TSXHunter05

ok, trying it today for the first time.

washed and clayed the car last night. nxt wash and meguiars clay kit.

question I have though is I have a RED, BLACK and WHITE pads from Excel for the UPP.

I know the red pad is for finish but which pad should I use for the FS SMR? white or the black one?

and at what speeds would you recommend to us my PC at while applying the FS SMR and the UPP.

thanks all.

exceldetail

WHite for sure TSX!
My method of madness consists of applying polishing products at speed 3, then initial breakdown around speed 4, then final breakdown around 5. (I use this the majority of the time......)
As for UPP, go with the red, around 3+.

TSXHunter05

thanks Patrick, and just to be sure I should just do small sections (ie: door or 1/4 panel) at a time with the SMR and then wipe right away?

and the UPP i should do the entire car and then go back and wipe?

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

when polishing, keep your working area small...i usually do the doors in halfs, the hood in quarters and soo on....just keep the areas small so you are being more effective with the polish, you really need to see the polish break down...and then remove the rest with the microfibre, and move on....

TSXHunter05

ok so how long should it take to polish? my car really dosen't have any major swirls or large marks just small stuff

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

if your going to polish out the whole car, then its going to take you about an hour or soo to do it right....if your car is an 05 and its never been machine polished, then your whole car needs to be polished...

when doing the upp, you might not want to do the whole car first, then wipe off, depends on if you are in a dust free location...the last time i threw down some sealant, i noticed that i had some dust settling on the car and i didnt want to rub in the dust with the removal of the sealant....use your discretion....

TSXHunter05

knowing me it will probably take 2. how do you guys decide what to polish and what not to polish?

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

if i am polishing, then i polish everything....if i am just trying to remove a few swirls, i just do them...the first polish should be a full polish to give your finish a uniform look and smoothness plus a good base for that upp....

TSXHunter05

ok well I'm starting now, any other tips

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

beer and music....have fun...

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

oh yea, i would tape off the sunroof and the rubber door trim with painters tape if you have it, not necessary, but helps with the clean up....and dont forget to go over your headlights and tails with the polish and upp....it will make them pop too, i would use a slower speed for them but i go over them everytime....

TSXHunter05

thanks, not a drinker but good metal music on the IPOD is already playing. and yeah I usually do go over the lights and tailights your right they look very very clean. well just got done the passagner side door.

conan777

Post pics so we can enjoy your hard work! If you are able to get the whole car done in one or 2 hours I'll be impressed. WHen using a DA you have to take your time and break down the polish. Check your work the first few passes to see if the swirls are gone. If they are then continue, if not then either work the polish longer or re-apply some more polish and do the panel a second time or bump up the aggressiveness of your pad or Polish till you are happy with the results then do the rest of the car. If you have very minor swirls one pass may be sufficient with a light to med polish with no need for a finishing polish which will def cut your work time down. ALot depends on how perfect you want your paint to be and how picky you are. Good Luck!

TSXHunter05

ok, just got done with the FS SMR, how do I clean the pad now though?

joerockt

UPP requires some time to bond, so you can't just apply and wipe off.

If you really have that much dust accumulate in 15 mins, you should probably be detailing inside a bubble lol...

joerockt

I just wet the pad, squeeze a little dishwashing liquid in it, work it in, rinse and throw it on the PC and let it spin for a few seconds...

However there are better methods im sure using products made to clean pads...

TSXHunter05

i'm getting ready to apply the FS UPP right now, I figure I would apply (im doing all this in my garage) and let it setup while I close the door and cut the grass about an hour and then come back and remove. this should be good right?

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

when i clean my pads, i just soak them in a bucket of carwash soap and rinse out and leave them out to dry for a few days...dont use the same pad to polish as you do to wax, dont cross contaminate them....

i dont know about your house, but if i cut my grass with my garage closed, when i am done and go into my garage my car will be lightly covered in dust from the mower....i would finish up the car first...it doesnt need to set up that long....

i do live in dallas, and we have really weird grass here because of the extreme heat....its really dusty...

TSXHunter05

ok FS UPP is done now, used red pad on 3 to apply everywhere including windows and lights. now letting it set up while playing some street hockey with the boy. your right about the grass thing I'll wait.

TSXHunter05

just removed the FS UPP, damn is she slick as hell now. i noticed alot of white powder while removing, probably because I used to much product first time and all.

joerockt

Wow, you actually made it powder? Waaaay too much...

TSXHunter05

yeah like I said first time and I thought I was using very little compared to when I used my NXT wax

exceldetail

UPP takes very very little, about 1/2oz to do the entire car..........

TSXHunter05

1/2 oz hell I probably used a 1/4 bottle and when I wiped it off I was getting alot of static from the MF too which was a first.

TSXHunter05

are you telling me you meaure out a 1/2 oz put it on the red pad and then proceed to apply to the entire car with just that amount? (red pad and PC on 3)

SupaRookie

a lot of good information in this thread. Take some pictures after you are done detailing.

exceldetail

No TSX! It just means overall, when all is said and done, I (on average) only use a 1/2oz with applications to red pad. A little UPP goes quite a ways.....
All your attempting is ........coverage. Enough to notice an existance on the surface......

joerockt

For a rookie, its probably best because you wont over apply it like you did.

But like a good chef, you'll learn how much to apply in your head eventually.

TSXHunter05

man I have a lot to learn about applying to pads and using the PC its only my second time and this time it was the UPP line.

I have pics I just have to get them uploaded to my PC and then remember how to post them here.

joerockt

4 quarter size dots on the pad is usually enough to do a large section, like the hood and fenders.

TSXHunter05

now the wetglaze danase style, I only have a black pad left, can I use that to put the glaze on? and do I put the glaze on like the FS UPP, thin coat over entire car and then come back and remove with MF?

exceldetail

Black pad is fine. Work it in a little more then the UPP though, in other words, kind of massage it into the paint. UPP you just lay a layer on, but this needs a little slower application.
Do a couple panels, then wipe first panel off. Do 3rd panel, wipe #2 off. Sweet stuff......

TSXHunter05

so would you say a 3 on the PC w/black pad?

exceldetail

Yup! Overlap 50%!

vinnier6

iTrader: (1)

when you work it in, does it not remove the upp or any other stuff you applied first...same goes visa versa....does the upp or whatever else you apply after the wet glaze take it off....no??

just curious as to how i am going to use the wet glaze when i get it...havent gotten upp yet, but plan on it.....

TSXHunter05

i dunno, my plan is to wash the car again then use the Danase WG and then put another coat of UPP overtop. hopefully that will give me the best of both worlds riduclous depth and great durability.

by the way how the hell do I post up pics, I have them but can't attach anything

SupaRookie

register with www.photobucket.com, upload your pictures, and then copy the link where it said "IMG". Paste the link here.

exceldetail

Just like that!