I just ordered from Detailer's Domain The Uber Porter Cable 7424XP Orbital Polisher Base Kit, along with their 20% off winter blues discount. Good deal. It comes with a 5" backing plate and four 5.5" pads, which I ordered green, blue, and two black.



I'll be getting a clay bar kit, some M105, M205, and some NXT2.0.

I'm new to this detailing stuff, but I think I'm heading in the right direction. I read and saved/printed the Detailer's Guide from here, it sure is a lot of info to absorb, but I think with it you guys help when I need it I'll be fine.

The main reason I decided to start this is my truck's paint is really starting to show swirls and the like. I just have to remember not to get carried away with the start so I won't mess anything up. I do have an old hood I'll be practicing on before I actually do let loose on the truck.

Here's a pic I shot today where you can see from a distance how bad the swirls and imperfections are. I'm too embarrassed to show a close up. :o



Wish me luck on this new journey, and thanks for any tips you guys give me.

 

Good luck!

 

Good luck with it, when i first got my 7424xp my first vehicle was the wifes black taurus, it came out pretty good. Good luck with that M105, i didnt have any luck at all it gets to chaulky to quick and cant really work with it. I switched to the 205 and it worked great. Also i see where you got the NXT 2.0 which is good but be sure to grab some sealant also. I recommend Poorboy EXP http://www.poorboysworld.com/exp.htm. BE sure to post pics when you get started. Nothing like a nice clean black vehicle

Here are a few of the wifes taurus when i finished it. It looked worse than your truck.

 

It all depends on how OCD you are. I personally don't see a need for sealant - going right from M205 to NXT 2.0 will do a very nice job. What you might want to do is top the NXT 2.0 with some pure carnauba after it cures (12 hours) for some additional "pop". This will make a noticeable difference on a black truck.

I'd wash it and clay it. Then do the whole truck with M205 and take a good look when you are done. If there are any areas that look like they need more work, use M105 on them, followed by M205 again. Then you can use the NXT 2.0.

A tip for keeping it looking good - after you wash it, hit it with Megs Ultimate Quik Wax. This will boost the protection.

 

The way I understand it the 105 is only needed if there's deeper imperfections, which to me means only use it if needed. I do have a couple of spots where I may need it then 205 it.

I'll check into the carnauba wax. Any preferences?

Also just read up on pad cleaning and care at the detailer's cafe.

 

You can't mess up your paint with the D/A. Just make sure the polish breaks down good before wiping it off.

 

Bought the same kit but with all the Prima products, waiting for it to warm up before I go all out.

 

Good luck. I need to do the same. Black is just so hard to get to look right.

 

Well I definitely know what doesn't work, nothing. :o

 

If using 105 and 205, they do not have any diminishing abrasives, so feel free to stop whenever you think you achieved the level of correction you were looking for.

I have switched to using Meg's Ultimate Compound for deeper imperfections. It's not quite as aggressive as 105, but it has a nice work time and doesn't dust like 105.

I only use 105 when I don't care about the dusting or when I'm using the rotary. Which is pretty rare.

Welcome to the world of detailing and good luck!

 

Sorry but i disagree on this, The sealant will last alot longer than carnuba wax and will protect it from the elements. Id rather have a nice clean vehicle that i can just spray off and be done with it then having to keep adding Carnuba wax. If you are set on a carnuba wax the Mothers line is very good

Stealth here is a pretty good link or carnuba vs sealant

http://www.autogeek.net/qude101.html

 

NXT 2.0 liquid is could more accurately be called a Synthetic Sealant. Meguiars doesn't advertise that it contains any carnauba.

All liquid synthetic "waxes" could be more accurately called sealants.

A polymer sealant forms a molecular bond with the paint surface, so when you remove it, you are removing excess product. Properly applied there should be a very slight haze or blurring when it's ready to be buffed.

Carnauba will bond like candle wax to paint but in order to get the carnauba to flow, it is dissolved in petroleum distillates (VOC's) or something else which will dilute the wax. When the solvent evaporates, the wax hazes.
Then you have to buff the wax to a shine.

I concur with this statement (taken out of context),

 

Thank for that, ive used just nxt 2.0 and after a couple months i have to reapply, seems like when i use nxt and then top it off with sealant it last 6 or more months and seems like it has more of a shine. Guess its just personal preference.

 

Thanks for the info, guys.

 

I use Ultimate Quick Detailer after 99% of my washes... the wax lasts longer and continues to bead. I came out to my truck frozen with water beads... covered the whole truck last week