[crazydrummer]

Hey guys, taking advantage off all these father's day sales to invest in some good detailing equipment to keep my families cars in perfect condition (and may be make a little summer cash). Heres what i have so far, planning on buying from autogeek.net since they have a 15% off.

PC with orange, white, gray, blue LC pads

Menzerna power finish po 203

Menzerna super fininsh po 106 Fa

Then going to go with zaino product for protection

My main concern is choosing the right polishes. My e90 is in great condition with no swirls and a few minimal scratches/ bird etchings so i'm not thinking i'll need anything too much on it. Just want to get the BEST, most glossy finish i can. However my parents cars and a few of my friends cars i'll likely be doing aren't in near the same condition, with quite a bit of swirls, etching, etec. You guys think the power finish will be hard enough to take out the swirls of my parents cars (the swirls on their's aren't bad)? Or should i keep the 106 FA for my finishing polish and get another more abrasive polish for the other cars i'll be doing.

This will be my first time polishing so don't want anything that will mess clear coat up too bad. Also how are the zaino AIO and zpc polishes? Thanks guys, hopefully making an order tomorrow.

Edit: also what carpet shampoo would you guys recommend?

[Dackz]

Id get some other things like easy detail brushes for exhaust/engine/wheels, some wheel cleaner/wax, a good degreaser, a wash mit, etc etc. If you have 15% off, might as well use it.

[crazydrummer]

Originally Posted by Dackz

Id get some other things like easy detail brushes for exhaust/engine/wheels, some wheel cleaner/wax, a good degreaser, a wash mit, etc etc. If you have 15% off, might as well use it.

I plan on it, just need help deciding on the main stuff/polishes

[06E90Rostik]

I would recommend P21S Total Auto Wash, best degreaser in my 2 years of detailing (not professional, just on my cars)

[racersky]

Originally Posted by 06E90Rostik

I would recommend P21S Total Auto Wash, best degreaser in my 2 years of detailing (not professional, just on my cars)

S100 version is cheaper and works the same in my opinion. This can be argued so many times but I have not had any types of problems with it.

[racersky]

Curious what's the 15% off code at AG?

[crazydrummer]

dad15

[06E90Rostik]

Just a heads up, properautocare.com (autogeek's competition) runs similar sale. 15% off + free shipping on $49+ orders. (code: FATHERSDAY). Some things if you compare are a bit cheaper (usually small things like brushes and pads), BUT autogeek has FREE SAMPLES! (2 per order)

Had experience with both, utterly satisfied. Recently got 5L of TAW from memorial day sale

As far as P21S goes I think the bike like is similar but not 100% identical. Have tried Total cycle cleaner, was satisfied but still believe P21S is better.

[Krells]

The two polishes I have had good results with are the Menzerna Intensive Polish and Finishing Polish. I haven't used the ZAIO yet but have some coming in tomorrow and will try it this weekend. The ZPC isn't bad but I am a bigger fan of the Menzerna polishes. For zaino sealants I use z2 w/ zfx or z5 on darker cars.

[pander5]

Menz Super Intensive Polish (PO83RQ) is one of my favorite Menz products. It has a little more bite with an orange LC pad and might just be the ticket for the more severe conditions you have. I finishes down really good but should still be followed with 106FF on a white or black LC pad. I'd suggest SIP replace the Power Finish (203).

You might also consider Power Gloss (POS 34A) as another heavier correction product.

[crazydrummer]

Yeah i ended up getting SIP instead of the powerfinish. Using it on an orange uber pad, it will get most of the swirls out but not the deeper scratches. Doing my dad cls550 (1/2 way through) and doing SIP on orange and then 106fa white for the hood/trunk/roof, and just 106fa on white for the rest. Mostly due to time constraints/lazyness. Its still taking out a surprising amount of swirls. I honestly can't tell too much of a difference between the panels i did with just the 106 and the panels i did a 2 step on. Maybe I'm doing it wrong Although I must say, never doing this before, between the PC the polishes and the internet it really isn't as hard as i thought just time consuming.

However before i do my mothers infiniti that has been abused for the past 3 years i think i may get a more agressive polish/compound. Maybe m105? BTW about how long do i need to be working the polish into the paint?

[pander5]

M105 is absolutely SUPERB for heavier correction although don't work it like the Menzerna. M105 uses NON diminishing abrasives and the longer you work it the more it continues to cut.

My work time for Menzerna is until it almost disappears. There are plenty of oils and lubricants in the Menz polishes and I make sure I have real good lighting. I work it until I see a thin film of the oils/lubricants and then wipe with a MF.

Another combo I've been using quite a bit lately is 106ff and a black LC pad and really shine up the finish.

[Gig103]

Quick question about the M105, pander. If it is non-diminishing, how do you know when you've done enough correction? I bought some when it was on special but haven't used it yet. My wife's car needs a fair amount of correction but I don't want to screw things up.

[pander5]

My mileage is going to vary greatly because I use it with a circular, not DA. I work it maybe for a minute, sometimes more depending on what I'm working. The key for me is super good lighting and you can see the panel you're working.

Don't be afraid of it. Experiment a bit (on wifey's car, no less) and see how you like it. If you've been buffing for a while you'll quickly get a feel for it. If her car is swirled up pretty good go ahead and use an orange pad with 105 and work it until you can see it do it's thing. Again, don't be afraid of it and you won't screw things up. The worst it'll do is leave a little haziness you can clean up with 106 after but it corrects scratches and swirls nice!

[Gig103]

Thanks!!! Question about the haziness, I bought an M105/M205 combo, will the 205 fix hologramming or haziness?