Need an evaluation of my procedure.

[Strs90]

I having been reading forums, including this one, for about a month and am still afraid I am going to do more harm than good with my portercable 7424. So I was hoping those with experience would be kind enough to evalute my current game plan and see if I am doing anything wrong or suggest things I should do instead.



I have a Black 2005 Nissan Frontier that I have taken through the carwash too many times and now have swirls on the hood and around the side windows. The swirls are moderate on the hood and light around the side windows. I just tried taking pictures but could not get any good ones.. but in the right light they really show badly.



I started ordering products from Autopia but found that Classic Motoring Accesories is only 15 minutes from where I go to school. (USF) I am very confident in how to wash, dry, clay, wax, etc. but the polishing part is where I need advice.



Currently I have and plan to use... but have not yet used any of these.

-PorterCable 7424 w/ 6" weight and backing plate.



I plan to start off with this:

Step 1-Sonus SFX 2 6" White pad and SFX 2 swirl remover polish.



If that doesn't work I am going to try: :waxing:

Step 2-Lake County Yellow 6.5" Constant Pressure and Menzerna Intesive Polish.

*Do you think this pad is to agressive or too big a step up from the White SFX2?

*Do you think this polish is to weak with the Lake County Yellow Pad?

*Which polish do you think is stronger the SFX2 or the Menzerna IP?

*Should I use the Menzerna IP on the White SFX pad?

*Should I buy an Orange Lake County Constant Pressure Pad?



And finish with:

-Sonus SFX 3 6" Blue pad and SFX 3 Final Finish Polish.



I also have 2 extra SFX 3 pads for applying Klasse AIO and P21S Wax.



To sum up everything I am afraid the Sonus SFX 2 white pad will not do enough and the Lake County yellow will hurt my paint..

Also, My truck is the NISMO edition and has two large decals on the sides of the bed. Is it safe to polish over those?



Thanks for reading this long post!

 

[drew.haynes]

Wait for other's advice on those specifics.. I'm not very familiar with Sonus. As far as the decals.. it's probably ok if you lighten up your pressure when you are near them. If they are under the clear coat, then definately ok. If they are aftermarket... the "polishing" steps I'd recommend would be some WD40 and a plastic razor blade + trash can for cleanup.

 

[Brian_Brice]

the yellow lc with definitely cut regardless of what concauction you apply to it, does it "harm" your paint well what condition is it in to begin with. keep in mind if you can polish everything out with a white pad do so the yellow pad is just designed for deeper inperfections. only use it if you "HAVE" to. also i wouldnt recomend using it on a newer vehicle.



as far as ip is concerned weve developed a bond in the past few months with a lc orange pad. orange is definitely my go to pad as its capabilities are unbelievable. not to mention no need for follow up pad whereas if you do use your yellow, youd need to step down to orange to remove those fine streak slit like scratches a yellow tends to leave behind.