Prioritizing My Want List

[Kaleb G.]

Friday I will be making my last order for a while... I need some advice on what I should do. I'm stuck between 3 options:

1) Makita, 6in and 5in backing plates, 2 or 3 wool pads.

2) Meg's MF pad system. I would probably just order 2 of the finishing and cutting 5 inch pads. Would also be ordering the correct product to go with the pads.

3) Surbufs...

I have two personal cars, a red 2004 F150 and a silver '04 Chrysler Sebring, and I also take care of two black Cadi's (one late 90's, other early 2000's), and a fairly new DARK blue Town and Country. I would be learning and mastering on the F150 and Sebring before ever touching the other three.

I've been wanting the Makita for a while, the new MF pads intrigue me, and I feel like the Surbufs are the middle ground. I've wanted the Makita since I started really looking into all the sites. I feel like it's more of a long term tool than the 3401. I eventually want the Flex and Makita, but I would rather just get the Makita first and start the learning process. I have a fresh bottle of 105 and 205, which is also playing against the new MF pads. Currently have a newer PC.

I'd really appreciate some feedback. Thanks in advance.

Kaleb

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Kaleb! :props:

I see you're looking at the Makita rotary polisher. This is a superb polisher and I highly recommend it as I have one myself.

How much prior experience with a rotary polisher do you have?

Rotary polishing takes some time to master but considering they've been out for many years before their dual action counterpart many of us here cut our teeth on them.

You mention the Flex 3401; this is the dual action polisher which all others are compared to. In my opinion it's the finest dual action polisher available today. I enjoy its power and forced rotation. It's design and construction are the very best and all from our friends across the pond in Germany.

Here's a nice article written by Mike Phillips that I hope you'll find helpful.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/22263-how-choose-right-polisher-your-detailing-project.html

A few more recommendations that might be of value to you...:props:

Basic steps are:



Wash
Clay
Polish or Paint Correction
Seal
Wax

If you're serious about making your truck look pristine then I suggest you invest in a kit tat contains a dual action polisher.

Kit Page

Car Care Kits, Car Care Cleaning Kits, Complete Detailing Kits (http://www.autogeek.net/kitspecials.html)

Decent kit

Pinnacle Twins & Meguiars G110v2 Dual Action Polisher Kit FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/pinnacle-twins-ultimate-detailing-machine.html)

Much better kit

If I were in the market for a kit this would be the one I'd choose.

Menzerna Porter Cable XP Maximum Shine Kit FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-porter-cable-maximum-shine.html)

One Step Product

Menzerna Sealing Wax

Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60, menzerna apo 60, Menzerna wax (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-sealing-wax-apo-60.html)

Sealants

Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealant

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)

Wax

Collinite 845

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)

Hope this helps!

[Kaleb G.]

Thanks Bobby. I don't have much experience with a rotary (yet). I've used my PC quite a few times now. I have 6 6.5 inch CCS pads (2 yellow, 2 black, 2 white) and 6 5.5 inch CCS pads (2 orange, 2 white, 2 red). I currently use the 105/205 combo, PB Pro Polish or Obsessive Detail Light Polish, PB Black Hole, Opti-Seal, and then Natty's Blue, 845, or Obsessive Detail Wet Wax. I'm thinking about picking up BFWD this week and maybe some Souveran.

I think I talked myself out of the Makita for now, but it is something I want to get eventually. It's really, really hard for me to spend hours on a vehicle and only get 90% or so of the swirls out.

[Kaleb G.]

And I have a good amount of work to take care of when it gets a little warmer... Purchased an '04 F150 that has seen much better days and my girlfriend's car is in terrible shape. Her silver doesn't show as much as my red though.

[weavers]

I would get surbuff pads. I love mind, was more agressive than lc orange pads, or hydro blue pads. On a number of jobs its almost a 90% correction 1 steper. You already have a DA and pads that work. Do a correction on a car. Does it remove swirls? for +95% correction you need to be really aggressive and/or wet sand. Its not worth it. A good detailer needs to know when to stop correcting. I don't have a Rotary, but I doubt its any faster. If you have a detailing business or do multiple cars then yes i would get one. If one machine breaks you will need a backup or risk losing weeks of jobs.

You have plenty of products, just need more pads. I would get the 5.5" surfbuff pads. Get at least 2 packets(4 total). In my experience 4 pads is plenty to do 1 or 2 cars. They will wear out so you may want more. The new MF pad system looks great, but you already have product that work. why waste the money?

If you have money to spend look at things that will make the job easier or that makes your life easier.

daytona Speed brush
Glass DA pads for water spots and such
DA carpet pads, really speeds things up, and i've used the green pad on door cars, leather, vinly on low speeds.
dolly for buckets (or build one)
pad washer, or build on yourself(autopia forum has a tutorial)
Good Detailers Seat with wheels
high quality towels, some WW dry towels are really nice, or more towels to clean wheels/door jams
or if you wash a lot of cars get a pressure washer, a nice air compressor one +200 dollars

[Shawn T.]

Meguiars DA Microfiber System definitely.

105 and 205 can successfully be used on the Microfiber system.

[Kaleb G.]

I have the Speed Brush, DA carpet pad, and a lot of MF from The Rag Shack. I saw that article on Autopia where the guy made the sweet pad washer for $35. May give that a try this weekend.

I think I'm just going to use what I have for right now as far as polishers go. I have two jobs lined up for over spring break, but they're in good shape for the most part. I wouldn't be able to get the MF pads here in time to use them over break which is part of the reason I was thinking about the SurBufs.

[Kaleb G.]

And look what arrived...

http://www.thedetailerscafe.com/smf/gallery/2/299_02_03_11_2_14_14.jpeg

Only bad thing is that I have to wait until Tuesday to use them =[