Purchase and process help please!

[Mustang81]

I'm getting ready to make a rather large purchase, and I'd like some advice on if I'm going the correct route with everything.

Here are the cars:
2005 Hyundai Tiburon Midnight Blue, neglected (some surface rust, some CC failure).
2003 Ford Thunderbird*, run through the swirl generator 5000 dozens upon dozens of times.
2010 Ford Mustang, washed with the two bucket method, but still has some swirls and straight line defects

Here's what I use now:
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, Scratch X, Swirl X, Deep Crystal Polish, NXT 2.0 Wax and Gold Class Liquid Wax. I have the clay kit and use it when I do a full detail (about twice a year on the Mustang, never on the Tib, so far). The cars are washed with Gold Class Car Wash and dried with Pakshak and Meguiar's waffle weave towels (after a drenching with the hose). I use Ultimate Protectant Dash and Trim restorer on the Mustang and I use Ultimate Quick Detailer after every wash. Finally, for the tires I have the Gold Class Endurance Gel and the Gold Class Wheel cleaner. I have two 5 gallon buckets and two grit guards to go with them (new purchase). All of my towels are MF from Pakshak. I like them so far.

Here's what I plan on buying:
Meguiars Dual Action G11V2 (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-dual-action-polisher-g110.html) Meguiars Mirror Glaze W67DA G110 DA Polisher 5 inch Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-w67da-5-inch-backing-plate.html) Meguiars DMC5 DA Microfiber Cutting Discs, 5 inches (http://www.autogeek.net/5in-microfiber-cutting-discs.html) Meguiars D30016 DA Microfiber Correction Compound 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-compound.html) White Polishing CCS Smart Pads DA 5.5 inch Foam Pad x 2 (http://www.autogeek.net/white-5-5inch-ccs-buffing-pad.html) Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 8 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-205-polish-8oz.html) Red UltraSoft Wax/Sealant CCS Smart Pads DA 5.5 inch Foam Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/red-5-5inch-ccs-buffing-pad.html) X 2 BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection 16 oz. (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant.html)
Here's the planned process:

After a full wash and clay:

Thunderbird and Tiburon - Start with the MF Disc and the D300 to remove the worst of the defects on the body (not the rust or CC failure though). Follow it up with the white pad and the #205. Finally, seal it with the Blackfire and the red pad. Is there supposed to be a step between 205 and the Blackfire?

Mustang
Start with the 205 and the white pad on some of the problem spots. There aren't that many, mainly the trunk and hood. I'll probably post some pictures when it gets closer to "that time" to make sure I'm not being too aggressive. If the 205 doesn't work, I'm going to give the MF and D300 a go. It seems like that's a big jump though, is there something in between, maybe something I already have?

I'll continue to use the Ultimate Quick Detailer, but I might also pick up the Blackfire QD or maybe use the ONR diluted to QD strength. The Megs wash has been pretty good, but if there's something that works better with Blackfire, please let me know! Am I buying something I don't need to be buying (maybe use the UC instead of 205)? I know this is a dangerous question to ask around here, but is there something else I should be purchasing? Am I missing some steps? I'm a beginner at this, and the Tiburon will be the first car that meets my new DA.

* - This is my parents car. As such, they don't "detail it" per se, but they do their best to wash it as it needs it. They use old towels to dry it and I'll be picking up some nice new products for them after I get a go at it.

[BobbyG]

It's nice to see such a well thought out plan, and I also see you're a Meguiar's fan! Meguiar's is one of the oldest names in detailing and have a wider range of products than most of their competitors.

The Meguiar's dual action polisher seems to get good reviews and from what I've read the users are very satisfied with it's quality and performance. As with all this style polisher, I would stick to the 5 1/2 diameter pads and related backup plates. These machines really come alive with the smaller pads making paint correction more efficient than with the larger pads.

You've somewhat touched on Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction System. This is yet another breakthrough pioneered by Meguiar's and enjoys a huge following. The 5" start kit contains everything you need to remove scratches, swirls, marring, and many other surface defects.

Always do a test spot and start off with a less aggressive pad and product and test whether or not its performance satisfies your expectation. If it hasn't then switch to a more aggressive product and fine tune your attack.

Mike Phillips does a great job of demonstrating this product in the video, see link below.

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)

I would recommend buying the starter kit instead of all the individual items you mentioned.

Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

BlackFire offers some really nice products that are easy to use, perform very well, and won't leave your wallet feeling line it's just been accosted!

I've pasted a section from another post that contains some good reference information if you choose to go a more conventional foam pad approach.

Polishes


Menzerna Bundle (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-bundle3.html)
BlackFire SRC Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-src-compound.html)
BlackFire Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-gloss-enhancing-polish.html)

Foam Pads

To simplify pad usage, I've given a generic usage of pads and products.

Compounding

Compounds or aggressive products are generally used on firmer pads, Yellow, Orange, and Green.

Polishing

The White and Gray pads are generally used with polishes.

Sealants & Waxes

Blue and Red foam pads work nicely for applying sealants and waxes.
These are a very good choice of pads for the Porter Cable style dual action polisher..

Here's some great information that will help you if you need it.


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)

Sealants


Menzerna Power Lock (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)
Prima Hydro Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/prima-hydro-seal.html)
Four Star Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-ultimate-paint-protection.html)
Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant.html)
Klasse High Gloss Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/klashiggloss.html)
Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)

Wax


Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/carnauba-wax.html)
Wolfgang Fuzion (http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-wax-sample.html)
Dodo Juice Supernatural (http://www.autogeek.net/natural-carnauba-wax-200.html)
Pinnacle Souveran (http://www.autogeek.net/pinsouvwax.html)
Blackfire Midnight Sun (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/blackfire-midnight-sun-wax.html)

One of my favorite waxes is Collinite 845. Nick posted an outstanding thread on this product and one I bookmarked.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/40243-collinite-845-definitive-how-guide-legendary-wax.html

[umi000]

If I may make a suggestion - Given that you already have Ultimate Compound, Scratch X (2.0?) and Swirl-X, you might not need the M205; just use Swirl-X in its place (it can also be used by machine). I'd also swap the CCS pads for flat pads - more surface area for quicker correction. Finally, you've not mentioned how many pads you're planning on getting, but (polishing) pads work best when clean, so it isn't uncommon to swap pads every couple of panels, using three or four to cover a car (except of course for application of LSPs, where one pad will do).

[BobbyG]

If I may make a suggestion - Given that you already have Ultimate Compound, Scratch X (2.0?) and Swirl-X, you might not need the M205; just use Swirl-X in its place (it can also be used by machine). I'd also swap the CCS pads for flat pads - more surface area for quicker correction.

Finally, you've not mentioned how many pads you're planning on getting, but (polishing) pads work best when clean, so it isn't uncommon to swap pads every couple of panels, using three or four to cover a car (except of course for application of LSPs, where one pad will do).

Francis makes some great points! :props:

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, Scratch X, and Swirl-X are some really nice over the counter products that work very well and will product some outstanding results. Before spending a lot of money on new products, unless you'd just like to, give these a try with a selection of foam pads and gage the results.

[Mustang81]

If I may make a suggestion - Given that you already have Ultimate Compound, Scratch X (2.0?) and Swirl-X, you might not need the M205; just use Swirl-X in its place (it can also be used by machine). I'd also swap the CCS pads for flat pads - more surface area for quicker correction. Finally, you've not mentioned how many pads you're planning on getting, but (polishing) pads work best when clean, so it isn't uncommon to swap pads every couple of panels, using three or four to cover a car (except of course for application of LSPs, where one pad will do).

I was going to get two of each pad, (one for the red now, I guess!). Given your suggestion of dropping the 205 ( for now at least), I'll pick up 3 of each of the foam pads.

I'll give the flat pad suggestion a thought. How about this question, are the flat pads or the CCS pads easier to work with for somebody who has never used a DA before?

All of my megs products are the "2.0" variety.

Edit:

About the cleaning of pads, I had one question which I wasn't able to search out. When cleaning the pads using the "on the fly" technique, which speed is best? I have more questions about this technique, so I'll probably study that thread a bit more before posting them.

[ski2]

I'll give the flat pad suggestion a thought. How about this question, are the flat pads or the CCS pads easier to work with for somebody who has never used a DA before?

I'm in the same position as you in that I just started machine polishing. I decided on pads with a recessed velcro backing like the LC Hydrotech just for added safety (for a beginner)from marring areas adjacent to the surface I'm polishing. Also, I decided to order more pads now rather than try to get by with the minumum--with some brands and styles you can get a better price when you buy six pads at a time (I got 12 pads for $70) and why take the chance of having to pay shipping twice if you order the minimum now and need more later. I have read time and time again to go with the flat pads and have never read anything indicating they are more difficult to use than CCS pads.

[lokichaos]

I'll give the flat pad suggestion a thought. How about this question, are the flat pads or the CCS pads easier to work with for somebody who has never used a DA before?



I started straight off with the CCS pads. The only thing I have to say is don't layer on the products to the pad, figure out what needs to go on thin and what needs to go on thicker.
First time I used the DA I ended up putting so much compound on the pad that half of the pad's thickness was filled with it. Oops lol :doh:

I also use a lot of Meguiars products, they are affordably priced and very easily accessible for purchase.

Post some pics up of the rides! Can't wait to see how your first DA work turns out. Have fun :)

[eboose7]

I have an '02 Thunderbird that was full of swirls, so I have some experience with products. I used the the Wolfgang twins first. Then at the suggestion of BobbyG, I tried Menzerna 85RD with my Flex 3401 to jewel the paint. I finished with Menzerna Power Lock and two coats of Souveran paste wax. I was wowed by the results. A lot of work to be sure, but well worth it.

[Mustang81]

I started straight off with the CCS pads. The only thing I have to say is don't layer on the products to the pad, figure out what needs to go on thin and what needs to go on thicker.
First time I used the DA I ended up putting so much compound on the pad that half of the pad's thickness was filled with it. Oops lol :doh:

I also use a lot of Meguiars products, they are affordably priced and very easily accessible for purchase.

Post some pics up of the rides! Can't wait to see how your first DA work turns out. Have fun :)

Soon! I'm waiting for two things before I place my first order.

1. Nicer weather! Holy cow, Chicago winter has arrived!
2. A nice sale. I've got the free shipping code, but who doesn't like a sale?

When it warms up a bit, I'm going to use ONR on my cars for the first time!