What Product/Pads to use?

[CH1CAGO]

In 2006 I had a new GTO. I bought a Porter Cable, Pinnacle XMT series products, Lake Country pads, etc. I learned about swirls, scratches, waxing, polishing and so on. Kept the car perfect!!

Sold the car, bought a house, dumped a wife, worked hard, bought my house again, fast forward 2016....

I understand the XMT line is gone. I want to get back into detailing for myself, kids and a few select friends...NOT AS A CAREER. At 50, it is not a career or business I am looking to enter. I am a HOBBIEST. I bought a 2016 Corvette that I would like to maintain. I have a 2013 Fusion that is in near showroom condition and I'd like to keep it that way. I also have a few friends and my kids who I would like to really take the time to get their cars in pristine condition.

Again, at 50, I have been on enough forums, on a number of subjects, to know that everyone has their preferences. A friend has two cars with what I would consider heavy swirl marks, lines, scratches or whatever you want to call them. I still have the "intermediate" swirl remover from XMT but I think it needs more. I still have the Lake Country pads and the Porter Cable.

My question to the forum.... What is something compatible to the XMT series I need for HEAVY scratches (car taken through a car wash twice a month for a few years) that may or may not clean it up? I still have the XMT products and the Porter Cable/pads but only intermediate.

PLEASE don't suggest using the "search" option. I am old and experienced enough to have done that and it only makes my head spin more given the changes in this industry over the past 10 years.

As I type this, I am awaiting UPS for my VX-5000 delivery today and will probably get a Mytee Lite II in the next week for interior work.

Thanks for reading,

Jim

[briarpatch]

Welcome to the forum. I really know very little about Pinnacle products, but the link below takes you to a page where you can download their handbook, if that helps you narrow your search.

Pinnacle Car Care Handbook (http://www.pinnaclewax.com/hnbkpin.html)

[BudgetPlan1]

FWIW, was a Zaino acolyte since we got a black 2004 Corvette 12 years ago. This year switched to Wolfgang products with a GG DA.

WG Swirl Remover w orange Lake Country pads, WG Finishing Glaze w white Lake Country pads, topped with WG Uber Ceramic. Vette had some deep etched water spots so went with Meguires D300 with their microfiber cutting disks before the WG 'Twins'. Did a really nice job on the scratched, swirled, etched finish.

[The Guz]

Welcome. The XMT and Detailer's Pro were merged together and now make up the McKee's 37 line. Some products stuck around and some are now gone.

The XMT line has two new polishes that may fit your needs

McKee's 37 Fast Compound For your dual action or rotary polisher. (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-intermediate-swirl.html)

McKee's 37 Fast Polish For your dual action or rotary polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-fine-swirl.html)

You can't go wrong with a lot of the polishes and compounds sold on PBMG (Meguiar's, Griot's Boss, McKee's 37, etc...)

Lake Country pads are still great pads. They have some new offerings as well. A couple good articles to read.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wool-foam-buffing-pads/96756-lake-country-thinpro-foam-buffing-pads-exclusively-autogeek.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/86336-new-meguiar%92s-foam-buffing-discs.html

[FASTFRED]

Welcome back to the fold and enjoy your corvette.

[GSKR]

For simplicity with the right cutting pads,advanced swirl remover and polish.its pretty much your standard easy to use products with nice results.without seeing some pics of scratches HD speed could be a option for you.as far as pads get the thin pads.To play it safe get maroon cutting orange cutting and finish pad.with the new vette you can polish with a finishing pad later on.fg 400 menzerna is a must to keep around so I would get a small bottle.

[CH1CAGO]

Thank you to all who took the time to reply.

[bill walsh]

welcome where in ct?

[dlc95]

I like the Meguiars Ultimate line for basic polishing needs. That compound does a great job with the Porter Cable.