polisher, pads, and beyond

[CAMAROZL1]

I have posted on this topic before and Im going to make the jump and buy a polisher. I think Im going to go for the PC. I have seen the "choose your pads" bargain. My question becomes what pads go with what products? I have a white 2002 tacoma and wife is getting 2012 Cruze. Im buying wolfgang deep gloss sealant, Wolfgang polish sealant, and nattys paste wax blue. To go further into this, I also bought pinnacle clay bar and lube. My plan of attack is wash truck and car, clay bar, then use a polisher to put on gloss pain and polish enhancer. then wax. Does this seem correct to everyone? Also, do I have to wait for polish to dry for certain amount of time before putting on sealant and wax?

[Mike Phillips]

I have posted on this topic before and Im going to make the jump and buy a polisher. I think Im going to go for the PC. I have seen the "choose your pads" bargain. My question becomes what pads go with what products?



Im buying Wolfgang deep gloss sealant, Wolfgang polish sealant, and Natty's paste wax blue.




If you're new to machine polishing and waxing, get either the 5.5" CCS pads or the 5.5" flat pads, either work great and allow you to focus on your technique.

When the pads and products are right, the next variable is technique.

The two products you've listed are both "finishing sealants and waxes", that means there's no cleaning or correction ability to them and they should only be applied to paint in Excellent Condition. See this article in my article list...


Start at the begining... Inspecting your car's paint. What condition is your paint in?

What condition is the paint on your vehicles? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/38689-what-condition-paint-your-vehicles.html)






To go further into this, I also bought pinnacle clay bar and lube. My plan of attack is wash truck and car, clay bar, then use a polisher to put on gloss paint and polish enhancer. then wax.



Good plan.

Use a polishing pad, that's a white foam pad in the CCS and Flat pad lines to apply the Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer (http://www.autogeek.net/wg2000.html).

This will effectively clean any light oxidation, staining and impurities off the paint after claying removes any above surface bonded contaminants.





Does this seem correct to everyone? Also, do I have to wait for polish to dry for certain amount of time before putting on sealant and wax?



The directions for the Wolfgang Paintwork Polish Enhancer state to let the product dry to a light haze and then remove. This drying step helps the product to wipe off easier as long as you're leaving behind a thin film of product on the surface.

It dries fast when applied thin by hand or machine so wipe-off is easy.


One tip for getting good results with a light paint cleaner is to use the same technique you would use to machine apply a medium or fine polish and that's to divide each panel on the car into smaller sections and then only work one section at a time.

After you buff a section, you can wait a few seconds and wipe the residue off and move on to a new section or you could buff a new section and then come back and wipe off the residue from the previous section. Personal preference. Me I would wipe off after buffing but pay attention to where you left off and then overlap a little when you start buffing the new section of paint.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Read through these too...


DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)

How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)

Wet Buffing Technique (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36237-wet-buffing-technique.html)


You're not trying to remove swirls and scratches in the scenario you've laid out but I would still recommend reading this...


DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)


:buffing:

[CAMAROZL1]

Thanks Mike for the help and always going great advice. I have mild swirls, what should I do to remove them and what product will work?

[embolism]

those products are fine if your paint is swirl free. Pretty sure a 2002 model year will have swirls. Don't assume that the 2012 won't have them either. Best to tell the dealer not to touch or prep the car in any way (don't let them even wash it)

I'm a little unclear of what you are planning to use so correct me if I'm wrong. Here are the pads you can use for the products I think you listed:

WG Paintwork polish enhancer -- 5.5 in LC white, LC hydrotech tangerine

WG deep gloss sealant/ Natty's Blue -- 5.5 in LC black/blue, LC hydrotech crimson

If you are looking to bring your paint to its maximum potential, then consider the Meg's 5.5 in MF system. It includes a 5 in backing plate which you can also use with the pads I listed above. The PC does not come with a backing plate.

[CAMAROZL1]

embolism, yes those are the products I bought. Correct me if Im wrong but the backing plate stops rotation if too much pressure is applied yes? If not could you help me out on what it does or is

[CAMAROZL1]

also I told dealership not to touch the car

[embolism]

embolism, yes those are the products I bought. Correct me if Im wrong but the backing plate stops rotation if too much pressure is applied yes? If not could you help me out on what it does or is


Mike's article says it all:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23995-free-floating-spindle-assembly-story-behind-story.html

[CAMAROZL1]

from the video Im watching its says that the PC 7424xp has a backing plate is this true?

[Mike Phillips]

from the video Im watching its says that the PC 7424 has a backing plate is this true?

The PC does not come with a separate backing plate. It comes with a single white foam buffing pad with a plastic, non-reusable backing plate GLUED to the foam.

If you get a PC you also need to get a stand alone backing plate.


:)