Pika817

So I finally got courage to clean my car by myself.

1. Cleaned the wheels.
2. Washed and dried the car.
3. Clay barred the whole car (scary)
4. Applied Mother's Pre-Wax Cleaner, buffed off
5. Applied Mother's Sealant and Glaze, buffed off
6. Applied Mother's Caru*something* Wax, buffed off.
7. Applied Mother's Leather Cleaner, buffed off.
8. Applied Mother's Leather Conditioner, buffed off.
9. Applied Rain-X Anti Fog.
10. Dusted interior, applied 303.
11. Shined tires.

In total, it took me about 7 hours.

Unfortunately, it's too dark for me to take pictures - AND IT'S RAINING OUT, GODDAMNIT!

exceldetail

LMFAO! Thats terrible!

Pika817

Sigh, but it was sunny when I started! Oh, and I vaccuumed and the interior and scrubbed the mats.

BTW, I had to take the car to work today, so it's dirty again.

Pika817

Oh, before I forget, how long should the entire process take (according to what I've done)? 7.5 hours seems a bit slow, but my arms were getting really tired by the time I was on the sealant step.

Is there anything you can recommend to speed up my process? (i.e. different products, using a machine buffer, etc.)

Thanks in advance.

exceldetail

A PC 7336 SP would have possibly cut all your polishing and paint work in 1/2. Not to mention your arms would still be alive....

Pika817

I'm guessing that there are no steps that I can eliminate?

Question: A PC 7336 SP is ....a ??? and do you sell those?

exceldetail

Its a Random/Orbital polisher....And yes, I actually have ONE left. I think you will find most avid detailers here, as well as elsewhere use one. Is it a necessity? NO. Is it a time saver? Yes. Does it offer something unequal to polishing by hand? Yes, about 10 fold. Its manufactured by Porter Cable, and its twin is the 7424 which contains a #5 counterweight vs the 7336 Sander/Polisher which holds a #6 counterweight. The differences in counterweights relates to backing plates, which is relevant to pad size.......The larger pad, the larger backing plate, the larger the counterweight. How large is too large? I wouldnt venture over a 6" BP with a 7" pad. I just dont think the PC has the ability to EFFECTIVELY remove scratches and swirls as would a 6" BP/6.5" pad or a 5" BP/6" pad. They may be small incraments but its a world of difference. Using a 3.5" BP and a 4" pad, one has to actually excercise some caution.
Are they safe? Very safe for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Can they cause harm? Sure, but you have to work at it. Who can use one? Anyone with the ability to operate a belt sander or cordless drill will find extreme value in ownership. Your car will thank you, and your neigbors will be quite envious!

Hawhyen51

There are numerous threads about the PC, just run a search. It's well worth the investment for any enthusiast and weekend detailer. BTW, here's how it looks

stogie1020

Step one: Build Shrine


Step Two: Put PC in Shrine


Step Three: Worship

zzvi3ti3oi83zz

man, very nice job done to the Type S.
I got mine (same) car almost 2 months but haven't done anything. Where do you get all the washing / wax supply ? And can you tell me wat is Clay barred the whole car ??

Thanks ...

exceldetail

LMAO, aint that the truth!

Hawhyen51

A number of the members here get their products from Exceldetail who just happens to be an authorized vendor. Or you can also try some of the online detail sites listed here.

Automotive clay is a petroleum/resin product with abrasives and used for removing contaminants from paint. More info about claying can be found here or Autopia.

'06 Arctic

Patrick gotta quick question for ya, the counterweight on my PC, 7424, states to use 6" pads only. Is this the #5 or #6 counterweight? Since I bought it through e-bay, I'm not sure if he bought a new counterweight in order to use a 6" backing plate or not. I'm assuming it is the 5? Need to know before I buy the backing plate and pads. Also, IYO, which size is better 6"BP w/ 6.5" pad or 5"BP w/ 6.5" pad? Thanks!

Hawhyen51

The 7424 has a #5 CW for use with a 5" BP which can take up to a 7" pad if I remember correctly. I prefer a 6" BP with Excel Erasure pads. Patrick has the same setup.

'06 Arctic

I agree, I was going to get the 6"BP with the erasure pads, but was not sure if I needed to get the new CW or not since I did not buy this "new" from a store. The guy I got it from bought it as a kit from some detail store down south and said he only used it once. I bought just the PC off of him and am not sure if I got the standard #5CW or if the kit came with a #6. Guess I can just get the #6 CW, 3 bucks isn't going to make me go broke.

exceldetail

#6 CW, 6" BP.
#5 CW, 5" BP.
I prefer using a #6 CW, and 6" BP with 6.5" pads.
The heavier the "set up" (BP and pads) the larger the CW. But as a general rule of thumb, match CW to BP.
To add to the confusion, I will be carrying a 5.5" pad soon......
06, it sounds like the #6 !
Dont arrange your purchase around the CW my friend, its only a couple /few bucks to swap it out.....But I think your good to go with the 6/6.5" setup if you like.

badboy

Lots of info in this thread.

I am looking to get a porter-cable for detailing the car.

From what I understood, one good setup could be a 7336, which comes with a #6 counterweight. Used with a 6'' backing plate and a 6.4'' pad.

Is what I understood correct?

Thanks

'06 Arctic

Gave the "wish" list to my girlfriend and mom for my birthday..... Hopefully orders will be placed soon, if they do't place 'em, I will. Thanks for all the help, info, and great products Patrick

stogie1020

As a newbie PC user, I will second that whole "two of each pad" thing. Except maybe yellow (which you probably shouldn;t get yet anyhow), you will probably find that having two is much better than wanting two.