Newbie to Detailing & to AGO

[mr.rswallace]

Hello all.
BLUF...I'm not sure if I'm getting the best shine from my PC. I'm not getting all the scratches out and I noticed some holograms on the side panels of my new car. I've learned that the Flex is more powerful/faster than the PC. Yesterday, I bought it from Adam's in a package that included 3 pads (green, orange, and white) with corresponding polishes for each pad. I'm looking for feedback about the pads and polishes from Adam's. Will it be fine to use them on my car with the Flex or should I stick with Megs 105/205 and purchase Hexagon pads from CG (as recommended by my first detailing mentor, the Junkman)? I'm not sure I like the CCS pads, but too ignorant to know any better. Also, I won't use 105 on my Kia, it's too new. 105 is for my wife's 2006 Navigator.

FYI...BLUF means Bottom Line Up Front

BACKGROUND INFO: I am new to detailing and am just now starting to learn how to clean my cars. I joined AGO after my purchase which caused me to wonder about My purchase.

I've maintained a "clean" car my whole life, but always hated the scratches and never knew how they got there or how to avoid them. I bought a 2013 Kia Optima in September and want to keep the scratches away. That's when my quest for knowledge began. Thanks to the Junkman, I learned a lot about detailing. I use the 2-bucket technique, bought the PC 7424 w/CCS Smart Pads (orange, white, and black), and use Megs 105/205. I'm looking to be more efficient, so I bought the Flex. Just not certain about using Adam's Products.

Looking forward to learning from the AGO community.

Randy14965

[Pureshine]

Adam's products are very good they make it very easy to use. I have used them lots of time before with great results. I use a wide range of products for paint correction and do not believe in limiting your self to one product.
Todd

[Johny B]

:welcome:to AGO. The FLEX is the best one.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Randy,

I've known Adam for years now and he's a very nice guy. That said, I have not used their polishes so I can't comment on the abrasive technology.

One thing I post a lot about is that what makes or breaks a company's paint care line is the abrasive technology used in the compounds, polishes, pre-wax cleaners and even cleaner/waxes.


Ever since I started posting to the Internet which dates back to 1994 I've always recommended and encouraged people to do a Test Spot using their pads, tools and products of choice and then carefully inspect the results and make sure you're getting the results you've always hoped for and dreamed about.

If you are, then simply duplicate that process over the rest of the car.

If not, then join a forum like this, (like you have), and then the forum community, if they're helpful, will see you through to success.


The Flex 3401 is a very high quality and powerful tool capable of doing extremely awesome correction and polishing work. Here's a car I buffed out recently using only a Flex 3401. I used all Wolfgang products for the correction and polishing work and Menzerna makes the formulas for these polishes and in my opinion, Menzerna is one of the best polish manufactures in this industry.

Christmas Detail - Ferrari P4 - Move over Rudolf (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/58698-christmas-detail-ferrari-p4-move-over-rudolf.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1668/Ferrari_P4_Detailed_by_Mike_Phillips_007.jpg



Here's my article on doing a Test Spot...



How To Do a Test Spot (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html)
(and why it's so important)


At this point, you need to do some troubleshooting. If you're interested, I also have a DVD out on how to use the Flex 3401...


How To Properly Use Flex Polishers DVD (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-instructional-dvd.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/715/FlexDVDwithMikePhillips.jpg



At this point you can opt to test out some different polishes or do some trouble shooting with the products you already have.

I'm out of here early today but I'm sure our forum members can chime in and offer some suggestions...


Welcome to AutogeekOnline!


:welcome:

[mr.rswallace]

Perfect. I'm liking the forum already. Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to be practicing quite a bit to get my technique and product mix right. Fantastic job on the Ferrari. Thank you. Time to do some more learning. I retire in about 1.5 years from the Air Force--maybe I could open my own detailing business and be my own boss for a change. Thank you for the feedback. Mike...I'll see you at a future training. :-)

Randy

[mjlinane]

Welcome to AGO!

[bikeride4fun]

Welcome to AGO....btw ..I love my Flex 3401....super great buffer thats easy to use....

[SON1C]

honestly you're going to want to move away from adams products, there are much better options available, adams products aren't bad.. but they're all overpriced and there are better options available imo
for example megs apc+ and glass cleaner vs adams
mothers foaming wheel and tire cleaner
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/50554-son1c-synopsis-1-mothers-wheel-tire-cleaner.html
uww+ as a clay lube and WW
chemical guys v7 as a qd and spray sealant
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/50557-son1c-synopsis-3-chemical-guys-blacklight-v7-double-feature.html
signature series II is an awesome wax to start with (and end with lol)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/59007-son1c-synopsis-20-pinnacle-natural-brilliance-signature-series-ii-paste-wax-review-picture-heavy-d-featuring-dodo-juice-mothers-chemical-guys.html
I'm a fan of the griots garage polisher myself, I also enjoy the meg's DA
adams car wash is nice but, chemical guys soaps BLOW IT AWAY in cost, effectiveness, and versatility
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/50556-son1c-synopsis-2-chemical-guys-citrus-wash-gloss.html

even your trusted junkman has moved away from adams :dunno:

[CM8 6MT]

Chemical Guys > Adams

[SON1C]

Chemical Guys > Adams

x2

i've heard rumors that cg makes all of adams products anyway, some are slightly tweaked or produced specifically for them

[cardaddy]

:welcome:to AGO Randy. :)

It's a given that pretty much anyone here knows more than I do (about some things at least). ;) But seriously..... if there is one thing I've learned to take to the bank is "test spot, test spot, test spot".

I've no doubt your PC can, and will be able to do what you need it to with the wifes car.
That being said, I can only :drool: over the FLEX and hope when I grow up my wife (of 35+ years) lets me get one. ;)
Till then, me and my GG will keep on keeping on. :buffing:

[RMM]

:welcome: to AGO!

[miamijd7]

..... Will it be fine to use them on my car with the Flex or should I stick with Megs 105/205 and purchase Hexagon pads from CG (as recommended by my first detailing mentor, the Junkman)? I'm not sure I like the CCS pads...

Randy14965

Welcome Randy, pad preference/buffer is like underwear, whatever fits your style and you're comfortable in.

With that said, I personally use LC flat pads/LC hybrids and megs pads with my PC and Flex. I feel they keep the Meg's product between the pad and paint better. I've tried the ccs pads and didn't care for them too much. Haven't tried the other pads because I'm happy with the present combo results I've been getting.

The 105/205 combo works great but I recently swapped the 105 to 101 because of the dusting issue :nomore: I can say I LOVE the 101!

What I'm doing now is using the flex for the correcting stage and the PC for finishing off.

[Mike Phillips]

Perfect. I'm liking the forum already.


Mike...I'll see you at a future training. :-)

Randy




Looking forward to meeting you.

My class coming up in a few weeks will have some very cool cars for everyone to work on and so will the class you attend.


:xyxthumbs:

[cartman57]

x2

i've heard rumors that cg makes all of adams products anyway, some are slightly tweaked or produced specifically for them

Warner Chemical makes CG's stuff, probably owned by them too, 'private labeled for hundreds around the world'.