Am I On the Right Track

B

BMW325i

New member
Alright, I have read up on washing and waxing and I am soon going to purchase the pc 7336 from my local lowes and then get the DM-Kit from CMA. I am going to be using 3M Finesse It because I have read it breaks down easier and is not as oilly as 3M SMR. Then I am going to come back with Klasse AIO and Klasse SG to finish it up. Oh and I will use mother's clay if necessary before the 3M SMR. What do you guys think. Also which pads work best which each of these products as well as at what speed. Thanks for the help.



Jeffrey
 
Oh- I forgot to add that my goal in all of this is to remove swirls as well as revitalize the paint. Now I have just read the the Klasse SG is difficult to work with if used wrong, apply a lot. Is there something else that I could use instead that would be easier to work with or is the SG really idiot proof.



Jeffrey
 
Hello Jeffrey! :wavey



It all sounds about right and straightforward. I suggest claying if the car's never been clayed before, as it most likely could benefit from it.



Your post is a bit contradictory about whether you're using SMR or Finesse-It (2?), but regardless of which one you use, it's up to you. The "oils" in swirl removers aren't really "oils" or oily feeling and won't interfere with Klasse... we should probably call them something else really. If your choice is is FI 2 by the way, it is one of the harder to break down products, not easier. I don't know the current condition of your paint, but it is 10 years old, so you may want to consider a backup stronger polish just in case the FI 2 or SMR aren't aggressive enough. 3M Fine Cut (FCRC) or Meguiar's DACP are pretty popular.



I wouldn't call Klasse SG idiot-proof, based on what's been said in totality here at Autopia, but if that's what you'd like to use then by all means try it! Some people have had problems with it, but more have used it successfully. Alternatively you can use the idiot-proof AIO as a base for a regular wax topper, but that's up to you and going this way has its own pluses and minuses.



For using FI2 by PC I highly recommending digging up Carguy's terrific thread about this. For some Klasse SG application tips, this recent thread may help: Is Klasse SG really that difficult?
 
Thanks for the help. The paint is in really good condition - just has swirls that I would like to get out and see how much I can make it shine. I have done the usual hand wax - caranuba so its not like the paint has been neglected or what not.



I am not sure what I am going to use for swirls. I am going to get Finesse It II as well as Meguiers DACP and follow either application with P21S GEPC. I think I will try DACP first because it breaks down easier and see what results I will get. I am a little hesitent to use a rubbing compound on the paint becasue it is 10 years old so I don't want to be to harsh with it.



I plan to follow the SG up with some P12S S100, which I forgot to add.



Question: After applying on the first wash, does this need to be a continual regamine. I know that if I apply the AIO it will remove the wax and sealant so I guess I don't want to do that every time. However can I still wax and GEPC several times after the first wash without using the SG or AIO.



Also I know many autopians apply many coats of the same product - I presume I would want to do this with the SG and perhaps S100 correct. Any other products I might want to apply serveral time and I would assume this would be for extra protection.



Sorry for so many questions - I am beginning to pick up on things with reading prior threads so thanks for the help.



Jeffrey
 
I'd suggest getting the Meguair's DACP and Swirl Free Polish or (3M SMR). The DACP is a bit stronger than the FI-2 but will break down quicker and provide (IMO) a higher final gloss with a lot less effort. Don't forget, if you go the FI-2 route, really really work the product. I couldn't believe how long it took to break it down and get a gloss out of it. On the 3M site, I seem to recall the Finesse IT material was based hard clear of days past and the new Perfect It III line was formulated for today's finishes. I had a quick go of it with Perfect III machine glaze and was pretty happy.



If I were you, and based on Klasse users, I'd layer with 3 coats of SG and stop and top of with the S100 if want to go with a carnauba topper.



Once you go with S100, you ability to apply another layer of SG is gone until you remove the S100.



After you wash, clay, polish and Protection steps. All you need to do is wash and Quick Detail after every wash and you should be good to go for about 3-4 weeks. At which point, the wax protection would have worn off significantly. You can either reapply another wax layer (S100) or simply go without as the SG will last a long long time.



I can't comment on the GEPC as I haven't used it yet. If you were to apply the GEPC before the AIO, I would think that the AIO would remove it???



As for pads, I'd suggest going with the W7000 / DACP (if the swirls are moderate to severe) or else the W8000 / DACP then W8000 Swirl Free Polish. That combo should work very nicely.



PS. I'd highly recommend a clay treatment. It's surprising how much it actually pulls form the clear and how smooth the paint feels afterwards.
 
So fine - if the AIO removes the GEPC then I will forget the GEPC. I think I will definitly go with Meguiers DACP for more stubborn swirls and follow if up with perhaps something a little midler. I know I have a lot of swirls so my goals is to get out as much as I can on the first go.



Now for clay, which application would you recommend. I have read that meguiers is crap in this area. Would I want to go zaimol or could I stay with mothers.



Jeffrey
 
Don't use the DACP unless you're sure it needs it, and don't be scared of the word "rubbing compound" (it depends on how strong it is). In fact, I would bet that DACP and FCRC are close to each other in agressiveness, which is why I listed both. By default, try the mildest solution first (SMR or FI 2 or Swirl Free or #9).



Don't use GEPC over top of Klasse layers as it will clean them off. Treat GEPC like a fine polish and AIO like a cleaner wax, and it makes it easier to figure out the "what goes where". Some people have claimed benefit of polishing with GEPC before AIO. :nixweiss Try a search on this maybe.



I applied all my Klasse layers in the summer and have only applied wax over top of them since then, but that's just me.
 
4DSC,



I can't wait until the Spring is back!



So you think AIO the won't remove the GEPC. I would have thought the AIO would be more abrasive as some people have removed quite a bit of oxidation using just AIO. I can't imagine GEPC would be able to do that - considering is a really just a slightly abrasive glaze if the abrasive is even appropriate.



I guess I'll have to give it a whirl this spring :bounce



For the pads, I can see how my post could misinterpreted as I was really just lining the pad combo and not really the order of events...



BMW325i,



Definitely go with the W8000/SMR route first, then the W8000 DACP, then the W7000/DACP if the previous step isn't working. I typically apply the product twice before kicking-it up a notch on the abrasive ladder the blemishes are not coming out.



As for FI-2, I'm actually considering taking it out of my arsenal this spring. DACP is close enough in abrasiveness that the extra cutting shouldn't be an issue. However, the benefits of acheiving a higher gloss finish with less effort makes it IMO a better product especially for someone just starting out with a DA or any form of polisher. A novice will probably not work the FI-2 long enough with a DA and the product will probably just start drying on them before it's broken down sufficiently. Most people who start out with the DA are be afraid to kick-it up to 6 for a long enough period of time.



4DSC - Are you thinking of trying anything new this spring?
 
paco said:
4DSC - Are you thinking of trying anything new this spring?
Click to expand...
Yeah...... my PC! :p I've used it a bit on a van hood (and a chest freezer :D), but not on my car yet. I can't wait for spring too! :bounce



I'll also be cracking the seal on the DACP I vainly bought while waiting for my PC to arrive and will (finally) be tackling my friend's swirled to heck black Alero. I'm getting really tempted to try out this GEPC stuff because a couple people (maybe Bret and Geeky?) say it helps even if you clean it off first. I have trouble recalling what thread they said this in though.... it's the P21S version I think. It's a good/bad thing though, because I need more stuff like I need a hole in the head! Yet I keep looking... sigh....



It's crazy that I'm even up - what are YOU doing up? lol!



Did I mention I can't wait for spring? :D
 
I understand - start with the less aggressive and move up if necessary.



Also for clay - I should go clay magic - read some pretty good things on the forum about it or I can settle for mother's, considered second best.



Thanks for all the help. I am beginning to understand.



Jeffrey
 
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