Dacp

[jcma81]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this board and relatively new to detailing. I got great info from RockPick over at f150online.com but have a few questions still. I'm currently using the professional line of products. I have a few swirls left that wouldn't come out with #9. I was looking around and found a product called Poorboy's SSR2 but wanting to stay with the Meguiare's line I was told that DACP would be euivalent to the SSR2. My question is does DACP have to be used with a PC? Poorboy's advertises that the SSR line can be hand applied. I really want a PC but I'm still a little scared of messing up the paint, plus PCs seem pricey after all the pads and bonnets, so I'd like to stay with hand application for now. Thanks

[Black_Cat]

I must admit I am still very novice but from the threads I have read I am 99% sure that DACP can only be applied with PC. I am sure some of the more experience guys out there will let you know for sure.

[detailthis]

Hey jcma81,

To get excellent results with DACP you need to use a PC. A PC won't mess up the paint either, because it oscillates rather than spinning in one direction like a rotary. #81 Hand polish or #82 swirl free polish might do the trick if the swirls are not too deep.

[Rockpick]

detailthis offers some very good advice concerning additional products that are available within the Professional Line that may or may not take care of the scratching/swirls that DACP wouldn't get. Also, you might consider going back over the areas that are a problem once or twice more with DACP rather than going and purchasing an entirely new array of products.

DACP is a very nice cleaner polish which can take care of a large amount of surface defects including swirls but, unfortunately, no one on the market makes one silver bullet that kills everything. Fortunately, DACP is safe enough, in the right hands, to get a good amount of the swirls and scratches that irritate us the most.

Application with a PC is no problem at all when it comes to DACP but, when you start stepping into the realm of compounds (which are considerably more agressive, relatively speaking, than the cleaner polishes from Meguiars, it would then be necessary to take a step up to a rotary. Unfortunately, a rotary should only be utilized by a very skilled, very experienced person and thus, if you're a 'newbie', I'd stick with the PC (which, by the way, is an EXTREMELY GOOD TOOL and I wouldn't do without mine personally).

Good luck and I'm sure you'll have others chime in and offer more advice. Thanks for joining us here at MOL!

RP :D

[CrobarCars]

jcma81 - Welcome to MOL!
You sound familiar with Poorboy's products...DACP would come in between SSR2 and SSR3 ~ consider DACP = SSR 2.5.

DACP is an excellent time tested, very consistent performer. Consider it a Staple in the detailing business! Application with a PC would be mandatory in order to work in and breakdown the product correctly. Good Luck in your work.

[Rockpick]

Originally posted by CrobarCars
Application with a PC would be mandatory in order to work in and breakdown the product correctly. Good Luck in your work.

While I, personally, tend to agree or at least lean into agreement with using a PC to properly break the diminishing abrasives found in DACP down, Meguiar's does say that this product can be utilized by hand.

My take on this is that you'd only want to attempt this on small scale areas as it would require a considerable amount of 'elbow grease'. So, again, in short, if you're doing a large area, W-8000 or W-9000 pad and a PC is going to help you to enjoy your results a little more than doing it by hand and wearing yourself out.

RP :D

[Bri9801]

I have to concur with RockPick on this one. It may be possible to break down DACP by hand, but I'm sure not going to try. I know how long it takes to break down with a PC so I can only imagine how long it would take by hand.

I guess if I had a small localized are that needed it I might give it a shot though, but certainly not for a whole vehicle

[jcma81]

A little off topic here, but what would it cost roughly to get everyting I need to get along with the PC. It seems that I can get one off various sites on the internet but they alll come with different things and I'm not really certain what I need. I noticed another thread by Mike Phillips that Meguiar's was going to have a package deal for members. I looked at the one they have on the Megs website and it was very expensive.

[jcma81]

Oh and I want to say thanks to everyone these answers are specific and replies where quick. Thanks a lot. This place is great!

[gb387]

Originally posted by jcma81
A little off topic here, but what would it cost roughly to get everyting I need to get along with the PC. It seems that I can get one off various sites on the internet but they alll come with different things and I'm not really certain what I need. I noticed another thread by Mike Phillips that Meguiar's was going to have a package deal for members. I looked at the one they have on the Megs website and it was very expensive.

Here is what I did and this might give you an idea:

Porter Cable 7424 @ Amazon $119.00 (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004SUQ8/qid=1082599501/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/002-5650874-6862446?v=glance&s=hi&n=507846)
Meguiars Backing Plate and 3 Pads $32.95 (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=W-DAV99)

Then the products you might want to pick up to get you started.

Might seem a little on the $$$ side but I have found it was well worth the investment... Yes, call it an "investment" by using the PC you will keep your vehicle looking its best and keep the finish in top condition all the time... when you turn around and sell it you will get that much more for your vehicle and the PC will have paid for itself. The vehicle will look well taken care of because it is/was! Believe it if you want but its my though on the subject, may not totally be correct!

[jcma81]

Thanks gb387, great looking truck.

[Rusty Bumper]

Originally posted by gb387
Might seem a little on the $$$ side but I have found it was well worth the investment... Yes, call it an "investment" by using the PC you will keep your vehicle looking its best and keep the finish in top condition all the time... when you turn around and sell it you will get that much more for your vehicle and the PC will have paid for itself. The vehicle will look well taken care of because it is/was!

I agree with gb...The PC is the best detailing tool I have ever had, and it is very easy to use.

[jcma81]

Cool, I may have to invest in one. Hopefully Mike can arange a good deal, to make it easier on me.