Detailing 2 black cars, have a few questions...

[04AudiAvant]

I have searched and searched and am now so overloaded with opinions and facts that I am lost. I recently purchased a Porter Cable 7336 that came with a foam pad. I used it last fall just to wax with Meguiars before the winter. Well, spring is here and it is almost time for a full detail. The bad news is my wifes car is a black Saab 9-3 that has been repainted and I just replaced my silver jetta wagon with a black A4 Avant. It was a harsh winter and my wife did a great job using a brush at a car wash and putting fine scratches all over her car. Mine is in good shape, except for some scratches in the rear bumper.

So here are the questions: I have always been a Meguiars fan and really love the Gold Class wax they have. I am looking to change my ways and use a two or three step process to better shine and protect the car. What series of products are user friendly, provide superior protection (I live in New England), and also provide a satisfying shine? I will also need to purchase pads for the PC and am torn between the Adams double sided and the Sonus velcro. Both seem to have pluses and minuses. Last but not least, I am a noob to this whole thing. I have always done it by hand in the past but just don't have the time for that anymore. Any tips or suggestions on how to use the PC and get great results is appreciated.

Please keep in mind it is not a show car and protection and longevity are far more important then the depth of gloss, etc. [az]

[VroomVroom]

There are more opinions about products than there are products out there to be bought. :)

Before getting out your wallet I'd recommend visiting specific detailing websites to arm yourself with knowledge. Autopia (http://autopia.org/forum/guide-detailing/) is a great place to start.

Beyond that, you can easily stick with Meguiar's products - they're great. (Here's where I insert the detailer's adage: a good detail is 90% process and 10% product.) You could use Meguiar's DACP (dual action cleaner polish) to attack the swirls and light scratches, and then follow up with the gold class wax. The nice thing about gold class is that it has plenty of fillers to hide any remaining swirls. The bad thing is that it's not particularly durable. For your conditions I'd recommend a sealant, and you can decide from there whether or not to top it with wax.

Again, tons of products out there. Poorboy's (http://www.poorboysworld.com) is a great recommendation for someone just starting to explore boutique brands. Easy to use, fairly inexpensive, and they yield very good results. For pads, I lean toward Lake Country, but Sonus pads are certainly good.

Have fun!

[DetailersDomain]

04AudiAvant,

Not to put more confusion into this but again its all opinions, the Adam's pads are made by Dedication to Detail which makes the Edge 2000 pads which Adam's sells.

I prefer them over Lake Country and Sonus because they are always centered, easy to clean their is no velcro on them as I found the velcro on the pads to start losing the adhessive so they eventually fall apart.

Aside from that I think Adam's products are very user friendly and is a great place to start, if that's what you end up going with let me know I will put a package together for you.

In time once you feel comfortable I think Menzerna would be a great step up.

Let me know how I can help you out.

Vroom Vroom makes super good points as well.

[VroomVroom]

No, no...Phil makes really good points. [:D]

Seriously - great point about the velcro backing. I've never given it much consideration because it (separation) seems to occur at about the same time I'd replace the pad anyway. I generally clean them 4-5x and then replace them. Centering is an issue too, but a minor one. I've tried Sonus, Edge, and LC pads, and have found the performance of the latter to be the best. Your mileage may vary.

Menzerna is happyhappy....great stuff and I find myself using it more and more. And Adam's products are definitely good to get your feet wet. I still have some Revive and BW sitting on my shelf. Personally, I've found that their polishes have far too little cutting action, but again, I refer to my earlier point about how subjective all of this really is. There are some stunning vehicles on the road that have only seen Adam's products.

Read up, ask questions of pros like Phil, and experiment a little. Good luck and have fun...

[DetailersDomain]

funny thing is your right for corrective polishing you will need some stronger things and Adam's is great for newer cars as well as cars that are keep in great shape or need little work.

[Dark 'n' Dirty]

04AudiAvant,

I may be up in NH this weekend at my parents' place. If you'd like to drop by and go over the PC, I'd be more than happy to help. PM me when you get a chance.

[DetailersDomain]

I would try to get over there 04AudiAvant, Dark n Dirty knows what he's doing.

[04AudiAvant]

Thanks for the quick responses! Phil, I am not looking to make a final decision for a week or two, but will contact you when the time comes. One last question, how do you clean the pads and how many uses do you typically get out of them?

[Dark 'n' Dirty]

Thanks for the quick responses! Phil, I am not looking to make a final decision for a week or two, but will contact you when the time comes. One last question, how do you clean the pads and how many uses do you typically get out of them?

YGM

[DetailersDomain]

I can get a few uses out of the pads I've got so many that I rotate them all the time I don't have any accurate count. Grouse, Dark N Dirty, Vroom Vroom maybe you can help on the pad question.

When you are ready just let me know, you can always look at the Cyclo as well.

[Grouse]

well my first edge pads broke at about 20 cars. they broke because i washed them in a washer. the original pads that i did not machine wash are still going... I do the same thing as Phil, i rotate. so each pad proably has touch somewhere between 40-50 cars. Of that most are multiple compound polish steps.

[VroomVroom]

I'm probably the wrong guy to ask because I'm sure I dispose of them before it's necessary. I wash them after each use (rare exception is when I'm doing some spot polishing, but even then I'll use some Poorboy's Spray & Wipe and a cleaning brush) and generally get 4-5 washes worth of use before throwing them away. At about this time it seems the foam has worn down a bit and on a few times I've noticed that the adhesive is failing between the foam and the velcro backing.

I wash the pads by soaking them in a bucket full of car wash shampoo & water, then brushing them with a pad brush (nylon bristles, I believe...moderately stiff), followed by a good soaking rinse. I let them air dry and then toss them in a Ziplock freezer bag until the next use.

A lot of this is intuitive. When detailing, don't let the pad load up with residue. When cleaning, take a few seconds to inspect it. You'll know when it's time to get rid of it. Pads aren't cheap, but there are great deals out there. I buy LC orange pads in six-packs and that's a pretty infrequent purchase.

[EBG 18T]

Thanks for the quick responses! Phil, I am not looking to make a final decision for a week or two, but will contact you when the time comes. One last question, how do you clean the pads and how many uses do you typically get out of them?


I have been able to get ~20 uses out of a set of pads. But it also depends on how aggressive you are with the pads and if you damage them. If you are resonable with the pads and get good pads you should be able to get 15-20 uses. I think i have about 15-18 pads of different cuts, and i have only thrown a few away as they get broken down.

The Adams product line is very easy to use and the results i have seen have been great. Take your time, use the right pads w/ the proper compounds (polish, wax, sealant, etc..) and you will be able to acheive great results.

[04AudiAvant]

Ok, getting ready to place my order ( the NE weather is finally breaking). Phil recommended Menzerna IP and FPII. Not sure what direction to go... menzerna or Adams Polish. Anybody use both and have any thoughts? It also seems like the 2 products are missing something, like a finish step or is that what the FP is for?

[DetailersDomain]

04AudiAvant, its the finishing step, you can use Menzerna FMJ or what you have left for wax for the last step.

I hope I helped.

[VroomVroom]

Just my take. I find Menzerna far superior to Adam's. IP and FPII are both polishes - you'll generally start with IP and, if needed, step down to FPII. After that, you're ready for a topcoat(s) - unless you want to apply a glaze first.

[04AudiAvant]

Thanks for the quick responses! Looks like I will go with the Menzera and use maguiars gold for the final coat. Is there anywhere online to find application directions for Menzera and what pads to use ( I will be getting Adam's pads but not sure what color goes with what product)?

[DetailersDomain]

no worries after you order I will get it to you.

green should be ip
orange FP (depends on whether you need it)
White fp
black wax

[04AudiAvant]

Thanks Phil. Order has been placed!

[04AudiAvant]

no worries after you order I will get it to you.

green should be ip
orange FP (depends on whether you need it)
White fp
black wax

What speeds should I be using for each application on the PC?

[04AudiAvant]

Well, I finally got around to doing my WIfe's Black Saab. Came out sweet, almost better then mine. Here is the only problem I had. I had used setting 5 on the PC for my car, and started doing hers on 5 as well. When I got to a really bad section I decided to use 6, as many had said you may need the faster speed to work in the product. Well, the section I did at 6 came out beautiful, the problem is near the end of that section the glue from the pad starting flying out. Now the pad (adam green/orange) is all deformed and is basically junk. I am both a liitle upset, and a little surprised. What, if anything, did I do wrong? I only did the rear fender on her convertible at 6, everything else was at 5. I am bummed because it came out better at 6, but apparantly the pad can't handle it. Not to mention, now I need a new pad and they aren't cheap!

[Steiner]

Sorry about your pads -- someone will come up with an answer. How about the pics???

[DetailersDomain]

04AudiAvant,

Send them back to me and I will get you out some new pads. I typically won't go pass 5 I don't think it was me that recommended to go pass 5.

E-mail me your info so I can get a replacement pad out.

Phil

[04AudiAvant]

Thanks Phil! Just to keep everything straight, I am not blaming Phil or the quality of the pads. I was told by a few people (can't remember who) a few weeks ago that 6 will work the polish in better. I only used 5 the first time, but the second vehicle needed a little more love. The section I did on 6 came out unreal, but not so good it was worth junking the pad. So, for all other noobs out there, if using Adams pads, keep it under 6. A little more time on 5 will net you great results. The menzerna products are also the best! I must say, I was a little skeptical, but wow, you really get what you pay for. Phil, I'll shoot you an e-mail! [up]

[04AudiAvant]

Sorry about your pads -- someone will come up with an answer. How about the pics???

Sorry, no pics on her car yet. I'll have to give her a bath then post up a few.

[DetailersDomain]

replacement pad shipped.

[awahl63]

Pads should not be ruined if used on speed 6. The bets way to do correction using the PC is to have it on speed 6. I have many hours logged on speed 6 and don't have problems with the pads. Some random pads are just bad quality.

I would stay away from the new Lake Country CCS Pads from CMA. They fall apart from the backing very quickly.