Ok. I've got a civic that needs some tlc and and acura that I don't want to end up looking like the civic. It looks like the porter cable 7424 is the right polisher for me and my skill level. However I'm lost as to what pads, compounds and waxes to get. My experience is very limited to a few mothers and meguiars products and waxing by hand.

So I'm looking at the products offered on www.autogeek.net and I'm trying to determine if its best to buy seperate items or if one of the pc starter kits is the right way to go. I'm really trying to keep things under $200 if at all possible.

The civic's hood is in bad shape. No peeling or bare metal. However it needs a good claying and then probably some wetsanding. I've got a few small rust streaks from rocks that struck the hood. I've got a tiny bit of overspray on the roof from the body shop that did some repairs after someone tried to break in. The hood looks dull with no luster. I think most of the clearcoat on the hood is gone.

The acura is still in good shape and just needs good washings, a few paint chip repairs, and upkeep. I'll practice on the civic before I touch the acura

I've been looking at the CCS pads but need assistance figuring out which ones are needed and that I don't waste money on extra. I also have no clue where to start on picking a compound or a final wax.

 

Study through the threads on autogeek.net as well as autopia.org and that will help. I was in the same boat as you and ended up with the 7424 as well. I have all Menzerna products (SIP, 106FA, PO85rd) along with some orange, white, black and blue pads. The only kit i bought from autogeek was the 4" spot pad kit which included a coulpe 4" orange pads, white, black and blue pads. Its addicting and hard to keep under $200 but you can find some more affordable products to do what you want.

 

thats a deadly compound for swirls right there. 4" or 5.5" will work with the pc, but 4" will give you more bite if needed. and to keep it swirl free between washes get a good sheepskin mitt (excess detail) and some duragloss 902 (i recommend this because its one of the cheaper ones yet one the better ones)

 

Ok, looks like my $200 is out of the window, so I'll give that one up... Right now I'm looking at this kit on autogeek. It is the porter cable + appropriate pads + menzerna sip, 106fa, & PO 115C. Price is $299. Seems like it doesn't have much *extra* and I couldn't buy things individualy for less.

http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-por...w-car-kit.html

As for wax, it looks like Klasse is the wax most recommend. Does that sound reasonable? I don't need to win best in show. I just want my car to look nice and be maintainable.

Any problem with using the menzerna products on my headlights? I wetsanded them and they look infinitely better, but they need a final gloss on them. Or should I just use the 7424 with some meguiars plastic polish?

Any recommendations for a clay bar? Anyreason not to just get meguiars or mothers?

 

nope, i used the menzerna products on my headlights and tailights, check out the before and after pictures. i just did a one step menzerna sip with white pad on my plastic lights.

as for wax, are you looking for something durable that will last a fairly long time or do you want some crazy wet look?

clay bar, lots of people use meguiars/mothers, you can get that at walmart for like 15 bucks.

 

Thats a good starting point. I originally had all 6.5" pads as well that comes with that kit, but then realized its hard to get the bumper areas and just any smaller area with those, which is why i got the 4" pad kit as well. You're also going to need more "good" microfiber towels than that. You can't go wrong with any of the cobra towels on autogeek. I got the Supreme 530 towels (just awesome towels for buffing/removal) and some of the white polishing towels as well.

For wax, as redboost mentioned it depends on what you want. Me, i'm going for durability. As long as i get a good polish i know it's going to look good. I'm using Wolfgang 3.0 sealant and topping that off with Collinite #845 carnauba wax.

 

Thanks for the input. I ended up ordering the pc 7424, menzerna sip, menzerna 106fa and klasse all-in-one. Looks like that will give me a good result for both vehicles.

Kind of excited to see the results when the weather warms up.

 

awesome, i have heard a lot of about the klasse, but have never used it. you will be more than happy with the pc and menzerna products. just make sure the polish gets broken down fully. what pads did you get?

 

I got one of their kits that comes with the 5.5" ccs pads.

1 - 6.5" foamed wool
2 - orange
2 - white
2 - red (kit comes with 1, ordered an extra)

http://www.autogeek.net/pc7424-menze...ramic-kit.html

The rep at autogeek was really helpful. However I have to admit that its really difficult to piece together *exactly* what you want on their website because of the way their combo packages are setup.

 

yeah i agree. you might need more than 2 pads to do the whole car, but just wash them, let them air dry and go back at it. it took me 4 pads to the first step of my car but i only had two pads, so had to wash them then dry them then start up again.

use some dawn power dissolver to clean the pads, then let them sit in some hot water, then use your thumb to scrub the excess polish out and let air dry. do not machine wash them, the backing will start to come off. just some info i have leanred and thought id pass it along

 

Why is dawn the choice of a good cleaner?

I'm a fanatic about Palmolive because of the lack of other acids in the soap. I use the palmolive on silver cleaning and it leaves no stains.

Just wondering...now heading to autotopia to see if this has been covered.

 

use whatever works for you. its been covered.

i searched for you beings thats where i found out where to use it:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/search....archid=2956200