Have plans to fully detail my King Ranch to better than showroom new. Picked up a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher and ordered pads, polish, wax, and lots of other goodies. Will be using Meguiar's products exclusively on it. I will be taking lots of pictures and will post the before and afters. I’ve never taken on a project of this magnitude before so it will be a learning curve involved. I did a lot of research and reading on the Meguiar’s site to determine the best products to use. The only thing I can say about it at the present time is that it ain’t gonna be cheap.

 

In that case, I wish you the best of luck, and offer a few tidbits of advice:

-keep at it, as giving up can easily allow mental errors that ruin paint...
-Get RP's Phone # in case you need assistance
-Use the 3 bucket method: one for soapy water, one for clean water, one for some cold ones.

Have fun and I hope it turns out nicely.

 

Haha I've never heard of that third bucket used for six packs.

 

First thing to do is, wash the truck, twice with Dawn dishwashing detergent
to remove all previous wax, polishes, grease & grime.
Next buy a clay bar kit, Meguiar's makes a good one, comes with white clay, liguid detailer, and a microfiber towel. Completely clay bar the whole truck.
(I did my 06 KR at less then 2 weeks old, I couldn't believe the crap embedded in new paint) complete truck can be done in 1 hour.
Then use M-80 cleaning polish, and three coats of next Generation Tech Wax
or Gold Class Wax. It takes three coats of wax to build up to a perfect 100%
flat level layer of wax, nothing more, nothing less.
This is right from a Meguair's Trainer, Mike Pennington, with 17 years with the company

The differences between gold class and next gen wax is, gold class has carnuba waxes in it and next gen has polymers in it for the finish. No difference in shines, just personal preference. I personally use next gen, it is so easy to put on and take off, hardly any chalking at all.

If your not willing to do the clay, you will not have a total job, and your polishing over crud

 

He's actually the Director of Training -- I'm looking at his business card right now that I picked up off of his desk in Irvine (corporate).

I concur. Further, while Gold Class may be a big seller for Meg's, the durability is very lack luster. If I had a Concours car, I'd probably use it -- considering that it'd almost never see any adverse environmental conditions (aka: garaged) but, short of that, it's not highly regarded in the detailing world from a durability standpoint.

3 coats -- that's a new one. Meg's previous 'stance' on this was 2 coats max. Guess they're wanting to poof-up that bottom line (more wax usage = more $ in Barry's pockets). They formerly taught this as the 'Law of Diminishing Returns'. In short, you're removing just as much wax as you're applying.

Again, I concur. Clay is a very important step to achieving high optical quality as well as a smooth, properly prepped finish. The 'dawn step' -- I wouldn't make a big habit of this at all. While it may be okay on a once or twice a year standard, the M-80, as previously referenced, will remove just about anything that is on top of the paint (ie: old wax). While it does have some of Meguiar's patented polishing oils, it also has a degree of abrasives built in that, you guessed it, abrade. This will easily work down and through the previous wax.

If it were mine, I'd stick with a high-quality car wash like Gold Class Shampoo and go that direction -- especially with your fresh paint on your handles and mirrors. Dawn is some harsh stuff.

Lastly, if you're looking for a great place to buy your Meguiar's supplies, check www.autodetailingsolutions.com -- this is where the aforementioned detailing class was held in Arizona (Rick & Monica). Rick and I sat through the 3-day Advanced Surface Care course in Irvine a couple of years ago... he's a quality guy with very fair prices. If I were you, as an investment, I'd look into snagging a dual-action polisher (G-100) as well. ADS has some very good package deals on this item. I'll be buying my next PC from him -- that'll be my last PC too -- you see, the G-100 has a lifetime warranty.

Let us know if you need anything!!

-RP-

 

I am not a fan of using Dawn at all .. let alone twice in one session ..


While there may be some instances when it is not a bad choice, I just think there are too many negatives to use it .. just my two cents.

 

Here are my current plans:
Wash with Gold Class Car Wash, then Dry
Clay throughly using the Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay and Quik detailer as the lubricant
Use the Deep Crystal 3 step products
Then a final coat of Gold Class Wax.

The reason I'm using the DC 3 step is that I've already invested in those. Probably the next go around I'll go to the #80/83 or the NXT line but from what I've read it's a toss up as to the durability of one vs. the other.

I had already invested in a PC 7424 before I found the ADS site. I did place a large order yesterday with ADS for the 6 pack of pads, and serveral other items.
I agree they have very good pricing and carry the full line of Meguair's products. Many of which are not available at the Big Box Variety stores or auto parts stores in my area.
I also ordered the DVD from ADS on how to us the PC DA and will watch and learn the proper techinque hopefully from it. I just wish that the Mequair's Road Show would come to either Nashville, Memphis or Birmingham. I would sign up for it in heartbeat.

 

I'm really shocked that Rock Pick knows Rick & Monica, that is too cool.
I thought he was just a newby starting up his business

RP your right about the third coat of wax, Mike said your going to wipe off 90-95% of the third coat

And to wash with Dawn, is ONLY prior to a complete detailing, NEVER as your usual car wash.

Thanks RP

Jeff

And Thanks to whomever put my truck on the opening page, Too Cool

 

This pic is from the 3-day Advanced Class that Mike Pennington taught back in April of 03 or 04.. can't remember...

The guy posing there is making fun of a video where Mike Pennington does some goofy looking grin into the camera after compounding a vehicle. It's in one of Meg's training videos (you may have seen it -- it's tough to forget the orange safety glasses).... Look in the background though -- that's Rick. His wife is standing just outside of the picture there as well....

 

No pictures of Monica????

What kind of man are you???

I won a door prize, and was asked who I wanted my photo taken with, Mike or J-Rod, I said NEITHER, I want Monica !!!

Sweet girl, body of a 18 year old model

 

Definitely a nice lady. I shant say more...

 

Found photos of my class, I am the 4th one coming in the door, black t-shirt, moustache, gotee, tennis shoes. Guy in frt had balck shoes on.
Saw your photos, my hats off to you and all of your products to detail your vehicles with, and the time to do it.
Jeff