Thread: Polishing or rubbing compound

Don't forget to use a coupon code, can use a 25% off and get it for under 50 before shipping.

Originally Posted by GTP89

Damn great info there. I will get some product soon and post them up. Also how do I know which is harder on the paint vs another?

A compound will always be more aggressive. Sometimes a polish leaves behind a haze after all the imperfections have been removed. This is where a polish comes in. It refines the finish and removes the haze left from a compound. It also gives you gloss and clarity of the paint. A polish also has the ability to correct. If your paint is in good condition, a polish will be more than enough to remove those light swirls.

Of course you want to clay before you use any products.

I recommend you look into the 2 bucket wash method. Stay away from car washes. Those brushes are harsh and install swirls on the paint. Same goes for coin operated car wash. Don't use the brush there. You would not believe all the gunk that is hiding within the bristles. The only time a coin op is good is to use the high pressure to remove heavy dirt and grime. Then follow up with a rinseless or waterless wash.

Originally Posted by spazzz

OK so I am going to tell you how to spend your money.
Go to walmart, oreillys or wherever and buy Meguiars Ultimate Compound and Meguiars Ultimate Polish....dammit.
Each bottle will be about $10. Then scratch your noggin about what wax to buy, but really get some Meguiars ultimate wax.
now you are up to 40 or so. Look for some clay, Meguiars supreme shine towels, some cheap,cheap microfibers for the tires and wheel wells.

I honestly think you should wait for a minute until you get the materials for the job, so you can correct the flaws ONE time.

That way when you get your wheels on the new flaw free, liquid shine, you will feel you have a new car.

Welcome to the world of detailing the right way.

Walmart offers great prices on ultimate compound, polish and wax. Along with a few other items there. Meguiar's NXT 2.0 is another synthetic wax that is good. Ultimate wax is meguiar's current longest lasting wax. But NXT 2.0 is right behind it.

Originally Posted by GTP89

Walmart it is. I already have the pads DA I just need the actual material to work with. So hopefully I can stop by today and get it.

The DA will definitely be the way to go.

Originally Posted by idrivejunk

GTP89, I know I'm late to this party but this is what I use: 3M Super Duty Rubbing Compound, Meguiars #82 Swirl free polish. Buffer from Harbor Freight, currently $40 and I use the foam pad that comes with it plus I bought a decent wool pad. The liquids are from O'Reilly's Auto Parts. Clay bar first is a good idea, but be very careful to keep the bar clean. In between compound / polish / wax, be sure to remove all traces of the last product from the surface and don't get two products on the same pad. Also, If you are using a DA or orbital type buffer, thats a less agressive method than a rotary polisher and may not tackle the tough spots well. You asked which product is harder on the paint, well most have a scale for reference on the container, like Meguiars. In truth, its the pad that makes the big difference in how agressive your cutting method is.

This 3M compound is for rotary use. Since the op is new to detailing his car, I recommend he stick with the DA. With the DA there is a small learning curve and there is no chance for him to damage his paint.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

my last wax job my brother had some new Mequiares synthetic wax. can say i was impressed at all. paint lost that smooth feeling within months. where the turtle wax paste, aka cheap sh it lol lasts more then 6 months for me.

like guz said up there, the aggressive compounds are not for every time use. i only use it one a year. (cuts any swirls out and brings back the shine) and from the before and after pics, you can see how much haze i had to cut off the paint the first time out.

You should try out NXT 2.0. It's a little easier to apply than ultimate wax but it leaves a slightly slicker feel. It wont last as long. I would say somewhere between 3-6 months depending on the environment. It is also a common practice to top off a synthetic wax with a carnauba.

Originally Posted by spazzz

Put the money towards a 7424XP, not that much and it is an industry standard.
Those things might work for spreading wax but I'ld rather do that by hand.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

those dont work so well, they are under powered and dont spin fast enough.

the HF buffer is on sale this month, its 50 bucks. they have 2 da style buffers, one is 125, the other is 75 regular price.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

i dont see the cheaper one, but this one is on sale on line for 65.


http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...l#.Uy3ZU6hdWSo

Either the porter cable or the HF DA are good enough to get your car looking good. The other one won't be as good. I would replace the backing plate on the HF DA with a 5" backing plate and use 5.5" pads. The HF pads are not that good. I personally use lake country 5.5" flat pads( orange for compounding, white for polishing and black for wax/sealant).

Originally Posted by GrandPrix06GT

Don't forget to use a coupon code, can use a 25% off and get it for under 50 before shipping.

Exactly.

Most important have fun and enjoy your results.