Starting Car detailing

[JET_Fusion]

If you like the carnauba look, go with the Gold Class. The difference in durability isn't THAT big compared to ULW. There is a difference worth noting, though, with ULW you don't have to worry about getting product on the non-painted surfaces---that is no white residue on the plastic trim.

[ffpmme]

Ok so did the car yesterday and it looks great!!! Had a rain storm last night and it bead like glass. First I washed it with Gold Class Wash!!! Love that stuff. Then clay. That was ok, did not do what I expected it to do. Then Ult Compound. WOW!!! That stuff turned it so smooth it was awesome. Then 2 coats with the Ult Wax. Since this was all done by hand, needless to say my right shoulder hurts today! I am thinking of putting a coat of Hi tech #26 over the ULW, to give it a nice wax look. Any thoughts??

Also what about polish? I was looking between ULT polish and and #7 glaze. Is glaze the same as polish? Or should I use something like #205 Ultra finishing polish. Where would this go in the steps? How often do you need to polish? I used compound this time, I am thinking I would not need to do anything until April? I am going to get a DA/buffer before then, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how often to do what. Thanks

[Murr1525]

Ok so did the car yesterday and it looks great!!! Had a rain storm last night and it bead like glass.

Well, thats most important..

First I washed it with Gold Class Wash!!! Love that stuff. Then clay. That was ok, did not do what I expected it to do.

What did it do? Or what were you expecting?

Then Ult Compound. WOW!!! That stuff turned it so smooth it was awesome. Then 2 coats with the Ult Wax. Since this was all done by hand, needless to say my right shoulder hurts today! I am thinking of putting a coat of Hi tech #26 over the ULW, to give it a nice wax look. Any thoughts??

Just personal preference. Maybe only do it to one fender/door and leave the other fender/door so you can compare.

I think it is a bit of a shame to cover up the UW hydrophobic properties, but all up to you.

Also what about polish?

Sure... esp a cleaner/polish would be good, as you shouldnt need the strong cleaner every time.

I was looking between ULT polish and and #7 glaze. Is glaze the same as polish? Or should I use something like #205 Ultra finishing polish. Where would this go in the steps?

The naming of those things gets tricky, and even worse between companies. Just as well to ask what they do if not sure.

Ult. Polish is a mild cleaner/polish, so some cleaners and good bit of oils.
#7 is a pure polish, so only oils.
#205 is a mild cleaner/polish, just a hair stronger than Ult. Polish.

So using #7, you would want some kind of cleaning step first. With the cleaner/polishes, you would be combining steps. And for a modern clearcoat, the UP/#205 would have plenty of oils.

How often do you need to polish?

When I do a detail, I try to cover everything one way or another. So my cleaning could come from a cleaner/polish, or it could come from a cleaner/wax. And same with getting some polishing oils from a cleaner/polish, or from a cleaner/wax. And then wax after of course.

As far as how often exactly, that is kind of up to you. Esp now, you will be able to see when the wax seems to be degrading, water not running off as easily. Harder to apply a spray wax, etc, and then you would think of re-doing things.

I used compound this time, I am thinking I would not need to do anything until April?

If you only have dirt to remove after winter, you really wont need the compound at all. The milder products can do that.

I am going to get a DA/buffer before then, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how often to do what.

If you are able to use a spray wax after washing, esp the UQW over the UW, it seems to last a pretty good while, or at least I thought it did over last winter.

[1994Gen1L]

I have found that UP applied with a DA Polisher is a great way to clean and nourish paint.

Another option would be:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Color X
4. ULW
5. Maintain with UQD and UQW

[ffpmme]

Well, thats most important..



What did it do? Or what were you expecting?

I heard claying was the best thing next to the wheel, I guess I had my expentations higher. I still have some old bird poop on the hood that I need to get out now.

Sure... esp a cleaner/polish would be good, as you shouldnt need the strong cleaner every time.


The naming of those things gets tricky, and even worse between companies. Just as well to ask what they do if not sure.

Ult. Polish is a mild cleaner/polish, so some cleaners and good bit of oils.
#7 is a pure polish, so only oils.
#205 is a mild cleaner/polish, just a hair stronger than Ult. Polish.

So using #7, you would want some kind of cleaning step first. With the cleaner/polishes, you would be combining steps. And for a modern clearcoat, the UP/#205 would have plenty of oils.


When I do a detail, I try to cover everything one way or another. So my cleaning could come from a cleaner/polish, or it could come from a cleaner/wax. And same with getting some polishing oils from a cleaner/polish, or from a cleaner/wax. And then wax after of course.

Everything would be meg's products right now. I may mix lines, professional and ult. But that is it. Since I just cleaned with UC I should not have to do heavy cleaning again for another yearish. I guess I am trying to figure out if I can do one then the other in a set time frame. In April I would use a #205 or Ult polish then in September a UC and #7. I work better if I have a set plan and know what to do every time.


As far as how often exactly, that is kind of up to you. Esp now, you will be able to see when the wax seems to be degrading, water not running off as easily. Harder to apply a spray wax, etc, and then you would think of re-doing things.

If you only have dirt to remove after winter, you really wont need the compound at all. The milder products can do that.


If you are able to use a spray wax after washing, esp the UQW over the UW, it seems to last a pretty good while, or at least I thought it did over last winter.

I have the UQW and I will give it a try when I wash the car.

So for my needs right now the steps are

1) wash
2) clay
3) UP or polish /cleaner of some kind ( UC x1 per year)
4) wax

This is for the 3 or 4 times a year.

Every week would be
1) wash
2) uqw

[Murr1525]

I heard claying was the best thing next to the wheel, I guess I had my expentations higher. I still have some old bird poop on the hood that I need to get out now.

Hmm.. for a '00 I would certainly expect it to be needed, unless the previous owner did some caring.

Did the white clay turn up brown? You mentioned it didnt feel real smooth even after claying?

Is the bird dropping on the surface, or etched into the paint? An etching is where you would want the UC.

Everything would be meg's products right now. I may mix lines, professional and ult. But that is it. Since I just cleaned with UC I should not have to do heavy cleaning again for another yearish. I guess I am trying to figure out if I can do one then the other in a set time frame. In April I would use a #205 or Ult polish then in September a UC and #7. I work better if I have a set plan and know what to do every time.

UC once a year by hand wouldnt hurt anything. You can still apply the UC gently, or with more passion. I suppose if anything, after winter is when you would want the UC if your goal was once a year.

So for my needs right now the steps are

1) wash
2) clay
3) UP or polish /cleaner of some kind ( UC x1 per year)
4) wax

This is for the 3 or 4 times a year.

Every week would be
1) wash
2) uqw

Yeah, pretty much. Can always add things in to try and whatnot, but thats the main idea. Though you would tend to want two coats of wax.

You can use UQW after washing, or if you go around once to get the bulk of the water, use UQW while going around again for a final drying.

[ffpmme]

Hmm.. for a '00 I would certainly expect it to be needed, unless the previous owner did some caring.

Did the white clay turn up brown? You mentioned it didnt feel real smooth even after claying?

Is the bird dropping on the surface, or etched into the paint? An etching is where you would want the UC.


UC once a year by hand wouldnt hurt anything. You can still apply the UC gently, or with more passion. I suppose if anything, after winter is when you would want the UC if your goal was once a year.

ok that is a good time to place it after winter salt and grime. Compound, polish and wax in April. and I think they did some work on the paint before, it was not in as bad of condition as I would expect for a 12 year old car.

Yes I think it is etched, It was on the top of the hood, so it was a hard to reach with just a towel and buffer pad. I had a odd scrape on the fender and with the UC and ULT it came out and looks great!

Now my wifes car is in bad shape and I think I am going to need to UC it also. Should I use a polish as well or will a combination product like #205 do? She has a 07 with no paint care.

[Murr1525]

UC followed by a cleaner/polish, or UC followed by a pure polish would both be ok. Just up to what products you feel like playing with.

[andytsang]

Now how do you wax the roof of a SUV??? IS it has diffuclt as it looks?

For my van, I climb up on my 3 steps ladder. I also wear an apron so my belt would not rub against the the van while I lean on the side to reach in. I know it is not that high but I also don't look down.

[1994Gen1L]

I have found that UP applied with a DA Polisher is a great way to clean and nourish paint.

Another option would be:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Color X
4. ULW
5. Maintain with UQD and UQW

Sorry Murr, I read back through page one and noticed you already covered this. That's what I get for checking MOL from the office.

James