Recent content by The Critic

Have - Sonax EX 04/06 - used on one small car. 90%+ Menzerna 3-in-1 - used on one small and a few test panels. 85%+ Potential wants - Optimum Gloss-Coat (20cc worth) Optimum Opti-Seal Optimum Hyper Polish (new formula, blue one) Thanks!

CarPro Reload 2014v1 - 75% left Meguiars D151 12oz Sampler - Used for one test panel CarPro CQuartz Fabric & Leather - new Meguiars W8207 Soft Buff 2.0 Pad - New CarPro Ceriglass Kit (includes applicator blocks) - new Will trade for CarPro Hydr02 (1L) or CQuartz UK. Thanks!

It has been about 10 months since I last gave my personal car any kind of exterior detailing. While the Opti-Coat 2.0 was still working fairly well, I felt that I had greatly improved my paint correction skills since my car was last worked on (thanks JSmooth), and as a result - I think I could...

Have: - Iron-X Paste, 16oz, 40% left - Iron-X Snow Soap, 1L, 80%+ left - Buff & Shine Yellow Cutting Pads, 5.5", new - Buff & Shine Orange Pad, 3", new - Meguiars Soft Buff 2.0 yellow foam polish pad, 7", new - Menzerna PF2500, 32 oz, 60% left - Sonax Brilliant Shine...

Okay, I did another freebie detail for the friends who let me use their garage. Maybe I need to stop... This is the same FX35 that you have seen some previous wash/wax write-ups about. What's different about this detail is that the car finally got a one-step paint correction. Until now, the...

One of my friends purchased a beater to serve as his shop's loaner car. I offered to detail it for him so that it will be more presentable. The car had a moderate amount of oxidation beforehand, and while the compounding and polishing improved the clarity of the paint, it is difficult to see a...

JSmooth and Critic team up... This vehicle was a recent used car purchase. The owner had some concerns about the paint condition, so she had her dealer address them. When she received the vehicle back from the dealer, the paint looked great until the first wash. Once the low-quality wax was...

Hey guys, My understanding is that the Optimum Primer Polish is a spray-on polish that is designed to provide both minor corrective abilities and act as a catalyst for OptiCoat Pro applications. However, the product is not available for the consumer. I read a post somewhere that Optimum Hyper...

Hey guys, I have a few questions on polishing techniques when it comes to “finishing.” I am using a Rupes 21 polisher, but tips for the Flex would also be appreciated. When doing a single-step polish, I usually make 4 slow passes with light pressure, then follow up with 1 pass using no...

Hey guys, I recently bought a Rupes 21 which is why I am interested in getting rid of my Flex 3401. I only used this machine a couple of times over the last few years, and it does have a brand-new LC changeable backing plate system. I would like to trade for a Flex 3403 rotary. There are some...

Hey guys, I recently polished out most of my car and Opti-Coated, but the rear spoiler (soft black paint) was kicking my butt. Eventually, I gave up and just Opti-Coat that panel anyway. However, I visited a forum member today and he was able to fix the area quite easily. I'm sure most of...

This is the first time that I have polished out an entire car. I did the polishing with a Flex 3401 using a combination of Uber Green, Meguiars Yellow and LC Orange pads (followed up with Uber Green). The polish used was HD Polish. I probably should have done a two-step correction on certain...

I applied Opti-Coat 2.0 to my daily driver today and have some questions that I could use some help with. Prior to application, I washed/nanoskin mitt med/iron-x paste and did a 1-step polish with HD Polish using an Uber green pad. After polishing, I sprayed and wiped down the car with a...

Hey guys, Long time reader but first time poster. I applied Opti-Coat 2.0 to my daily driver today and have some questions that I could use some help with. Prior to application, I washed/nanoskin mitt med/iron-x paste and did a 1-step polish with HD Polish using an Uber green pad. After...

Greetings, I am getting ready to apply OC 2.0 on my daily driver. This car sits outside 24/7, has a ton of miles (75k+ for a 2011), but has been maintained regularly since new. Obviously, I'd like to polish the paint prior to applying OC 2.0. The part I am struggling with, is the level of...