Is this detailing method overkill?

[Bert]

Bert,



I have optimum polish 1 orange, 1 white and 1 gray pad. I have klasse AIO, Prime strong, Zaino Z2 and Z5, Sovernan pinnacle cannuba, RMG, Turtle wax ice ( had to try it)

OK, if I were you, I would first wash and clay your car then give the Optimum Polish on a white pad and try in a test section where the swirling is pretty evident. If you are really lucky, that will correct the swirling by itself, not likely though. If that does correct the swirling, then use that combo on the entire car.



Since you only have one pad, you will need to clean the pad periodically because polish will start building up on the pad. On foam pads, I just use an old tooth brush to scrape the gummed up polish off. If the Opt Polish/white pad combo does not correct the paint enough, try the Opt Polish on the Orange Pad. Normally I would use Opt Compound on the orange pad but since you don't have Opt Compound, give Opt Polish a try. That combo should be enough cut to correct the paint.



Because the Orange Pad is a cutting pad, it will leave a light haze which will need to be cleaned up with Opt Polish on the white pad. If you are happy with the look after the Opt Polish/White Pad combo, you are done polishing. Wash the car to get all the polishing oils off and clean up any polishing dust then you are ready for your AIO/Cleaner/Wax/Sealant combo of your choice. If you want more depth, you can use the Opt Polish or Prime Strong or RMG on the grey pad to burnish/jewel the paint then wash the car and go with the AIO/Cleaner/Sealant/Wax combo of your choice.

I am reading that Optimum polish is not that friendly using a PC. Wonder if I should try the Pinnacle polishes or the Menderza polishes instead?

Before I upgraded to rotary, I used Optimum Compound, Optimum Polish and Optimum Poli-Seal on my UDM (very similar to the PC) w/o any problem. Takes a while to break down the abrasives but that is not too terrible to deal with.

When I polish even if my paint is real clean do I need to clay again?

I always clay before polishing, I don't want to risk the polishing pad pulling a bonded material off the paint and abrading it into the paint. When was the last time you clayed? If it was only a few days ago, you may be OK not to clay.

The clay strips anthing that I have on the paint off?

Not necessarily. While claying may affect your current wax or sealant, will it strip it off completely? Most likely no. Polishing will strip the wax and or sealant off though.

 

[528hemi]

Thanks again,



Sounds like a plan!

 

[Bert]

Thanks again,



Sounds like a plan!

Let us know how it goes.