Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Well, Murray, you may look at it as Kool-Aid but we like to think of it more as a cinnamon-blueberry treat (if you haven't yet opened the two bottles of D300 and D301 since they arrived yesterday, that reference will be lost on you ). The DAMF system is most probably going to be a fantastic choice on your car, and it's quite easy to use whether you're an experienced DA user or not. In fact, learning how to use the DA with this system may have some advantages, primarily getting you in the habit of cleaning the discs regularly. In the case of the DAMF system the discs should be thoroughly blown out with compressed air (or brushed out) after every single pass.

If you want to start out by using just the DAMF two step system, by all means go for it. It can return a beautiful finish, but it was not designed to be a concours level system so there may still be some room for improvement. Of course, that depends on your expectations, how much time you're willing to invest, and how critical your eye is. If you're doing this for money and a customer is only willing to pay for a two step process, then this is a two step that will knock their socks off. But we have no problem with folks hybridizing it and adding the extra step of M205 into the mix if they're looking for extra something. Now, if you do just the two step and decide a couple of months later that you want to play around with the DA some more, that might be a perfect time to jump in with the M205 and a different wax. By that point some of the wax left by D301 will have degraded naturally (as all waxes and sealants do) and the finish really shouldn't require the major correction of D300 again. Unless, of course, you're in serious need of washing/drying technique adjustment, but that's something for a different thread!

Above all, take your time, and have fun.

[Murman]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

"a cinnamon-blueberry treat"... Yes, you got me. So, I had to open the product. Color and scent coded. The Meguiar's design team is dialed in.

I will evaluate the DAMF system and see where things go from there.

[Murman]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Tomorrow I am going to wash the car using the two bucket method, prep the surface (clay bar/detail spray) and sub-surface (D300) of the trunk lid and polish the trunk lid (D301).

The car really needs a bath and the trunk lid is a flat surface that should easily take a shine.

More to follow.

[Murman]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

33*F in the shade when I started. The rinse water was freezing in the spotted shadows that were on the driveway. Claying the hood and trunk lid picked up an amber material (sap? pollen?). Ran the PC DA on 5 and 4 for Compound and Polish. I primed the pads as shown in the AG DAMF video. I think there was too much product at first. The pad did not want to rotate. The trunk lid looks better than before, swirls are gone, bird bomb etching is less noticeable. I will work on the hood in the morning.

[Mark58]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

When using pc you need to keep it rotating little faster to get the pad to rotate.

[Murman]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Thank you. I will increase the speed when I work on the hood.

[Murman]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Using the PC at 6 and 5 seemed to allow the tool to do it's job. It just felt better and seemed easier. The car has a clear bra. I taped off the "bra line" and worked up to the tape. I need to go back and work on that area again. It does not look as good as the rest of the finish. I did not use the DA on the bra.

[Murman]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

During the MLK weekend, my wife and I drove the C5 to San Diego and back. The weather in SD was nice enough to drop the top. The evening of our return, a storm system was entering the NORCAL area. Lots of wind, flying debris, dust and tumble weeds. I woke up the next day to snow on the ground. Perfect timing - except for one dusty car. More wind, rain and snow this weekend. However, the outlook for next weekend looks positive.

I was waiting for a deal on the 3" Griot's DA polisher. I found one for $95 w/ free shipping, but held off. Today, I found the polisher with a bag and other items for $100 w/ free shipping, so I order it. I hope the 3" polisher works well with the Meg's 3" DA MF BP, pads and product.

(3-inch random orbital polisher, 16 ounces of machine polish, a 3-inch orange foam polishing pad, a set of three microfiber polish removal cloths, 16 ounces of Best of Show wax, a 3-inch red foam wax pad, a set of three microfiber wax removal cloths, and a water-resistant trunk bag)

[TLMitchell]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

I was waiting for a deal on the 3" Griot's DA polisher. I found one for $95 w/ free shipping, but held off. Today, I found the polisher with a bag and other items for $100 w/ free shipping, so I order it. I hope the 3" polisher works well with the Meg's 3" DA MF BP, pads and product.

That's a pretty nice package. DA backing plates are interchangeable, so no problem there.

Don't get too excited about correction with the 3"... it can be done with exceptional technique but the 3" polisher really isn't stout enough for serious correction. Moving the 3" backing plate to the PC will produce better results. The 3" GG orange pads correct pretty well, you have to increase pressure while still keeping the pad spinning and ensure you keep the pad absolutely flat against the work surface. The DA MF System works well with the 3" also... your technique just has to be spot on regardless of pads.

One of my favorite uses for the 3" is spreading waxes and sealants. Working one-handed is a bonus, especially in areas where you have to reach like on SUV or trucks roofs. 4" pads are nearly useless except for spreading LSPs. The machine just isn't stout enough to keep a 4" pad turning if you put much pressure on it. A couple of black lines on the edge of the BP provides a reference and allows you to see whether it's turning.

TL

[wig]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Guys,

Gettign ready to buy this system and wonder if I can use maybe a pure polish and some ultimate wax after the D300 compound stage. Planning on using this on my gray Express Van and silver Infiniti and can't wait for spring to accomplish this. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated since I have a range of meguiar professional compound, polishes and waxes and am using their V1 DA.

Thanks,
Wig

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Wig, you absolutely can use a pure polish, cleaner polish, whatever you like as an alternative to D301 on the finishing disc. Don't sell that step short, however, as it is super fast and leaves an extremely nice finish. But, since the system itself was really designed as a volume reconditioning product rather than a high end/concours detailing solution, we fully understand the desire to follow the D300 step with something like M205 on foam and then finish with your favorite wax/sealant.

[wig]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Michael,

Thanks for the info! That's exactly what I'm going to try, D300 followed by M205 and two coat of Ultimate Wax

Wig

[wig]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Michael,

For light swirls, do I use the finishing DA pad with M205 and wax?

Thanks,
Wig

[wig]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Michael,

For light swirls, do I use the finishing DA pad with M205 and wax?

Thanks,
Wig

Just wanted to make sure I need to use the DA finishing pad with M205 for light/fine scratches or swirls.

Wig

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Using Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

You certainly can try the DA microfiber finishing pad with M205 for light swirls, but you can also use M205 on a W8207 foam polishing pad for that. It's hard to say which of the two will serve you better because different paint systems will react differently to the two. If you're just applying a wax, however, we would suggest doing so with a foam pad since the microfiber discs, even the finishing one, will give you some level of cut. If you're refined the surface to a flawless appearance, then applying wax with a foam pad is the better choice.

Remember, this system when used as a system (meaning just the two liquids and two microfiber discs) was never intended to provide a high end finish. It was really designed for volume production work where a truly flawless finish isn't really mandatory, but speed and ease of use is. But people have used it in a hybrid fashion, mixing the cutting step with a higher end refining process (such as M205 on foam) to obtain the best possible finish. How you tweak, adjust and hybridize the process is up to you, but just be aware of how some products might interact, the varying levels of cut you can achieve with different combos, etc.