Help with the Meguiar's Dual Action Power System

[cctaylor88]

Hey guys, I am no professional detailer nor do I have intentions of starting a business but I really want to start taking better care of my car. I have detailed the interior very well and am now looking to give my car a huge makeover as far as paint goes. Its a 2004 and you can imagine it has some serious swirls etc..I want these gone. I have been looking all over online for used dual action polishers but these things maintain value very well and I am not looking to drop about $200 on a polisher and pads/compounds etc.

So, I have heavily been looking at Meguiar's Dual Action Power System and this seems to be a cheaper but still effective way of doing the car myself. I would rather spend $100 and do it myself and still have products and everything needed to do it at the end of summer than pay someone else to do a half ass job for the same price you know?

My question is... when I purchase the DAPS what else should I purchase with it? I know I need a compound, polish, and wax right? These are three separate products I will need to buy correct? But what about the pads... I believe the DAPS comes with the yellow Meguiars polishing pad and that is it.

Basically I want to purchase everything in one trip to the store obviously.

Thanks!

[cctaylor88]

For instance, I see some people like to use a burgundy compound pad for swirl removal but what is the difference? Also, how long will a pad last me, and can a bottle of Ultimate Compound make it through an entire car? I will only be doing my automobile

[Evan.J]

Here is a review of the DA Power System Marc did its a great read:http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/60691-review-meguiar-s-da-power-system.html

First thing you want to do is determine the condition of your paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/38689-what-condition-paint-your-vehicles.html

With the DA system you will want all three pads. Now as far as Products you can use Ultimate compound Ultimate polish and then Ultimate Wax should you choose to get everything at your local Walmart or auto store.

If you should find that your paint is not in horrible condition then you can do the Ultimate polish with the wax.

You will want to do a Test spot to get your process dialed in for the entire car.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html

[mavin]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/55905-harbor-freight-da-polisher-new.html

$45 after coupon

[Marc08EX]

Thanks for linking my review, Evan!

Meguiar's also sells the DA powerpacks with this system. It includes liquid and pad for the compounding, polishing and waxing stages. Here are the product links to each of them:

Meguiars DA Compound Power Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-compound-power-pack.html)
Meguiars DA Polishing Power Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-polishing-power-pack.html)
Meguiars DA Waxing Power Pack (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-da-waxing-power-pack.html)

They try to make it easier for the consumer in letting them know what to buy with the system.

[tuscarora dave]

I have to side with mavin on this one, the HF DA polisher and the $4 pads they have would be a lot better than dealing with a drill attachment to correct a swirled up car. Not to mention you'd be ahead on the cost of things too. That HF polisher passed the Tuscarora Dave's Standard Torture Test (TDSTT) :laughing: with flying colors and the pads last way longer than I expected.

A 12 ounce bottle of UC should do a few cars no problem. I'd suggest the 12 ounce bottle either way you go because until you get through the learning curve you might end up going through a few pads and more compound than what you might think. I'd just concentrate on getting the compounding done for now. You may get through the UC compounding stage and really be pleased with the results and find that having bought all the finishing polish and extra pads was a waste of money.

Just my thoughts. TD

[hernandez.art13]

Not sure which exact kit you would want or would need but i like the kits AG sells. You'll have everything you want to to get started. And you wont have to be running around trying to figure out what to specifically get.

http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-meguiars-kit.html