best compounds & polishes?

[pointillistic_practitioner]

I'm new to DA machine polishing & wanted to know what compounds &/or polishes you use? And what wax you follow them up with? In the past, I've used megs products by hand (ultimate compound, polishing compound, scratchx) I'm looking for paint corrrection for '09 black & '97 dark green Hondas that have pretty severe swirls, spiderwebbing, & below clearcoat scratches (which I don't expect to get out much) the green honda also has some crazing/cracking (not extreme tho). What about for other lighter cars? I was thinking of megs m102 or maybe menzerna but that's kinda expensive & I try to get the most out of my $

[kronos]

Will you still be working by hand?

[BobbyG]

There "is" a wealth of information here. Take the time to read and familiarize yourself with some of the basics.

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. After reading and understanding some of the basics, the more hands on your are the quicker you'll build your knowledge and gain experience.

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)

The is the general order or operation for detailing the vehicles exterior.


Wash
Clay
Compound
Polish
Seal
Wax

Try not to become overwhelmed with all the products as you'll only become more confused and at the same time broke if you try to buy them all. Pick one product that will satisfy each step above and begin but above everything else make detailing enjoyable.

Autogeek has a kit section that contains everything you need to get started. For starting off I recommend a dual action polisher. These come on a variety of flavors and Autogeek carries most of them so take your time and educate yourself.

The kit pages below will give you an idea of what's available but if you do decide to purchase a Porter Cable 7424 style polisher opt for the 5 1/2" flat pads right off. The 6 1'2" are just too large and this has been confirmed many time over.

If you want to try something over the counter give Meguiar's Ultimate Compound a try. This product is not overly aggressive and when used with an Orange then White foam pad produces impressive results.

Kit Page

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

Decent kit

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

Much better kit

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

Flex Kit

If I were in the market for a kit this would be the one I'd choose.
Pinnacle Flex XC3401 Polishing & Swirl Remover kit, Pinnacle polishes, swirl removers, finishing polish, flex buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/pinnacle-flex-polisher-kit.html)

Menzerna products

If I had to recommend a bundle that would satisfy 90% of your paint correction needs this would be it!

Menzerna Power Gloss, Power Finish & Super Finish Bundle, Menzerna Polishes Combo, Nano Polish, Power Finish Polish, Power Gloss Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-bundle3.html)

Don't overlook a one step product

One Step Product

Klasse

Klasse ALL-IN-ONE Auto Polish, Klasse All In One, klasse aio, Acrylic polish (http://www.autogeek.net/klasseallinone.html)

Menzerna Sealing Wax

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

Meguiar's D151

Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151 (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-paint-reconditioning-cream-d151.html)

Pinnacle XMT

Pinnacle XMT Clean & Shine Bundle (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-clean-shine-bundle.html)

Forum Favorite

Klasse All-In-One, Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze, Pinnacle Souveran, Pinnacle Crystal Mist Spray Wax come together to create a forum favorite kit. (http://www.autogeek.net/forfavkit.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 sealants


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)

Pinnacle Signature Series ll

Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax will give you a deep, wet finish will exceed your expectations. car wax, carnauba paste wax, pinnacle (http://www.autogeek.net/pisisepawax.html)

[pointillistic_practitioner]

I'll be using a machine as soon as I figure out which one I'm getting. I just purcased a defective pc 7424xp, returned it, & got what seems to be another defective pc (from diff. seller than AGO)....I'll either be getting a pc from AGO now or researching other DA's that will accept the 5' bakcing plate/ 5.5" pads I have.... i'm familiar w/ the flowchart of 2bucketwash, clay, compound etc but thanks a lot for product tips & bundles, I'll prob. be purchasing some of that stuff soon!

[SRTSean]

Megs 105/205 is a great combo.

[silverfox]

WOW...where do we begin..?...you can't go wrong with Menzerna, Wolfgang, Pinnacle, Optimum, Megs new DA MF system, and even those from 3D (Uno), Duragloss, etc.

My favorites:

1) Compounds: Megs 105/D300, Ultimate compound, Optimum Hyper compound

2) Intermediate Polishes: Menzerna, Wolfgang, Megs D205/D300, Optimum Hyper polish

3) Jeweling Final Polish: Menzerna PO85rd

But the more I use the new Megs DA MF system, you can do almost any correction with great results using just Megs D300, D301 for daily drivers. You should easily get 85% correction from this combo. I would be happy frankly to have one product line that can do it all. Megs comes really close...but there are always special cases where 85% isn't good enough.

[pointillistic_practitioner]

Megs 105/205 is a great combo.

what do u follow up the m105/m205 with?

[pointillistic_practitioner]

But the more I use the new Megs DA MF system, you can do almost any correction with great results using just Megs D300, D301 for daily drivers. You should easily get 85% correction from this combo. I would be happy frankly to have one product line that can do it all. Megs comes really close...but there are always special cases where 85% isn't good enough.

how much does that cost?

[HeavyMetal]

how much does that cost?


The Megs system runs 90 for thr 5.5" and 100 for the 6". It comes with a backing plate sapecifically designed for the pads. Make sure you use it. Here's a link: Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System, paint polishing system, car polish, car detailing system, compounding system, remove scratches (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-microfiber-system.html)

Many here have used the system and achieved incredible results. Based on what forum members have achieved with this system, 85% correction is likely a lowball on what it can do once you become familiar. The only "downside" is the last step is a final polish/wax combo. So, if you want an advanced sealant, you'll have to strip that or switch out the finish wax for something like Meg's M205 or WG Finishing Glaze or Menzerna P106. Depending on how much you want to spend and how well you're gonna take care of each car, it may be worth it for one and not the other. If I hadn't bought standard polishes and pads right before this came out, this is the way I would have gone. Once I go thru what I have, I will be trying it.

[pointillistic_practitioner]

thanks!

[SRTSean]

what do u follow up the m105/m205 with?

If I want one last polish to give a car an extra amount of shine I've been using Griot's Polish #4 because that's what I have for that step, lol. But the 205 does finish out pretty damn nicely and you can go straight to sealant after using it. Also been using Griot's Paint Sealant, but am almost out of that and will be trying something new.

[pointillistic_practitioner]

The is the general order or operation for detailing the vehicles exterior.


Wash
Clay
Compound
Polish
Seal
Wax





Aren't sealants & waxes the same thing? Or do you mean a synthetic wax followed by a carnuba wax for extra shine? Also, what's the diff b/w compounds/polishes? the abrasiveness? Pinnacle or Wolfgang for example offer "swirl remover" products that are marketed like a polish...but if I'm right they're used as a first step after claying, like you would use a compound... :/

[pointillistic_practitioner]

I like the Megs DA MF system b/c it seems easy to use & is only 2 steps, but I don't feel like spending the money & getting new pads when I just bought ccs foam pads. How about something like pinnacle advanced swirl remover/wolfgang total swirl remover? can a product like that replace a compound like megs m105/205 or menzerna so I don't have to compound->polish->wax? Is there a wax out there that has some light cutting power in addition to protection? (not like a cleaner wax that cuts but doesnt necesarily give long-lasting protection i.e. zymol (the best smelling wax on the planet). speaking of cleaner waxes, when are they to be used? when the car is clean but has light defects that need perfecting right? inotherwords, not in a correctional "system" like this where defects are already being compounded/polished out b/c it would be just an extra step, right?)

[HeavyMetal]

I like the Megs DA MF system b/c it seems easy to use & is only 2 steps, but I don't feel like spending the money & getting new pads when I just bought ccs foam pads. How about something like pinnacle advanced swirl remover/wolfgang total swirl remover? can a product like that replace a compound like megs m105/205 or menzerna so I don't have to compound->polish->wax? Is there a wax out there that has some light cutting power in addition to protection? (not like a cleaner wax that cuts but doesnt necesarily give long-lasting protection i.e. zymol (the best smelling wax on the planet). speaking of cleaner waxes, when are they to be used? when the car is clean but has light defects that need perfecting right? inotherwords, not in a correctional "system" like this where defects are already being compounded/polished out b/c it would be just an extra step, right?)

I take it you have not seen the Three Rules of Quality?

Rule 1 - There are no shortcuts.
Rule 2 - See Rule 1.
Rule 3 - See Rule 2.

If your car's defects are very light or you aren't fussy, you can try a good All In One product like Optimum Poli-Seal. I haven't used them but Poli-Seal and a couple others get some good comments on the forums. I see Poli-Seal mentioned frequently. Or you could try just using a "finish polish" like 205 or WG FG.

But, if you want a real high gloss polish, you're gonna have to go to at least a two-step polish. Whether that Meg's M105/205 or WG TSR/FG or Menz or ... doesn't matter.

Cleaner waxes will clean up very light defects. I don't use them. If the job's worth doing, it worth taking the time to do it right (see Rule 1), so I'd use a final polish and follow with a high quality wax or sealant/wax combo.

[Mike Phillips]

I take it you have not seen the Three Rules of Quality?

Rule 1 - There are no shortcuts.
Rule 2 - See Rule 1.
Rule 3 - See Rule 2.

If your car's defects are very light or you aren't fussy, you can try a good All In One product like Optimum Poli-Seal. I haven't used them but Poli-Seal and a couple others get some good comments on the forums. I see Poli-Seal mentioned frequently. Or you could try just using a "finish polish" like 205 or WG FG.

But, if you want a real high gloss polish, you're gonna have to go to at least a two-step polish. Whether that Meg's M105/205 or WG TSR/FG or Menz or ... doesn't matter.

Cleaner waxes will clean up very light defects. I don't use them. If the job's worth doing, it worth taking the time to do it right (see Rule 1), so I'd use a final polish and follow with a high quality wax or sealant/wax combo.




Nice summary Craig... :xyxthumbs:


Also, the Meguiar's Microfiber DA System is formulated for and intended for use only on factory baked on paint. You can try to use it on re-paints and single stage paints but test first to a small area to make sure you're getting great results before buffing out the entire car.

We did all the work on this car using Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover and Advanced Finishing Polish topped with Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax, all done by machine.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1205/1962CadConvert025.jpg



And it was a mess when it came here...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1205/1962CadConvert005.jpg




:)