New Member and the Quest for Knowledge

[Dysturbed87]

My name is Chris and I have been in SC (armpit of the south) for 16 years. When I got my first car I didn't knew next to nothing and just did standard wash with a quick wax afterwards. Got my second car and stepped it up slightly by adding in a clay bar. With my current car I have stepped it up to 5 step detail.

I have been doing things by hand for years due to my fear of messing something up, but after reading I feel I am ready to take on the world of da polishers. I have been using meguiars products for years. Just recently started using the ultimate line, but before was using the nxt line.

I have already decided on the da polisher but the rest is a mystery (applicator pads, back plates, compound, polish, sealer, wax, maintenance). The da I will be purchasing is the griots 6"

I will be using the da polisher and anything else I can figure out on this... http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/Dysturbed87/Car%20Show/DSC_0455.jpg

[A-train]

Welcome to AGO! Where in SC are u from. I'm in Anderson.


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[Dysturbed87]

I'm in Columbia. I've traveled up that way for some work stuff for my old job. Now not so much

[rider9195]

Welcome to Autogeek Online Chris!

[mjlinane]

Welcome to AGO!!

[steve swafford]

:welcome: too AGO Chris. I use the Griot's with the meguires microfiber system (5" pads), works great.

[bmwgalore]

+ 1 on the Meguiar's Micro Fiber System (5" only, not the 6")
It's a game changer, specially is you're just starting.

Although I prefer the Optimum micro fiber pads, both cutting and polishing.. But most of the time I finish up with Foam pads.. But for now just get the kit.

Don't forget micro fiber towels, wheel cleaners and brushes, APC and UV protectant.. All that stuff adds up real quick.

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online Chris!

I post this quite often because it addresses a specific area and these products work well. There are of course many products that can be substituted in their place however these work well.

Wash - Duragloss #901 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-car-wash-concentrate.html)
Clay - Meguiar’s Clay (http://www.autogeek.net/megovclay.html)
Compound - PG 1000 – PowerGloss Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html) (POS34A)
Polish - PF 2500 – Power Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-po203.html) (PO203)
Finishing Polish - SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html) (PO106FA)
1-Step - Duragloss 501 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-marine-rv-polish--501.html)
Sealant -Duragloss 105 TPP (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-total-performance-polish.html)
Duragloss 601 Bonding Agent (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-polish-bonding-agent.html)
Wax - Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)
Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-spray-wax.html)
Tire Cleaner - Meguiar's Super Degreaser (http://www.autogeek.net/mg10801.html)
Tire Treatment - CarPro PERL (http://www.autogeek.net/perl-coat-protectant.html)
Trim - Ultima Tire and Trim Guard (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-tire-trim-guard.html)
Wheel Cleaner - Meguiar's Wheel Brightener (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiar-s-wheel-brightener.html)
Wheel Protectant -Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html)
Glass Cleaner - Meguiar's Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12001.html)
Glass Treatment - Aquapel (http://www.autogeek.net/rain-repellent.html)
All Purpose Cleaner - Optimum Power Clean (http://www.autogeek.net/128oz-optimum-power-clean-apc.html)
Interior Protectant - Meguiar’s M40 (http://www.autogeek.net/mg40128.html)
Chrome & Stainless Steel - BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Metal Acrylic Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-all-metal-sealant.html)

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.


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)
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)
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 MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)


Foam Pads


Stick with the 5 1/2" flat pads as they work best with the Porter Cable style polishers.

Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.


Coarse Green Cutting/Polishing - This foam is of medium density with the ability to level very fine scratches and very light oxidation. Use light swirl removers with this pad.


Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.


White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for pre-wax cleaners.


Green Polishing/Finishing Foam - Use this foam to apply one-step cleaner waxes. It is a balance of polishing and finishing that is perfect for all-in-one product application.


Gray Finishing 6.5 inch Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.


Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.


Red Ultra-soft Wax/Sealant Foam - This soft, imported foam is ideal for applying the final coat of wax or sealant. The foam works especially well when applying liquid waxes or sealants because it is firm enough to keep the majority of the product on the paint, rather than soaking it up. The red foam has no cut or cleaning ability.


Super Soft Gold Jewelling Foam - The CCS Super Soft Gold Jewelling Pad is made of Lake Country's softest foam. Use the gold pad to apply a very fine polish or glaze as the final step of the polishing process. Jewelling is the term coined for this step because it intensifies gloss and reflectivity, like a jewel. The gold foam pad also works well for wax and sealant application.

[Dysturbed87]

Thank you all for the information. All of it has basically answered my questions. There are more but I will have to sort through the information completely. I am now finishing up a detail on my car and will post some pics of it once fully complete

[DaveT435]

Don't forget micro fiber towels, wheel cleaners and brushes, APC and UV protectant.. All that stuff adds up real quick.

Amen to that...you can drop a grand in a heartbeat!!

[Dysturbed87]

Amen to that...you can drop a grand in a heartbeat!!

I know the initial cost will be up there, but it will be worth it