Go ahead with Dawn on your car, not mine! :rolleyes:

After reading all the great tips (special thanks to Stryke), got off work earlier, bought the Clay bar kit with quick detailer spray, did the whole car... Boy my paint is smooth as silk now!!! This stuff really works, before I would have these stuborn sand type residue stuck on the surface, and could never wash out, by claying the car not only removes it, and it shines it as well!

I followed the whole Maguire's detailing line Stage 1(clearner), stage 2(polish), stage 3 (poorboy sealent), and stage 4 (NXT generation Tech wax). Amazing results!!!

I saved alot of time by using a Simoniz 4" Random orbitor to apply all types of solutions, bought extra foam pads for different stages. It did a great job! Evenly distributed the solutions, and the Orbit type machine cannot create any burn marks since its not powerful enough to generate heat and burn, and also the nature of the rotation is in "orbit" vs "Rotary".
Great product for saving time! It was on sale at Canadian tire for CA$49.99

Unfortunately I only had the chance to do the hood and the front fenders, will definetely do the whole car this weekend..

I Highly recommend anyone whom is a "noob" like me that havn't tried Clay bar, it's a MUST!!

Thanks again all for the tips and input!!!

Reading your post makes all the time I put into writing this worthwhile. :) :cheers:

You have taught me something which I could keep for the rest of my car crazy life!!! thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

This just has to be one of the best threads! So much info for everyone. I've learned so much and I have already clay barred my Box! Next time it will be silk!

I also bought the PC (it is in its box right now) and will be putting it to use first on my wife's Jaguar XK8 (why experiment on a Box when you have another "test" vehicle to use?). The Jag is a charcoal metal flake rag top that is just dying for some paint loving.

oh btw,
Stryke,
Your car pics now adorn my dual 24" LCD as two different background pics!

Awesome looking car dude!

Which one did you get at Crappy Tire??

This one

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444189 0751&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517494&FOLDE R%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517515&FOLDER%3C%3Ebro wsePath=1408474396669473&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140 8474396669473&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670 271&bmUID=1118202869329

There is also this one for only 20 bux?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444325 1621&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517494&FOLDE R%3C%3EbrowsePath=2534374303517515&FOLDER%3C%3Ebro wsePath=1408474396669473&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140 8474396669473&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670 271&bmUID=1118202869336

Mike

Mike:

Link dont work... It's the one thats on sale this week for $49, again what a great applicator, it comes with 1 sponge, so you need a few extra if you were to do few steps. I don't use it for buffering, after the wax hazes, I buff it off by hand with microfiber cloths.

a word of advice:
ALWAYS HOLD THE PORTER CABLE BY THE HANDLE.

ask me how I know this :(

and wear an apron

PerfectLap,
Ok, I'll bite, what happened to you when you didn't hold on to the handle on the PC?

Apron? Does the apron have to do with some sort of protection?

:) ;)

Save your :rolleyes:.

I have used Dawn to strip the wax with NO issues...on all my black cars for years. My 9 year old M3 looked like it just rolled out from the factory. A million others have done the same thing. There's plenty of professional detailers on autopia and I've never heard of Dawn hazing or damaging clearcoat.

How many times do you need to strip the wax off? Once a year tops? Unless you're constantly trying new wax there's no need to strip off the old wax. And it's no more harsh than using vinegar (which is acidic) or laquer thinner like you mentioned.

I held it with one hand for a second, it slipped and but a nice dent in the fender.
An uncessary trip to Mr. paintless dent repair.
The apron is to keep your shirt buttons, jean rivets, Mr.T gold chains, Texas Size cowboy belt buckle, and SWEAT from getting on the paint.

also get some blue painters trimming tape and cover the gaps in body panels and door and window trim. It will keep the wax from getting in there

Is there a brand of orbital buffer that anyone recommends? Seems like they can't all be great if you can find some for $10-$15. Are they any better or worse than applying by hand? I would really love to find a time saver when doing an overhaul on my car. Also, wax as you dry spray... good for keeping the shine longer after every wash?

-thanks guys, great info :cheers:

I never use a wax. I clay the car and then use Sonus and Klasse. Acrylic System that is simply great. It also strips the wax off so I avoid the whole Dawn discussion.

I also use a 10 inch orbital, which saves tons of time.

Thanks to the Stryke for all the professional tips.

:cheers:

This is what I use as an applicator:

Here's a good price for the Porter Cable, this offer comes with the velcro backing plate to switch between polishing and finishing pads, this is usually not included.
C'mon your expensive German Sports car is goota be worth $120?

http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/port/pr7424.htm?E+coastest


Here's a great download
http://store1.yimg.com/I/autopia_1847_3081029
http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/autopia/AUTOPIA.EXE

Lowe's has the PC on sale for about $80. :)

Anybody have suggestions for a product to get out light swirling on my black '01? Do it by hand? Buy a buffer?

I figured the PC could burn paint while the other orbitals wouldn't.

PC makes orbitals and a rotary.

the 7424 is one of the orbitals. There is also a smaller one. The pads are probably cheaper for the small one.

By hand, on black, I would try the 3m fine cut and use sparingly. You can get it at Pepboys or Autozone.
I had excellent results with the 3m line which also includes the rubbing compound and hand glaze.
I noticed it on the counter of a local body shop that does a lot of work on Porsches.