Tips, Tricks and methods for getting little extra shine

[frosty]

I know there have been threads talking about this and I've followed them and a lot of times, I see either, try this product. Or try this product or pad. Even having those doesn't necessarily get you exactly to the point as the really good jobs we get to see in the show and shine section. For me I have test panels but I'm sure not everybody has time to run out and pick up some. Plus when I see one product that has similar specs as another product, my mind asks is it really the polish, the polish and pad, or just the technique that the person has become comfortable with using the polish and there are other things that will do just as good when perfected.

So I'm starting this thread in hopes of getting some more detailed responses from everyone that cares to share their go to method of making somebody's mouth drool when looking at their paint. So instead of just responding, use 85rd or UltraFina & a blue pad. Hopefully we get more in-depth responses with plenty of procedural details of how to get there . Most importantly how long to expect to spend on each process you do to help everybody hopefully dial in on it in a quicker fashion.

I'm making this up but a sample response: The 85rd & blue pad typically, I run machine x on setting y for b number of minutes. I move the machine x inches per second and put roughly w amount of pressure on the machine. I make n number of section passes. When I'm finished I use procedure p to wipe it off. I do a,b,c to test to see if it meets what I'm looking for. If not, I do this or that to get me to my final place.

Another reason for this thread is it seems "final shine" is a little different for everyone. I've seen some that look like a jar of black ink. Then others have figured out how to remove micro marring and haze which is ok but without pix and techs it's hard to qualify what you're reading. So hopefully we can put stage pix with details for that stage.

Another benefit for me is posting something I think is good and have somebody else come along and with suggestions how to get to another level I didn't even know about.

Plus if I look at the product specs, I wonder if I do a M205 or PO106FA and then go to a AIO that has a little cut like an Optimum Poli-Seal with the right pad combination, can we get that extra and also applying the polish at the same time and not having to waste money on a 4th product.

I've been experimenting with Meg's 105 & 205. Below is one of our cars when I finished with a white pad & M105. To finish, I used a Flex 3401, LC CCS white pad and probably went somewhere in the 1 to 2 minute range with little pressure. For some reason I like starting out on 3, making a pass, going up to 4 or 5 for another pass or two and then back down to 3, lightly, quickly going back over everything. Then doing a wipe down. I've experimented with IPA & just a towel and don't find that big of a difference in the end except IPA sometimes leaves a haze and I'll have to use QD to get a true feeling if I like the shine or not.

Weather has sucked here and this is about the best, most accurate pix I could dig up after all this. If memory serves I do have a wax or sealant on this for this pix.



Car has been in the garage while I've been testing. I got some of the 85rd and tried a blue cobra pad.

I used the same techniques as with the 205 on a section. What I noticed, in using a 6" line of 85rd on the pad, on a 18x18" section, it seemed kind of thick and wet. It went straight to halogramish and really never went away like the other Menzerna's do when they break down. It was also kind of thick wiping off. Kind of gooey. Garage temp was around 65 if I recall. I know it was warmer than 60 but just can't remember the exact temp.

It didn't make things worse but there wasn't a noticeable difference between the section I tried to improve on versus the rest which the last step was down with M105 & a white pad.

I think my next test is going to be Optimum Poli-Seal with somewhere between a White, black or blue pad and I'll update this post when I have time to see the results of it.

In closing if you see something I'm doing wrong or should try differently please comment. Or better yet, post your detail procedures, including speeds, settings and amount of time spent & combination along with pix to share with everyone how to get that show car shine.

Update: I realized it wasn't fair to post about 85rd without a pix which was the point of this thread. Unfortunately, it's 37 & freezing rain outside and has been nasty for a couple of weeks or I get home after dark. Here's a pix of the hood. It's hard to get a good pix of the hood right now that shows everything equally. There is one section on the hood I want mention where I did the 85rd. The rest is just with the M105 & white.