Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum but have been lurking detailing forums for a little while trying to decide how to start polishing. I'm no professional but I like to do my research before making a purchase that not only functions well, but doesn't sting the wallet too much since I'm still learning. So basically, I plan on doing a spring detail on my FR-S. It has light marring and swirls on one side of the car. (Someone cleaned snow off my car with a broom.....) This also resulted in a few deeper cuts in the roof that may need a more aggressive compound. So far I have basically zeroed in on a GG 6" DA polisher and was leaning towards getting Meguiars DA MF cutting and finishing pads as opposed to a variety of foam pads. The tough part is selecting compounds. I initially had a set of Menzerna polishes: 400, 1500 and 4000. Since then I have heard relatively good things about using the Meguiars 105/205 combination, especially with the MF pads. I also read into the GG 1-4 combo pack which seems to be pretty good bang for the buck but haven't heard as many reviews from people using those polishes. After correction I plan on sealing up with Sonax Polymer Netshield, just because I don't have enough experience yet to try any of the harder coating/sealants and the PNS seems very user friendly to apply and get used to for a year or so until I can try a harder coating next spring. Unless harder coatings aren't that hard to apply in which case I could go straight to that. Obviously before all those steps Ill do the usual wash clay dry ipa but I was just wondering if you guys had any comments with the routes I have suggested, especially with the compounds I am having a hard time deciding between. Thanks in advance for the help.
Hi Welcome to the forum. A GG6 will do everything you want to do from your descriptions of the paint. It's powerful enough to remove even deeper scratches and is compact enough to go where some other polishers can't. As for compounds, there are lots of different combinations you can use - almost infinite. I can only speak from my own experience. I have had good results using Meguiar's MF pads on a GG6, along with their D300. I would recommend looking at the D300 to use with their MF pads and use Meguiar's M105 if needed to do some heavier cutting. D300 finishes off nice and in most cases, won't need a final polish on lighter colors, unless you really want to. On a darker colored car, you can follow up D300 with some Menzerna SF4000 with a foam finishing pad like a Detailer's Domain Uber Blue to jewel the paint for that extra pop. So what I would recommend as a starting point is GG6 with Megs MF pads, using Megs D300, adding M105 as needed. Follow up with SF4000 on a Uber Blue. Have fun!
To add on to Jae's post, I would recommend the 5" backing plates and pads when using MF pads. I have used the larger ones, but Meg's recommends the 5" for the DA, and they do work the best.
As a general question would it be better to start this whole process with a simple set of MF pads (i.e. 1 cutting pad and one finishing pad) or go further and look into options for different types of foam pads? Also when you say using D300 and M105 as needed, im assuming you mean different pads, and just doing that section where heavier cutting is needed. Not mixing them together as needed correct?
I would start with 2 MF cutting pads, 2 Buff & Shine/Uber orange foam polishing pads, 2 Buff & Shine/Uber green foam finishing pads. Add Menzerna PF2500 & SF4000 to Jae's Meg's recommendation and you should be able to tackle most any finish.
I love my griot's garage DA for the price point its at. Its more powerful than the Porter Cable and Meguir's DAs. Unless you can afford a Rupes then GG is a good one. I use Menzerna FG400 and SF4500 to finish. Meguir's 105/205 is a great combo too. You can't go wrong with either brand. With FG400 you don't need SI1500 though...if you want a lighter cut just use a lighter cutting pad.
I know this is an old post - guess everything is dying out here ??? No, you do not use 6" pads with a 5" backing plate. You want to use 5" pads with the 5" backing plate (the pad will be slightly bigger in diameter than the backing plate), so that you will get more Rotation which is what makes the compounds work better.. Dan F
