Machine Polishing Newb - Need advice on Products

[CompEuroZX5]

I'm new to the machine polishing detail world, but I've been hand detailing (ie clay bar, polishing, waxing) for many years. After getting frustrated with light scratches and swirls marks that only seem to temporarily go away by applying products by hand. I want to step up to a machine polisher like the infamous Porter Cable 7424 and permanently remove them. I've spent quite a bit of time researching products and watching demonstrational videos on this board and Paintcare-n-Detailing.com. Please critic my list of products. I'm still up in the air on what finishing glaze and sealant will be best for my color etc. This is going to be done on my 2004 SVT Focus in Competition Orange.



Product List

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POLISHING KIT

Menzerna Porter Cable Intensive Shine Kit - $249.99

• Porter Cable 7424
  
• Porter Cable 7424 Wrench
  
• Porter Cable 7424 Counter Weight
  
• 5â€� Backing Plate
  
• 32 oz. Menzerna Final Polish
  
• 32 oz. Menzerna Intensive Polish
  
• 2 – 8 oz. Bottles with Caps
  
• 2 Cobra Indigo Edgeless Microfiber Polishing Cloths
  
• 4 Cobra 6 Inch Microfiber Bonnets
  
• 2 CCS 5.5 Inch Orange Polishing Pad
  
• 1 CCS 6.5 Inch White Polishing Pad
  
• 1 CCS 6.5 Inch Gray Finishing Pad
  

FINISHING GLAZE

Pinnacle XMT Carnauba Finishing Glaze | or | Red Moose Machine Glaze





SEALANT/WAX

Zaino Z2 Pro | or | Poorboys EX-P





BLACK TRIM TREATMENT

Black WOW Exterior Trim Restorer | or | Poorboy's World Trim Restorer







Vehicle

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[Accumulator]

I'm new to the machine polishing detail world.. Please critic my list of products...

Welcome to Autopia!



Use the counterweight for ~6" pads with *all* sizes.



IME the 6.5" pads aren't gonna do much correction. If you have any significant marring I *STRONGLY* encourage you to get a small backing plate and some 4" pads.



I'd get more orange pads as they'll probably load up with product. Ditto for the white. And anyway, [stuff] happens and you don't want to get caught short of pads.



I myself would skip the glaze step and concentrate on doing the correction, which will probably be a lot bigger/longer job than you expect.



I never have much luck removing polish residue with MF bonnets as it needs to be wiped off while still a little wet (i.e., before it dries) and it loads up the bonnets *fast*.



And if you put the sealant on thinly/properly, you won't need four bonnets to get it all off.



Overall, I'd just get a bunch of high-quality MF towels and skip the bonnets. You'll sure need a *LOT* more than two, no matter how many bonnets you buy/use



I don't think you'll really need the 8 oz. bottles.



I wouldn't worry much about what glaze/LSP to use based on color. FWIW, *I* would suggest that you use 1Z brand polishes (most user-friendly stuff on the market IMO) and top with Collinite wax, but that's just IMO.



Oh, and I usually just treat exterior black trim the same as the paint, and would definitely consider that route if you're using the Zaino (I do it with Collinite too). If you use trim-friendly polishes/LSPs, it'll work just fine..and it won't run in the rain or need redone every few weeks either.