Got a PC 7424 For My Birthday! Now What?

[Snakepit]

Woke up yesterday morning to a wonderful surprise...the GF ordered a PC 7424 as a birthday present! Wooohooo! No more buffing by hand!

Anyways, I need to get some kits to go with my new toy and I've been looking at different swirl removal kits at the Autogeek site that's under $75. Looks like they have some Pinnacle and Poorboy's kits that might fit my needs.

Looking for some advice on which one I should go for? Any big differences with these brands? Personal experiences?

[zaxjax]

If I had 75.00 to spend on polishes I would go with Menzerna.

SIP - 37.99

PO85RD - 29.99

You get a free gift with both!

[PixMan]

I agree with zaxjax, I also really like the Menzerna stuff. However, your car (if it's the '95 540i) probably has deeper swirl marks than what the SIP can get out.

When I did my '02 530i with 125,000 miles and number of New England winters on it, I started with the Super Intensive Polish PO83Q and orange foam pads I got with it. I followed with their Super Finish PO106FA on white pads.

It looks MUCH better, but I know now that I should have started with their Power Gloss S34A. It's more aggressive cut would have gotten all the deeper scratches out that the SIP didn't, even with going over some areas as much as 4 times.

[MJFX328]

Buy some good pads. White, waffle pads are good.

[Snakepit]

Are the Menzerna polishes idiot proof? I'm going through the stickys about detailing and it looks like the SIP and Klasse AIO might be a good starting combo for taking on some moderate swirl marks and scratches. Yep, the 95 540i is the car I'm working on and I really just want that red finish to 'pop' again.

It also looks like I have to buy another backing plate for the new pads after realizing that the PC only came with one white pad/backing plate? Is that stock white pad ok for just waxing?

[Meghan@autogeek]

I would not use the white stock Porter Cable pad. If anything keep and you can pull a Microfiber bonnet over it for wax removal. Menzerna would be great choices, along with Wolfgang or XMT polishes. I would get the 5" backing plate and the 5.5" CCS Pads.

Porter Cable Accessories...
http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-foam-pads.html

5.5" Pads are on sale right now....
http://www.autogeek.net/ccs-5-5inch-foam-buffing-pads.html

And here is the 5" backing plate
http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html

[Snakepit]

Do you think the Menzerna SIP/Nano combo with the Wolfgang sealant would be overkill on a 14 year old car with a finish that's far from "showroom perfect" with all the tiny rock chips and clearcoat failure?

[Zaks]

Snake I would highly suggest Meguiar's polishes... they're somewhat idiot proof in that they work well in most temperature ranges as well as with pads, machines, etc., while Menzerna requires some skill to work properly... I use Meguiar's and Menzerna polishes after trying out 4-5 others such as Optimum, 1Z, Poorboy's, etc... I always reach for Meg's when Menzerna acts up... at the end of the day though, you'll have to just pull the trigger on something simply because 10 different people will give 15 different opinions and you'll be lost... Meguiar's is by far the most user friendly product, especially when it comes to polish, and I'm sure many can attest to that

As for pads, etc., I would definitely start with what Meg posted above... 5.5" LC pads with the 5" backing plate.. orange, white, green and black should be enough to get you started... maybe 2 of orange and white, and 1 of the rest...

[Snakepit]

You're right. I really should just pull the trigger. Well, here's what's in my cart right now...

Menzerna SIP w/ 2 Orange Light Cutting CCS Pads
Menzerna Super Finish Nano with 1 White Cobra Cross Groove Pad
5" DA Velcro Backing Plate
Klasse AIO (Can I use this as a sealant before wax?)

I'm also leaning towards Poorboys Natty's Carnauba wax (just the regular one, not the blue or red).

Any opinions before I checkout?

[GT35Rm3]

I have used menzerna for a long time and love it. As long as you follow the instructions its some what idiot proof

[Starscream88]

menzerna is great but pricey, I save mine for those "special" occations,

The poorboys SSR range is also very good and reasonable,
I also know autogeek is runnig a sale right now on a very well equipped poorboys bundle with a lot of polish and wax and a few pads,
$64, can't go wrong with that!

[eurotunerwerks]

poorboys does not compare to Menzerna imo. if you want to do it right and spend less time, get the tools that will get the job done, imo.

[Starscream88]

I agree, but its still a very good product,

Don't get me wrong I love menzerna but suggesting a cheaper alternative is all I was offering

[WCM3]

I just started detailing, and I picked up some Poorboys SSRs. They worked very well on my M3 (See my detailing thread). I was looking to try the Merzerna on my 335i after hearing so much good stuff about it, but that's another $100. Because of that, I think I'm going to stick with the Poorboys because it did a great job on my avus. Once I'm out of that, I'll switch to the Merzerna products.

In your case, I would start with Merzerna so you aren't buying anything else down the road. Maybe some SIP, and 106FF. That's the combo I was going to get. Also, you might want to try the CCS 5.5" pads. I order from both Autogeek and Glimmer Glass. They both are quick with the delivery and have great products!

[eurotunerwerks]

I just started detailing, and I picked up some Poorboys SSRs. They worked very well on my M3 (See my detailing thread). I was looking to try the Merzerna on my 335i after hearing so much good stuff about it, but that's another $100. Because of that, I think I'm going to stick with the Poorboys because it did a great job on my avus. Once I'm out of that, I'll switch to the Merzerna products.

In your case, I would start with Merzerna so you aren't buying anything else down the road. Maybe some SIP, and 106FF. That's the combo I was going to get. Also, you might want to try the CCS 5.5" pads. I order from both Autogeek and Glimmer Glass. They both are quick with the delivery and have great products!

you could just opt for SIP.

[Snakepit]

Well, I placed the order and you'll all be glad I found a reasonable middle ground:

Menzerna SIP w/ 2 Orange CCS Pads
Menzerna 106FF w/ 1 White Cobra Cross Groove Pad
Poorboy's EX-P
Poorboy's Natty's Blue Wax
5" DA Velcro Backing Plate

Came up to $119 plus shipping. A bit more than what I was planning on spending but hopefully I wouldn't need anything else for a long while. I already have the Meg's GC shampoo, Meg's Ultimate QD and clay. I should be good to go once the shipment arrives. Besides, thats still less money than what I would've spent having the car polished and waxed by somebody else.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[eurotunerwerks]

Well, I placed the order and you'll all be glad I found a reasonable middle ground:

Menzerna SIP w/ 2 Orange CCS Pads
Menzerna 106FF w/ 1 White Cobra Cross Groove Pad
Poorboy's EX-P
Poorboy's Natty's Blue Wax
5" DA Velcro Backing Plate

Came up to $119 plus shipping. A bit more than what I was planning on spending but hopefully I wouldn't need anything else for a long while. I already have the Meg's GC shampoo, Meg's Ultimate QD and clay. I should be good to go once the shipment arrives. Besides, thats still less money than what I would've spent having the car polished and waxed by somebody else.

Thanks for the input everyone.

You should enjoy that combo. It seems like a lot. but when you detail your car once, it pays for itself. Now just detail ONE car for a friend or family and you are making money on the deal while at the same time getting the satisfaction of doing the detail.

[alexlakeman]

Go with Menzerna