Light-Zone
11-08-2006, 08:54 PM
I'm really still very new at the detailing process. The first products I purchased were Menzerna IP, FPII, and Finishing Glaze. I bought a PC and a set of pads that were put together for use on German paints, to use on my SLK. I also have Klasse AIO and SG in my kit.
I've had very good suscess using this combination, but, as many of use are, we are alway looking for something better. So I went on to try other products, starting with Chemical Guys. I've also read many good things about Poor Boys and FK as well. So today I went out to my Dodge Ram which is black, and started to experiment with the Chemical Guys products, including one called Spider, which is suppose to remove minor scratches and micro-marring, and then deminish into a polish as well. After doing a side panel, using an orange pad, I pulled the truck out into the sun to check my work. WELL, I was surprised to see that I had actually done more harm than good.
I had removed quite a bit of the existing shine, and although I knew I could repair what I had done, I was still motivated to call up CG to get some advice (something I should have done BEFORE placing my order, or at the very least, before begining my work). They were very helpful and did say that the product they call Spider was too aggressive for my situation. They said a product called All-In-One that they offer would have been a better choice. Even using a less aggressive pad would have not made a difference they told me, because the product itsself was considered aggressive. I thanked him for his advice and set out to correct what I had done.
I reached for the Menzerna IP and the green pad. Afterwards, followed up with FPII, using a fresh green pad. Topped it off with Finishing Glaze using a black pad. Hopefully my latest order with the famed Souveran will arrive so that I can top off my work with what everyone says is simply the BEST wax for black vehicles, bar none.
So the reason for this post. I think I've seen the light. I've been doing photography for the past 30 years, and when I started out, a photographer I greatly admired said to me, pick a film, pick a developer, and pick a paper. Stick with that combination until you've mastered it. I'm going to implement that advice to my detailing. I'm going to stick with Menzerna, stick with the pad combination I have and stick with my waxes/sealents. I'm going to use these until I have it down pat. I think experimenting too soon with too many different products will lead only to confusion. We're all looking for a magic bullet, but I think the answer is not in the products but in the techniques we use. Back to photography for just a moment....just because you own a $4000 Leica or Nikon doesn't mean you're going to automatically make good pictures. Conversly, give a great photographer an Instamatic Camera and the chances are very good that something in the way of art will be made.
What are the products you all keep coming back to and why?
Thanks to all who took the timne to read this ramble...
I've had very good suscess using this combination, but, as many of use are, we are alway looking for something better. So I went on to try other products, starting with Chemical Guys. I've also read many good things about Poor Boys and FK as well. So today I went out to my Dodge Ram which is black, and started to experiment with the Chemical Guys products, including one called Spider, which is suppose to remove minor scratches and micro-marring, and then deminish into a polish as well. After doing a side panel, using an orange pad, I pulled the truck out into the sun to check my work. WELL, I was surprised to see that I had actually done more harm than good.
I had removed quite a bit of the existing shine, and although I knew I could repair what I had done, I was still motivated to call up CG to get some advice (something I should have done BEFORE placing my order, or at the very least, before begining my work). They were very helpful and did say that the product they call Spider was too aggressive for my situation. They said a product called All-In-One that they offer would have been a better choice. Even using a less aggressive pad would have not made a difference they told me, because the product itsself was considered aggressive. I thanked him for his advice and set out to correct what I had done.
I reached for the Menzerna IP and the green pad. Afterwards, followed up with FPII, using a fresh green pad. Topped it off with Finishing Glaze using a black pad. Hopefully my latest order with the famed Souveran will arrive so that I can top off my work with what everyone says is simply the BEST wax for black vehicles, bar none.
So the reason for this post. I think I've seen the light. I've been doing photography for the past 30 years, and when I started out, a photographer I greatly admired said to me, pick a film, pick a developer, and pick a paper. Stick with that combination until you've mastered it. I'm going to implement that advice to my detailing. I'm going to stick with Menzerna, stick with the pad combination I have and stick with my waxes/sealents. I'm going to use these until I have it down pat. I think experimenting too soon with too many different products will lead only to confusion. We're all looking for a magic bullet, but I think the answer is not in the products but in the techniques we use. Back to photography for just a moment....just because you own a $4000 Leica or Nikon doesn't mean you're going to automatically make good pictures. Conversly, give a great photographer an Instamatic Camera and the chances are very good that something in the way of art will be made.
What are the products you all keep coming back to and why?
Thanks to all who took the timne to read this ramble...