I have some detailing 101 questions

[imported_Frugle]

Hey guys, I have some detailing 101 questions and would really appricate some help.



All of these questions I have don searches on, but they did not completely answer my question.



though the incredible help of fdizzle here I bought my first detailing setup, which consists of...





Porter Cable 7424 Dual Action Polisher

5� Flexible Backing Plate

32 oz. Optimum Polish

32 oz. Optimum Compound

17 oz. Optimum Wax

6.5� Orange Light Cutting Pad

6.5� White Polishing Pad

5.5� Orange Low Profile Pad

3 Cobra Microfiber Detailing Towels



Zkit-1

# ZFXâ„¢ Flash Cure Accelerator Additive

# Z-2 PROâ„¢ Show Car Polish for Clear Coated Car Finishes

# Z-5 PROâ„¢ Show Car Polish for Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches

# Z-6â„¢ Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray

# Z-7â„¢ Show Car Wash

# Z-18â„¢ ClayBar

# Zaino Metallic Silver Decal

# & 2 Zaino Custom Polish Applicator



and a bottle of Z8.







so that is what I have, and here are my questions.



1) windows. I always use invisible glass. but it seems like I keep reading about people applying the saming thing to their windows that they do to their paint.. is this normal? I thought you were supposed to apply waxes to porus things? Can I apply the Z5 and Z2 to my windows just as if I was applying it to my paint?



2) I have amor-all tire cleaner gel... and I have alwaysed wondered, how the crap do you apply it? same thing for my bug and tar remover.. its a gell in a spray bottle.. Am I supposed to put it on an applicator pad and do it that way? then why do they put it in a spray container?



3) When people say woolite 10:1, is that 10 parts H2O, and 1 part woolite? or visa-versa?



4) IPA, 50/50 mixture? can I use that inplace of a quick detailer between coats of z5-z2?



5) Can I dilute my z-6 to a 50/50 water mix in order to prolong usage, since I will keep my z8 full concentrate for when I need a super detail. If I 50/50 my z6, is it still effective as a QD or a lube?



6) wheel wells, what do you use to clean them? so far, I've just been spraying turtle-wax tireshine in there to make them black.. my problem is my brush won't fit inbetween the tire, and the fender, and it doesn't seem like a rag would be effective.. what do you do?



7) I have plasticX, can I use that with my PC on my headlights and tailights? if so, what setting and which pad?



8) How do you clean pads?



9) I've been using a sheepskin mit (or whatever it is).. how do you clean it? won't it come apart in the washing machine?



10) how do you clean your microfiber? is it safe for the washing machine? (not the microfiber, is it okay to put rags with brake dust and dirt on them in the washing machine? ) When I use a microfiber to clean the wheels, how do you clean the brake dust off?



11) Can I use the white pad that came with hte 7424? or is it not any good? what is it good for? it seems ultra-fine, can I use it to spread wax?

Thanks guys, I really appricate the help!

 

[Eliot Ness]

1) Can I apply the Z5 and Z2 to my windows just as if I was applying it to my paint?

Yes, as long as they are clean.

2) I have amor-all tire cleaner gel... and I have alwaysed wondered, how the crap do you apply it? same thing for my bug and tar remover.. its a gell in a spray bottle.. Am I supposed to put it on an applicator pad and do it that way? then why do they put it in a spray container?

I've never used those Armor-All products, but the tire cleaners I use are sprayed on, cleaned with a brush and then rinsed. If you're talking about a tire dressing, then I apply those with a Eagle One Tire Swipe. Most bug & tar removers are sprayed onto the paint.... once again, I've never used the Armor-All brand, but there should be instructions on the container.

3) When people say woolite 10:1, is that 10 parts H2O, and 1 part woolite? or visa-versa?

It is 10 parts water.

4) IPA, 50/50 mixture? can I use that inplace of a quick detailer between coats of z5-z2?

NO, that will tend to strip off (or seriously weaken) any wax/sealer. Use the IPA mix to remove any wax or fillers left from an "oily" polish to have a clean base before you apply a sealant.

5) Can I dilute my z-6 to a 50/50 water mix in order to prolong usage, since I will keep my z8 full concentrate for when I need a super detail. If I 50/50 my z6, is it still effective as a QD or a lube?

Don't know, I've never tried it, but I would lean against doing so.

6) wheel wells, what do you use to clean them? so far, I've just been spraying turtle-wax tireshine in there to make them black.. my problem is my brush won't fit inbetween the tire, and the fender, and it doesn't seem like a rag would be effective.. what do you do?

Various brushes and rags.... sometimes something as simple as a toilet brush will fit. Try turning the front wheels to gain more access, and if needed sometimes all you can do is spray like you're doing unless you jack the car up and/or remove a wheel.

8) How do you clean pads?

I first soak them in the left over car wash, then use Dawn (in a bucket) if needed to soak/clean them. Make sure you rinse them well (squeeze until the water is clear) and then let them air dry.

9) I've been using a sheepskin mit (or whatever it is).. how do you clean it? won't it come apart in the washing machine?

I usually just clean mine with the car wash solution, rinse well and hang to dry. If it is very dirty I'd rinse well and then toss into a washer.

10) how do you clean your microfiber? is it safe for the washing machine? (not the microfiber, is it okay to put rags with brake dust and dirt on them in the washing machine? ) When I use a microfiber to clean the wheels, how do you clean the brake dust off?

I'd rinse them off with the hose, then soak in a bucket of Dawn before I'd put them in a washer (and NOT with your good MF's). If they are real bad I just toss 'em out (buy cheap ones for wheel duty).

11) Can I use the white pad that came with hte 7424? or is it not any good? what is it good for? it seems ultra-fine, can I use it to spread wax?

About the only thing it is good for is to use with a MF bonnet to buff with.



These are some short answers to a lot of questions. If you search you'll at least find a thread with a similar topic where you can add a more specific question and get some more detail than I was able to give. Good luck!

 

[imported_Frugle]

woah! Thanks for taking the time to post such a thorough reply! I greatly appricate you taking the time out of your night to do that.. it helped a lot!



thanks!