Detailing Questions/Comments. Deep down, we all like a clean ride.
 

In the midst of this covid stuff, I’ve dwell in detailing more and more. Something I’ve always done to my cars since my high school car (black ‘91 Eclipse GS). Fast forward 20+ years and a dozen cars later, it’s still therapeutic and visually rewarding. Deep down, we all clean our cars. Some just keep it cleaner than others, some are just in the dark about it.

With that, I hope this thread may help you clean, keep clean, and show others that you are a car person beyond just driving an FRS/BRZ.

Disclosures:
1) No way I would call myself a guru. I’m just a student always willing to learn. Just sharing my experiences publicly and more often lately, privately. This one is public.
2) I am biased! You like the reviews of a product, use it. It’s your money. I am biased of 2 particular mainstream brands tho, may or may not reveal it.
3) Keep an open mind. We are a sharing community. What you may use a Flex machine on, I may use a Rupes machine on. Same result, different tools.
4) Keep it simple. Be cool. A 2-bucket wash may be overkill for some but if you like the brushed carwash tunnels, that’s cool too. It’s your paint.

So to start, ceramic coating:
What is it? A (semi) permanent “glass” protection over the entire car’s paint, glass, and wheels. Repels most anything from sticking to the car’s exterior. Keeping the car clean and shiny is much easier after ceramic coat. It is strenuous to prep a car for ceramic coating - let’s say 90% prep, 10% ceramic coating application. Is it for everyone? No! Is it for anyone? Yes, especially if you have a fairly new paint, want to maintain that paint, yes!

Would you recommend a porter Cable DA polisher as an entry level tool?
With the porter Cable, what simple products would you recommend for basic detailing? I plan to spend 5-10 hours my first go around.

If you’re referring to the 7424xp, out of the box with it’s 6” attached pad, yes. Basic 1-step paint enhancement with a light/medium compound should be fine.

Given your time, give the pad time in between panels to cool off. Don’t allow the pad to get hot to the touch. If the pad is warm to the touch, let it cool off. It is your only pad out of the box.

Neat, thank you. Any recommendations for a compound/brand? I've been reading and am brainwashed towards using sonax

I use a couple Sonax products. They work great but are relatively expensive. I’m cautious of what I use them on.

If you have a local detail shop, hit them up. Describe to them exactly what you are wanting to do. You support them as well as get some face to face info. If not, Meguiars is everywhere - just make sure the light/medium compound is DA friendly. Meguiars 105 followed by 205 is a go-to combo.

Thank you! I'll pick up the meguiars polishes and see what happens. Vermont is pretty sparse, no detailing shops that will work on anything but boats or 60s muscle cars. I'm comfortable trying this out, I don't have a scrap of vanity and would drive my car around with hail damage, I just wanted to give it a shot and help friends out if I get decent. Thank you so much!

I've got one, had it for years. Good starter.
For not much extra you can grab a backing plate that allows you to use standard Velcro pads. Lake country flat pads have worked for me. Flat pads are more versatile for wider range of polishes. I also have some chemical guys hex pads, but they don't work with DAT polishes. I used them with megs ultimate compound and polish with decent results.

Aside from M105 and 205 being mentioned, I've had good results with menzerna.

auto parts stores just about everywhere seem to carry meguiars stuff. though due to limited shelf space, they don't always carry all of the same things..

i generally order from autogeek. it lets me get a little pickier on which stuffs i want.

Agreed. Basic detailing, it’s good as it is out of box.
But if the original questioner wants to divulge on how to make the 7424xp more versatile, then yup, mod away haha

What are your thoughts on Adams polishes products and DA polisher ?

Adams has a large catalog of products. Perhaps the 2nd largest collection of products. I’ve used some, kicked over some open bottles by accident oops, and given some away but I always find a reason to keep buying their blue Car Shampoo. I like blue I guess. Their stuff smells good so that’s a plus.

I’ve personally never owned an Adam’s DA. Having spoken to few that has used them, it’s got good ergo, prices, and their SK line outperforms higher priced DAs. They warn me not run it past it’s higher rpm range tho

This is always fun! I tend to add an engine clean on cars I detail. I use an engine cleaner or apc and a medium detail brush. For deep engine bays like the MR2 pictured, I used a heavy duty degreaser and steam in areas the brush and I can’t get to. It’s a rewarding outcome.

Always the comment of “...I’m afraid of the electrical...”. My response is “well that’s good, you should be. Because you are, you’ll avoid flooding those electrical areas with cleaner/water.” I don’t cover anything but I always inspect what is and what shouldn’t be. For example, a stereo ghetto wiring and any other drive-thru wiring job will be addressed before cleaning. Final dress-up of any engine bay is with a silicone-free dressing.

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