Blimey, I will bow to you for weighing into this topic as it is not straight forward, nor one way to do things, but my knees are shot, so I knell to no one, thats why I use a rolling stool, or sit on my butt when working close to the ground.

OK, now I get it, but I have another question. If after using Swirl with an orange pad, then deciding that Swirl with a white pad is in order, do folks use the same pad with Amigo, rinse it out, or not? Or is it better to just have another white pad for only Amigo?

Mark

 

Swirl with Orange
Swirl with White
Dedicated White Pad with Amigo

(when I'm short of white pads--like I am right now--I will thoroughly wash a white pad that had Amigo using Dawn until most of the grey color is out--then dry it and use it with Swirl)

It's more work to wash Amigo from the pad due to the polymers. Always use a clean pad for each product.

Richard

 

I got two white pads. One for Swirl and Cut (when an orange pad is just too much) and one for Amigo. It is hard to rid a white pad of Amigo guts - always will show the stain.

 

Yes, what my minions Maybee and OG said.

jk

 

Thanks Richard. I figured a dedicated pad was best, but good to know when in a pinch, cleaning is OK.

Mark

 

The more I read about this, the more inclined I am to leave my detailing stuff in the garage, where it does no harm....

 

Does no GOOD like that, either...

 

Yeah it's hard, but Dawn--I keep a huge bottle in our restroom sink--works very well. But even so, Swirl also turns my white pads slightly blue too. =)

 

Nonesense! It threatens my car into staying cleaner, lest I unleash my "skills" on it.

 

OK. I'll concede that point.

 

Does this mean fresh pads for each polishing job? Or just that it's best not to mix pads and polishes (i.e. separate white pads for Amigo and other products) but they can be washed and reused...

 

It means when you're switching from Swirl to Amigo or Swirl to Finish, etc, change the pad.

And yes, they can be washed and re-used. Personally, I have two orange pads and two white pads as they are my workhorses and I don't like to wash them out and immediately use them again. I like them to dry before I use them again. Is it necessary ? Maybe not. Just my preference.

 

Yep, Swirl, Cut, and Finish are easy to wash out without soap,just warm water in a bucket or tap. Amigo needs Dawn thanks to the polymers in it.

I dedicate pads to products. I mostly only use Swirl and Amigo on White pads, so I have a white for Swirl (can be washed and used with Finish if desired) and a white for Amigo. I also have an orange for Swirl. If I wash it, I can use it for Cut as well.

Think about it this way. If you have a pad with the medium cut Swirl on it, then want to use Finish which has finer abrasives. You're now mixing different levels of abrasives and that could lead to problems.

Richard

 

If I'm running low on pads, I'll sometimes go from a mild polish to a more-aggressive polish on the same pad. For instance, if I start off using Menzerna Final Polish II and realize right away that it's not going to do the job, I'll switch over to Intensive Polish and just keep using the same pad.

I'd never go the other way (from an aggressive polish to a mild polish) on the same pad, though.

 

This is my general practice as well. I might point out though with dimenishing abrasives there is less of an issue with going from Cut to Swirl on the same pad or even Swirl to Finish.
I even have one bottle that I mixed Cut & Swirl 50/50 to give me a grade in between - call it Curl? How about Swut.

 

Thanks for the recent discussion on polish, pads, products. I've learned a lot! Quick question, what is/are the best product(s) to use on the wheel trim and bumper edges?

Thanks!

 

Black Wow. Best stuff for black trim by far.
Available from several sources, including detailer's paradise and showcarsupplies.com

 

Thanks Blilmey!

I just registered at ShowCarSupplies.com and ordered their "Fresh Start" Paint Maintenance Bundle #1, (it contains the Black Wow) and a lot of other basic stuff. I sense that I am on the brink of a slippery slope here, , any advice you might offer?

 

Ok this might be a really dumb question, but I have been wondering it for a while. I am thinking about putting in an order for some polishes. Is chili red considered a dark or light color. I can see it going either way. I ask because I am trying to figure out if I will need finish. I am going to get swirl, amigo, and epic for sure.

 

I would consider it a "dark" color, but I don't necessarily think that requires buying Finish. I think Swirl on a soft pad would be fine for your last polishing step prior to using Epic. But since you'll be using Amigo as well, I *really* don't think you need to worry about Finish.

 

I don't use Finish on my Chili Red. I go from Swirl on a white pad to Amigo on a white pad. Finish is very fine and I have used it on some softer black paints before with good results but I really didn't see any benefit on my CR and I don't really need the extra step.

 

Get good skis and wear a helmet.

(sorry, tasteless and insensitive but accurate )

That kit has some GOOD stuff. Read back through the Detailing 101 topics and you'll see a lot of good pointers in various threads. The sticky threads have some good basics. Also:

Prima Epic:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rima-epic.html

Hydro:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nce-spray.html

Clay:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-tell-you.html
http://www.detailersparadise.com/pdf/Clay.pdf

Many others...

 

Thanks Paul/Blimey:

When the package arrives, I'll be spending some quality time with Capt'n Jack, going through the detailing learning curve. I love this car!
Thanks for pointing me to some more knowledge; and yes, as a member of the local Ski Patrol, I always wear my helmet! As my Dad once said to me, "Those who don't wear helmets demonstrate that they have nothing worthy of saving", viva natural selection & the thinning of the herd.

 

OK! I received my car care package from ShowCarSupplies and I'm psyched to get Capt'n Jack all sparkly and bright. Now if only the WI weather would cooperate, aargh...

 

Just wanted to thank you for the order and of course the support! Please don't hesitate to call me, email me, or PM me..that's why I include my card in each order.

SoCal customers have the benefit of stopping by the shop and getting free training on their vehicle with any of the products I sell. For those not in the area, the next best thing is just to give me a call.

Richard