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:

awd330 said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

Ripsnort said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.