placing my first order but have questions about products

[shevie]

i'm placing my first order tomorrow but confused about a couple things. here is a list of what i plan on ordering:

pc 7424 with pad combo
xmt 1 and 2, and xmt finishing glaze
5 in backing plate

questions:
1. natty's blue or souveran liquid wax
2. are cleansing lotion and paint cleaner the same thing? if i'm just doing a wash and wax should one of those be applied before the wax or will it even make a difference?
3. i saw on the xmt video deminstration they used xmt 1, 2, xmt finishing glaze, then wax. i've read in here where some people go from xmt #2 straight to the finishing glaze, then wax. is xmt #1 necessary?
4. will polishing get dry bug guts off that washing and elbow grease won't?
5. the fender flares on my truck are painted the same color as my truck. can you polish and wax these the same way you would the rest of the truck or do you have to do something special because i do have some water spots on them as well? plastic bumpers also?
6. how many uses can i get out of the lake country pads because i don't want to order more that necessary right now?
7. can i use a soapy mixture to lubricate for the clay bar because i always seem to run out of the spray before i get the truck done?
8. i've been detailing on the side for a couple of months but have only done the normal wash/wax jobs. can you guys tell me what you charge for the polishing, waxing, interior, etc?

thats all my questions for now. any feedback will be greatly appreciated!!!!

[JCB]

my answer on #6. from my point of view. i only got one of each, orange, white and gray. and i am only detailing an 8 monh old suv and a 6.5 year old car. these pads should be more than enough to do both vehicles. but it is always to have extra pads, as it is always nice to have them and not need it (yet) than need it and not have it.

7. yes. in my case a zaino Z7 car wash, there's others as well.

[BILL]

Nattys Blue.....

[abrcrombe]

1. Natty's Blue if your car is dark, Liquid Souveran if it is light
2. Paint cleaner - removes oxidation and very light swirls. Cleansing lotion - "exfoliates" surface and preps for LSP
3. If XMT#2 has any micromarring, you must use XMT#1 to je-wel the surface. Otherwise, you can move onto LSP.
4. You shouldn't polish with bugs still on the car. Polishing requires a clean surface, meaning wash AND clay. http://www.autogeek.net/poorboys-bug-squash.html http://www.autogeek.net/clbaandlu.html
5. If the fender flares and bumpers are the same, you can polish them but it may take more time to remove the water spots. If the bumpers are the black kind that turn grey after time, no need to polish. Try a product to bring them back to life. http://www.autogeek.net/pbtr16.html
6. Technically, you should use one pad per product per car. That is not always possible so get a few more pads since you are doing this for a business. Always clean the pad before using again. http://www.autogeek.net/xmtpadcacofs.html
7. Yes
8. The price all depends on your market, your skills, and how much you want to make an hr. Say you want to make 30 bucks an hr. You have to know how long it will take you to wash, clay, clean interior, polish, wax a car. Say it takes you 6 hrs. 6 hrs. x 30 dollars an hr = 180 dollars. It all depends on where you are and how good you can sell yourself. I have seen people do washes/wax/interior for 40 bucks all the way to 150. PM me if you have more specific questions on this one.

[FloridaNative]

You would clay the car before polishing and that should remove the bugs. Poorboy's bug squash is also a great product for bugs. With the clay you have to be careful with the wash soap. Some clays will disintetgrate in the wash water. Check the label on the clay of your choice and make sure it doesn't say to use it with the lube only.

[killrwheels@autogeek]

1. natty's blue or souveran liquid wax
Liquid Souveran for durability or consider Max Wax for looks

2. are cleansing lotion and paint cleaner the same thing? if i'm just doing a wash and wax should one of those be applied before the wax or will it even make a difference?
paint cleaners are chemical based just like a cleansing lotion. Some could contain abrasives and likely some fillers to hide swirls. Pinnacle and P21S make the best and easiest to use.

3. i saw on the xmt video deminstration they used xmt 1, 2, xmt finishing glaze, then wax. i've read in here where some people go from xmt #2 straight to the finishing glaze, then wax. is xmt #1 necessary?
search for jeweling ... it is the extra step to amplify a finish or gem it. Vital to some, but not to all.

4. will polishing get dry bug guts off that washing and elbow grease won't?
Poorboys Bug Squash and Pinnacle Scrubber

5. the fender flares on my truck are painted the same color as my truck. can you polish and wax these the same way you would the rest of the truck or do you have to do something special because i do have some water spots on them as well? plastic bumpers also?
If they are painted, treat them like paint. Clay, polish and protect

6. how many uses can i get out of the lake country pads because i don't want to order more that necessary right now?
5-10 with normal cleaning and storage

7. can i use a soapy mixture to lubricate for the clay bar because i always seem to run out of the spray before i get the truck done?
yes ... consider Optimums No Rinse as well lubricated and does not seem to harm clay.

8. i've been detailing on the side for a couple of months but have only done the normal wash/wax jobs. can you guys tell me what you charge for the polishing, waxing, interior, etc?
you could not pay for my work ... it would cost a grand. I think 100.00 minimum for a 3 step would be reasonable