Hello all,

I bought every Prima products 2 years ago. Beside using Mystic, clarity, hydro, and nero, I don't know when to use other product. I can't find any info here at the NA forum either. Can anyone teach me on when to use these products? I bought the clay kit from octane guy but don't know what to use after claying. so confusing!

Slick:

Banana Gloss:

Epic:

Amigo:

Cut:

Finish:

Swirl:

Thanks in advance:

by the way, I even have PC and all kind of pads. just little tips and I am really appreciated.

 

Well in that case, Richard/Octaneguy is definitely the one to ask about Prima products. I'll try to give info on what I know and use, but he and others can certainly provide more info.

Slick, is a quick detailer. Banana Gloss is a wax that is especially easy to use. Epic is a sealant. Amigo is a gloss enhancing polish/glaze, used just prior to wax/sealant. And Finish and Swirl are polishes that have different cutting abilities to be used depending on how badly your paint needs to be corrected.

Hope that helps. Like I said, I'm sure others can contribute more info, but at least this is a start.

 

The order would go something like this:

Mystique (Carwash)
Clay
Cut (for serious swirls and oxidation, not necessary for most cars)
Swirl (for moderate swirls and scratches. Use with an orange of white LC pad)
Finish (for the smallest of small stuff, I hardly ever use it, it is helpful on really soft paint though)
Amigo (has a little polishing ability but mostly for hiding the stuff you can't get out, man does it make black paint look good.
Epic (6 month - 1 year sealant. Use with a black pad)
Banana Gloss (this could be used in place of Epic or on top of it. It has carnauba in it so it really makes dark colors look great, it only lasts about a month but goes on super easy. I'm a big fan)
Hydro (for between waxing, after every wash)


Hope that helps

 

For fastest response, send me a PM or call me next time.

The best way to understand the use of the products is to:
1.) Understand the process
2.) Understand the product differences in a general way
3.) Understand how each type of product influences each other.

So to begin with, in general terms, you want to thoroughly clean the paint.
First by washing, second by claying. I have a video on claying 101
http://www.youtube.com/octaneguy#p/a/u/2/lu8TpYGF9Fg

Usually the next step is to protect the thoroughly cleaned paint with a wax.
However, if you have the time and since you have a PC (Porter Cable polisher), you will want to polish first. This will minimize, reduce, or eliminate swirls and fine scratches from your paint making it "clear". Think of your paint having a clear film over the colored paint..and over time, this clear film becomes fogged due to scratches and neglect. Polishing makes the fog and haze go away and become clear again so you can see the color through it, otherwise the light bends and scatters and affects how clearly you can see the color behind the clear film...or really it's clear paint known as clear coat.

Prima has products that can be categorized as Maintenance, Polishes, and Waxes.

From your list this is how they are categorized.

Maintenance: Slick, Mystique, Clarity, Nero
Polish: Amigo, Finish, Swirl, Cut
Wax: Banana Gloss, Epic, Hydro

Here are a few videos on using the PC:
http://www.youtube.com/octaneguy#p/u/13/5YyhMv_Ws6c
http://www.youtube.com/octaneguy#p/u/10/IRGAo2tIztw

Let's start with some hypothetical situations. Your car is already waxed and you just have an hour to wash it and make it looks it's best. First you wash with Mystique, then dry it, and maybe use some Hydro to prolong the wax durability and just make the paint look it's best.

Your car hasn't been waxed in over a year. So wash it with Mystique or any car wash solution...even some cheapie stuff is ok because the polymers in Mystique make the paint look great, but after washing in this situation, you will be cleaning the paint and removing any benefits of Mystique. Feel the paint after it's dried and if it's rough or scratchy sounding when you rub your hand over it..see the Claybar 101 video...you need to clay. Using a white pad, put a ring of Swirl around the outer edge or maybe Finish instead and using the video as a guide, polish a test spot until its clear. If all is well, do the rest of the panel. Finish by waxing with Epic. Use Slick or Hydro to remove any residue if you want.

Hope that helps get you started. Note that Banana Gloss is a carnauba wax "natural type" and Epic and Hydro are synthetics. The primary difference is longevity...synthetics offer longer protection, but Banana Gloss and Hydro are easy to use and can be used more often.

Reply back with more questions if you need.

Richard

 

Thank you both (Richard and Nrob) Can I skip Polish and go straight polish? Can I using hands instead pc to polish? What kind of pad I need for hand polish? Thanks again.

Henry

 

Henry, please re-read what I wrote above..let me pull the sentences. Also I'm assuming you meant..skip Polish and go straight to Wax (not polish).

"So to begin with, in general terms, you want to thoroughly clean the paint.
First by washing, second by claying.

Usually the next step is to protect the thoroughly cleaned paint with a wax.

However, if you have the time and since you have a PC (Porter Cable polisher), you will want to polish first. "

re: Using hands to polish
If you have the PC, why bother with doing it by hand? You can do the non abrasive polishes by hand like Prima Amigo but Finish, Swirl, Cut are best by machine.

re: pad for hand polish
Since you are not buffing swirls, just use a microfiber or foam applicator sponge.

 

Thank you Richard. You guessed my question right. I was asking if I can skip polish and wax right after clay. it's because I don't see much damage on my 07 pepper white which always garaged and 20000 miles only. I was just afraid of damage paint by using PC machine cause I have never done it before even I bought your DVD and have seen most of your videos. You made it look so easy and I know that's from years of experience........

You Rock!

Henry

 

Cool, no problem. Polishing is always an optional step but if you want the most gloss and best results, polishing is very important. However if you're happy with the condition of your paint then most certainly, just wax after clay.

The PC shouldn't be scary. In fact, since you're in LA, you should come visit me at the shop sometimes and I'll help you get over that fear.

Richard

 

And I thought I gave a good answer. Always amazed by your knowledge of this stuff Richard.

And as for polishing by hand, talk about a lot more work and a tired arm.

 

You provided an excellent answer! I just needed to elaborate a bit more, lol.