Confused about applying cleaner/wax with PC 7424XP

[StoneRaizer]

Last night I wanted to do a quick wax job on my Dad's 2003 Chevrolet Malibu, but I noticed it had some swirling that I wanted to correct so I grabbed my bottle of Meguiars ColourX. At first I was applying it like a polish using a white LC CCS Polishing pad on speed 5 using six section passes. After doing the hood, roof and rear decklid with this technique it occured to me that this was taking me much longer than I expected. For the rest of the car I changed my technique to using speed 3 and applied it like I would a conventional finishing wax, except that I used a little bit of pressure and a slow arm speed.

I'm not sure which technique was right, if any. Can anyone offer any tips on how to properly apply an AIO with a PC so I'll know how much time it'll take the next time I decide to do this?

Thanks for helping a noob out.

[FinalTouchAuto]

You will have a tough time removing any degree of swirling with ColorX. It is a pretty good OTC cleaner-wax but it doesn't contain the abrasives necessary to do much serious corrective work.

Anyhow....

For applying a cleaner-wax I generally use a green pad on speed 4-5 on my PC with light-moderate pressure (more than a wax/sealant but less than a true abrasive polish) and move over pretty large areas at a time going, again, slower than a wax/sealant but quicker than a polish. I would guess I move around 4-5 inches a second with a cleaner-wax.

This tends to work pretty well for me.

[BobbyG]

StoneRaizer, Welcome!

Mike Phillips has written extensively on the use of just about every machine and detailing product on the planet.

The links below will give you an idea of what you'll need to get started in the right direction.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/26962-how-much-product-do-i-use-my-da-polisher.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-ability-1st-gen-porter-cable-dual-action-polishers.html

Autogeek's Show Car Garage Video Archive (http://www.autogeek.net/video-ascg.html)

[fredroe]

Anyone care to comment on applying AIO with a DA? What pads, how fast, how many passes, etc?

[Dubbin1]

Anyone care to comment on applying AIO with a DA? What pads, how fast, how many passes, etc?

Start with a white pad and and do a test section to determine the speed and how many passes you need to get the look you want.

[dublifecrisis]

typically a white light polishing pad if there is some light abrasives. Speed 5 on a DA. No abrasives, I might kick the speed down to 3.5-4 and use a green pad.