*Official* Ask A Detailer Thread

I have a question for you detailers on pad selection for a Porter Cable 7424xp. I'm finally pulling the trigger and buying one of them and I can choose 5 CCS pads with my order from this list:

I like to use Meguiar's products detailing and typically use Mother's soap. The products used with the buffer would then be Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and Meguiar's NST Sealant. Which pads would be the best to use with those products or should I think about using different products (keep in mind, I am not a professional detailer, I do my truck twice a year just to keep it looking good and won't be spending a fortune on this. I've been doing everything by hand and just want to cut down my time a bit). FWIW, this is the kit I'm looking to buy:

 

I would get 2 orange pads and 2 white pads. One pad cannot complete a vehicle without being cleaned. That will cover your polishing, then a red pad will allow you to apply the sealant.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

I am not a fan of applying sealant with a machine but the red pad is the pad to use for this job.

I feel that using a pad for sealant and/or wax application wastes too much product. However that being said if you perfer to use a machine for the application then .

 

Nice choice for a kit. Since you like Megs I would go with a Megs #21 sealant but use Pinnicle Liquid Souveran as the top coat wax. I have the wax and use it for white and silver cars.

 

I found another kit, same price, but lets me choose 6 pads. I'm going to get an orange, 2 whites, 2 greens and a red. I've never used a machine for anything so I'll likely not use the orange pad my first time out. The white and greens seem like good all around 'starter' pads and I can always buy more later on.

 

Orange is my go to pad. Works really well with Menzerna SIP.

 

Nobody?

 

You can try 303 Areospace Protectant applied/scrubbed with a foam applicator. I have a feeling that the spots are etched into the rubber and this is not really removable. Can you post up a decent pic of the problem area?

 

Thanks for reply. I'll get a pic tomorrow in the light
I was going to go on a hunt for more back to black products..

 

I like Duragloss #271. It's very durable and at 8 bucks it's worth a shot.

 

Pugga,

I'd also recommend getting the orange pads. They work very well with a compound... capable of removing swirls and scratches, but not overly abrasive.
I'd hit your truck with ultimate compound/orange pad then follow with ultimate polish/white pad.

My process, which gives me fantastic results:

wash
dry
de-tar (Tarminator)
de-ironize (Iron-x)
clay bar
orange pad w/ Optimum compound
white pad w/ Optimum polish

$21 Collinite 845 Insulator Wax-Easy to Use Carnauba+Polymer Wax Sealant-High Gloss Shine+Durable Hydrophobic Beading & Long Lasting Paint Protection for Cars/Boats/Trucks/RVs & Motorcycles (16 fl oz)

Collinite 845 liquid wax

If you have any questions or need help, I'm 25 mins west of Boston.

 

Awesome, thanks! I didn't end up getting the orange pad, I only went down as far as white pads, I chickened out I will try that Iron-X stuff though because I constantly get those orange spots all over the truck.

 

Mike:
Let us know how the removal process went.

 

Picked up some goodies today:
Meguiar's Ultimate Wash & Wax (soap)
Meguiar's Professional Swirl Remover 2.0
Meguiar's Hi-Tech Yellow Wax No. 26
Meguiar's Quik Wax
Meguiar's Interior Detailer Wipes

These will add to the clay bar kit, Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and NXT Tech Wax that I was using last year. I was using Mother's soap but will try Meg's this year.

The polisher comes on Tuesday so then I'll just be waiting until I get a nice weekend to get the truck looking good

I did this whole process last year but did everything by hand and it took between 10 - 12 hours. I'm hoping the machine will shorten the process a bit.

 

Was wondering what's a good wheel cleaner? And also what do you use to clean the wheel wells? And keep them black do detainers just spray tire shine to make it nice and black including frame any relays are helpfull looking for what detainers use thanks

 

Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner is a good weekly wheel and wheel well cleaner. If your wheels need a deeper cleaning, then a product like Sonax Full Effect would work better with less effort. As far as dressing the wheel wells I like Adams Invisible Undercarriage Spray.

 

That is one BAD ASS looking truck my man.... what tint do you have on the windows % wise?

 

Is there any harm in using the Meguiar's compound and waxes with the Porter Cable

$139 7424xp , Gray

7424xp on a set of sport bike plastics with the factory decals still on them? Should I just stick to doing the bike by hand?

 

You can do it but you need to tape the edges of the decals so you don't lift the edges with the machine. Also a set of 3 or 4 in. pads would make the job a lot easier than trying to use 5 or 6in. pads.