Newbie Process Questions including use of P21SPC

D

D/FW M5

New member
I washed my 2000 BMW (purchased car in April) last weekend and put on a new car cover, so the car has been sitting all week in the garage. Is there any issue with removing the cover this weekend and beginning to clean the paint using P21SPC without washing again?



Any suggestions for using P21SPC (eg apply with terry, mf, or foam applicator, work it into the paint until it becomes relatively invisible, how long should it be allowed to dry/haze???).



Also, I have some swirl marks, and I was wondering whether to use some IHG after the P21SPC, and then apply P21S wax over that?



Since I am a beginner and have not really detailed my car yet, have only done washes, would it be a good idea to hire a pro to do the car intially and have him show me how to apply and remove products?







This forum is awsome and has been so educational for me.



TIA,



Doug
 
Do it yourself, a lot of here have all experimented to get better, sometimes we goofed up and other times it came out wonderful. I really wouldn't think you would need to wash it before waxing if it's been under the cover, maybe just a QD. I would apply the P21SPC with a MF app since their supposed to have better cleaning properties. For your swirls I would say SMR but it seems too abrasive to use on such a new car unless their really bad. That's all I can really off you, hopefully some of the more educated guys can chime in here. Good Luck.
 
Do you have a porter cable? That makes your job easier and the results far more uniform.



If not, I guess I would apply the P21S paint cleanser with an MF pad. You don't let the stuff dry. Do one panel at a time and polish out with a clean towel. The surface will literally squeak when you are done.



I don't really know where 3M IHG figures into this program. I 'spose you could do your paint cleanser followed up by IHG followed up by wax or sealant.



If you have any sort of serious scratches, you need to think of a Plan B. Neither the P21S or the IHG are going to handle serious scratches..swirll marks YES, scratches NO.



Since you are honest enough to admit you are a beginner, I would spend some more time reading here and learning how to handle your car yourself. I don't think the local detailer is going to show you what you need/want to know.



With some simple tools and a basic understanding, you can keep you car in perfect shape assuming you don't have a bunch of damage to "un-do".



Good luck and read up BEFORE you start. I find that people get much too aggressive too early and end up needing to repair all sorts of avoidable damage.
 
Thanks guys, I will work on it this weekend. As to the PC, I have a PC that I purchased about 12 yrs ago for woodworking. Its an orbital, but I have to get it out and see if it has the same model number as what everyone is using here. Also, I imagine the backing plate may be different that for polishing cars as others have mentioned. Frankly, I'm a little nervous about trying an orbital since I have never seen one used.



Thanks again,



Doug
 
Your PC is most likely the same...just get yourself the soft backing plate with the correct counter weights. My PC is part of a wood working kit, IIRC. It has some unusual attachments incl. a vacuum plus a very nice metal storage case.



The results with the PC are far more uniform that nearly anyone can achieve by hand. It is also very difficult to do damage to the car with it.
 
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