Looks like I have a project on top of my HFC install this coming weekend. Thanks for the advice and tips. I'll watch a few clips on Utube before a make a go at it. Any brand that is better then another or any brand to stay away from?

 

I like maguiars products a lot. Here's some advice... If you can stomach shopping at Walmart, prices there for car care products are MUCH better than at auto stores.

Good luck. Have fun with it.

 

Target also has great deals on maguairs (sp) products, I got Ultimate Compound there for $6.99 a few months ago. Mothers clay bar is a good choice too, they usually come in a combo pack w/ detailing spray.

 

I also apply wax by hand. In the end it's about personal preference. If you need to do a full detail, clay, polish (my choice Porter Cable and Meguiars m205), sealant (Blackfire Wet Diamond, switched from Zaino), then wax (Bouncers Vanilla Ice. P21s is another good choice). Make sure to use a good microfiber to remove the above products. Chemical Guys MIC_506_01 - Professional Grade Premium Microfiber Towels, 16" x 16"
A good towel will prevent swirls. Also try waffle weave towels for drying.

If you get a chance, try that Blackfire Wet Diamond. It's incredible stuff. GL.

 

^^^
That's also great advice right there, to someone who's not yet discovered the value in using microfiber towels in car care. I have two large bags of the things. One bag for the ones I use on the painted surface of the car, and another for the ones that have been through the wash so many times that they've been relegated to being shop rags.

 

Ain't that the truth. I have a bin of 30 cheap, 20 premium and 8 waffle weave towels. I never knew I'd collect so many but I see the value in them. That link I put above has a 12 towel discount. $20 for 12 premium towels (wax/sealant/polish/detailing spray removal; Chemical Guys V-07) is a great price.

 

Thanks for the link Bota, that's one thing I need to restock, and there's low grade microfiber every where you look

 

Another good point from Bota to take note of. All microfiber towels are not the same. The cheap ones are typically 12"x12" and can only be used a few times. They feel... well, "thin". If those truly are good towels in his link, (and I suspect they are), then twelve 16"x16" towels for $20 is a great price. I've never ordered microfiber towels online before, however I have copied Bota's online source to my records for next Spring.

Good info, Bota. I missed your link the first time around.

Chemical Guys MIC_506_01 - Professional Grade Premium Microfiber Towels, 16" x 16"

I try not to toss these "thanks buttons around too off-hand in every post that I like, but this certainly deserves it. Two, if I could.

 

If doing paint correction with 105/205 a PC is the way to go. For a wax protection hand application is just fine.

 

I went out and bought the Meguiars clay and polishing compound this morning. I also found a micro fiber towel that was woven on one side and plush on the other side. I'll be giving this a go after the cat install I mentioned Sunday. (thats if there is any daylight left after I'm done with it) It looks like I should propably buy a DA as well. It could speed up the process. I'm just not sure about power tools around the car, it makes me nervous.

 

I know that towel of which you speak. It's a seductive design, but really... you're going to need a dozen simple microfiber towels.

 

What? I thought it was economically designed!:

 

so this will be my next "clay" job in the spring (or maybe December will give me one more nice day to try this). I have not used it yet but look forward to a faster claying process with the PC.

 

Correct and polish with a machine. Apply you LSP (last step protection) by hand.

 

You dont want to do this unless you have clayed your car a few times. you must use a full bar just in case your car paint is rough, grab the whole bar and every panel either turn it around or fold it inwards let the clay bar look clean and make sure its a yellow one.

If you use the m205 you need to wax it. that wax is a sealant ment to last about 2-3 months. it all depends on weather. yes those towels are great good thing i buy them from the guy that sells them the towels. He sells to all the local detailers and markets or a fraction of the price.

A wax application with a porter cable can be done right in less then 5 minutes at the 4 speed and black pad. and you get a even application.
Get the towel. its way better and last longer then the pad i did not like the pad one bit. Hope this helps guys, thanks.