Randre19

Im interested in buying the PC 7424XP 5" package that includes 2 white polishing pads, 2 orange light cutting pads, Meguiars M205, and Meguiars M105. I've heard great things about this PC and am wondering if anyone knows the best pad/compound combinations for the Lexus Obsidian paint? I read on Detailedimage.com that for softer paints like Lexus you should use M105 with the white polishing pad and M205 with the black finishing pad. All the pads Im referring to are Lake Country brand.

Any input would be great! Just looking for some good combos before I purchase the items.

Thanks!

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

sounds like a great kit... the white pad with M105 will work great. Save the orange pad and M105 for more severe areas...

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

If you've just got light swirls, a black pad with M205 will work great.

Technique makes all the difference when working with softer paint. You'll have to experiment until you find the best machine speed, arm speed, pressure, etc for the best results.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

If you aren't completely set on purchasing M105/205, I would actually recommend Menzerna FG400 and SF4000 as I tend to prefer those on softer black paint.

FG400 on an orange or white pad will finish down VERY well on soft paint, and FG400 is MUCH more user friendly for beginners compared to M105. SF4000 is similar to M205 in terms of cut, but I prefer the DAT products over the SMAT on soft paint.

This was a soft black toyota that I compounded with FG400 on an Orange Pad and then Finished with SF4500 on a white pad.

Randre19

I dont think the swirls on my car are that bad but I'll let you guys decide. It was tough to get some good pics with my iphone (dont have a better camera sorry). The first pic if my fender and thats the best example of the swirl marks. Second and third pic are of my hood and although its hard to tell, there are large circular swirls all over it. Besides that there are nearly no swirls on top (as expected) and only a few on the back of the car.

Would love to know if these are considered light imperfections or worse?

Thanks

Piraiba

iTrader: (3)

Those look fairly light.

PM me if you have any product or technique questions. Where in IL are you? Im up north by Gurnee.

Piraiba

iTrader: (3)

I've done several obsidian black Lexus IS this year... let me tell you something right off the bat, and you are not gonna wanna hear this.

You are dealing with extremely soft paint here. Even if you are the most careful at washing your car and use the best wash technique possible, keeping swirls off that paint will be impossible and it's going to be losing battle every time. I did one that was an 07 IS350, which was one of the worse condition paints I'v ever seen up close. Several more obsidian black models (RX350, IS-F, ES350), they all have horrible soft paint that is easily swirled and marred. Since this is winter time, I suggest you garage the car as much as possible and refrain from using a snow brush as much as you can (I know it's not realistic for alot of people that have to park outside during the day at work), but that snow brush will destroy your black Lexus paint more than anything else most likely. Good luck.

Piraiba

iTrader: (3)

To add to the discussion, Zach's suggestion is great, those are great polishes to use.

My favorite right now BY FAR for the initial cutting step (and also an amazing one step on harder paints) is to use a mixture of M100 and M105. I use 3 parts 105 to one part 100 as that still gives an incredible cut and greatly reduced the dusting produced by using 105 alone. I've tried alot of different combos and this is my favorite by far. If you have the right technique and pad combo it will even finish almost wax ready on even the softest black paints.