First post, first DA session - question on test-spot

[Saab-Daniel]

First time post, long time reader, waxer, user of clay bar and general car maintenance calling upon some assistance before first time usage of DA polisher.
I've got my supplies in from Autogeek.net:
LC backing plate, deluxe foam pad kit, Meguiar's 82 and 83, to compliment my Forum Favorite kit already in the toolbox. I've just finished washing the car in question in ONR, which I absolutely love, great product... The car doesn't seem to need an clay bar session, it has driven 200 miles since it's last session, and in general, my Yellow '91 Saab Convertible is a garage queen with only a max of 1000 miles driven per year.
So, now that the car is clean, dry and waiting in the garage, I'm wondering what my first test spot should include.
I've got the orange, blue and white pads to combine with the before mentioned mild polishes...
I've attached some pictures of the car after it's been washed to show the minor blemishes the paint has - primarily washing scratches and the like...
What pad/polish combo would you start with, and why?
I've read "The complete guide to a show car shine" by Mike Phillips, so I'm aware of the motto - use the lightest, least abrasive approach that gets the job done...
Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think...
Ohh, and btw, I'm starting out with the HF DA polisher, will re-pack the grease and of course change the backing plate and see where that takes me...
Thanks a lot!
/Daniel

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[Evan.J]

Welcome to the forum and for your first post!

As for what you want to tackle, although M80 and M83 are older products they still can function for you.

WHat I would do is do your test spot with a polishing pad and M80. I would use speed 5 with moderate pressure and doing 6-8 section passes. M80 has a good amount of oils and will give you a long working time.

If M80 produces the results you want then proceed on the rest of the car if not try M83 with the same procedure. If that does help tho it sure you can bump up to a light cutting pad. If you have to use a cutting pad and M83 then you will want to follow that up with M80 on a polishing pad.

I think I covered everything for you.

[HateSwirls]

From looking at the swirls I'd use the orange pad, 4 passes with good pressure then use the white pad with less pressure.
Inspect your test spot before you go any further.
If you don't get the results your after use the same pads but use the Meg's Ultimate Compound, you'd be surprised what it can do for you and wipes off very easy, sort of like m105, just a little less aggressive but much easier to work with, long work times.

Is it single stage paint?, if so I'd use m7 first, apply by hand, let it setup for as long as you can then begin correction.

[Saab-Daniel]

Thanks for your replies!
I'll have a go at it today...
I already had some M82 in the toolbox which is why I added the M83 to have something a little more aggressive at hand if I'd need it...
Do you have any other product recommendations, since I apparently have older products available? Want to look at buying never technology in the near future...
Thanks again, really excited to get cracking...
/Daniel

[Evan.J]

Thanks for your replies!
I'll have a go at it today...
I already had some M82 in the toolbox which is why I added the M83 to have something a little more aggressive at hand if I'd need it...
Do you have any other product recommendations, since I apparently have older products available? Want to look at buying never technology in the near future...
Thanks again, really excited to get cracking...
/Daniel

Ultimate Compound and Ultimate polish are the consumer versions of M105 M205 and the UC and UP are great and very easy to work with.

[Saab-Daniel]

OK - I'm not tied into Meguiar's as the only option, I just utilized that I already had some product in the tool box, so any other recommendations would also be appreciated :-)
My cars paint is single stage, went ahead with an orange pad and M82 after trying a white and M82 without the expected results.
Did the complete car with M82 and orange pad, then hand-applied Klasse High Gloss Sealant followed by Pinnacle Souverän... At first glance I'm happy with the results! Most of the swirls are gone, the shine is deeper and the paint is very slippery - couldn't place the lens-cover from the camera anywhere to take pictures, as it would slide off the paint...
It started raining yesterday, so couldn't get the car out in the sunlight to inspect it properly, but will do that later today or tomorrow, time permitting...
Thanks for your suggestions, I'll look into the M105 and M205 also, maybe returning the M83...
/Daniel

[vet]

Welcome!

[Mike Phillips]

my Yellow '91 Saab Convertible is a garage queen with only a max of 1000 miles driven per year.



Cool color for a cool car.



:xyxthumbs:]

[HateSwirls]

Mike has pics of a car almost the same color as yours and he first used Meg's #7 and let it sit over night, the car looked amazing.
My Rav is also SS and after a full correction I use #7, it adds a lot of oils which keeps the paint from drying out, then I begin polishing.
Makes a big difference in the end.

[Saab-Daniel]

Mike, Hateswirls, Evan, thanks a lot for your responses!
So a different approach could be:
1. #7 and leave overnight
2. #105 with a white polish pad (if adequate, otherwise the light orange cutting pad)
3. #205 with a white polish pad
4. Some sort of wax/sealant or both
If I understand the above correctly...?
Mike, do you have pics that I could look at, referenced by hateswirls?
Thanks a lot again!
Daniel

EDIT: Thanks a lot for the book, Mike, enjoyed reading it on my iPad with the many videos!

[HateSwirls]

Mike, Hateswirls, Evan, thanks a lot for your responses!
So a different approach could be:
1. #7 and leave overnight
2. #105 with a white polish pad (if adequate, otherwise the light orange cutting pad)
3. #205 with a white polish pad
4. Some sort of wax/sealant or both
If I understand the above correctly...?
Mike, do you have pics that I could look at, referenced by hateswirls?
Thanks a lot again!
Daniel

EDIT: Thanks a lot for the book, Mike, enjoyed reading it on my iPad with the many videos!

I wish I could find that pic of that yellow car he did, sure came out great.

105 if you really need it, if the swirls aren't to bad Ultimate Compound would work fine, just so much easier to work with.
The 205 is a must IMO, then top it with a good wax or sealant or as I do, both, sealant topped with wax.
Hope you post pics when done.
Good luck

[Saab-Daniel]

I wish I could find that pic of that yellow car he did, sure came out great.

105 if you really need it, if the swirls aren't to bad Ultimate Compound would work fine, just so much easier to work with.
The 205 is a must IMO, then top it with a good wax or sealant or as I do, both, sealant topped with wax.
Hope you post pics when done.
Good luck

Thanks again!
After my last session, i see very few swirls, so don't think additional correction is needed...
Will go ahead and get the ultimate compound, 205 and #7 and see if I can return the 83, and take it from there :-)
As you do, so did I - used Klassen sealant and Pinnacle Wax, provides a glass like finish, love it!
Hope you find the pictures, would love to see it...
/Daniel