polish, wax, sealant, glaze... I'm confused!! Help!

[stimpy32]

TooBad - Just looking at polishing/cutting compounds. Again, many options... This scholl gear sounds awesome but i'm a little worried with your comment re aggressiveness, not sure what the reality is here? Otherwise i'm starting to lean towards maybe just purchasing the DA with a kit so at least i have some options to try.

Would you have any comments re my concerns?.

Thanks

 

[flowrider]

My Audi looks like it has had someone do a really bad machine polish on it, Im thinking of either buying a cheap DA and redoing it myself or getting a professional to do it.

 

[Toobad]

TooBad - Just looking at polishing/cutting compounds. Again, many options... This scholl gear sounds awesome but i'm a little worried with your comment re aggressiveness, not sure what the reality is here? Otherwise i'm starting to lean towards maybe just purchasing the DA with a kit so at least i have some options to try.

Would you have any comments re my concerns?.

Thanks

Using a dual action polisher is the safest way for a novice to enter the world of machine polishing because the eccentric orbital motion doesn't concentrate the abrasion all in one spot like a rotary polisher. With regard to your Mercedes paint, there is little to no chance of you accidentally burning through the clearcoat. Whilst relatively thin at about 50 microns (a Post-It Note is 75 microns thick), it is some of the hardest clearcoat on the planet. The clearcoat is thinnest on the edges and the crease lines and that's why low-tack masking tape is often used to cover them during polishing. Don't get too hung up on aggressiveness, the combination I had to use for orange peel reduction would be considered extreme for anything other than the German marques. The clearcoat on Asian cars is classed as soft so can be corrected far easier.

The polisher kits offered are convenient to start off your armoury but it may be better to buy the DAS6 PRO separately to nab the £15 discount and then add the pads/polishes you actually need for the job in hand. In the factory, Menzerna polishes and the Chemical Guys green pads are used to correct any imperfections discovered on the production line. You can vary the pads with the different polishes to achieve different degrees of abrasion to suit the problem you are correcting. Don't attack the whole car with the same combo you used to correct a deep scratch, always bear in mind you can't put back what you've taken off. You need to leave enough meat on the bone to cover yourself for future disasters so start with the least aggressive combo and step up either the pad and/or the polish where the damage dictates it. Getting orange, green and white Chemical Guys Hexlogic Quantum pads should allow you to cover most situations. Adding more aggressive Spider, microfibre or wool pads can come later when you have gained more experience. If you feel uncomfortable with the complexity of modern polishes I'd steer you to the age-old trusty twins that are Meguiar's #105 compound and #205 finishing polish. I don't think I've ever come across anybody who has not been blown away by the results they have obtained.

If you are prepared to commit 54 minutes of your life, have a look at this video from Mike Phillips, Director of Training at Autogeek. He is one of the world's greatest detailers and a superb communicator. There are plenty of other instructional videos on Youtube like that those from Junkman2000 but you will need to spend several months working through his contributions as he is extremely verbose.

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[Steve84N]

I have had excellent results with Sonax EX-04-06 polish. It's easy to use and can do everything from polishing out fairly obvious scratches to finishing down without marring.

 

[Steve84N]

Also, a nice simple sealant is Sonax Xtreme Protect & Shine. Glossier than many sealants, spreads on easily as it's very runny and buffs off in a minute. Lasts well too.

 

[stimpy32]

Righto Folks, thanks again for all the info!

In the end i thought i best start at the beginning so I ordered the Das6 unit with the basic megs kit, extra pads and some other magic gear... Just need to find some time to try it all out now!! Will start on the van - in particular an area where my garage door flung open onto it and left olive green paint on it - grrr - I was not impressed!. Then i'll do the whole van over with the fine polish, seal it, wax it twice etc.....

When i'm happy with that i'll take it to some of the other cars ... Try flat off this new white paint and seal and wax it...

Actually i'm really looking forward to seeing how my missus' Grey E250 estate will come up (2011 shape). I still think that's one great looking bus ...

So all i need is to have finished all my other million projects and a week off work and i should get it all done!! Hehe...

Thanks again lads. Oh, and when i've done the van i'll try learn how to do pics!..