[trkmedic69]

Ok this is what I've settled on:

1) Wash with dawn
2) P21s GEPC
3) P21s Wax
4) Am I supposed to use a QD next?

Anyway.... So what do I use to apply and remove this stuff? I was planning on foam to apply wax and MF applicators to apply the polish (GEPC) - then MF towels to remove both. Specifically, these two products:

http://store.yahoo.com/classic-motoring/vipmicappad.html

http://store.yahoo.com/classic-motoring/applicators.html

Am I on the right track here or are there better recommendations as far as both type and quality of applicator goes?

My other consideration: should I use a PC? With a PC you apply the product by hand, "Buff" with the PC and then final wipe with MF, correct???? Would I be much better off just going this route?

Any suggestions appreciated......... :bigpimp:

-Nick

BTW - car is a 2000 BMW 323i, silver, with significant time on the city roads, highways and in the snow/rain.

 

[awd330]

I use the round foam applicators for applying waxes/polishes and terry cloth applicators for applying leather dressing. I find that the foam distributes product more evenly on smooth surfaces. I like terry for more textured surfaces.

For the P21S products, the foam applicators should be fine. People who use sealants often prefer microfiber applicators.

Sorry, I can't provide any information about the PC. I use old fashioned elbow grease.

P.S. I used to live in Chester County, so I'm familiar with your road and weather conditions.

 

[trkmedic69]

I use the round foam applicators for applying waxes/polishes and terry cloth applicators for applying leather dressing. I find that the foam distributes product more evenly on smooth surfaces. I like terry for more textured surfaces.

For the P21S products, the foam applicators should be fine. People who use sealants often prefer microfiber applicators.

Sorry, I can't provide any information about the PC. I use old fashioned elbow grease.

P.S. I used to live in Chester County, so I'm familiar with your road and weather conditions.

thanx! I can't imagine the salty/snow winters are any better up there Except I'm sure anything's better then PennDOT :bigpimp:

 

[Guest84]

My Year round schedule (Note: does not include cleaning wheels, engine compartment or interior)

Note: No products are mentioned (Except P21S Paint cleaner since its a magical potion that brings out the luster) below since its my opinion that its not necessarily the product, but the surface preparation, product application and removal that makes or breaks a good product.

Twice a year
See washing method at bottom that I prefer to use.
~Wash with Dawn to strip old wax, rinse.
~Wash with quality car shampoo, rinse.
~Claybar using detail spray for lubricant (leftover rinse water acts as lube too)
~Rinse and dry
~Using Porter Cable (PC) I apply polish 2 ft. by 2 ft. section at a time.
~Remove polish after completing each section by hand with Microfiber towels.
~Using PC, apply P21S Paint Cleaner. Same method as polish.
~Remove P21S Paint Cleaner after completing each section by hand with 100% cotton towels.
~Using PC, apply quality wax, same method as polish.
~Remove wax after completing each section by hand with Microfiber towels (Don't use the same ones as for the Polish removal stage!)
~Use a finish detail spray with 100% cotton towels.

Total time: 4-6 hours, depending on 'interuptions' from my kids!

Every 3 months
~Wash with Dawn to strip old wax, rinse.
~Wash with quality car shampoo, rinse.
~Rinse and dry
~apply P21S paint cleaner on a 2 ft. by 2 ft. section at a time by hand with a foam applicator.
~Remove P21S paint cleaner after completing each section by hand with 100% cotton towels.
~Using PC, apply quality wax, same method as polish.
~Remove wax after completing each section by hand with Microfiber Towels
~Use a finish detail spray with 100% cotton towels.

Total time: 2-3 hours.

Once a week
~Rinse the car to begin with.
~Using a wash mitt, one linear motion, then flip the mitt, back across the same area, rinse in
2nd bucket, then back into the soapy bucket, repeat. I rinse off each section when finished.
~Use the straight hose to rinse entire car, which sheds 80% of the water if the car is waxed.
~Use a california water blade on the flat surfaces, and synthetic chamois to clean up areas the the CWB doesn't get.
~Griot speed shine (or any good detail finish spray) to complete the job.

 

[trkmedic69]

My Year round schedule (Note: does not include cleaning wheels, engine compartment or interior)

Note: No products are mentioned (Except P21S Paint cleaner since its a magical potion that brings out the luster) below since its my opinion that its not necessarily the product, but the surface preparation, product application and removal that makes or breaks a good product.

Twice a year
See washing method at bottom that I prefer to use.
~Wash with Dawn to strip old wax, rinse.
~Wash with quality car shampoo, rinse.
~Claybar using detail spray for lubricant (leftover rinse water acts as lube too)
~Rinse and dry
~Using Porter Cable (PC) I apply polish 2 ft. by 2 ft. section at a time.
~Remove polish after completing each section by hand with Microfiber towels.
~Using PC, apply P21S Paint Cleaner. Same method as polish.
~Remove P21S Paint Cleaner after completing each section by hand with 100% cotton towels.
~Using PC, apply quality wax, same method as polish.
~Remove wax after completing each section by hand with Microfiber towels (Don't use the same ones as for the Polish removal stage!)
~Use a finish detail spray with 100% cotton towels.

Total time: 4-6 hours, depending on 'interuptions' from my kids!

Every 3 months
~Wash with Dawn to strip old wax, rinse.
~Wash with quality car shampoo, rinse.
~Rinse and dry
~apply P21S paint cleaner on a 2 ft. by 2 ft. section at a time by hand with a foam applicator.
~Remove P21S paint cleaner after completing each section by hand with 100% cotton towels.
~Using PC, apply quality wax, same method as polish.
~Remove wax after completing each section by hand with Microfiber Towels
~Use a finish detail spray with 100% cotton towels.

Total time: 2-3 hours.

Once a week
~Rinse the car to begin with.
~Using a wash mitt, one linear motion, then flip the mitt, back across the same area, rinse in
2nd bucket, then back into the soapy bucket, repeat. I rinse off each section when finished.
~Use the straight hose to rinse entire car, which sheds 80% of the water if the car is waxed.
~Use a california water blade on the flat surfaces, and synthetic chamois to clean up areas the the CWB doesn't get.
~Griot speed shine (or any good detail finish spray) to complete the job.

thanks for the very useful information!! :thumb:

two questions:

1) Why do you polish and use P21s cleanser? I thought the P21s stuff WAS a polish?

2) Why do you use cotton towels to remove P21s cleanser and MF for everything else?

thanx!
-Nick

 

[Guest84]

Paint cleaner will touch up("cover up if you will) the small swirls, but polishing will actually remove the swirls. Its been recommended to me to actually only polish a couple times a year since you are indeed removing a micro-thin layer of clearcoat. The P21S paint cleaner afterwords restores natural oils and "feeds" the finish. You can skip the polish phase if you have a light colored car, you won't see many swirls with light colors, but if you have a dark color, you'll want to polish to remove (not just cover up) those nasty swirls.