Hi,
Just wondering if people out there do all their detailling by hand or do you guys use an electric polisher to help buff off your products. By products i mean the 3 step systems like "Mothers"(the one i have)1 paint cleaner, 2 sealant/polish, 3 wax.

Are polishers safe to use? Can you use them on all 3 steps?

Thanks,

 

I use both methods...

Be reminded that some electric 'polishers' are better than others. Additionally, some are safer than others. Not sure what you're utilizing but, any which way, be very careful and use the machine with a lot of wit about you. Silly things like applying wax around wheel wells with the machine can yield HUGE problems in that you can pick up a tiny bit of sand or something and drag it all over your paint in a circular pattern thus inducing MASSIVE problems. Use a lot of common sense.

Also, it's my opinion that removing the product by hand is the best method. Bonnets for removal are okay under certain circumstances but, for the best look, I remove with a nice microfiber towel folded into quarters by hand.

If you're looking for a nice 'kit' featuring a dual-action polisher, check out www.autodetailingsolutions.com. The G-100 kits are priced very fairly and feature a VERY safe and easy to use machine. Additionally, the pads that come with the kits are good pads and not the 'cheaper' variety that you might snare at your local 'mart' store (which, might I add, can cause problems often times as well).

As is true with any 'machine', you should always use a lot of caution -- as I mentioned earlier. There's no silver bullet. You'll always have places that you'll have to do by hand but, the ability to cover the larger areas with a machine certainly can help from a time savings standpoint. Also, the machine will help in applying very thin, very even coats...

There's certainly alot to be said for a machine but, it'll never be able to do all of the work...

RP

 

At the Mequiar's site there are lots of "How To's" on using both the G100 dual action buffer and the larger rotary buffers. Reading all of the posts about the pro and con's of both types machines vs. using elbow grease will help you make an informed decision as to which method fits the level of detailing you want to achieve and the amount of time you want to spend doing it.
I agree with RP, the site he recommended is tops for offering the Meguiar's products at a very reasonable price. Plus, the G100 comes with a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser. What a deal!

 

Thanks guys,

I did half of my truck tonight and it looks good I can't beleive how much of a difference microfibre cloths make! I think that was the difference from last time. I applied steps 1 and 2 machine and trimed in the edges by hand, but i found i had to re-work some spots with step 1 by hand. I removed both steps with terry cloth rags by hand. I applied wax by hand, removed most of it with terry cloth pads using the polisher, then finished buffing it up with the microfiber cloths.

I have a couple more questions for you guys,

1. Do you think my method is ok or should I be using microfiber to buff the first two steps?

2. How do I clean my used terry cloths and microfiber cloths? Can i put them in the washer?

3. I currently use Turtle Wax Platinum, but I live in Eastern Canada and I want to find the wax that is the "hardest/tuffest" for all the sand we get on the roads and for the occasional offroading trips. Is there a wax out there that is designed to take more abuse but still shine nice?


Thanks for your time and help its much appreciated.

Derek

 

I wouldn't use terry bonnets to remove but, that's my opinion. Terry -- especially the bonnets and towels that you can snare at the 'mart' style stores and bulk auto parts chains -- tends to be quite abrasive. Terry has all but been replaced in my aresonal with MF.

I'd remove all steps by hand... I'm just not a big fan of mechanical removal -- although, some are.

Wash them in the washer. NO FABRIC SOFTENER. Wash the MF and the terry separately. Dryer on low/delicate or air dry. If you have hard water, you may want to add a tablespoon of vinegar per towel to the rinse cycle -- this will help relieve the build up on the towels from the hard water.

I'm sure that you have access to synthetic waxes. A wax like Synwax, Zaino, or NXT would probably be a better choice from a durability standpoint. Zaino would probably, in your unique situation, be the best of those three in the durability category. Meguiar's Canada - NXT Tech Wax. Zaino. Mothers FX Synwax.

Keep in mind that there is no perfect wax out there. All of them have their weaknesses. Harsh environments, like what you've described, simply require the user to apply more often. In short, to stay on top of your situation, you need to find a product and use it frequently!

RP

 

I agree with Rockpick, application can be either, but removing by hand is prefered myself. It sounds gay but machine removal seems impersonal and doesn't get the touch it needs. For instance, by hand you can feel where you missed sometimes over looking if the light hits it wrong. Plus, you have to keep folding your cloth for it not to gum up. Alot of times you can later see a haze that a machine would leave.

 

Thanks again guys guess I'll have to spring for more microfibre. How often should I be applying these products? Do I need to do all 3 every time?

 

How often -- no good answer here. The answer is 'as needed'. Different environmental conditions will zap through your protection faster than others... Assess your paint often and, if it's needed, reapply.

All 3 -- again, no good answer. If you need it then you should do it. In short, if the paint is starting to look swirled or you have some micro scratches and such -- then, yes. Use it. If you just need to wax it, just wax it. There's definitely not a rule that you must apply all three each time...

-RP-

 

Much appreciated!

 

You bet... shall I send the bill to your home address? JK of course...

 

He is not....I had Raoul cut him a check.


I do use a DA for application and removal by hand.

My .02 anyways.

I'm overdue but I got an off-roading trip in about 2 weeks so I don't want to do it twice in 3 weeks.

 

Checks in the mail

 

That's what I like to hear.... a customer that is totally on top of his debts. LOL!

Let us know if you need anything else bud...