Finally got time to really detail the car

[gothamite302]

i finally got some time off of work and got myself a PC 7424XP and went to work. My car is a daily driver and i don't normally have the time to take care of the finish like i should but now after all this work i doubt ill be letting it go again. i still have a ways to go and this was my first time ever polishing a car so the finish isnt as perfect as id like but it is a DRASTIC improvement from before!

Process:
Wash w/ 2 bucket method with grit guards
Clay
Megs 105 & 205
Megs #7 glaze
Megs Gold Class Liquid Wax

Before:

the clay bar after about half the hood

After:

 

[Redfire_WNL]

Damn I need to do this sometime soon. Nice job man!

 

[FalconGTHO]

Very good. But lets see some "sunlight" pics. You had some thick swirl marks before.

And for anyone else, since youre already done, I recommend to NOT "buff off" the clay residue like the directions say, but to just let it be and then wash again. No need to potentially abrade the paint even more.

 

[Mystickeith50]

Looks good....your car had that " I'm from Texas and just got done a rodeo" look lol.

 

[NastyStang113]

That is rough! What kind of polisher do you have? I would of liked to see some shots prior to any #7 or #26 and the results of your polishing.

Shouldn't this be in the detailing section?

And for anyone else, since youre already done, I recommend to NOT "buff off" the clay residue like the directions say, but to just let it be and then wash again. No need to potentially abrade the paint even more.

The correct way is to keep the paint clean and keep wiping up with QD. No reason to rewash if you do.

 

[Zexford]

This is what I am doing tomorrow, I am spending the entire day to do it. I have been bad and have not detailed my car in a while. Looks good.

 

[FalconGTHO]

The correct way is to keep the paint clean and keep wiping up with QD. No reason to rewash if you do.

I did it that way the first 2? times on my other car. Then I thought, "Why the fuck am I causing more arm fatigue "grinding on the paint" wiping/buffing off the residue?" So now I wash after clay then continue.

 

[Deez-67]

good lord she was dirty... looks good now

 

[Seer]

now that's pretty!

 

[gothamite302]

That is rough! What kind of polisher do you have? I would of liked to see some shots prior to any #7 or #26 and the results of your polishing.

Shouldn't this be in the detailing section?



The correct way is to keep the paint clean and keep wiping up with QD. No reason to rewash if you do.

I wasn't sure where to post it cu it fits into both categories. I just got a Porter Cable 7424XP (first time ever polishing) and I completely forgot to take pictures before any filler or LSP but I will take some better shots with it done but with the #7 it's nicely filled

 

[Rasmus]

I wouldn't use any kind of quick detailer containing alcohol as a clay lube. It'll cause the clay bar to deteriorate quickly. Use water with a tiny bit of soap in it instead.

And black really is an awesome color -- when clean. Well done!

 

[NastyStang113]

I did it that way the first 2? times on my other car. Then I thought, "Why the fuck am I causing more arm fatigue "grinding on the paint" wiping/buffing off the residue?" So now I wash after clay then continue.

Well if you're grinding on your paint than certainly do it your way.

 

[FalconGTHO]

Thats figuratively speaking. But youve got to rub/buff off the QD residue which no matter what is an abrasive action on the paint, even if its just at the microscopic level.

 

[NastyStang113]

And since he was polishing afterwards that meant? Right.

 

[DKS]

Wow, did you wash that thing with a Brillo Pad???

Nice results!! That thing was about as bad as it gets.

 

[Justagt]

Is that Porter Cable 7424XP a pretty good unit for a beginner? I see on amazon i can get the whole kit for around 200. thats about the cheapest polisher i've found lately.

 

[Seer]

Is that Porter Cable 7424XP a pretty good unit for a beginner? I see on amazon i can get the whole kit for around 200. thats about the cheapest polisher i've found lately.

You'll need various different foam pads and at least 2 different kinds of polishes to get any value out of a dual action polisher.

But yes the 7424XP is good for a beginniner.

You'll need at least the following:

Polisher
2 Compounding Pads (Typically Orange)
2 Polishing Pads (Typically White or Green)
2 Finishing Pads (Typically Grey)

-Medium-Large Cut Compound (Menzerna SIP, Meguiars #105)
-Finishing Compound/Polish (Menzerna PO85RD, Menzerna Power Finish, Meguiars #205)

-Pad Cleaner
-Quality Microfiber towels to buff off residue.

I would also only use 5.5" pads and a backing plate to support that pad size.

 

[Justagt]

I've already got the meg 105 and 205 as well as several other meg products. i've been trying to convince myself to just order the pc. i've watched all kinds of tutorials on how to use it. seems pretty straight forward.

 

[Seer]

I've already got the meg 105 and 205 as well as several other meg products. i've been trying to convince myself to just order the pc. i've watched all kinds of tutorials on how to use it. seems pretty straight forward.

well since you have 105 and 205, you'll need a good polisher.

 

[NastyStang113]

well since you have 105 and 205, you'll need a good polisher.

Pretty much a waste of the #105 and #205 without a good polisher.