Just need some clarification

lancec2c30

New member
Alright, I have read most all of the threads in the "Helpful Threads For Newbies" sticky.

I have also done quite a bit of searching in the forum section.



So I have decided to start out with a Porter Cable. Along with some 4in cutting pads. Probably orange.



Now the car I am going to be working on is a 2001 Mustang cobra. It's Zinc yellow and just has some swirl marks and water spots from the previous owner washing it.



I think I want to begin with some Meguiar's #83 to get most of the swirls out, on the 4in orange pad.



I will use Meg. NXT as my LSP on a finishing pad. But the step in between 83 and the LSP is where I can't make up what I should use.



So, what would you recommend between 83 and the LSP?



Or should I not even begin with 83?

Just want your input.



Thanks,

Lance
 
Menzerna 106FA, or P203S, but I'm honestly not sure since I only use a rotary which has more power. I like P203S because it has a decent amount of cut, little to no dust, and finishes down very nicely. Also, get some opinions on M105 vs 83, and read up on the Kevin Brown Method.



BTW you will need a different pad in between the orange and the wax/sealent pad to use with the middle polish. As far as what to begin with, you want to work your way up to the most aggressive, so start with your middle polish before you go up to your compound. BTW, get 2 of each pad you buy.
 
From what I have read, the M105 is a lot more aggressive compound and should be chased by M205. I really don't think I need the cut of the M105.

I'll check out the Kevin Brown Method. :bigups



I was planning on using a white pad in between cut and LSP. Would a 6in size pad work for the middle step application?
 
lancec2c30 said:
From what I have read, the M105 is a lot more aggressive compound and should be chased by M205. I really don't think I need the cut of the M105.

I'll check out the Kevin Brown Method. :bigups



I was planning on using a white pad in between cut and LSP. Would a 6in size pad work for the middle step application?



Whoops, I'm sorry. I was thinking of Meg's 84, which is the compound instead of a light polish. So you are talking about a very fine finishing polish?



I use PO203s, which is a medium-light polish, followed by PO85RD, which is a very fine finishing polish that really amps up the gloss and sharpness IMO. I'm not familiar with DA's and haven't used any of their polishes but M105 so you'll need someone else to weigh in on that one. If you want to talk to someone pretty knowledgeable about what you're looking for, check out gmblack3, he now seems to exclusively use the KBM with the PC and uses it well.
 
The 105/205 combo is a killer. I went OTC with Megs Ultimate Compound instead which has less cut that 105 but more than 205, and finishes down beautifully. I think if you are building an arsenal for your own personal car, the 105/205 on the PC is pretty hard to beat. After that you'll be ready for sealant/wax if you want or a glaze if you want to go that route.
 
lancec2c30- You could use #80 after the #83. I'm not a fan of #83, but people have used the #83/#80 combo for ages and it works well as long as you really break down the #83.



I think I'd rather use Scratch-X 2.0 or Swirl-X instead of #83 if the M105/Ultimate Compound is more than you need, but I bet most people wish their aggressive product was *stronger*, not milder.



And if you use M105 I'd lean towards following it with the M205; the two products are designed to work well together.



But #80 is simply a nice medium/mild product that many people really like. Work it until it changes from its opaque greenish-brown to translucent whitish-clear but don't work it so long that it dries out before you buff off the residue.
 
To me, the cool thing about something like 105 is that you can use it on PFW and REALLY get the business done, or orange and get normal cut, or use it on something milder if you want to tone things down.



I did my car with an orange pad and Ultimate Compound with a 6" pad on the PC. I was VERY pleased with what I got. The car had NEVER been polished, and hadn't seen wax in a year.



All in all, I think you should buy into a "system" and work from there. The 105/205 is a good one. I will likely go with that and the Poorboy's World SSR system because I will have to work outside all day and those can be used in full sun. I have 2 AIOs for quick work (Poli-Seal and Klasse twins) and some CG 50/50. I'll pick up some liquid wax and a couple glazes for light/dark cars and that will do for me.



You can drop a ton of money in this stuff, but basically, I am using my wash/wax jobs right now (which I do cheap for friends) to pay for materials, and for experimentation as I learn.



So far, so good.



I recently decided to go with the Edge system for pads and ordered some 4" orange pads for correction, a green pad for basic work, and 4" and 6" white pads for finishing. I also got one 6" red pad in case I want to do a glaze or carnauba. I'll order more pads next month, along with some other polishes.
 
So I bought the 105/205 setup. I can go straight to LSP after 205 correct?



Gonna run the 105 on a 4in orange pad. What should I use to apply the 205?



Thanks.
 
lancec2c30 said:
From what I have read, the M105 is a lot more aggressive compound and should be chased by M205. I really don't think I need the cut of the M105.

I'll check out the Kevin Brown Method. :bigups



I was planning on using a white pad in between cut and LSP. Would a 6in size pad work for the middle step application?
The 6" pads on a pc won't cut crap. Get some white 5.5" pads and 4" for more correction.
 
It might make sense to start with claying the car, and then using the 205 on a white pad. You might not need to use an agressive compound at all.
 
I already planned on using 4in. pads for correction. Claying the car was already part of the plan as well. I will try the 205 on the trunk lid first, as that is the worst of the car. Then decide if the 105 is necessary.

Maybe I can get away with using 105 on the trunk lid then just 205 on the rest of the car.. we'll see.



Thanks for the help everyone.
 
lancec2c30 said:
I already planned on using 4in. pads for correction. Claying the car was already part of the plan as well. I will try the 205 on the trunk lid first, as that is the worst of the car. Then decide if the 105 is necessary.

Maybe I can get away with using 105 on the trunk lid then just 205 on the rest of the car.. we'll see.



Thanks for the help everyone.



That's the smart move........try a test spot first, using the least aggressive method.
 
Try using the black Meg's finishing pad with M205. It was designed around that pad and finishes more clear than any of the other polishes I have tried via DA. I finished some single stage black B-pillars on a Audi recently with 4" LC white pads and M205. The finish was indeed great but not as clear as I get it with the Meg's black pad. Too bad they don't make smaller sizes of the current 2.0 Meg's pads. I don't have issue with the size for polishing most areas but in some spots only a 4" pad will fit.
 
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