Kudos - Glare professional polish

[Harley#356]

Okay Merlin,

I'm about to tackle this very same combo you mentioned above on my HD truck. Last year I did D300 (red MF pad), BFWD AFPP (black MF pad), with BFWD MS (hand) ("wet ice over sun" combo). The truck is garage kept, so it's still feeling slick, but I'm ready to recharge it. Plus a year of drag racing, there's some swirls and stuff back in it from wiping itdown, cleaning burnout goo off the rear 1/4 panels, etc.

Now I haven't washed my truck in 2-3 years. I always keep it clean enough that it doesn't get to that point. It barely got 350 miles on it last year, this year is probably about the same. It goes out of the garage for a short drive or a track event, then back in the garage, and QD'ed before/after each time. At most after a track event with more rubber/dust flung around it gets waterless wash.

What would you recommend as my starting point? Strip off the BF that may be remaining on the paint? I prefer not to dawn wash so can I use Eraser or the Arnolds Speedy Prep towel? Or can I just start as-is and just start with D300 GPP (red MF), GPP (blue LC), BFWD AFPP (black LC), BFWD MS (hand)? Looking forward to hearing your recommended recipe!

[Merlin]

To start do a QD or wash on a small 24" x 24" section. The put your hand in a baggie and lightly feel the clean paint surface.
Does it feel gritty? If so, you need to clay (Speedy Prep Towel). I use Megs Quick Detailer, DP clay lube or ONR mix for clay lube.
Wash the entire truck & "clay". I would think even garage kept, that after that much time you could have embedded contamination.

In your case, if you're going to polish the paint you may not need to worry 'bout a Dawn wash. That step is to strip off existing LSP.
Eraser is a cleaner to remove polishing oils for inspection when you are polishing paint. It does not have the ability to strip existing LSP.
I doubt that there is any remaining BFWD/BFMS left on your paint after a year. Do not use a car wash that has any type of "wax" in it.
A couple of my favorites are IronX Snow Soap or Zaino Z-7 Show Car Wash. When I do a two step decon I use IronX then I "clay".

I'm not exactly sure what polishing products you have and every paint/polish combo is different but from what I read above.
To do a test spot I'd probably start with...

D300 Red MF (Megs cutting disc)
GPP White LC (Remove haze from D300)
GPP Black LC (Soft finishing pad to fill & finish)

BFWD AFPP Blue LC (Softer finishing pad)
BFMS wax (By hand) "Wet Ice Over Fire"

As I've mentioned before GPP IMHO does not leave the brightest shine but it's warmer and more mellow like a Carnauba.

[Harley#356]

Sounds good!

On the note of bfms, what do you use for hand application? So much focus on pads for buffers, what about the foam hand applicators? Is it as critical since it's not high speed by hand?

[Merlin]

As you know with Zaino Z-2 it is only applied with a quality cotton applicator.
For liquids sealants and waxes BFWD AFPP, Megs Ultimate Wax I use the DA.
They make CCS Gold Soft Jewelling Applicator Pads for apply wax by hand.
As far a a quality foam hand applicator...If it doesn't mar it should be ok.

[Merlin]

Updated list

D300 Red MF (Megs cutting disc)
GPP White LC (Fill & remove haze from D300)
Reflect Black LC (Soft finishing pad gloss & shine)

BFWD AFPP Blue LC (Softer finishing pad)
BFMS wax (By hand) "Wet Ice Over Fire"

As I've mentioned before GPP IMHO does not leave the brightest shine but it's warmer and more mellow like a Carnauba.

Megs M101 has more cut than D300 and less haze in the finish.
Try Megs M101 with the mf disc before/instead of D300
Following GPP with Reflect should add the "bright shine" back.