I just purchased a 09 Acura TL Black and was looking for some advice on what to polish it with. I dont have a huge budget so was looking to get the PC 7424. I was also looking at a 2 step process with Menzerna sip and 85rd. From reading, the acura is soft will this be a good combination? I would like to buy the flex 3401 but the cost is prohibitive at this point. Also, I will be doing my wifes car a 07 chevy tahoe, gold color. Will these same products be fine for that vehicles or would you suggest something else. I tried to do as much research as possible prior to asking the question. Thanks for your assistance. Jim
I am not real sure on the pads, based on my reading it should be sip po83 on white or black pad 85rd on blue 3M UF UK pad, or black CCS pad. Does that work or would you suggest something else? Thanks Jim
It does look like you're on track...You're in for a wild ride doing a Tahoe with a 7424. Just take your time...:shrug: Welcome to DB...:thumb:...:welcomewagon::welcome::welcome2:
Is it going to be that bad with the tahoe? I know there is a pb 7424xp that is coming out shortly. Not sure if that will be any better. Will the flex 3401 save significant time on both of these cars? I know it is much better but there is a cost difference? I keep seeing packages for the polishers and menzerna polish. It shows SIP with 106fa, is the latter a better choice then 85rd with my acrua? Great advice, I appreciate it. Jim
Yeah this is totally fine. The new PC will be slightly better but I think the Flex will be a much more drastic improvement over the PC. I haven't personally tried the Flex but my guess would be that it's worth the price difference if you really value your time. :thumb:
I have one additional question for the board. With my car being brand new, I am assuming a good wash and then clay bar prior to the two step process? Will that be enough or would you recommend more? JIm
Sorry about all the questions, I do appreciate your help. Do I need a sealer after the two step or is what I am doing correct? If I do need a sealant do you have a recommendation based on what I am using? Thanks Jim
Well, you can either use a sealant, wax or sealant followed by wax, it's totally up to you. It really comes down to preference when it comes to your protection.
I had purchased some collinite #845 and Optimum car wax in a spray bottle? ARe either one of these what you are referring to?
The Flex is a great machine and spending the money up front would be the way to go. Denzil is on track about if you value your time. That is a part of it but you also want to have fun and enjoy what you are doing. Theres nothing like the end result after all that hard work. You really need to think about things a little before you jump in. Everything you do is costly. You buy a wax and don't like it then there's X amount that you can't use until you sell or trade or not. Good luck to you. We are all here to help you in any way that we can...:thumb:
The Flex is definitely worth buying. It could take you 2-3 days to 2 step polish your Tahoe and that's clocking in a full day on it each day. Spend the extra money and buy the Flex now. BTW, I would think that the TL being new off the dealer lot should not be that bad. You may not need a 2 step on it, but it's hard to say without seeing it. I would definitely recommend claying also. Menz Power Finish 203 is a nice 1 step polish that may work for your TL also. It doesn't give you the same higher gloss as some of Menz's other finishing polishes, but it is a time saver.
Absolutely. Unless the Tahoe is really, really bad, you should be able to do both cars with Power Finish.
So is what you are saying to clay it and then only use menz power finish 203? I had planned to do sip and 85rd but it sounds like that might not be needed. I will be getting the flex, especially after the comments on the tahoe. This will be my learning car sounds like a lot of learning. i assume since this car has never been polished or waxed, the sip and 85rd will be okay. It is goldish tan color. On the TL, I dont mind two step but if that is a waste for now, what would be the best 1 step you would recommend? Jim
This is where polishing becomes a blend of art and science. On the Tahoe, pick out a 2' x 2' section (usually on corner of hood), and use the Flex with white pad (Lake Country or similar from someone else) and the PowerFinish. Work it until it breaks down (turns clear and showing just a light haze on paint) and then check your work. Ideally you back it out of the garage into full sun. Gold and silver colored cars tend to hide swirls, scratches and marring more than other colors, so make sure you look at multiple angles. See if your satisfied with the results and go from there. For grins, you can always try the SIP to see if it give you any additional benefit. Heck, you could even use the same white pad for the SIP. Starting out, you just need to try a few different pad/polish/speed combinations and see what works based upon clearcoat "toughness"/amount of "defects"/ etc.
I am just about set with all my products. Going to wash, clay, clean, polish and wax my new acura tl and 07 tahoe this weekend. Do i need a paint cleaner after the clay or will the old wax come off, if any from the wash and clay? What is the best way to get the old wax off? Thanks Jim
