Basically, the Pro Line (numbered products) are divided into two groups, each with two main subgroups:
1: Standard (non-clearcoat) paint
A. HAND application
B. MACHINE application
2. Clearcoat paints
A. HAND
B. MACHINE
MACHINE-use products have fewer/finer abrasives than HAND-use products
STANDARD-paint products are more abrasive than Clearcoat paint products.
You can use MACHINE products by hand, and Clearcoat products on standard paint, but doing the reverse is generally not a good idea, unless you have A LOT of experience.
Unless you have a shop, ther'es no need to go through the entire product line-up
The average home detailer (with a car that's has clearcoat) should have the following products on hand:
Consumer Series:
Body Scrub...limited use for first time detailing on older, less maintained cars.
Cleaner/Wax... all around good, removes tar etc. Great if you have limited time to work on the car, cleans AND protects in one step 2 thin coats are better than 1 heavy coat.
Professional Series:
CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING:
1. #3 Machine Glaze...great for good to fair paint finishes (mostly taken care of). Mild polish, multiple coats are safe & recommended...gives NO protection
#7 Show Car Glaze (my personal MUST have)...SLIGHTLY milder than #3. Multiple coats increase the depth and gloss of the paint. Removes or fills mild scratches. Cannot be buffed too much, will not 'dry' leaves a slight film on paint (smears). NO PROTECTION VALUE
*same as consumer series Step #2 Polish*
#9 Excellent for high gloss Black, or dark cars. Hides/removes spiderwebbing. NO PROTECTION VALUE
Any of the above polishes is a must for the best possible gloss/depth. Like I mentioned, I am fond of the #7..it's almost impossible to buff it too much, and leaves the paint looking like it was just sprayed on and still wet.
*I just did my 2002 Cavalier with it yesterday, and the paint looks so wet, it seems like it's about to drip*
For protection, I skip the Meguiars line (although the #20-polymer sealant & the Gold Class Carnuaba are reputed to be excellent). I prefer to use Finish First ( a synthetic www.finishfirstusa.com ) although I do use Liquid Glass or Mother's pure Carnuaba w/o cleaners.
On most clearcoat paints, you should never really have to go more abrasive than the #3, multiple coats of this will normally do a much better job SAFER than using a high abrasive.
**LESS IS BEST** meaning ALWAYS START with the least abrasive product, otherwise you may create more problems than you fix.
I hope this makes sense, forgive me, I had to get the kids off to school, and I'm tired (bed, here I come).
Really, all you SHOULD need is a bottle of Cleaner/Wax, a bottle of #7, and the protective sealand of your choice. With just those three products, you should be able to get your car showroom or better and keep it that way.
Don M
'02 Cavalier LSSC
2200 DOHC