Polishes! How to chose??

[Belushi8]

Hi guys. I just read a thread yesterday about claying and the marring it leaves behind. So I need the collective minds help. I'm gonna b claying my new truck soon. It has some very minor swirls, minor, but I know it will have more with my claying. I have a GG 6" DA. I need help on what kind of polishes to use?? I realize I don't need a compound, but goodness there r alot of polishes out there. I was also probably going to drop down to the 5" backing plate. What pads would b a good choice for me? The new optimum mf pads or lake country? All responses welcomed and great appreciated. Thanks.

[Jaretr1]

I have used both m205 and pinnacle advanced finishing polish. Both seem to work very nicely and are easy to use.

[bigdriver4u]

I've used m205 with a variety of LC CCS pads and flat pads with success. The Wolfgang Swirl remover is a good product but dust abit to much for me some times(The new stuff is made by Menerna, so that might have changed) Menzerna has a great compliment of polishes that can meet your needs with a new formulas. I've even used a AIO product like XMT360 and it's removed light swirls nicely.. Just try and match the right pad with the right product you want to use. Start less aggressive and work backward to reach your desired results. Good luck.

[Danube]

I'm gonna b claying my new truck soon. It has some very minor swirls, minor, but I know it will have more with my claying.


This shouldn't be the case if you choose a right clay for the application. I've clayed many cars and never inflicted any swirls. There are different grades of clay, get the least abrasive one.


:xyxthumbs:

[Belushi8]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've heard good things bout m205. Any good experiences with the blackfire polishes?

[Red_Wings]

There are a millions options. This spring I plan on using Optimum Hyper Polish with their microfiber pads. Then I'll follow up with a sealant and/or wax.

[Detail_Dude]

Perhaps this chart will help (as a guideline, not a rule):
Autogeek Swirl Removers & Compounds Comparison Chart (http://www.auto-geek.net/charts/wax-cut-chart-master.htm)

Start light, test an area, then step-it-up if necessary.

[tuscarora dave]

A lot of times industrial fallout such as brake dust from tractor trailers and from your own truck's brakes, rail dust from nearby railroads and contaminates from unknown sources become imbedded in you car/truck's paint. These contaminates are much harder than paint so you want to get as much of it out/off of the paint before you clay.

I read over and over that "It's all in the prep work" and claying is no different. Your choices are either take you chances on simply washing and then claying afterward and run the risk of dragging these hard slivers of metallic matter all over your paint, thus creating a need to polish or even compound and polish or..

Use a decontaminating product such as Iron-X first to remove most if not all of the metallic contaminates before claying, eliminating all the extra work and loss of clear from removing scratches that could have been prevented by using such a product first. I was amazed at how much easier and safer for the paint it was after using Iron-X.

As far as choosing a polish is concerned, it really depends on exactly what you are wanting to achieve. If you want to completely reduce the level of clear coat until you've eliminated all the swirls with no use of fillers to mask anything I'd suggest something with a non diminishing (SMAT) abrasive such as Meguiar's "M-205" or Optimum "Hyper Polish" to create a true and total paint correction followed by a durable sealant or coating.

If you want to do less work and remove less clear each time you polish and leave behind a filler to help to easily create a beautiful finish I'd suggest something like Mothers "Machine Glaze" or "Foam Pad Polish" from their professional line of products. These products also use non diminishing abrasives so there will be no need to break down the abrasives to create a brilliant gloss.

It is my personal opinion that the Mothers would be the easiest on your back and on the paint of your truck. I'd go this route if the truck is a daily driver. If it's a show truck that really sees no mileage I'd go with the true and total correction.

[Mike Phillips]

I need help on what kind of polishes to use?? I realize I don't need a compound, but goodness there r alot of polishes out there.



Stick with a premium brand name and you'll have no regrets.

M205 is a Fine Cut Polish, it's not very aggressive because all it was designed to do is to remove any swirls left by M105 after compounding in a body shop environment. It's in the Professional Line and thus a body shop tool. M105 correctly used finishes out to about 90% of a 100% show car finish, so M205 was designed to capture the remaining 10%

Of course you can use a more aggressive pad with any product to get more cut.


If you have a brand new truck with only shallow swirls and scratches I would recommend getting at a minimum a Medium Cut Polish.

Menzerna SI 1500 is a great medium cut polish
Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover is a great medium cut polish
Optimum Polish II is a great medium cut polish
Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover is a great medium cut polish
Prima Swirl Remover

If you want a compound, try one of these,

Optimum Compound II
Optimum Hyper Compound
Blackfire SRC Compound
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
Meguiar's M105
Prima Cut Compound


All of the above work really well with the right pads and good technique.

The above isn't a conclusive list just what I could think of and type quickly before going to a meeting.


I would lean towards using products from one line for a synergistic chemical compatiability...


For a wax, if you want UV protection take a look at Optimum Car Wax.

Take a look at what I wrote on page 2 of this thread...

Beginning Clearcoat Failure (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/29197-beginning-clearcoat-failure.html)



:)

[sal329]

I found a good all around polish are Prima Swirl, HD UNO and D300

[Belushi8]

Detail_dude, thanks for the chart. That helps alot.

Tascarora, I never thought of the iron-x. Great suggestion.

Mike, all those sound good. I'm still really new at this. Haven't even got to use my da yet. My truck is more my toy, but def not a show car. Guess I will just have to start trying them out until I find what works for me.

Any good suggestions on pads? I know meguiars and optimum have the mf pads, r these better or just different than ccs or flat or ht pads? Thanks again guys.

[SonOfOC]

Since your new, stick to Meguiars, Menzerna, and Optimum for polishes and either MF pads or Lake Country flats.

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, all those sound good. I'm still really new at this. Haven't even got to use my da yet. My truck is more my toy, but def not a show car. Guess I will just have to start trying them out until I find what works for me.


Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, try the UP first if that isn't working then use the UC.

Do a Test Spot first before buffing out the entire car. See this article,

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)




Any good suggestions on pads? I know meguiars and optimum have the mf pads, r these better or just different than ccs or flat or ht pads? Thanks again guys.


The easiest pads to use if you're new to machine polishing are the 5.5" Lake Country Flat pads. Get Orange, White, Black and one or two Blue for applying a finishing wax or paint sealant.

I have a ton of articles about all of the above in my article list (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html), here's a few to get you started...


The Difference Between a Cleaner/Wax and a Finishing Wax (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23263-difference-between-cleaner-wax-finishing-wax.html)
Subtitle: How To Choose The Right Wax or Paint Sealant for your Detailing Project

Thin is in... New Lake Country Hydro-Tech Low Profile 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28825-thin-new-lake-country-hydro-tech-low-profile-5-1-2-x-7-8-inch-foam-pads.html)

5 1/2 inch and 6 inch Buffing Pads on Autogeek's Online Store (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/27194-5-1-2-inch-6-inch-buffing-pads-pictures-links.html)

5 Inch Backing Plates for DA Polishers - Pictures and Links (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/27193-5-inch-backing-plates-da-polishers-pictures-links.html)

The different types of foam formulas in the CCS Smart Foam Pad Line (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wool-foam-buffing-pads/29312-different-types-foam-formulas-ccs-smart-foam-pad-line.html)

The long and in-depth guide for using a DA Polisher
The Definitive How-To Article for Removing Swirls, Scratches and Water Spots Using a Porter Cable 7424XP, G110v2 or Griot's Garage Polisher (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) - Includes Videos

Why it's important to clean your pads often... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/28755-why-s-important-clean-your-pads-often.html)

How to clean your foam pad on the fly (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/20135-how-clean-your-foam-pad-fly.html)

How to correctly fold and use a Microfiber Towel (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/29230-how-correctly-fold-use-microfiber-towel.html)

The 4 minimum categories of wiping cloths (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/21944-4-minimum-categories-wiping-cloths.html)

How many microfiber polishing cloths do I need to detail my car? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23084-how-many-microfiber-polishing-cloths-do-i-need-detail-my-car.html)

How to maintain a freshly waxed car (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/40056-how-maintain-freshly-waxed-car.html)

Video: How detailing clay works and how to use detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-videos/24319-show-car-garage-video-how-detailing-clay-works-how-use-detailing-clay-remove-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html)

Test Spot - The story behind the story... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/24043-test-spot-story-behind-term.html)

Beginning Clearcoat Failure (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/29197-beginning-clearcoat-failure.html)

Knock out painted roofs first, then tackle the rest of the car... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/29746-knock-out-painted-roofs-first-then-tackle-rest-car.html)

Here's a tip... don't lift the pad off the paint till you've turned the polisher off and the spinning pad has slowed down... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/28940-here-s-tip-don-t-lift-pad-off-paint-till-you-ve-turned-polisher-off-spinning-pad-has-slowed-down.html)

Kissing the Finish (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/29792-kissing-finish.html)

The Beach Towel Tip (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/30894-beach-towel-tip.html)

Factors that affect how aggressive or non-aggressive a product is... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/28458-factors-affect-how-aggressive-non-aggressive-product.html)

"Use the least aggressive product to get the job done" (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/28505-use-least-aggressive-product-get-job-done.html)

"Polishing paint is polishing paint, detailing is getting the wax out of the cracks" (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/22285-polishing-paint-polishing-paint-detailing-getting-wax-out-cracks.html)



And for everyone reading this in the future, feel free to share pertinent articles with others...


How to share an article using a blue clickable link (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tips-techniques-how-articles-interacting-discussion-forums/23913-how-share-article-using-blue-clickable-link.html)



:xyxthumbs:

[Belushi8]

Guys, u r all amazing. The wealth of knowledge and the insight provided by all of u is the best. Definitely the most helpful forum with the most learning opportunities I've encountered. Thanks for all the help.