Re: Product Recommendations
You could go with a non diminishing abrasive liquid like Meguiar's Ultimate, or 3D One.
With 3D One you can effectively cut with a cutting pad, and polish with a polishing pad with the same liquid.
CCS pads work great with these type of liquids.
I like to use systems for synergistic compatibility, but a lot of times I'll end up protecting the paint with Duragloss products.
For instance, I will use 3D One for polishing, and follow with Duragloss Clear Coat Polish 111 (No abrasives in this product. It's a pure sealant).
Re: Product Recommendations
First off, welcome to the AGO family!
I completely understand the head-spinning amount of info you are trying to absorb (been there).
Your post will generate many answers, most all of them great advice. dlc95 which posted above has incredible advice on pad/product combos, and even technique.
All that aside, if you want to start simple, and since you chose the Griot's 6 (awesome choice), you can go with the Griot's line of creams and color-coded pads to start.
Nice, easy way to get started with little to no guesswork. Then, you can tweak your pads/products/technique as you learn and try new products. :props:
Re: Product Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dlc95
You could go with a non diminishing abrasive liquid like Meguiar's Ultimate, or 3D One.
With 3D One you can effectively cut with a cutting pad, and polish with a polishing pad with the same liquid.
CCS pads work great with these type of liquids.
I like to use systems for synergistic compatibility, but a lot of times I'll end up protecting the paint with Duragloss products.
For instance, I will use 3D One for polishing, and follow with Duragloss Clear Coat Polish 111 (No abrasives in this product. It's a pure sealant).
Thanks for the information dlc95. That looks like a good simple product so I will likely lean heavily towards that. Do you recommend any glazes (with no abrasives) to use before applying a sealant? May not be necessary, but I'd like to get as deep of a look as I can.
Thanks again!!!
Re: Product Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kenexcelon
Thanks for the information dlc95. That looks like a good simple product so I will likely lean heavily towards that. Do you recommend any glazes (with no abrasives) to use before applying a sealant? May not be necessary, but I'd like to get as deep of a look as I can.
Thanks again!!!
Don’t waste your money on a glaze.
Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Re: Product Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
kenexcelon
Thanks for the information dlc95. That looks like a good simple product so I will likely lean heavily towards that. Do you recommend any glazes (with no abrasives) to use before applying a sealant? May not be necessary, but I'd like to get as deep of a look as I can.
Thanks again!!!
I'm with WRAPT on this one. With the way modern polishes finish, glaze isn't really needed.
Based on the success I've been having with 3D One, I'm going to try doing my jobs with just three priducts:
3D1 for cutting and polishing
Duragloss 501 for cleaner wax (All In One). 501 has pretty strong cleaners, super light abrasives, and very durable protection.
Duragloss 111 my dedicated sealant.
I'm also going to pick up 3D ACA 500 Compound, and 520 polish just to round out the extremes of cutting and finishing. The ACA (Alpha Ceramic Alumina) line shares the Alpha Ceramic Alumina Abrasives with 3D One. These liquids are unique in that they rely soley on mechanical means to abraded paint. No naptha, kerosene, or other elments designed to soften the paint chemically. These chemicals are intended to help the abrasives cut the paint. Personally this approach aligns with my philosophy on how I want to abrade paint.
I really like 3D Speed and Poxy, but their durability hasn't been proven out. From what I've read they won't compete with the Duragloss. I'll be testing Speed and Poxy this winter regardless, so I can see for myself.
I've used a lot of Meguiar's for over twenty years. The biggest reason for a more pointed switch is due to the excessive dusting from their heavy cutting compounds, and occasional trouble finishing with M205. They have just released M110, and M210 to address these issues. I'll definitely be trying them out, but I'm very confident that 3D will be permanent in my arsenal.
I also used a lot of Menzerna, but they're just way too hard for me to wipe off the paint. Very oily. They do work incredibly well though.
I do have the Rupes system too, with the Duetto/Mini, pads, polishes, and sealant. They're incredible, but again the problem is the damn dust. I'm just so very sick of excessive dust... If a compound is dusting away, It's not cutting paint.
Any how, you might like a simple pad set to go with your polish.
I'd consider a wool or microfiber for the heavy lifting, something for polishing, and something for sealant/ultra finishing.
With my Porter Cable 7424 I use Buff and Shine:
Orange/Black Microfiber - cutting
Green - cutting/polishing
Blue - Polishing
Black - Cleaner Wax
Red - Sealant
There are more modern offerings tgat also work great, but I ALWAYS go back to these.
Re: Product Recommendations
Depending on the color of your car you may just need a good AIO product. I have great results with both HD Speed and McKee's 37 360 (my favorite). I agree with the keeping in the same line. For me 360 gives just enough polish and protection with a white or orange pad so I don't need much else. I have been topping with McKee's Hi-Def paint sealant for a little added protection. Don't invest heavily until you've tried a few samples so you don't throw away too much money. For pads again try a few before you go crazy. You're car's pretty new and sounds like you've taken good car of it. You shouldn't need a 30 step process to get it looking great.
I like Lake Country for pads, I like the flat options better than the CCS ones. I like the rounded edge on the flat ones but they both do a good job. I'm using a 20yr old Porter Cable and only really deal with very light correction.
Re: Product Recommendations
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MStarmer
Depending on the color of your car you may just need a good AIO product. I have great results with both HD Speed and McKee's 37 360 (my favorite). I agree with the keeping in the same line. For me 360 gives just enough polish and protection with a white or orange pad so I don't need much else. I have been topping with McKee's Hi-Def paint sealant for a little added protection. Don't invest heavily until you've tried a few samples so you don't throw away too much money. For pads again try a few before you go crazy. You're car's pretty new and sounds like you've taken good car of it. You shouldn't need a 30 step process to get it looking great.
I like Lake Country for pads, I like the flat options better than the CCS ones. I like the rounded edge on the flat ones but they both do a good job. I'm using a 20yr old Porter Cable and only really deal with very light correction.
Just like MStarmer...I have been using McKee's 360 with the Lake Country flat pads as well as the Lake Country thin pro...still undecided which I prefer...and I too, have been topping the McKee's 360 with their HiDef Sealant. Been pretty happy with that combination so far. I also use Optimum Spray Wax about every 2nd washing. With regards to cleaning your pads after your session...the 360 stains your pads pretty bad. I have tried Mckee's pad cleaner, didn't seem to do much. So far I have been pretty pleased with Poor Boy's Tornado Pad Cleaner. It seems to cut through the best so far from those I have tried.
Re: Product Recommendations
I had a 2015 Avalon siz Crimson mica and it mared and didn't like too many polishes but what worked for me was poor boys pro polish and white pad.
The pro polish has no abrasives in it just chemical but it did work very good.
Re: Product Recommendations
New with a polisher and working on your own daily driver vehicle. Get an AIO that doesn't stain and learn how to use the machine. Don't mess with compounds until later. Just use a polishing pad and AIO.
I haven't tried the new 360. But I have the Black fire One Step and it's easily the best I've ever used. Top it with Sonax PNS and you have a winner.