[absix]

Hey gang,

Just did my first step Placed an order for Flex 3401.

The car paint is not in bad shape, medium swirls, some fine scratches. The initial plan is as follows:

- Wash, dry
- Clay
- Menzerna SIP (what pad to use?)
- 106FF or PO85RD (not sure which one? best pad?)
- 50/50 ISO wipe down
- Wax/Sealant (not sure which path to take?)

What do you think?

I need some recommendations on the rest of the stuff I need.

Best clay bar? Lubricant for the clay? Wax or sealant? I am doing the detail now as the winter is coming and there's a lot of salt on the roads.

One really stupid question... it would be my first detail. Can you do parts of the car and not the entire car? For example, hood/doors/trunk first and then the bumpers/top on the next day without taking the car out of the garage?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

abs

[zaxjax]

Originally Posted by absix

Hey gang,

Just did my first step Placed an order for Flex 3401.

The car paint is not in bad shape, medium swirls, some fine scratches. The initial plan is as follows:

- Wash, dry
- Clay
- Menzerna SIP
- 106FF or PO85RD (not sure which one?)
- 50/50 ISO wipe down
- Wax/Sealant (not sure which path to take?)

What do you think?

I need some recommendations on the rest of the stuff I need.

Best clay bar? Lubricant for the clay? Wax or sealant? I am doing the detail now as the winter is coming and there's a lot of salt on the roads.

One really stupid question... it would be my first detail. Can you do parts of the car and not the entire car? For example, hood/doors/trunk first and then the bumpers/top on the next day without taking the car out of the garage?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

abs

Ditch the SIP and pick up the Powerfinish, same cut as SIp but finishes better. I like 106FF and PO85 both are very good.

Grab Opti-Seal and a good wax P21S or Pinnacle Souveran


Grab any claybar, they all work the same, any quick detailer can be used as a lubricant for claying.

Yes, you can do parts of the car. Just do one panel at a time and have fun!

[twinturboa51]

Originally Posted by absix

Hey gang,

Just did my first step Placed an order for Flex 3401.

The car paint is not in bad shape, medium swirls, some fine scratches. The initial plan is as follows:

- Wash, dry
- Clay
- Menzerna SIP (what pad to use?)
- 106FF or PO85RD (not sure which one? best pad?)
- 50/50 ISO wipe down
- Wax/Sealant (not sure which path to take?)

What do you think?

I need some recommendations on the rest of the stuff I need.

Best clay bar? Lubricant for the clay? Wax or sealant? I am doing the detail now as the winter is coming and there's a lot of salt on the roads.

One really stupid question... it would be my first detail. Can you do parts of the car and not the entire car? For example, hood/doors/trunk first and then the bumpers/top on the next day without taking the car out of the garage?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

abs

I would get the DI Fine grade clay and use ONR for clay lube to get the most bang for your buck. otherwise i think Zax covered the rest

[absix]

I have ONR already.

So the plan would now be:

- Wash, dry
- Clay
- Menzerna SIP
- 106FF
- 50/50 ISO wipe down
- Opti-Seal
- Pinnacle Souveran

Is that a good routine?

What about the rest of the questions?

Thanks!

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by absix

I have ONR already.

So the plan would now be:

- Wash, dry
- Clay
- Menzerna SIP
- 106FF
- 50/50 ISO wipe down
- Opti-Seal
- Pinnacle Souveran

Is that a good routine?

What about the rest of the questions?

Thanks!

Your process and product selection looks solid and has everything covered.

I'd use orange and white pads or perhaps the Hydro-tech Cyan and Tangerine pads for that particular polish combination.

Depending on how dusty your car gets, you may need a re-wash between days or perhaps just a QD before you get started again. My advice would be to complete each step of the process instead of going panel by panel. I wasn't sure if that's what you meant or not though.

Be sure to keep us posted on how everything turns out.

George

[kei169]

I would go with white or green pad on the P203S or SIP, and black for the P085RD!
Wipe it down with 50/50 and apply Sealant then Wax!

[jopa489]

Your process looks spot on. Start with a less-aggressive pad/polish combination and step up if necessary. Green pad with SIP is a good starting point, you might need to jump to an orange pad for trouble spots, especially on SBM. Black pad for the final step is good.

Don't forget to show us before and afters so we can see!

[tdekany]

Your paint is very hard. You will need an orange pad. This paint is also very tricky. Make sure you look at the "corrected" area from as many angles as needed to make sure that you didn't leave ani rids behind.

Good luck.

[Jonny550]

yep thats my process

1. wash,dry
2. clay
3. SIP on a PC with an orange pad
4. P085rd on a blur
5. Jet-seal 109 ..give 24 hours to bond................................then any good wax out their such as pinnacle




btw i dont suggest you using Power finish first try using the SIP first and it does not do the job ( witch i highly doubt) than jump to the PF

[pander5]

I agree with Jon, I use SIP and a white pad for my BSM but I don't have too much to correct. SIP works great for me on the same color paint.

[absix]

So I have to let Opti-Seal cure for 24hrs before applying the wax?

The dust/residue is being removed with QD and MF, correct?

Thanks a lot! I am very excited!

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by absix

So I have to let Opti-Seal cure for 24hrs before applying the wax?

The dust/residue is being removed with QD and MF, correct?

Thanks a lot! I am very excited!

You got it. Keep us posted on how everything turns out. Snap a couple pics if you can.

[Envious Eric]

Originally Posted by tdekany

Your paint is very hard. You will need an orange pad. This paint is also very tricky. Make sure you look at the "corrected" area from as many angles as needed to make sure that you didn't leave ani rids behind.

Good luck.

AMEN to that!!!!

I am working on one right now, will finish it tomorrow evening...I thought it would be a lot softer paint than what it is. SIP wasnt getting the deeper stuff out, so I stepped up to 105 and orange! Works like a charm! followed up with 205 on a megs yellow, the FPII on a blue and the results are flat out amazing! Tons of gloss and wetness!

Ill throw up a spread on it a little later in the night tomorrow!

[absix]

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

AMEN to that!!!!

I am working on one right now, will finish it tomorrow evening...I thought it would be a lot softer paint than what it is. SIP wasnt getting the deeper stuff out, so I stepped up to 105 and orange! Works like a charm! followed up with 205 on a megs yellow, the FPII on a blue and the results are flat out amazing! Tons of gloss and wetness!

Ill throw up a spread on it a little later in the night tomorrow!

What's 105? Gees, I think I mentioned it's my first detail

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by absix

What's 105? Gees, I think I mentioned it's my first detail

105 = Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut Compound

[absix]

Flex XC3401VR

Menzerna Intensive Polish (Power Finish) - P0 85 RD 3.02
Menzerna Super Finish PO106FA
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra Cut Compound
Pinnacle Souveran Carnauba Paste Wax
Menzerna Top Inspection
Optimum Opti-Seal

Lake Country CCS DA Orange Foam Light Cutting Pad (6.5 inch) x4
Lake Country CCS DA Black Finessing Pad (6.5 inch) x4
Lake Country Snappy Clean Citrus Pad Cleaning Powder) x5

Uber All Purpose Microfiber Towels x 12
Terry Towels
Eurow Shag Weave Microfibre Towel 10-Pack (10x 12x16 inches)
Terry Applicator Pads (twin pack)

3M Tape 3434 Professional Masking Tape 25mm (1 roll)
3M Tape 3434 Professional Masking Tape 19mm (1 roll)
Meguiar's Triple Duty Detail Brush (single)

P21S Finish Restorer Metal Polish

Einszett Cockpit Premium (500ml)
Einszett Rubber Care (Gummi Pflege) (100ml)
Einszett Plastic-Vinyl Cleaner (500ml)

#00 Very Fine Steel Wire Wool
P21S Finish Restorer Metal Polish
Gloves

Am I missing something here for the first detail? The focus will be on the paint, but I got some stuff for the tailpipes and the interior.

Thanks!

[Envious Eric]

I would get a couple of white pads for between the orange and the black. I know some people do it, but I think its too big of a jump and the results are usually a lot better (that is, in essence, going from a 2 step to a 3 step as well though)

105 on orange
106 on white
85rd on black

that would be my combo!

[absix]

Thanks Eric.

[absix]

Hey folks,

I am nearly ready to test this on my girl's titanium silver E87 120d, lol.

I did the searching but couldn't find a definitive answer about the speeds with Flex.

A few (3) drops of SIP, then with the Flex off, I spread it across 12x18 area, then work it slowly on ??? speed for a couple of minutes, then turn the speed down at ??? for jeweling (how long?)?

Do I have to prime a brand new pad with SIP/PO106FA a maybe a mist of water before starting with the few drops?

Same thing applies for the PO106FA?

Can I apply the sealant with the Flex? If yes, at what speed and I should move the Flex a quickly then when polishing?

Same question as above about the Wax (Pinnacle Souveran)?

And last question, you do the SIP on the entire car, then the PO106FA, then ISA wipedown, then the sealant/wax and not on a panel by panel basis?

Thanks a lot!

[absix]

[UncleWede]

I personally ALWAYS keep a spray bottle of water on hand to keep things a little damp when I'm working. One or two spritzes on the pad before I put it on the panel.

Put your sealant/wax on by hand. The wax, you might try it literally with your hand.

Best regards,
Wede