First time detailing with PC 7424XP

[bhup09]

Hey everyone, I am looking to put together a detailing regime for my 2010 JET BLACK M3. It has a medium amount of swirling. It looks like it had been detailed once, the paint has a nice shine and whatnot. After searching the forums I have came up with this:

-Chemical guys citrus or Dawn wash (removes wax??)
-Decon
-Sonax Full effect on wheels
-Clay with Chemical guys blue clay with lube
-Rewash or IPA?
-Mezerna SI 1500 with yellow LC pad
-Mezerna SF 4500 with a white LC pad
-Blackfire Sealant with black or blue? LC pad
-Wax with Pinnacle Souveran using black LC pad

How does this look? Should I be doing an IPA between the cutting, polishing and sealing steps? Also would having 2 of each pad be good or should I get 3of each?I'm new at this and would like to have as much information possible before I try to attempt this! Any help is appreciated Thanks!!

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by bhup09

Hey everyone, I am looking to put together a detailing regime for my 2010 JET BLACK M3. It has a medium amount of swirling. It looks like it had been detailed once, the paint has a nice shine and whatnot. After searching the forums I have came up with this:

-Chemical guys citrus or Dawn wash (removes wax??)
-Decon
-Sonax Full effect on wheels
-Clay with Chemical guys blue clay with lube
-Rewash or IPA?
-Mezerna SI 1500 with yellow LC pad
-Mezerna SF 4500 with a white LC pad
-Blackfire Sealant with black or blue? LC pad
-Wax with Pinnacle Souveran using black LC pad

How does this look? Should I be doing an IPA between the cutting, polishing and sealing steps? Also would having 2 of each pad be good or should I get 3of each?I'm new at this and would like to have as much information possible before I try to attempt this! Any help is appreciated Thanks!!

Ok so to begin you're on track with chemical guys to strip the wax. Add in some dawn to seal the deal. Sonax is great for the wheels as well. You're good with the clay but don't do an ipa after a clay but I personally would do another wash and dry before polishing. Your menzerna combo is pretty good I think I'm just not too familiar with menzerna as compared to meguiars 105 and 205 combo but they should be similar. After all polishing is done its a good idea to do another wash then do a full ipa wipe down. This ensures all the oils have left the paint. Black pad for the sealant and wax are fine. Honestly the wax is overkill but you'll get some nice gloss and a little more protection added. Use different pads for
The different polishes and one for wax and one for sealant.

[rcracin]

Sounds exactly like what I'm doing next week except im using the meguiars 105/205 combo since I have it.

Dawn wash
clay bar with dodo juice born slippy
going to test 205 on an orange LC pad first to see the result. possible 105 on orange pad on bad areas
finish it off with blackfire wet diamond sealant by hand.

[sensi09]

I'd get some orange pads.

2 each is good to start, but you'd be hard pressed to do the entire car at one time with just two. However if you do it in sections you should be fine.

[bhup09]

Originally Posted by rjd598

Ok so to begin you're on track with chemical guys to strip the wax. Add in some dawn to seal the deal. Sonax is great for the wheels as well. You're good with the clay but don't do an ipa after a clay but I personally would do another wash and dry before polishing. Your menzerna combo is pretty good I think I'm just not too familiar with menzerna as compared to meguiars 105 and 205 combo but they should be similar. After all polishing is done its a good idea to do another wash then do a full ipa wipe down. This ensures all the oils have left the paint. Black pad for the sealant and wax are fine. Honestly the wax is overkill but you'll get some nice gloss and a little more protection added. Use different pads for
The different polishes and one for wax and one for sealant.

Thanks! I see a lot of people using the Meguiars combo with good results, I think I read somewhere that the Mezerna and Wolfgang combo had a little less dust, not sure if this an actual fact. Either way I'm sure any of these products work fine. Ill post some pics when I get around to detailing my car

Originally Posted by sensi09

I'd get some orange pads.

2 each is good to start, but you'd be hard pressed to do the entire car at one time with just two. However if you do it in sections you should be fine.

I do plan to do it in sections, I was thinking of doing the front clip (fenders, hood bumper) then wash the pad. Get a brand new pad to do roof, doors and skirts. Then finish the rear of the car with the first pad which is hopefully dried out by then? Does that sound right!? Thanks

[bhup09]

Anyone

[voidopolis]

We seem to have come to a lot of the same conclusions on what to use (I have a carbon black E46). I just started getting ready to do the exact same thing - with almost identical products. I believe you made the right choice with the Mezerna products. They seem to get better reviews than the Meguiars stuff. I went with orange pads over yellow. I went with 2 pads each.

I'm very interested in how your setup goes. I did a few test passes with the buffer on the bumper to see how things go - I think I'm being a little too timid with it... I'm going to watch some more videos and get ready for full polish next weekend.

Blackfire Sealant with black - that is what my plan is.

I'd recommend a really bright light to check the paint with. even during a sunny day in the garage, it was hard to see the condition of the paint while inside.

GL - I'd love to see your progress and what results you get.

[bhup09]

Originally Posted by voidopolis

We seem to have come to a lot of the same conclusions on what to use (I have a carbon black E46). I just started getting ready to do the exact same thing - with almost identical products. I believe you made the right choice with the Mezerna products. They seem to get better reviews than the Meguiars stuff. I went with orange pads over yellow. I went with 2 pads each.

I'm very interested in how your setup goes. I did a few test passes with the buffer on the bumper to see how things go - I think I'm being a little too timid with it... I'm going to watch some more videos and get ready for full polish next weekend.

Blackfire Sealant with black - that is what my plan is.

I'd recommend a really bright light to check the paint with. even during a sunny day in the garage, it was hard to see the condition of the paint while inside.

GL - I'd love to see your progress and what results you get.

Hey man thanks for the reply! Yea I'm thinking we have made a good selection of products now its just time to use them. Its better to work slow so take your time and try to use varying pressure and number of section passes to get your desired results. Checking with a high powered light looks like its a big help spotting out the imperfections in the paint especially on black cars. I wish you good luck on your detail, hopefully I can get to mine next weekend aswell. Post up some pics when you are done!

[JFlo]

Like most other guys have pointed out you seem to be on the right track! Just to share some of my experiences though:

- I believe that the sealant AND the wax might be a little overkill. Sure, you will most likely get a slightly better gloss but if this is your daily I wouldnt mind too much. A couple of months ago I did a full detail and finished off with a wax and regret not going for some sort of "longer lasting" sealant.
- More pads! Definitely get two of each kind. I made the mistake of just getting one of each It seems like you can never have enough.
- Time! Time and time again I underbudget how long a good detail/correction really takes. As a result you have to cut a couple of corners here and there, and the whole process (and not to mention the end result) can become more unpleasant. For my next detail I will probably start one afternoon/evening and follow up early next morning, which should put you in good shape to finish at a decent time in the afternoon. Trust me... nothing is more upsetting than having to work ALL day and then not being to take some proper after shots because the sun went down several hours ago!

Again, this is just a couple of my personal experiences that you might find helpful. It sounds like you have done some good research so Im positive your end result will be awesome!

[Chriskm3]

Prepare yourself for about 12 to 20 hours of Labour time. Of course there are ways to cut corners but when dealing with two stage paint correction patience and experience is the key. Specially when using a da polisher over a orbital polisher. led light is also the key when working on dark colors. locating swirls may be tricky but take your time because once the job is done and final coat goes on missed spots seem to sneak up and take away from the final finish. Just a heads up on final finish going with a sealant and or a wax delivers different results. A synthetic sealant will allow for longer protection and deliver a great mirror like finish -zaino, opticost. Natural waxes provide a deep wet look finish that takes away from the mirror as a compromise. But to each his Own. Good luck and take lots of pics.

Please tape up all trim. It will make clean up much easier. Do wash the car between polish and sealant. Very important.

[bhup09]

Thanks! More good advice