Ok, so i'm finally taking the plunge, the DA and all the stuff i'm going to need to really get started.

I need a little help understanding the differences between #80, #82, and #83.
and which ones i should purchase. Also, i notice that the new #205 has similar cutting abilities oand i wonder if i should pick that up, or if the #80's would cover it.

I know i'm gonna get the DA package #3 from ADS, i just would like info on products i should buy as well.

Also, paint reconditioning cream, a good product? I do alot of quick wash/wax jobs for friends/family/neighbors and seems to me that this will be the perfect product for me to use.

Thanks in advanced guys, ya'll are always great help. Considering i've came from washing my truck with beach towells to being OCD!

 

Welcome to the next level

You are going to be getting 80 with your DA package so we don't need to worry about that. 80 is a great all around product to use on removing swirls. If the first pass just doesn't quite cut it you can do a second one and it will work pretty good. To be honest you could get some 83, however I do not know how often you will be using it. Sometimes if the paint is really hard or the 80 just isn't cutting it you can move to 83. It will most likely leave hazing behind and you will have to follow it up with a pass of 80. As for 82, it is less aggressive than 80 however I have no personal info on it since I have never used it. Normally my step below 80 that I will use is 09 swirl remover.

What exactly are you trying to attain here? Just so we can give you a little more info on what to get.

I would recommend getting 07 show car glaze. It really makes the paint pop (it is a polish with no abrasives whatsoever)

As for 205, I have never personally used it (used old formula of 105 but nothing close to 205) however it uses new micro abrasive technology. 80-83 uses diminishing abrasives which means you work the product in and it breaks down. With micro you can in a way control how aggressive you are with the amount of time you use it and your pressure. There is more room for you to control what you want done. I have heard it is a great product, try picking up a sampler.

D151 paint reconditioning cream uses the same micro abrasive technology. I have used it once at a Meguiars Open Garage. It works pretty well to take some swirls out but it wouldn't be my go to product to take swirls out. It also leaves wax behind so its an AIO. I doubt the protection left behind is that great so you would most likely want to follow up with an LSP. The product was made for car auctions where the bring the cars in, give it a pass, it removes some swirls and leaves a small layer of protection around. It is up to you, but I would definitely add another layer of wax after.

So you will be getting 80 with the package, I think that getting 07, 09, 83, and 205 would be a good idea. As for LSP's you are getting NXT with your package. However if you want to put a layer of Carnauba on top of that, I suggest getting some 26

Congrats on getting ready for making the purchase

 

I asked this same question on the Meguiars forum and Mike Phillips suggested M205 over #80. I think my lady bought the 2nd DA package that came with just pads simply b/c she didnt know what products I already had. I hope this helps.

 

I'd get DA kit 2.
105 new formula, 205, 83, 7, NXT, 26, 34

From what I can tell, kit 2 is the same as kit 3 without the product. The reason I would pick that over kit 3 is because the $70 you save can go towards better products. Instead of NXT Speed Detailer you can get 34. Instead of 80 you can get 205 which has similar cut but is more versatile. That combination can be had for about $290. The only thing you're really not getting is clay so you'll need that too if you don't have it yet. It wouldn't hurt to pick up a few extra pads. And ofcourse, quality microfiber towels are a must. Rick at ADS has very good general purpose MFs at a great price but I like the towels from The Rag Shack for anything paint related. There's always Hyperdressing if you haven't jumped on that band wagon yet. APC+ is a great all purpose cleaner. Great for tires and wheel wells. It doesn't hurt to have a couple extra spray bottles laying around either. Especially for HD and APC+. On that note, I mentioned #34 earlier. If you get the gallon, pick up the 16oz as well for the extra $6 so you actually have a way of applying it. The 16oz is a spray bottle.

as far as 151, PRC, I think for reasons you described it would work well for you. It doesn't offer very good protection like, say, Optimum's Poli-Seal, which is another all in one, but it has more cut so it will remove more light swirls. Just don't expect miracles.

I've gone on long enough. I probably forgot some stuff so if I think of anything else I'll let you know.

 

amazing feedback guys i apreciate it.

In my aresenal i already have
HD
#9
#26
#34 plus 2 bottles of UQD
NXT
quality microfibers
and some generic megs consumer line items

So, my only uncertaintys are
1.) When will i use, and if i need 105.
2.) 205 or #80
3.) How many pads to get
4.) and if i need to buy anything more agressive than #80/205, say 83 or such.


And as far as what i'm trying to accomplish, i want a swirl free finish. I have acheived all the depth/gloss that i desire by using NXT and #26. I just want to keep my finish swirl free. And most of the "Detailing" i do is just a wash/wax i will not have any picky costumers, and untill i'm a pro at it i will not claim to be able to produce a swirl free high gloss finish. Just a basic, fairly cheap, wash wax combo. That's why i wanted to pick up D151. It seems the perfect product for that.

 

I think you'd be happier with Optimums Opti Seal but if you don't want to order from a seperate place because of shipping costs, then I think you'll be just fine with 151. If you decide to go with Poli-Seal, Justin at Obsessive Detail is great to deal with and has very reasonable shipping.


So, after looking at your listof what you have, I'd definitely go with the DA Kit 2 as well as 105, 205, 83, 7, clay bar and some APC+ with a couple spray bottles. Then hop on over to www.obsessivedetail.com and get yourself some Poli-Seal and more MFs. The Super Flys are very nice. Ifyou have a little extra to spend, some Optimum Spray Wax as well. I use it after every wash. It doesn't get any easier.

 

I think you should pick up some 105 and 205. Between those two and proper pad selection you should be able to get the desired cut and finish for most situations you'll run into.

No need to overload on product at this point. Spend more time on mastering the machine than trying different products.

 

I believe your right.

Also, will i ever even need a finishing pad? or should i just pick up 3 polishing pads.. I still plan on waxing by hand, and i believe that's all the finishing pads are for.

And my previous order already set me up on spray bottles, and all the waxes/extras i need atm. This order is DA and DA products only. Tryin to stay 350$ and below.

So Far its...
1. DA package #2. (3 polishing pads? no finish pads)
2. Gallon of #34
3. 32 oz. #105 (out of stock, may buy 12 oz sampler)
4. 32 oz. #205
5. 32 oz. #151 Paint reconditioning cream
6. Blue mild clay (How big is this bar?)


And i'm debating on..
#7
#83

and... anything else?


ps sorry for all the questions, but this is my big jump, and i want to do it right! And i'm getting started early seeing as im only 18. Gonna get on this bandwagon and hopefully never stop!

and esf; thank you alot. That write up helped. But i know i'm just staying on ADS for now, when my MF's run low and old, i'm definatley hitting up obsessive detail like you said, i've seen and felt their MF's, they are amazing.

 

You should apply 09 with a finishing pad and probably 151 as well.

 

Alright; appreciate that insight. Also, will 105 micro mar with a megs polishing pad? Say if i had a quick wash/wax job to do on another vehicle, would a pass of 105 followed by a coat of NXT do the job or would i need to follow up with something lighter after 105 to really smooth it all out (That's where the 205 comes in)

Haha so many questions, even though 90% of these will be best answered through personal expirience. And that'll come with time.

 

Chances are you will probably have a small amount of micromarring left over so yes you will need to follow over it with 205. 105 and 205 were made as tag team products where you could do 105 and follow it with 205. If you don't follow 105 with something less aggressive you may run into elevatos current dilema which is just a pain because you will have to go back and correct it after you have finished your detail.

Keep in mind, always go least aggressive first. Start off with 205 to see what results you get. Just because there are a few swirls after a pass of 205 doesn't necessarily mean jump to 105, give another pass of 205 in the same test spot. Doing 2 passes can be less aggressive and get you great results, I have done it with 80 a lot (plus if you do 105 you have to do 2 passes anyways, 1 with 105 and another with 205)

It is good that you are setting up a game plan before you make your purchase. Always sucks to order and realize you need to get something else.

 

I know that 205 dosn't have the diminishing abrasives like previous #80 has so, technically i should be able to work the product in longer and harder to get the desired results without a second pass, right? (That's what she said )




and just so everyone can see where i stand this is my cart at ADS


Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut New Version - DA Polisher Approved
32 oz. Meguiar's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish
Meguiar's M07 Show Car Glaze [remove]
Meguiar's Mild Professional Detailing Clay
Meguiar's Hi Tech Applicator Pad 2 Pack
Meguiar's Paint Reconditioning Cream, 32 oz. Sampler
Meguiar's G110 Dual-Action Polisher Express Kit #2
Meguiar's Hot Rims Chrome Polish Liquid

 

I did a test spot over last weekend on a black Nissan Armada. I am going to do the paint this weekend. It is horribly swirled. I played with a couple of combinations and ended up with

Megs yellow SOLO pad with M105.

Megs beige finishing pad with M205 and I was amazed and the quality of the finish in direct sunlight.

I will continue to use M205 with a finishing pad but will probably experiment with a Black SOLO pad on my next order.

I also use a finishing pad with #9 which I won't be using much any longer with M205 out.

FWIW - I would suggest getting a finishing pad.

 

Yes, use firm pressure while working and lighten up with last couple of passes for best finish. This is true with M205 and M105.

 

I just a finish pad on 7 for a burnishing step. I've used it + qd to remove caked on 16 too