Build a SMAT Pack for GG6

[cardaddy]

Hi all,

First a warning that sometimes (IE most of the time) I may go long with the post(s).
A little background; Been detailing cars (weekend warrior) since the early 70's so I guess you'd call me "old school". Have had a number of DA's from old style flat 7" Makita's, to the big (weak) 8" steering wheel looking things.

My 5 cars run from DD's to some that just sit. (The 06 G35 has been in the rain 5 times total.) The paint on them runs from 'needing helo' to excellent. None are wrecked or eat up, but the 99 Caddy and 05 Denali both need a good couple of days of attention.

Just picked up the GG 6 & LC pad package and am wanting to build a new 'chem' package based on SMAT only products. Back in the old days I would have started with plain old compound and worked from there. However, I was young, dumb, and full of arm strength back then. These days I need to work smart.

So; first things first. As for my favorite products in the past I've been a big Megs fan. FWIW I don't mind sticking with the Meg twins. That being said, I want to move to a full multi-step program. When doing a full detail I *always* clay, even on the G35 that sits in the garage under a cover all the time. My typical thing is wash, clay, cleaner/polish, then either a sealer or wax followed by a liquid detailer finish.

What I'm wanting to do after the wash/clay is a complete multi-step polish (on 3 of my 5 vehicles), followed by a NICE sealer/glaze, then a deep wax, and of course a wipe down finish. Not counting the 'chemicals' needed for the wax and clay I'd like to hear recommendations for ALL possible polishes (IE 1,2,3,4 etc), sealers, waxes and finishers from a single product line. (Well thinking about it... the wax isn't SMAT like duh, but you get my drift.)

OTOH, maybe I'm wrong to think SMAT and DAT would be better. It's just that I understand the idea behind SMAT, like it, and figure it would be perfect to try and fill my detailing cabinet with a 'new school' kit and see where I can take it.

Thanks in advance everyone, I look forward to your recommendations.


Tony
cardaddy

[cardaddy]

Alrighty then....
Figure I must have scared everyone off.
Sorry 'bout that guys.

[Sean1017]

Everyone on here says Optimum polishes are pretty awesome. Optimum polish II can cut like a compound, polish and finish LSP ready. Menzerna just came out with a product that's similar. I think it fast gloss something or other. There's a ton of products on the site and can be overwhelming. You could always call the Autogeek guy's and gal's and see what they recomend.

Happy detailing!

[BobbyG]

Hi Tony,

It's nice to see more of my age group become members, we're becoming scarce!

Here is some more modern machines and pads for you to look at.

Porter Cable 7424xp

• Porter Cable 7424xp
• Lake Country Backing Plate
• Lake Country Flat Pads
• Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you.

• Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher
• Removing Swirls
• DA Trouble Shooting Guide
• Waxing With a DA Polisher
• How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher
• DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing
• How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher

After a wash and clay the Menzerna Bundle is hard to beat for correcting all the defects that have cropped up over the years.


Combine these products with the right pads and they'll tackle anything you can throw at them. If you correct the finish defects then there's no need for a glaze.

Sealant - Menzerna Power Lock


Wax - Collinite 845

A sampling of products for each step and several perform double duty..

Strictly Products

Wash - Duragloss #901
Clay - Meguiar’s Clay
Compound - PG 1000 – PowerGloss Compound (POS34A)
Polish - PF 2500 – Power Finish Polish (PO203)
Finishing Polish - SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (PO106FA)
Sealant - Four Star Sealant
Wax - Collinite 845
Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax
Tire Cleaner - Meguiar's Super Degreaser
Tire Treatment - CarPro PERL
Trim - Ultima Tire and Trim Guard
Wheel Cleaner - PoorBoy's World Wheel Cleaner
Wheel Protectant - Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0
Glass Cleaner - Meguiar's Glass Cleaner
Glass Treatment - Aquapel
All Purpose Cleaner - Optimum Power Clean
Interior Protectant - Meguiar’s M40
Chrome & Stainless Steel - BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Metal Acrylic Sealant

Foam Pads

Yellow Cutting Foam - Use this pad to apply compounds or polishes to remove severe oxidation, swirls, and scratches. It is the most aggressive and should only be used on oxidized and older finishes. Always follow this pad with an orange or white pad and a fine polish to refine the paint until it is smooth.

Orange Light Cutting Foam - Firm, high density foam for scratch and defect removal. Use this pad with polishes and swirl removers. It’s an all-around pad that will work on most light to moderate imperfections.

White Polishing Foam - Less dense foam formula for the application of waxes, micro-fine polishes and sealants. This pad has very light cutting power so it’s perfect for pre-wax cleaners.

Gray Finishing Foam Pad - Composition is firm enough to withstand added pressure during final finishing to remove buffer swirls. It has no cut and will apply thin, even coats of waxes, sealants, and glazes.

Blue Finessing Foam – Pad has soft composition for applying glaze, finishing polish, sealants, and liquid waxes. Flat pad provides full contact with paint surface to minimize the pressure applied by the user.

Red Ultra-soft Wax/Sealant Foam - This soft, imported foam is ideal for applying the final coat of wax or sealant. The foam works especially well when applying liquid waxes or sealants because it is firm enough to keep the majority of the product on the paint, rather than soaking it up. The red foam has no cut or cleaning ability.

[cardaddy]

Everyone on here says Optimum polishes are pretty awesome. Optimum polish II can cut like a compound, polish and finish LSP ready. Menzerna just came out with a product that's similar. I think it fast gloss something or other. There's a ton of products on the site and can be overwhelming. You could always call the Autogeek guy's and gal's and see what they recomend.

Happy detailing!

Thanks Sean,

Yes it's a bit overwhelming when stuff is scattered all over. Like DARN take a look on the CG site and you might as well be trying to send a rocket to mars with a slide rule!

Perhaps that phone call might be in order.

[cardaddy]

Hi Tony,

It's nice to see more of my age group become members, we're becoming scarce!

Well Hi right back atcha' Bobby!

Yup, us old guys need to stick together. Like the song says, "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was".

The machine part I've got down with the new GG6 special last week here on AG. Believe I've got a good handle on the pads as well, (although I'm ordering more to go with the first 6 so I dont have to product swap them).

When I go to my garage I've got dozens of bottles, looks like a shrine to Meg's out there for the most part. Just looking to consolidate and streamline the process. Maybe the Menzerna bundle would be a good start. They are SMAT right?

After trolling around for some time now I figure the Collinate 845 is a must have. Seems to be a crowd favorite.

Having used the Meg's twins in the past I like them, but see people complaining about the lack of lubriicity when using heavier cutting, not to mention the dusting. Works better with 'old school' wool pads I've found but I just want to move away from all that.

That lead me to pad loading and Kevin Browns HUGE pdf file on the topic. Less is more, less is more... keep telling people that.

Way back when, when laquer was a real paint and not a HAZMAT crew coming down your street I'd buff that stuff like there was no tomorrow. Had a couple of Vette's with anywhere from 12 to 20 coats on them in the 70's to early 80's.
Shoulda' kept several of those early 70's cars I had too!!!!! I've seen some at Barrett Jackson bring more than what my freakin' house is worth.
(Like the 425HP 71 Vette big block, even had a very rare 71 AMC 401 with both the "go pak" and the "SST" that were originally made for the Alabama State Patrol, very few made. By far the scariest car I'd ever driven, what with the 15" bias ply tires!)

Really appreciate all the links Bobby. I've read a lot but see plenty there I'm interested in. It we can get to a product list that'll trim down my detail cabinet then I'm all in.

[primo spaghetti]

Maybe the Menzerna bundle would be a good start. They are SMAT right?

I believe that the MENZ line is almost all DAT except for a couple of the newer products like FG400...

here are a couple good links...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...prise-you.html

Optimum Compounds & Polishes vs Meguiars & Menzerna

[cardaddy]

I believe that the MENZ line is almost all DAT except for a couple of the newer products like FG400...

here are a couple good links...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...prise-you.html

Optimum Compounds & Polishes vs Meguiars & Menzerna

Thanks brother.

I've been trying to figure out why I would go to the Menz stuff (other than them being German, which BTW it's a great place to visit for 2 weeks but.....). I REALLY like that 2nd link, somehow I missed it earlier. Great writeup n photos.