[Flynnster]

So I have "detailed" cars as a summer job for the past two years, basically it's just a wash and a wax not paint correction, so I know the basics. But I get the mustang in May and since it is black and my step dad is a huge fan of auto car washed it needs a fair amount of correction.
What products do y'all recomend?
I have a porter cable 7424 and all the pads that I need, but as far as polishes and the steps that follow that there is too many options out there for me to narrow it down.

[Flynnster]

Don't know why it has a thumbs down in the title, mods wanna help me out with that?

[mustanginky]

just depends on what you're trying to do. you always want to use the lightest correction you can, then if it doesn't work go higher.

for example i use poorboys super swirl removers for swirls/small marring. i'd start with the lowest grade i have, with a white pad, and see if that does it. if it doesn't work, i'd go up to the lowest grade polish i have then try an orange or yellow pad. if it still doesn't work, i'll go over to a compound and try that, then work my way down pad wise and polish.

for pads here's the usual steps
1-black/blue-finishing or putting on wax
2-white pads-for small blemishes
3-orange-rougher
4-yellow-for compounding
5-wool or other types-for heavy paint correction

[Flynnster]

So you've had good luck with the poorboys SSR line?

[mustanginky]

i like it but it's not that aggressive. for something more powerful you can go with other stuff like menzerna

[Flynnster]

Can SSR 2 be followed with a wax or a sealent? Or do I need to do a pas with SSR 1 first?

[zinc02GT]

Menzerna is pricey, but idiot proof. Long work time, diminishing abrasives, it's good stuff and a little goes a LONG way after the pad is primed.

Your car, unless it's been repainted, has a very hard clear. All of the S197's do. If you go with Menzerna, I would pick up some Super Intensive Polish, 106FA, and P085RD. If I remember correctly (out of 5) the SIP has a cut of 3.8, 106FA has a cut of 2.5 and P085RD has a cut of 1.


If you go the another route you can go with Meguiar's M105 and M205 followed by Menzerna P085RD. M105 is a compound, but is very unique. It's pad dependant. You can use it with a white pad and it will only have as much cut as the white pad allows. This, in my opinion, is worth everything because M105/white pad is an extremely easy way of removing buffer trails from a wool pad if there are any left over, but most of the time 205/white pad will remove most buffer trails. This combo has a learning curve though. If worked incorrectly, M105 will dust pretty bad, but the capabilities of this compound are unreal.

Poorboy's and Pinnacle XMT lines are good for learning the machine. The XMT has fillers, but I'm not positive on the Poorboy's SSR line.

For your car I would recommend (after trying a M105/white pad first and it would also be a good idea to have a yellow foam pad handy) Wool needs to be left for the rotaries.


*if you choose the M105/205 route
M105/Orange LC pad
M205/White LC pad
P085RD/Gray LC pad
Apply waxes/sealants with a Red LC pad on speed 4 and get the areas that the machine can't get to with foam applicators.

*if you choose the full Menzerna route
SIP/Orange LC pad
106FA/White LC pad
P085RD/Gray LC pad

[zinc02GT]

Originally Posted by Flynnster Can SSR 2 be followed with a wax or a sealent? Or do I need to do a pas with SSR 1 first?

Never skip steps. It will show and your overall final gloss will be lacking.

[Flynnster]

Thanks Zinc, I was hoping you would pop in here.
Now I'm sure Menzerna is nice but it's a little out of my price range, will the XMT system work?

[zinc02GT]

With my experience from the XMT line and how hard the S197 clear is, no.

The M105/205, P085RD combo is like $90. For a combo of polishes that can tackle pretty much any job and that last's forever it's a pretty good price.

The Menzerna SIP, 106FA, P085RD is like $125. Again, these last forever, but the initial hit is quite a bit more.

IMO, those are the only real way to go about polishing. People seem to be one side or the other, but it's great to have a little bit of all of them. Each have different characteristics and benefits.

[Flynnster]

To me it looks like the M205 and P085RD are the same level of polishing, ready for wax or sealant after. Am I wrong on that?

[zinc02GT]

Originally Posted by Flynnster To me it looks like the M205 and P085RD are the same level of polishing, ready for wax or sealant after. Am I wrong on that?

M205 has much more cut than P085RD. MUCH MUCH more. M205 is designed to follow M105. It does a very good clean up job of what M105 leaves behind, but still leaves a tiny bit of hazing and micromarring.

P085RD is a true finishing polish and is used for jeweling. It requires heat, long work time, and some finesse. Technique wise you go (on a DA) to speed 6, moderate pressure at the start, and after 2 buffer passes over your area, you lighten the pressure to just the wehgt of the buffer and work the piss out of it. That's just one application of the polish. Like, not addign more polish or anything. Menzerna lasts for a long time.

After using P085RD it is ready for sealant/wax.

[Flynnster]

Ok, thanks.
I love this stuff but there is so many different products it makes my head spin.
Every time I get onto autogeek's forum I wanna spend another $100 on random things I don't need but want to try.

[zinc02GT]

Go look at my collection thread in the pics section. Other than my degreasers that's pretty much all that I use. So far, I haven't found a car I haven't been able to do with that stuff.

In the pics, you'll see a 3M Ultrafine/Ultrafina polish. It's intended for rotary only. The P085RD is the DA counterpart.

[Flynnster]

Speaking of 3M I get a massive discount on all things 3M through my moms job, any of their products worthwhile with a DA?
Edit: I really appreciate all the help on this man.

[zinc02GT]

Not to my knowledge. The only thing that's really worth a crap is their Ultrafina, wool pads, and their pads from the UK and they're all designed for rotary use.

You're welcome man.

[Zatrekaz]

I myself am going with the M105, M205, and P085RD in the near future. Gonna have 2 orange pads for the M105 (with a yellow as a backup for problem areas), 2 white pads for the M205, and 2 gray pads for the P085RD.

I think I am gonna skip the glaze this time around. I was told its not really needed for a correcrtly polished car.

Follow that I am hitting it with Poorboy's EX-P Sealant and Natty's Red Paste Wax

Total for all that: $130...

but like Zinc said the 32oz bottles will last. I used the XMT line on my car and it did a fantastic job, but I know theres better. The XMT line is $15 a bottle and only has 12oz. Thats $1.25/oz. The M105 at $30 is $0.93/oz I used almost all of my #3 & #1 on one car, and had a fair amount of #4 and #2 left.