I have been reading the washing, polishing, and waxing tips in the forum and I am starting to get it.

1. Dawn wash
2. Wash with quality automotive wash
3. Clay bar
4. Polish (1-2 coats)
5. Wax (at least 2 coats due to Florida climate and impending rainy season)

BUT, I am amazed at how long some of you spend on this process. I read a post that suggested a 4 hour cure time between each coat of polish and 2 hours between wax coats. With 2 coats of each, thats 12 hours sitting and waiting! I don't have all day to do this, much less 14 hours! How necessary is this cure time? Obviously, I won't move immediately from one coat to another, I'll wait til it sits for a bit. But 2-4 hours seems excessive to me.

I have no garage to do this in, so I have to pull up under the trees to wash/polish/wax the truck.... unless I go to my grandmother's house and use her garage which won't really help because she will have a LONG list of things for me to do while there and I'll never get the truck done

Also, I am looking at getting the DeWalt DW443 DA buffer, but don't really have the $$$ for the buffer and all the extra pads and stuff right now. Will I notice a big difference in the hand work vs. the DA buffer work? As long as I take my time and do it carefully by hand, I doubt that I will notice much difference, is that right?

 

Almost forgot... is this http://autopia-carcare.com/autguidtodet.html woth paying to get the rest of?

 

well its all in teh quality job you do. A typical wash-wax-and interior cleaning takes me about 4 hours. But with teh multiple coats of polish then multiple coats of wax it takes a lot longer, possibly eight or ten hours.

 

yep.. you can also try this site too..

www.griotsgarage.com

I check out Autopia frequently and get a lot of stuff from Griots..
Dana

 

You can skip the second wash w/ a car soap. You are looking at (I'll try to over estimate times a little)
1. Dawn wash and dry truck 30mins.
2. Clay (40mins)
4. Polish (By hand one application should take maybe 45mins? I've not done it by hand in awhile. There is no cure time between coats of polish. Polish, buff off, and polish again)
5. Wax (Again, haven't done by hand in awhile. Need to leave 4 hours between coats of carnauba wax. Synthetics you need to leave 24 hours between coats)




I don't have a garage and do all my detailing under a tree... well also have an EZ-up tent.

You notice a huge speed difference. There is also a difference between machine applied and hand applied. Machines will allow you to remove deeper swirls and scratches, etc. It'll also be able to work the polish up and break down the abrasives so the are super fine to get that crystal clear polish.

 

intel, which do you think is better, the Dewalt or Porter Cable? Most of the sites package the PC.

 

DeWalt is a professional quality tool. It'll live through daily use. Mine does! It has a larger motor than the PC and is capable of higher speeds for better polishing capabilites. Plus, a lot of places service DeWalt.

The DeWalt already comes with a hook and loop Velcro back plate so you won't have to buy one.

 

Intel, et. al.,

Thanks for the tips. It looks like I will order the DeWalt after all I do have a couple of specific questions regarding the DW443. First, can I remove the dust catching stuff since its gonna be a buffer not a sander? and - the big one - whats a good price for one?

Thanks again!

 

would a right angle grinder be too fast to use as a buffer or polisher????

 

Yes, the dust stuff comes off.

I've seen them on the web for around $149. I know you can get reconditioned ones for a better price though.

 

How fast does it spin and is it varriable speed?

A right angle grinder just spins so if it can go slow enough, then will have a rotary buffer and not an orbital buffer. They are two different beasts.

 

It really is one speed. You can kinda controll the speed, but it likes to run fast,

Would this be a bad thing????

 

How fast? A rotary is usually run between 1200 RPMs and 1700 RPMs. I bet that angle grinder runs a like 10,000 RPMs

 

yea, got looking,

Amps 15.0 AC/DC Amps
Max Watts Out 2,777 W
No Load Speed 6,000 rpm
Use Wheels RPM Above 7,000 rpm
Spindle Lock Yes
Spindle Thread 5/8"-11
Tool Length 18.5 "
Tool Weight 14.5 lbs

I guess its a bit much, LOL

 

Watch your paint melt away LOL Intel's DeWalt is awesome. you can get reconditioned ones for great prices. Reconditioned ones go through a tougher check than new products, so there is no risk if you get one, Reconditioned DeWa;t stuff is as good as new. Oh it has an "R" stamped in it LOL