Never-Enough

Going to attempt to remove the scratches, swirls & water spots myself. I got some of the water spots off by hand with Meguiar's Ultimate Compound so we're not that bad.
What pads and products should I go with?

I'd like to stick with Meguiar's if possible. Should I go with M105 or skip right to M205? Do I even need to go that far or maybe start with a less abrasive product?

When I polish & wax by hand, I use Klasse, Meguiar's NXT Wax & Meguiar's Ultimate Polish. So I will be using them with the buffer too. I'm just looking for suggestions/advice on what products I should use to get rid of the swirls, water spots & scratches.

Hopefully I don't destroy any paint w/the buffer.

LS9Drew

Try the 205 first see the results it gives you, if they are good enough in your eyes just do that. More than likely you will need to go with 105 and a cutting pad preferably a MF cutting pad then follow with a foam pad and 205 then hit it with or sealant or wax of choice

Never-Enough

Thanks. Which cutting pad(s), though? Just from looking at what is available, I see several different types of cutting pads.
Also, which foam pads are you recommending?

LS9Drew

Get Meguiars Microfiber Cutting pads and then either buff & shine or lake country polishing/finishing foam pads. Where are you buying from I can try and look for links there if you can't find them

Never-Enough

Usually AutoGeek, but am certainly open to other avenues if they have better pricing.

JLayer

I have used both M105/205 and Merzerna PO85/SIP combos. I was more impressed with the Merzerna combo when it came to removing swirls/scratches and it didn't leave a lot of residue like the Meguiars products.

As far as pads go, I use the Lake Country foam pads. I don't have any complaints with them. Colors were orange, white, and black. You'll need a minimum of at least 2 of each to do your car. Cut with the Orange, Polish with the white and black.

Make sure to finish up with a sealant and wax afterwards. I not lying when I say the wolfgang 3.0 sealant is amazing. Unbelievable how much depth and gloss I got after applying that stuff after my polish.

LS9Drew

Get some of the Black pads
http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-edge-pads.html

Then some MF pads

http://www.autogeek.net/5in-microfiber-cutting-discs.html

Then a brush for the MF pads
http://www.autogeek.net/padtool.html

Never-Enough

So use those MF pads w/the M205?

I just looked at the Meguiar's DA Correction System that those MF pads are "supposed" to go with (1st time I knew this stuff existed) Now I'm wondering if I should use that correction system & finishing wax instead of going with the M205.

LS9Drew

You would use the MF pads with 105 or D300 either one will be fine M105 does dust really bad tho. I'd stick to 205 to polish/finish down if you want to use meguiars products

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

What size is your backing plate ??? You want pads that are typically .5 inch bigger to avoid the side of rotating head hitting paint. I have always been partial to 5.5 inch pads from Lake Country called Hydro-techs and using a 5 inch backing plate.

We guarantee the best pricing ... no need to shop anywhere else !

http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polishers.html

Never-Enough

AFAIK, the backing plate it comes with is permanently attached to the included foam pad so I have to buy another backing plate regardless.

Looks like the Meguiar's MF pads either come in 5" or 6" no 5.5"

Never-Enough

So D300 then M205 & finish with the wax of my choice?

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

you will find the consensus is that 5.5 pads work best with the Porter Cable. So I would consider the Lake Country offering. If you really want Megs get a 5 inch backing plate and use their 6 inch pads.

LS9Drew

Ya 5" MF cutting pads with d300 then Lake country foam with m205, then your choice of wax. Remember to get a pad brush as well.
First test out 205 to see the results that gives before jumping right to the D300/MF pad combo. No reason to create more work if your happy with the results of just 205

Never-Enough

Never-Enough

Ordered LC pads (orange, black & white) as well as the Meguiar's MF pads.

For product, I ordered M205 & their D300. I will try the 205 first and see what happens.