Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyin-Ryan  What kind of pads do I use to apply and what do I use to remove?
Do I use regular liquid wax? |
This is the most confusing part about getting proficient with the PC - browsing the detailing forums (and Autopia is one of the best overall), you see all the references to "orange pads" and "blue pads" and so on, and it takes a while to realise that the various pad manufacturers don't all color their pads following the same dictum. Sonus, Edge, Lake Country, all appear to be different.
Basically, think of the pads by their USE, not their COLOR (and Gary or anyone else, correct me if I'm wrong)
A CUTTING pad is used with mild-to-strong abrasive swirl removing products to REMOVE a teeny tiny amount of clear coat (and thus the scratches and swirls in it). Not needed unless you're doing actual swirl or defect removal, and the damage is NOT severe enough to need a DeWalt. I used a Sonus SFX orange swirl-removal pad as the first step on my Eldo back in the spring when I first attacked it.
A POLISHING pad is used with a milder abrasive to remove the micromarring that may have occured (by design) with the CUTTING pad above, and polish the finish.
A BUFFING pad (sometimes just a MF bonnet) is used to apply and/or remove wax (not the same pad).
I got the Sonus SFX set, and immediately marked the backs of the pads so I'd remember which was which..
I originally applied and remove my last-step-product (LSP) by hand, but a few weeks ago when I did the winter protection set for the Cars (Collinite 845) I used a pad to apply and a pad with a MF bonnet to buff off - two full coats of 845 on both cars, and the recent snow and sleet gunk just rinses right off.
You can use pretty much any liquid wax, just use a bit LESS than you think you would - the pad spreads it out pretty well, and you're better off with two thin coats rather than one thick one - with almost any automotive finish product I've seen, LESS is better.
And, Klasse AIO rules!
Here's my work with black, back in the spring:
http://www.jmhare.com/Spring2006Detail.htm