Experts needed, Advice that is!

[Belushi8]

Merry Christmas and happy new year to all. It was a great Christmas for me. And I need some help to complete it. First off, I've posted before, with little luck in gaining the knowledge I need. But after reading for weeks now and acquiring some good supplies, I'm on my way to a good start. But I still need some advice. First off, here is what I have acquired from Christmas:
GG 6" DA
3 GG 6" polishing,& 3 6" waxing pads
Pinnacle detail bag
Pinnacle Souveran kit with the paste wax, shampoo, and cleansing lotion
Pinnacle XMT pad cleaner
DP Wheel cleaner and glaze
DP exterior cleaner
DP extreme foam shampoo
WG interior protectant
Sample of WG 3.0 sealant
Micro wash mitts?
Multiple mf towels from AG
I think that bout covers it! Good eh?!!

I plan on getting the buckets and grit guards. I'm use to taking vehicles to carwash and using power to clean. Now that I have a new truck I'm really into the ART of detailing that so many of u conquered. My truck is a 2011 Ford F150 FX4 super crew in Race Red. I have only Cleaned it two or three times in the 3 months of ownership. I have noticed it does have some light swirl marks, but not too bad. My GF has a 2011 GMC Terrain in metallic black, again, light swirls, but it is black so they r visible. Besides what I have, what could I get that would keep these vehicles in great shape. Im thinking of using WG sealant followed up by the Souveran paste wax, good idea?? Go another route? Both vehicles also have leather, but since they r new, should I just get leather conditioner, or do I need cleaner too, and which ones? I know it's about personal preference, so I guess I'm asking what u prefer. I don't have tire dressing yet, think DP from the reviews I have read, anything better? I definitely plan on getting some UTTG, as well as art of detailing book. Would just like to know how I'm doing so far and how much better I can be. Thanks for all ur help. Autogeek- so glad I found u and can't wait to try out my new gifts!

[BobbyG]

GG 6" DA
3 GG 6" polishing,& 3 6" waxing pads
Pinnacle detail bag
Pinnacle Souveran kit with the paste wax, shampoo, and cleansing lotion
Pinnacle XMT pad cleaner
DP Wheel cleaner and glaze
DP exterior cleaner
DP extreme foam shampoo
WG interior protectant
Sample of WG 3.0 sealant
Micro wash mitts?
Multiple mf towels from AG
I think that bout covers it! Good eh?!!

Besides what I have, what could I get that would keep these vehicles in great shape.

I don't see any paint correction products. The BlackFire products work well as do the ones offered by Menzerna.

BLACKFIRE Scratch Resistant Clear Compound
BLACKFIRE Scratch Resistant Clear Finishing Polish

I'm thinking of using WG sealant followed up by the Souveran paste wax, good idea??

Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant should be applied to a freshly prepared surface and then allowed to cure in a dry environment for 12 hours. Apply the Souveran wax to one panel at a time and buff.

Go another route? Both vehicles also have leather, but since they r new, should I just get leather conditioner, or do I need cleaner too, and which ones? I know it's about personal preference, so I guess I'm asking what u prefer.

Leatherique seems to be a popular producthttp://www.autogeek.net/le16ozkit.html

I don't have tire dressing yet, think DP from the reviews I have read, anything better? I definitely plan on getting some UTTG, as well as art of detailing book. Would just like to know how I'm doing so far and how much better I can be. Thanks for all ur help. Autogeek- so glad I found u and can't wait to try out my new gifts!

Ultima Tire & Trim Guard is the nicest I've found.

[Mike Phillips]

GG 6" DA
3 GG 6" polishing,& 3 6" waxing pads
Pinnacle Souveran kit with the paste wax, shampoo, and cleansing lotion
Pinnacle XMT pad cleaner

I don't see any paint correction products. The BlackFire products work well as do the ones offered by Menzerna.

Good observation and recommendation Bobby....

I have noticed it does have some light swirl marks, but not too bad. My GF has a 2011 GMC Terrain in metallic black, again, light swirls, but it is black so they r visible.

As Bobby pointed out, you still need some products to remove the swirls, you listed the Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion in your collection and this is a great topical cleaner but it won't remove swirls.


Before



The paint literally looked like it was washed with a scotch brite pad...






After









Process can be found here...
2004 Chevy SSR - Extreme Makeover by Blackfire - Modeled by Tasha



Compound
BLACKFIRE Scratch Resistant Clear Compound



Polish
BLACKFIRE Scratch Resistant Clear Finishing Polish


Pinnacle, Meguiar's, Menzerna, Optimum, Wolfgang also all have great compounds and polishes....

[BobbyG]

Mike,

I have to say your photos and illustrations are always stunning!!

[Bigpat]

Mike,

I have to say your photos and. illustrations are always stunning!!

He cheats lol..... dunno how... but he does

I would say in addition to Bobbys post i used leather masters strong care kit Leather Master Strong Leather Care Kit, strong leather cleaner, Leather Master leather care, leather seat cleaner but my car was 8 years old so it needed it... i would try something like Leather Master Car Leather Protection & Cleaner Kit, Leather Master Leather cleaner, Leather protectant, leather conditioner in your situation that is based on a call to AG they told me leatherique is for bringing back tough and "abused" leather.... if you have the money and dont mind going over the top it surely wouldnt hurt to use leatherique, i just purchased the leatgerique pair for my car but again.... its now 9 years old. I like blackfire tire gel... got it on bogo i apply one coat thick and let it soak in then dry it off with a towel then a light coat after for the first time now i just put a thin coat in when i wash her on the weekend

[Mike Phillips]

Mike,

I have to say your photos and illustrations are always stunning!!

Thank you Bobby...

I finished posting all the before, process and beauty shots of the El Camino we buffed out and today I'll have the model shots up....


1959 Chevrolet El Camino - Extreme Makeover - Modeled by Christina

[Belushi8]

Thank u all for the replies.
Bobby, r the GG polish and wax pads good, or should I get the 5 inch backing plate and lake country pads? Considering I have light swirl marks and both cars are really new, do I just need a fine polish? Also, unfortunately I do not have a garage. My gf's terrain gets to stay under the
Carport, but I'm bout to get a metal carport for my truck. Is it ok to seal either vehicle and let cure for the night in a carport, then apply the wax? I'm assuming I will need to run a quick detailer over them before waxing to get any wind blown dust off, right? Besides the Souveran wax I have, what's another good one that would look good on red, that won't break the bank? I've heard alot of talk about the collinite waxes. Open to any and all ideas. Thanks again.

[Mike Phillips]

Bobby, r the GG polish and wax pads good, or should I get the 5 inch backing plate and lake country pads?

I'm not Bobby and he can add his thoughts as well...

If you're going to be in this for the long run, that is you're going to be maintaining your cars yourself into the future then at some point in time I would recommend getting a 5" backing plate and switch over the 5.5" pads.

By doing this you open yourself up to a larger selection of pad types and designs plus you maximize the ability of the tool.

These articles have some relevant info...

Thin is in... New Lake Country Hydro-Tech Low Profile 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads

5 1/2 inch and 6 inch Buffing Pads on Autogeek's Online Store

5 Inch Backing Plates for DA Polishers - Pictures and Links

Considering I have light swirl marks and both cars are really new, do I just need a fine polish? Also, unfortunately I do not have a garage. My gf's terrain gets to stay under the Carport, but I'm bout to get a metal carport for my truck.

For anything that's going to be regularly stored outside, don't aim for a show car finish, that is try to remove each and every single swirls and scratch but instead just aim for very good condition as the paint will get more swirls and scratches into the future and you only have so much paint to work with.

My guess is that even though the swirls might be light which is another way of saying shallow, you're still going to need at a minimum a Medium Cut Polish or Compound, then follow this with a less aggressive polish and then go to wax.

Is it ok to seal either vehicle and let cure for the night in a carport, then apply the wax?

It's normal and usually more than enough to apply whatever paint sealant you want to use, let the recommended waiting time to go by and then remove the excess and then let whatever protection ingredients are left behind do their final cure, setting-up, crosslinking, hydrogen bonding, or whatever magic is happening for the particular product you're using and don't let the excess sit on the paint overnight.

I know guys that do this and you can if you want but if any kind of wind blows dirt or abrasive crud onto the wax coating you risk re-instilling swirls and scratches back into the paint trying to wipe it off.

[RFulmer]

For my new car I use the Wolfgang twins with 5.5" LC flat pads. Orange, white and gray, and maybe a blue for applying lsp.

I don't know anything about the GG pads but you will get quicker results with 5.5" pads.

[Mike Phillips]

Mike is your man for how its done, but I have noticed he is sometimes reluctant to recommend a specific product since all the AG brands are great.

I get PM's E-mails and even Phone Calls from forum members and even non-forum members all the time asking me what the "best" blank is...


Even had the Studebaker owner ask me that...







What I told him was that if the product works and you know how to work it, then you can get great results with any product line.

If the products don't work, for example the abrasive technology used in compounds and polishes, then it doesn't matter how good you are because the products don't work.