Swirly SRX

[offthahorseceo]

Hi guys my name is Martin

Apparently I havent made a proper introduction so if noone minds ill tell you a bit about myself here and also ask get some advice.

I'm a Cadillac lover and unfortunately I'm a black vehicle lover. I currently have a black-black 2004 Cadillac SRX and a white-saddle tan 1989 Cadillac Allanté.

Previously I had a black-grey 2001 Cadillac DTS and too much time. I considered myself a pretty good detailer before i saw some of the work you guys on here do. I never had any delusion of being a professional of course. Here are some pics of my much missed 2001 Cadillac DTS (deer casualty) right after a detail job

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Offthahorseceo/Caddy/P8260089.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Offthahorseceo/Caddy/P8260092.jpg


Ok so now onto my current vehicles. The allante has a fresh coat of paint, very bright white with a thick layer of clear. Id like to keep the paint in great condition of course, keep it as bright as possible and have that hard candy shell look going as much as possible. Also, the leather inside is pretty thick, but seems to have been somewhat neglected, or maybe its just that its 21 years old. Its not cracking at all, but has become discolored and not as soft. Im not sure though wether this is "coated" leather or not.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Offthahorseceo/Caddy/DSCN1099.jpg

The SRX is black, and the black paint seems to have lots of fine swirls and a few light scratches. Id like to remove or fill those and keep them off. Also, the leather is in good shape but is starting to crease a bit. Id like to stop that of course and keep it looking and feeling new. (No pics for the SRX yet)

I love detailing my vehicles but find that i dont have as much time anymore. Also, i think im being pretty inefficient, detailing my own car, exterior only, has been taking me about 8 hours and thats for following the "good condition" arrow on this chart, and for my relatively small Cadillac Allanté
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/autogeek/flowchart.jpg


Ok so with all that said ill give you a rundown of my current arsenal, and also what i plan to order today from AG. please feel free to rip apart my selections and suggest different products.

Porter Cable 7336 DA
AG Dual Action Deluxe CCS Foam Pad Kit which includes:
1 CCS 6.5 inch Orange Pad
1 CCS 6.5 inch Yellow Pad
1 CCS 6.5 inch White Pad
1 CCS 6.5 inch Gray Pad
1 Dual Action Backing Plate 5"
1 Lambswool Pad
Pair Microfiber Bonnets
Pair Terry Bonnets
1 Cobra Microfiber Detailing Towel, 16 x 16 inches
Kobalt 5-Gallon 5 Peak HP Shop Vacuum
Bayco 1000W Halogen Work Light
2 5 gallon buckets
1 grit guard

Meguiar's® Gold Class™ Liquid Wax
Meguiars Cleaner Wax
Meguiar's® Smooth Surface™ Clay Kit
Perfect Auto Finish Professional Paint Sealant
1Z Einszett Pro Line Wax Final Finish

Various quick detailers from meguiars mothers and turtle wax
Stoners Invisible Glass
Simple Green APC concentrate (plus a few bottles at different dilution levels)
Meguiar's Supreme Shine Protectant
Lexol Leather Cleaner
Lexol Leather Conditioner
Meguiar's® Gold Class™ Rich Leather Spray
Blue Magic Leather and Vinyl Conditioner
Blue Magic Leather and Vinyl Cleaner
Eagle One A2Z All Wheel and Tire Cleaner
Meguiar's Natural Shine Vinyl and Rubber Protectant
Armor All Wheel Protectant

Today I plan on ordering:

Leatherique 32 oz kit
6 Pad Lake Country Pad Pack:
1 Orange
1 White
1 Green
2 Black
1 Red

I also want another glaze, the 1Z was originally shown as a glaze for black vehicles, which is great for the SRX, i wonder if it would be better if i bought a non-specific glaze or even the poorboys glaze for white vehicles.

also, im low on the sealant i have so i would need suggestions on an easy to apply sealant with good durability

I hope i havent typed too much and bored anyone. What can i get rid of and what should I add?
Oh i hope its obvious that i dont use ALL these products at one time.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Martin,

Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:


Heck of post you got here...

You listed a PC 7336?

Is this something you already own? If so it's a first generation Porter Cable and you should stick with 5.5" pads as the first generation PC's have an easier time maintaining pad rotation wit smaller pads.

I wrote an article just for the first generation PC's here,


The short how-to guide for using a DA Polisher
How to maximize the ability of the 1st Generation Porter Cable Dual Action Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-ability-1st-gen-porter-cable-dual-action-polishers.html)


I would definitely get some type of swirl remover and finishing polish to remove the swirls.

If you want to maximize the gloss on your car's to make them look like in your words,



keep it as bright as possible and have that hard candy shell look



Then keep in mind, gloss comes from smoothness, so you want to get the paint as smooth and defect free as possible.

If you want the brightness of the paint to shine through then you want as many defects as possible removed from the surface of the clearcoat.

To get both of the above you start with claying and then move to machine polshing... here's a picture of a 1949 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery that came in filled with swirls and scratches and left swirl free and incredibly glossy and all I did was the basics...

From this thread...

Bumblebee - Testing out the NEW DeWALT DWP849X (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/37831-bumblebee-testing-out-new-dewalt-dwp849x.html)

The paint on this car came out very clear and glossy doing the basics starting with claying all the paint, including the vertical panels. Followed by a multiple-step process using Optimum Compound II, Optimum Polish II and Optimum Finish and then sealed using Opti-Coat II


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery006.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery007.jpg



After

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0060.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0041.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0042.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0043.jpg



Every square inch is glossy wet looking...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0048.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1202/49SedanDelivery0046.jpg



Your end-results start with claying followed by your first machine correction or polishing step.

:)

[Mike Phillips]

I'm a Caddy fan too.. I've owned five 1959 Cadillacs and two 1960's...

This is the nicest 59 I've owned... and you're looking at the original factory paint.

Our 1959 Cadillac with only 56,000 original miles still has its original factory paint. It was stored inside most of its life. Unfortunately, it was not properly maintained over the years and had been parked outside for at least one full year before we bought it. It had heavy oxidation throughout and rust stains on the vertical panels below anywhere trim was attached. We meticulously massaged the paint back to show room condition.

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1959Flattop01c.jpg

At the Golden Oldies Car Show in Lebanon, Oregon circa 2001
http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1959Flattop02.jpg


:xyxthumbs:

[offthahorseceo]

Hey Mike thanks for the quick reply! Yes unfortunately the 7336 is CURRENTLY in my possesion, i bought it back in 2004 locally because i couldnt find a 7424 and didnt yet trust online retailers.

Coincidentially, the 6 pad pack im considering is the 5.5 inch variety. Will i need a smaller backing plate? the one that shipped with the kit was a 5" and the pads are 5.5.

That Cadillac is SWEET. One of my dream caddies is the 69 ElDorado in black of course

[Mike Phillips]

Hey Mike thanks for the quick reply! Yes unfortunately the 7336 is CURRENTLY in my possession, i bought it back in 2004 locally because i couldn't find a 7424 and didnt yet trust online retailers.

Coincidentally, the 6 pad pack im considering is the 5.5 inch variety. Will i need a smaller backing plate? the one that shipped with the kit was a 5" and the pads are 5.5.

That Cadillac is SWEET. One of my dream caddies is the 69 ElDorado in black of course


A 5" backing plate is perfect for a 5.5" diameter foam pad. From this article,


5" and 6" Backing Plates on 6.5" pads (Pictures to show safety margin) (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/20620-5-6-backing-plates-6-5-pads-pictures-show-safety-margin.html)


Here's 5" backing plates on 5.5" pads to show how they fit. Shown are the Meguiar's W67DA and the Edge DA 500 on 5.5" Hydro-Tech pads and 5.5" CCS pads

5.5" Hydro-Tech pads
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/5inchbackingplateon5_5inchpadHT.jpg




:)

[offthahorseceo]

turns out i do have a pic of the SRX this is from a camera after a quick detail. the swirls arent visible here but they are surely there

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Offthahorseceo/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNjgtMjAxMDA4MTctMDE0OS5qcGc-1.jpg

[ScottB]

We have owned several Cadillacs and currently have an SRX and CTS in the family. Well built and great automobiles. My wife still loves the rear drive SRX's and weve found the paint to be quite durable. It looks quite glossy and reflective. With good washing and drying techniques and a good sealant to protect you'll be in good shape. (well you might need a initial polishing first, Menzerna works well on these finishes)

[offthahorseceo]

Oh awesome, what year is your SRX? ours is an 04 AWD model. Another concern I've had is the interior material. Pre-2007 they used a poly-urethane like material on the dash and doors and ive always been confused about what product to use on that material

[ScottB]

Oh awesome, what year is your SRX? ours is an 04 AWD model. Another concern I've had is the interior material. Pre-2007 they used a poly-urethane like material on the dash and doors and ive always been confused about what product to use on that material

2006 Luxury Model .... wife has had it since new. It has the same interior as our past 2004 CTS. I use Cockpit Premium mostly for all interior, but have used Einszett Rubber/Vinyl in the past too. The only issue to date is changing the hepa cabin filter. (knock on wood). We also have a 2008 CTS DI, its much improved over the past model but unfortunately the rear wheel drive didnt carry over to the new SRX. Looking for a replacement for SRX soon, possibly the Sport Package 2008-09 to stick with same design.

[Robert8194]

Welcome Martin. This group is the very best. Information is incredible and the sharing of talent is unending.

[daveinsweethome]

i have the same two cars now. a awd srx and a cts coupe both black raven. put opti coat 2 on them to give me an even chance against swirls. paint sure is soft though.

[Prophizee]

Great rides Martin. I have never been lucky enough to own a Cadillac but def someday soon. Well back to your post I would def get rid of the armor all, it has a habit of ruining tires as time progresses. If you want a great OTC product I suggest getting mothers reflection tire spray. It has no sling it gives the tire a nice natural look and smells good too. Well i hope everything works out and welcome to the autogeek community. You won't meet better bunch of individuals anywhere else.

[offthahorseceo]

hey i didnt get notified of the last few replies

thanks for all the welcomes.

ill definitely try out the mothers, i always prefer a natural shine to a wet greasy look

about the armorall, its actually a wheel sealant aparently, NOT a tire shine. it doesnt sling off and works pretty well to keep brake dust off of the wheels

[offthahorseceo]

Ok next question. Is there a specific type of soap/shampoo i should use if i plan on correcting defects on the SRX? Its been about 4-5 months since i last sealed/waxed