amill94

New member
Hey guys. I've been reading the site for a few weeks and have attained a great deal of knowledge so far. A little background on my situation. I've been into detailing cars for awhile. Ever since I got my first car I have been into making it look the best that I can. I finally decided to pick up a PC to really work the paint. I am brand new to this and that is why I joined autopia. I got the PC 7336 @ lowes last December for $50. I picked up the Sonus SFX pad kit with backing plate. I also got a bunch of product to try. I picked up Klasse AIO, Klasse SG and Poorboys Natty's wax.



I went up to my parents house today to try out the PC and some product on one my dads older commuter car...just incase I mess up paint or something. I used the white (sfx-2 enhance pad) to apply the AIO. Before this, I washed and clayed with mothers, then washed again. I sprayed the pad with quick detailer and applied the AIO to the pad, and spread it on a 2x2 area on the hood. I turned the PC to speed 5 and went in a east-west, then north-south direction overlapping my previous pass by 50%. I moved slowly...mabye 2-3inches per second..and did this in the same area for mabye 30-45secs. Then I wiped the area with a microfiber. Did this to the entire car. I removed some minor scuffs in the clearcoat that I had put there scrubbing with the claybar.



Next, the SG. I applied that by hand...and removed it with one of the Sonus buffing bonets at speed 6.



Then I applied the Natty's using the blue sonus (final finish pad SFX-3) pad with the PC @ speed 1, or 1.5. Then I removed by hand with microfiber.





Now some questions. Sorry for the long post.



Ther are still some minor scratches in the clearcoat...nothing major, but from using old towels, or running through the carwash. Again, this was my dads commuter car, and was only washed...and very rarily waxed...mabye 1x a year. I managed to remove the scuffing inthe clear coat I put there using the claybar trying to remove some year old tree sap.



Are my techniques correct regarding speed of PC, and application removal?

The paint stayed cool to the touch whenever using the PC....however the PC got really warm on the gray part or the machine.

The car turned out good, but I guess I was expecting a better end result. I spend a total of 5 hours just on the paint...I didn't worry about wheels or interior..since I was just getting used to the PC. The car is a champagne color...so it's light. It had a good reflection...but the sun wasn't out so I couldn't really get to see it outside.



What products can I use to get more of a WOW factor...I think I need to use some sort of polish before the AIO and SG to get that great shine.



The cars I have are Satin Silver and a Pearl white. They are both Acuras and from what I hear they have soft paint. What will give me the best results with these colors?



Again, sorry for the long post, but I just want to get myself situated before tackling my own car.



Thanks alot,



Andy
 
Yea, that WOW factor you speak of comes from the polishing if the paint isn't in good condition to begin with. The prep of the paint is the most important in the end result, and claying/polishing is what the prep is all about. Once you have that done, and you are careful with your subsequent car washes, you will be able to keep that look.
 
mikebai1990, what are some good polishs that would work with light colored cars? Should I use a polish, then aio, sg, and then nattys. Or should I just ditch the aio and sg and go with a polish, glaze, sealant and then nattys? Just looking for input.



Thanks
 
What do you guys think of the optimum line of products such as the opitmum polish and poli-seal? I already use the no rinse and love it. I'm thinking of using the optimum polish, then the poli seal, than mabye the nattys or some sort of topper carnuba.
 
Depends on what kind of car you'll be working on. With a PC I've found optimum polish and compound to be almost unusable on a hard clear coat.
 
dshreter said:
Depends on what kind of car you'll be working on. With a PC I've found optimum polish and compound to be almost unusable on a hard clear coat.





The cars I'm using them on are Acura's...which I've heard have soft paint. I may do a few cars that are GM at my parents house. I'm not sure what type of paint GM has.
 
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