First post, need opinions on strategy (long)

[rob007]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a while and learned about things like microfiber towels and claybars about a year ago when I picked up my 2003 Acura RSX. The first week I had it I already had the towels, claybar, and Zaino ready. So I did the full process of wash, claybar, wash, and then several coats of Z5. I've been adding another coat or two of Z2 every 2.5 - 3 months since then and last month I even tried putting P21S on top of it mainly to reduce the incredible amount of dust Zaino seems to attract. The car doesn't often get driven in rain and never in snow. It is also garaged almost all the time because I take the train to work so it's in pretty good condition.



Here are some non-closeup pictures where the paint looks almost perfect.

The main problem I'm having now is swirl marks. Everyone I show them to doesn't even know what I'm talking about and even I can only really see it in direct sunlight or under street lamps/garage lights at night. I didn't realize the dealer washes the cars without asking when I brought it in for service the first time so I'm sure the swirls are from them. They really have no clue about detailing and use the same rags/brushes/mitts for every car. I'll definitely request that the dealer not wash my new cars in the future.



Here are some really zoomed in pictures I took with a friend's very good digital camera where you can see the swirls clearly.

fender

hood

These seems to be the worst areas but there are very light swirls all over most of the car.



I've never done any polishing before but from reading here for the past week I'm seriously considering getting a porter cable. I'm just confused about what polishes to try since I don't want to use anything more aggressive than I have to.



I'm looking at getting the porter cable, pads, and Menzerna polishes from sportscarcare.com. I don't know which polish is meant to be used with which pad though. Is the black pad meant to be used to apply P21S or Zaino or for a mild polish like Menzerna Final Polish? I'm hoping I only need to use the Final Polish on my car but I would appreciate some opinions based on the pictures I posted. I'll order Intensive Polish along with the appropriate pads anyway since I'm sure I'll need it for my 2000 Accord which went 3 years before seeing microfiber and has plenty of scratches.



So I plan to:

1) Wash

2) Claybar (already have zaino ones)

3) Wash

4) Apply Menzerna Final Polish (pad to order?)

5) Apply Zaino Z-2 (again, what pad?)

6) At some later point, apply P21S



I'll have to wait and see whether the Intensive Polish needs to be fit in there somewhere. Please respond with all opinions on pads as well as how bad you think these swirls are and if Menzerna can remove them. I haven't ordered the PC or any polishes/pads yet but I do have the claybar, zaino, and MF towels already.



Also, the links to the videos on meguiars.com are broken so if anyone knows where else they are available, please post them. I've read about proper PC technique but I think a video would help more.



Thanks.



Rob

 

[SK2003TypeS]

I would buy the Menzerna IP and FP at the same time. If FP alone doesn't do it, you'll need the IP (why pay double for shipping).

Also, try not to go by the pad color. Go by what they do. Colors may vary by manufacturer.

For example Lake Country has:

black for finishing

white for polishing

yellow for cutting.

I think the polishing pad with either the IP or FP would be good.

Also, the beauty of Menzerna FP is that you don't have to wash before you apply Zaino.

If you plan on detailing your car (or cars) a few times a year, I say go for the PC. I was hesitant at first, but now I can't live without it. Great investment. :xyxthumbs



In the Hall of fame forum there is a long thread on the PC, backing plates, pads, etc. I ran through that over and over before I bought the PC. Also, there's a great article in the Learn icon above.



As far as the videos, I'm not sure where they went on Autopia. I just checked and my link went no where. There was a great one of David using the PC on a black Porsche. I got a good gauge of "how to" from that video. Maybe someone will post a new link to it's secret hiding place

Hope this helps