Polishing Compounds?

Aussie

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I'm not sure if we have any detailing experts around anymore but I really wish R1DC2 was still here. I normally do the whole wash/clay/wax treatment once other month with washes in-between but it's after winter and I really want to clean and buff everything really well.

I've heard in the past that polishing compounds shouldn't be used on newer cars paints along with other rumors, so can someone give some input on this.

And then how do you go about it, do you clay and then do the polishing? Also what are some good products, I normally use Mothers stuff, I've heard it's not the greatest but I'm not rich and it works well enough for me.
 

Ganyon

Active Member
Ive started to get into detailing a bit. Just last month I clayed my car for the first time. I usually just wash and wax.
 

Aussie

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My ms3 paint is nice but it's got a lot of swirls from the cleaning over the years, and all the claying and waxing I can do won't get rid of them. I read about polishing getting rid of them but I don't want to mess anything up?
 

Ryan659

Active Member
I've used turtle wax rubbing compound with good results. However, I would use it by hand if you are new to detailing. I tried it with a machine on my accord and now it has tons of swirl marks. So now I need to do the whole car by hand to hopefully remove them. And I think you wash/clay/wash/polish/wax ?? That's what going to do and it seems to make the most logical sense.
 


dc2GS-R

Super Moderator
For a full paint correction detail job, I'll do a typical two bucket wash with Meguair's Gold Class. Then I clay with fine grade clay and Poorboy's spray and wipe. Then start with the polishing steps. This all depends on the level of correction needed and the car I'm working on as different paints have different behaviors. A car that is swirled up pretty good takes a bit more. After doing it once really well though, if you maintain good washing and drying practices, the rest of the time is more just maintaining it and touch up. If you make a point not to add swirls back into the paint, it really makes future details significantly easier/quicker.

I've been using a Porter Cable 7424XP buffer with Meguiar's backing plate and Meguiar's M105/M205 compounds on 5.5" Lake City orange and white pads with good success. A lot of it depends on the vehicle I'm working on, as the paint varies. I can work my Eclipse GSX into proper shape with M105 on orange pads and M205 on white with no additional need to finish down any further. I helped a friend do his black G35 and that combo finished down perfect as well. My IS350 has a bit softer paint and finishes down near perfect with that setup, but I typically like to finish it off with a quick once over with some Menzerna PO85RD and black pads. To me it seems quicker/better to go to the super fine polish of the Menzerna on the Lexus in lieu of spending the extra time to make another pass at lighter pressure with M205.

After that, it's all just whatever toppers you want to add. I've been using Poorboy's wax for day in day out product.

I would recommend taking a look at detailedimage.com. They have a plethora of quality information ranging from articles, tips/methods, product recommendations, etc. Be sure to check out their detailing guides linked on the lower left side of their page. They also have quite fair prices and some good starter packages to get you off the ground and going.
 
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whitedc4

Well-Known Member
so you wan paint that looks like this?

or get rid of scratches like this??




yeeeeeeeeeeeep i can help
 

Aussie

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I'm thinking about trying those wolfgang products, they have stuff called paintwork polish enhancer that claims to remove old wax and fill minor imperfections then follow up with their deep gloss paint sealant.

I didn't want to use anything abrasive cause the paint isn't bad, it just has some minor swirls that occured when I lived in florida, I didn't have a filter on the main line and I think the crap in the water caused it when washing.
 

dc2GS-R

Super Moderator
Here's some pics I had on my photobucket from the last time a friend and I did my IS and his G with the products I spoke of earlier. Mirror like reflections and all marring removed.







 

Aussie

Zoom-Zoom
Damn that last one is clear. WhiteDC4 I don't have any crazy scratches like that but I would like to see what you use!
 

Aussie

Zoom-Zoom
Anyone have any opions on pressure washing first? I usually like to spray all the road grime off first, especially the under-carriage; it's only about 2500psi and I use the wide nozzle. The water is filtered as much as possible and I haven't noticed any ill effects, I know it makes washing a ton easier.
 
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