Is it ok to do this?

[Trigger]

Alright, I am going to be polishing my car using a PC with SSR 2 and followed with 2.5 and then using P-W-C followed by a coat of EX.

I don't have a ton of time before I move down to Santa Barbara (Sunday)... and wonder if tomorrow morning it would be ok *for the car's paint* to get it cleaned at some kind of place that you drive through. I know that it really isn't a good choice compared to washing it myself, but I really don't have a lot of time and want to get right into all the work I have to do on it... would the "drive through company car wash" be an ok choice?

Thank you for your help.

[bigron62]

its your car you can do what you want. i would stay away from the ones with the spinning brushes. they have washes with the swinging cloth type things . also ask the attendant not to take that brush to your car it will scratch it . you are going to do a multi step on it anyway . maybe take youre own towels to dry it .

[CharlesW]

Originally Posted by Trigger

Alright, I am going to be polishing my car using a PC with SSR 2 and followed with 2.5 and then using P-W-C followed by a coat of EX.

Following SSR2 with SSR2.5 seems out of phase to me unless you have some secret process I'm not aware of.
Unless you have some bad marring, I would use SSR2 followed by PwC and then the EX.
If you do feel the need for SSR2.5, I would use it first, then follow it with either SSR2 or SSR1.

I have used SSR2 and didn't feel any need to follow it with SSR1, but there are members that do feel it is a good idea. :dunno

Charles

[joyriide1113]

i suggest not, for the car isnt always fully clean. u can always wash it tho, risk the chance of embedding scratches that wont come out with the ssr2, and just qd the panel before u begin polishing. i would very much rather wake up 15 minutes earlier, and give it a quick thorough cleaning. im sure driving, leaing the car, picking it up would take more time.

if energy is u're issue i hear red bulls have gone down to 1.29 at 7-eleven

[JaredPointer]

I would agree with everyone about staying away from the swirl-o-matic, but in your case, if you just have to do it, you will at least be setting yourself up for the removal of all the marring anyway. I'd still try to stay away from it though.

Also, as Charles pointed out, start out with your SSR2 and if that doesn't cut it, step up to the SSR2.5. There's no need to do the whole car with the 2 and then do it again with the 2.5 - reverse the order if you feel the need for both. If you go SSR2.5, you could probably follow up with SSR1 for a better, and more complete looking finish.

Good luck!

[Picus]

Just make sure it's a touchless. You'll likely have to go over some spots yourself with a spray bottle afterwards, but that's life. I know how it is.

As the other mentioned, unless you have some decent defects and swirls go at it with SSR2 and a polishing pad. If 2/3 passes with that doesn't work try 2.5 and a polishing pad. If that doesn't work step up to 2.5 and a cutting pad. That will remove quite a bit, so you should be good by that point. Problem with 2.5+cutting pad is you almost always get hazing and have to follow it up with 2.5/polishing to remove it. So only use 2.5+cutting if you need it. If 2+polishing does it you'll be LSP ready right after that, so you'll only have to polish once, which is nice.

Enjoy the PwC and EX, I love that stuff.

Enjoy, and good luck!