new guy here, menzerna and souveran is this a good plan???

[prow]

Hey everyone how goes it? I have been reading a lot here, great site. Never realized all that went into detailing, I can see how this can become a serious hobby, I think I am on my way to adding detailing to one of my hobbies. Anyway, I am new to the detail world but think I have a good plan on how to take care of my 02 black ranger truck. Just wanted to know what you guys think about my plan of attack and the ammo I am thinking about using;) ok here it goes:

Since I do not have a polisher yet (will get either 6" Griot's orbital or a PC) I will pay for someone else to do a complete aggressive polish and wax. I believe he will use 3m polish, not sure on the wax though. After that I take over and plan on doing the following:

Weekly-ish;
First do the tires and rims with Wolfgang tire and wheel, tuff spots on the truck I will use Pinnacle safe scrub bug and tar pad. Then wash with Pinnacle bodywork shampoo and Eurow sheepskin mitts. Do the double bucket wash, one with soapy water and the other with clean water to rinse mitts. Drying with a Cobra guzzler HD followed up with a Cobra guzzler. I will do this Weekly or biweekly depends on need. In between washes I will use Pinnacle crystal mist carnauba detail spray (CM), applied with Cobra gold Jr. MF towel (gold MF).

Every 2 months-ish;
Do the weekly tire and body washing routine then clay bar (if needed) with Pinnacle ultra poly clay and lubricant, clean up any residual with a gold MF. then use Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion, applied with a Cobra MF Applicator Pad and remove with gold MF. Then buff with a new MF. Then hand wax using Pinnacle souveran carnauba paste buff with gold MF. Then I will follow up with a second wax coat next day or 2, (maybe).

Every 6 months to 1 year (depending on need);
Mainly do the same thing as the bimonthly routine but would use Wolfgang elastic poly clay bar instead of Pinnacles ultra. By this time I hope to have my orbital polisher, only thing is I don’t know what speed I should use on each step, any suggestions? Also, FYI, I will wipe down with a 50/50 91%alcohol/RODI water mix before/after each polish. If needed I will start with super intensive polish (SIP) and a Lake Country (LC) orange CCS foam pad, polisher set on???? Then use final finish polish (FFP) with a LC white CCS foam pad, polisher set on???? Then use final polish (FP) with LC white CCS pad follow up with final polish and a LC blue CCS pad, setting on polisher???? Depending on need I will determine if I should use/start with SIP or FFP or just FP or maybe nano (guessing experience will tell) Then do the Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion and hand waxing with souveran paste routines.

The biggest question, of course, is if I am picking the right polish and pad or should I +/- any steps? regiments? Like adding Wolfgang deep gloss sealant 3.0 then wax the next day..(something I am thinking about). Or maybe use a Menzerna nano polish instead of/or in addition to FP, or skip the FFP or other any suggestions or input will be greatly appreciated.

*FYI; every step will have its on towel/applicator/pad ect…

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online!

Everyone starts off as a beginner but with some reading, questions, and trial, error, and practice you'll be amazed how much you'll be able to do.

This link contains articles written by Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html)

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 that contains a dual action polisher. By performing all the steps yourself it will allow you to learn through hands on experience. If someone details the truck for you you'll never learn to do it yourself.

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)

Other quality selalnts


Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze
DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant

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!

[c5z06camaro]

I agree with Bobby G^^

[prow]

thanks for the reply. i have read most of those and will check out the other links you gave. i am planning on buying a polisher and that menzera polishing kit looks perfect, thanks. i will still have it detailed now, other wise it will not be polished for months.
on the sealants i am not sure if i should use them, would use Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant but thinking just go with souveran not sealant, thoughts??

i do want to do all the steps but think, for me, its better to start washing correctly and then wax correctly then in 6months-ish try my hand at polishing with a polisher. not only that but its a money thing. after i buy all the pads/tire cleaners/soap/wax ect for washing and drying...i kinda want to let my wallet rest, buy the polishing kit and stuff in 6 months.

[john b]

theres good advice here,and i generally follow the advice of the folks that have been doing this awhile-i have really liked what bobby g says and does

[prow]

yeah lots of good advice on the site. lots of stuff to buy too, pheww.. my friend owns a mercedes dealership. he will have his crew do the detail for free, so i am going to let him:) that will give me time to buy what i need to do it my self.
i have serious itch on useing pinnacle souveran wax, need to scratch that itch. but so unsure on if i should use a sealant after polish or just wax.

[prow]

after looking at the Menzerna Porter Cable XP Maximum Shine Kit FREE BONUS should just go with that on polishes.(SIP, FP and finishing glaze) then wax...

[BobbyG]

theres good advice here,and i generally follow the advice of the folks that have been doing this awhile-i have really liked what bobby g says and does

Hey John,

Thanks for the complement!

One of the things I like about detailing is once you understand just a little and then practice those learning it's a knowledge base that builds upon itself rather quickly.

Detailing whether a hobby, like mine, or a commercial business really takes some basic tools, pads, and products. There are literally hundreds of products made by multiple manufactures that overlap of perform the exact function of another brand.



Start off small
Practice and learn some of the basics
Take your time
Experiment as you go
Have some fun doing it
Enjoy the fruits of your labor

[c5z06camaro]

yeah lots of good advice on the site. lots of stuff to buy too, pheww.. my friend owns a mercedes dealership. he will have his crew do the detail for free, so i am going to let him:) that will give me time to buy what i need to do it my self.
i have serious itch on useing pinnacle souveran wax, need to scratch that itch. but so unsure on if i should use a sealant after polish or just wax.

sealants last a lot longer than waxes. most people put one coat of sealant than top it off with their choice of wax.

[Mike Moore]

I agree with Bobby G's suggestions^^

First Detailing Rule!
Use the least aggressive products first!

There are a quite a few products for polishing paint and correcting swirls and scratches.

A PC7424xp is a real good machine. The Griots Grarage 6" DA is also a very good machine.

* You may wish to try Meguiar's DA MF cutting discs and D300 and MF finishing discs with D301.
* There's tried & true Megs 105/LC Orange pad & M205/LC White pad & the Kevin Brown Method.
* Personally I like using Menzerma SIP/106/PO85rd three step using the Orange/White/Black pads.

Some folks like sealants and some folks prefer wax.
I have listed two LSP products below to get you started that look good & last.
IMHO these are great products...but what looks good to you is very subjective!

Another alternative would be a DA polisher and
* 5" Megs backing plate for using 5" MF discs and D300
* 5.5" foam flat pads White, Black and Blue
* Menzerma PO85rd nano polish

Sealant/Wax
* Menzerma Power Lock Paint Sealant
or
*Collinite 845 Insulator Wax

Correct w/Megs DA MF cutting disc and D300
Polish w/Menz PO85 using white or black pad
Seal w/Menz PLPS applied with blue flat pad
or
Wax w/Collinite 845 applied w/flat blue pad

Four products - D300, PO85rd and Menz PLPS and 845
Four pads - Megs MF Cutting, LC White, Black and Blue

There are MANY Paints, Pads, Products and Processes
Enjoy the Shine!

[prow]

nice thanks, that clears a bunch of things up.
i think this sounds like it;
Menzerma SIP/106/PO85rd with Orange/White/Black pads. (so i should not need to use nano polish if i use these, correct?)

i know i am going to have to experiment to figure out about the sealant and wax thing. more than likely i will go with wax only until i get tired of putting on wax so frequently before i try out the sealants.

ok just so i got this right... if i use Menzerma SIP/106/PO85rd with Orange/White/Black pads i would then wipe everything down with a 50/50 alcohol/water mix and then use Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion followed with wax (or sealant, or sealant then wax).

question is should i still use the Pinnacle paintwork cleansing lotion after polishing if i am planning to go wax only?
would i use it if i were going with a sealant only? or;
would i use it for sealant and wax, if when should i use it before or after the sealant?

i am taking it that i do still use it for normal monthly waxing.


BTW thanks for all the help, awsome stuff...i hope some of my question help others. i think i read like every thread here before actually posting and they all were helpful. saved me from asking some real dumb question:). great community here...

[Mike Moore]

Another alternative would be a DA polisher and
* 5" Megs backing plate for using 5" MF discs and D300
* 5.5" foam flat pads White, Black and Blue
* Menzerma PO85rd nano polish

Sealant/Wax
* Menzerma Power Lock Paint Sealant
or
*Collinite 845 Insulator Wax

Correct w/Megs DA MF cutting disc and D300
Polish w/Menz PO85 using white or black pad
Seal w/Menz PLPS applied with blue flat pad
or
Wax w/Collinite 845 applied w/flat blue pad

Four products - D300, PO85rd and Menz PLPS and 845
Four pads - Megs MF Cutting, LC White, Black and Blue

There are MANY Paints, Pads, Products and Processes
Enjoy the Shine!

To get you started I might suggest the combo above.

The MF cutting pads (http://www.autogeek.net/5in-microfiber-cutting-discs.html) and Megs D300 (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-compound.html) for correction $38
Menzerma PO85 (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-final-finish-po85rd.html) to bring the polish to a brighter shine $35
Lake Country 5.5" flat pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-edge-pads.html) White, Black and Blue $21
Menz Power Lock Paint Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html) $25
Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html) $15
Try both the sealant and the wax and see what you like best.

[prow]

thanks for all the help i will let you guys know how is goes, i am sure i will have many questions as i go. thanks again

[dougaross]

Mike Phillips has made a case for using 10% IPA vs 50%.

[prow]

Mike Phillips has made a case for using 10% IPA vs 50%.
what is his argument against 50%?