My plan of action

[yugin]

Hi everybody,

I'm new here and new to detailing, so excuse my "noobidity", but I've done quite of reading.

I have a dark blue '04 Honda Accord that didn't see much detailing for all this time, except for washes (including autimatics) and waxing couple of times a year. I also have few rock chips and scratches that I can catch with my finger nail.

I already bought Porter Cable and decided on Edge pads.

Here's what I am going to do:

-wash, clay;

-repair rock chips, scratches;

-polish;

-glaze;

-wax.



Now I'd like to hear your recomendations to my plan, as well as to product selection and polisher/pad combination. Number of polishers available is overwheming for me. I am leaning towards Poorboy's or Optimum. Is it good selection? I will be working outside, so I need it to be able to work under open air/sun.

How about glaze recomendation?

Anyways, your input are welcome.

 

[imported_Nimble]

Pick up the PC 7424, 5" and 3.5" backing plates, and either Edge 4"/6" pads, or Lake Country 6.5", 5.25", 4" pads. Yellow, Green, blue, white for edge, and yellow, org, wht, blue for LC.



-For clay, I like Meguiar's white clay, or Sonus green, or clay magic.

-For wash concentrate, I like Duragloss 901, Meg's Gold Class, etc

-If you want to go the glaze/wax route, I won't waste my time suggesting any sealants, or products that are more difficult to use. So, with that said, there's only 2 brands you should be considering, Einszett and Clearkote. Why? Because they both provide good quality products at reasonable prices, EXCELLENT depth and shine, some hiding, and tremendous ease of use.



I'd use either 1Z Paint Polish (PP) or Clearkote Compound moose (CKCPM) as your first step, both of those products will clean the finish and remove marring, while not hazing it up, so even a light glaze will then follow it up and make the finish LSP ready.



Follow up the PP or CKCPM with 1Z Metallicpolish if starting with the PP, or Clearkote VM or RM if starting with the CKCPM. You can actually mix the VM/RM together and get Pink moose (PM) which can be used as a one step/aio type product with either a white polishing pad or a blue finishing pad.



Then follow up with Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax (CMW), my favorite easy to use liquid wax (I'm not a fan of pastes). This is a nice time to try out the 3.5" BP/4" blue finessing pad to apply it with ease via the PC 7424. You can also try Collintie's 845 liquid insulator wax, it works well too, and will last longer than the CMW by at least a month or two.



Other misc items I'd recommend is a foamgun for washing if your vehicle is dark colored, a nice, quality 5 gallon bucket with grit guard for your main washing bucket, and a smaller 2-3 gallon bucket for rinsing the mitts. At least 3 quality ultra plush chenile, sheepskin, etc wash mitts. For microfiber (MF), I'd look to Sonus from autopiacarcare.com, they have a smoking deal on 2 ea of their finest MF towels for $43. You also get 10% off for being a member here.



For wheel cleaning, general SAFE (big difference from acid-based cleaners) cleaning, I'd try Amazing roll off, it really is amazing at removing dirt from wheels, motors, door jambs, etc. It's paint safe and doesn't have an unpleasant smell. You can pick up a fireman's nozzle at target with a lifetime warranty for 7 bucks, they are nice for washing.



If you need a great quick detail spray with multiple purposes, pick up Clearkote quik shine. Hmm, I think that's about it, hope that helps, feel free to ask any other questions.