Been lurking, figured its time to introduce myself

[mrbh22]

Hi! My name is Mike.

I have been a member for a little while and never took the time to introduce myself. I recently purchased a 2012 Cadillac Cts-V! its Black Diamond with satin graphite wheels. it is my dream car. I am now officially going to buy a DA and get everything ready for keeping the paint in optimum condition. I am a car enthusiast and love anything thats well taken care of, and or loud and fast.

I am in the market to buy the correct tools to keep the car clean and looking new. I have been trying to do my research on buying the best bang for the $. I have used a PC 7424 and liked it. but i have been reading on the GG 6in DA kit on here. i would like educated opinions on a good starter kit to keep the beautiful paint job on this car as close to new or even make it a tad better than from the factory.

where i get confused. (i understand the process and technique of using a DA)

1.) all the colors and names of the pads? what to use with what step?

2.) what are the correct steps after wash, dry, clay-->

3.) the car has Yellow calipers from the factory. how do I keep them clean?

4.) what kind of window cleaner should i use with tinted windows?


all help is welcome and appreciated.

thanks in advance!

Mike.

[BobbyG]

Hi Mike and To Autogeek Online!!

Basic steps in order are:

• Wash
• Clay
• Paint Correction & Polish
• Seal
• Wax

I prefer to put my own package together. Take a look under Lake Country Flat Pads for a complete description of each pad, it's color, and targeted use.

• Porter Cable 7424xp
• Lake Country Backing Plate
• Lake Country Flat Pads

Foam Pads

To simplify pad usage, I've given a generic usage of pads and products.

Compounding

Compounds or aggressive products are generally used on firmer pads, Yellow, Orange, and Green.

Polishing

The White and Gray pads are generally used with polishes.

Sealants & Waxes

Blue and Red foam pads work nicely for applying sealants and waxes.
These are a very good choice of pads for the Porter Cable stye dual action polisher..

Here's some great information that will help you if you need it.

• Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher
• Removing Swirls
• DA Trouble Shooting Guide
• Waxing With a DA Polisher

Windows

I've settled on Meguiar's Glass Cleaner. It's a great product and because it's recommended dilution is 10:1 it is very economical.

Always clean the glass using two waffle glass towels. Towel 1 is used to clean the glass and towel 2 wipes it down leaving the glass streak free.

Sealants

• Menzerna Power Lock
• Prima Hydro Sealant
• Four Star Sealant
• Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant
• Klasse High Gloss Sealant
• Ultima Paint Guard Plus

Wax

• Wax
• Wolfgang Fuzion
• Dodo Juice Supernatural
• Pinnacle Souveran
• Blackfire Midnight Sun

[Flash Gordon]

Welcome from Memphis Mike!

Thats one sweet ride you've just purchased

[mrbh22]

thanks Bobby. I read through that same post in another thread!


cell phone shot! first day home

[Chris's FX4]

Awesome car.

[alko]

Welcome to the forum!

[dad07]

Hi! My name is Mike.

I have been a member for a little while and never took the time to introduce myself. I recently purchased a 2012 Cadillac Cts-V! its Black Diamond with satin graphite wheels. it is my dream car. I am now officially going to buy a DA and get everything ready for keeping the paint in optimum condition. I am a car enthusiast and love anything thats well taken care of, and or loud and fast.

I am in the market to buy the correct tools to keep the car clean and looking new. I have been trying to do my research on buying the best bang for the $. I have used a PC 7424 and liked it. but i have been reading on the GG 6in DA kit on here. i would like educated opinions on a good starter kit to keep the beautiful paint job on this car as close to new or even make it a tad better than from the factory. Both machines are very good machines...I have both and they both get used alot.

where i get confused. (i understand the process and technique of using a DA)

1.) all the colors and names of the pads? what to use with what step?
There are so many to choose from it can be confusing here are a few that I use

Lake Country Hydo-Tech Foam Pads, hydrotech polishing pads, pads for water-based polishes, buffing pads
Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit
2.) what are the correct steps after wash, dry, clay-->compound,polish.seal and wax
some steps may not be needed in your case really depends on paint condition

3.) the car has Yellow calipers from the factory. how do I keep them clean?
I use an all purpose cleaner for Items like this....you may want to look at this-

Optimum Power Clean™ All Purpose Cleaner 128 oz. Refill New & Improved!

4.) what kind of window cleaner should i use with tinted windows?

Stoner Invisible Glass Aerosol Can: Professional glass cleaner used by more pro detailing shops! glass cleaner, aerosol spray glass cleaner, window or

Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate, 1 Gallon, dilutes to make an excellent auto glass cleaner. Meguiars Concentrated Car Glass Cleaner is great for Both are tint safe.

all help is welcome and appreciated.

thanks in advance!

Mike.

Hope this helps a little......And Mike to AGO and enjoy your stay!

[Flash Gordon]

Say hello to your new full-time job ^

[mrbh22]

thanks Tim. I am looking at a kit from AGO

Menzerna polishes for ceramic clear coat paint, Porter Cable 7424 dual action buffer, Nano polish, super intensive, Lake Country pads, Show car kit

I have read that this car has a ceramic clear. and i think that this would be the kit to do the trick? Any advice why or why not?

[tw33k2514]

Welcome to AGO!