Detailing nut who has some questions..

0

02Viggen

New member
Hey everyone, my name is Devin, and I just stumbled across this board from a friend...Well I would like to say great board and there seems to be some great knowledge here..



My question would be I own a 2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen which is Black and I have loved detailing cars for years. Last year I picked up the Porter Cable (PC) Buffer and love it.



Now my questions. I have been using Meguiars 3 stage wax with the gold class wax for the final application. However I am not happy with the results, I feel I could get better. The pads I am using are from Meguiars but they are just the yellow buffing pad and the biege pad.



What would you guys/gals suggest for a good paint cleaner, polish, and wax to use??



Also what other pads should I get for the buffer that will give me better results?



THANKS!!

a couple pics of the car

605228_82_full.jpg


605228_13_full.jpg
 
Devin, welcome and nice car!



I guess the best answer to your question is that you'll find out if you hang around very long that your surface prep is more important than your products. Download the ebook and read it well for answers about technique.



As far as products, there are as many opinions as autopians and lots of good choices. Use the search function and you'll find tons of info, not to mention helpful members with lots of good answers for your questions.



That being said, good paint cleanser - Klasse AIO

Polishes - Einszett, Poorboys SSR's and others.

Sealants - KSG, EX, WG, UPP, FMJ and Zaino to name a few

Pads - Sonus and Lake Country



Jump in, you're really gonna like it here.
 
:welcome to Autopia 02viggen



Q1: What would you guys/gals suggest for a good paint cleaner, polish, and wax to use??

Klasse All-In-One (chemical paint cleaner)

Polish-

3M Perfect-It Rubbing Compound -Extra Cut PN-05936 *8/10

3M Perfect-It Rubbing Compound- Fine Cut-PN- 39002- 6/10

3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover-PN39009 Light-3/10

3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover-PN39109 Dark-3/10

Wax-P21S Carnauba Wax



Note: * Relates to abrasivness / cutting ability of polish



Q2: Also what other pads should I get for the buffer that will give me better results?

Foam Pad Starter Kit:

1-Polish / Cutting Pad (*Yellow)



1-Polish / Light Cutting Pad (*Orange)



2-Polish / Waxing Pad (*White)



2-Finishing Pad (*Black)



1- Flexible Urethane Backing Plate



*The foam pad colour identifications and specifications are by Lake County Manufacturing (LC) www.lakecountrymfg.com other manufactures of foam pads use a different colour to identify the abrasiveness or cutting ability of their foam pads

JonM
 
Megs has some pads for every situation. If you want to buy someting local, try #83 and #80. Step one of megs 3 step is a decent paint cleaner. NXT looks great.



If you want to try internet stuff.....the list is endless, but give Poorboys and 4* UPP a shot.
 
02Viggen- What exactly do you want to improve? The main thing I see is that you're not using any abrasives. The step#1 is a chemical cleaner and the step#2 is a glaze (what Meg's calls a "pure polish"). Since most cars have some kind of marring (scratches, "swirls", "cobwebs", etc.) an abrasive polish is almost always required. Once you get the paint prepped properly, you can experiment with different waxes/sealants to find something you might like better than the GC.



Guess, I'd say to use some 1z Paint Polish, then some 1Z Metallic Polish or WaxPolish Soft, and top with Souveran. But I'd still like to know what *you* think needs improving.
 
hello guys, sorry for the delayed reply.

I guess my biggest problem is, being that it is a black car I don't feel that the products I am using do not remove the minor surface scratches and blemishes that are in the paint.



Also I find that the gold class wax does not last long whatsoever..the paint is extremely smooth for a few days and then it feels like it needs to be waxed again...



So I am just wondering if it is the pads I need to replace or if it is the products..
 
It's the pad/product combo that gets the job done (or doesn't). I'd probably try 3M PI-III RC and MG (05933 and 05937), using polishing pads or even a cutting pad (for the first passes with the 05933) if needed.



There are longer-lasting LSPs than the GC. Meg's #16 comes to mind.
 
Welcome to Autopia. I can tell by how your photos that you care about it looking its best so let me offer you a few suggestions.



Since your paint is in good condition already you probably won't need a real heavy cut polish so I think Poorboys SSR1 and SSR2.5 would be great. They are very user-friendly and the best thing about it is that you can use it in the sun.



For pads I would suggest visiting Excel Detail. They have the best prices for pads that I've found.



Also, PremiumAutoCare.com is having a nice Spring Sale on the Edge 2000 pads. They are DOUBLE sided and the latest and greatest for the PC. It's actually CHEAPER to buy these if you are going to buy multiple pads.



Oh and if that wasn't enough the SSRs and other products are also on sale. Check it out and make sure you get your autopia discount and free shipping!!!



Cheers and Happy Detailing!!!
 
As another loyal Meg's consumer, I'd highly reccomend the #83/#80 route. I just used them for the first time with my new PC on the weekend, and WOW!

As for pads, Sonus, LC or Edge is up to you. The only negative things I've heard (or read) about Meg's pads has to do with durability. If you're using the PC properly, they should suit you fine.

As for your GC wax not lasting long, that's the general consensus on that product around here. You'd be better off trying their #26 Hi-tech wax, NXT, or something from another brand.

My $.02
 
Well after looking through some products of Meguiars I was thinking that I would pick up



Cleaning - Mild Detailing Clay or Fine Cut Cleaner #2



Polish - Machine Glaze #3 or Show Car Glaze #7 or Speed Glaze #80



Wax - Hi-Tec Yellow Wax #26





Which choice would you guys go with and why??



Each will be used with the PC unless the cleaner is the clay



Thanks Guys
 
I would go with the Clay, and then #83 or #80 (80 being a little more abraisive), and either #16 or #26. I would say you should pick up a can of #16 since it should be going away soon just so you can use it for a while. I bought 3 cans of it when I found out and will only be using it on my personal vehicles because I love the stuff so much.
 
Devin, I used many many different combo's on my Black SS but the combo I kept reaching for was the VM and the EX-P. Meg's # 80 was my prep of choice too. Good luck and nice Car ya got there !!!
 
If it hasn't been mentioned yet, the gold class should not be your final step after the stage 3. Believe it or not, the stage 3 will be a much more effective finisher than the gold class. Gold Class is basically a nice polish (although it classifies itself as a cleaner wax). The luster and depth of shine will be limited as compared to a pure wax.



If you are using the first two stages of Meguiars (cleaner and polish only w/ no wax) then that should do fine if your paint doesn't have any outstanding issues. I would suggest that you experiment with a few very good pure carnaubas for the best results. A few that come to mind are p21s/s100, Mother's (consistency and price), any authentic zymol glaze (watch out wallet), or pinnacle (which has a very good reputation).



Additionally, do not start off too heavy with the wax. Just one or two coatings at the first big clean and application. Follow up in later periods (a week or up to a month at a time) with a coat or no more than two coats of wax. Build your waxed resolution slowly, and you will have lasting results. Good luck.
 
Here ya go Devin, Vanilla Moose is made by Clearkote and you are correct about the EX-P, but I was mistaken when I said EX-P... I meant EX with Carnuba...Sorry !! I have both but the EX looked wetter on the Black SS.
 
Thanks Squashed!! And thank you on the compliment of my car, your SS was very nice too! Sorry to see what happened though :(
 
Thank You..Me too Devin, it was a total bummer. Car shopping soon though:xyxthumbs :xyxthumbs Im looking forward to that.

Is that the ignition between the seats?
 
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