Which products to use.. Nubie question?

[sawulook]

Hello folks,
I have a couple of quick questions to ask and need some help. I apologize in advance for my Newbie questions.

I have a 1998 Lexus GS400 with a color that most do not see (Color of the car is: Antique Bronze Mica.). I am very new to detailing and would really like to take my car to the next level.
1. How do I know what detailing product to use on my paint. It looks as thought it was taken good care of but is a little toothy and not as slick as it use to be.
2. I use car wash every time I wash it instead of dish soap which is bad to use from my understanding.
3. I am interested in claying the car to get out all of the fall out and other artifacts that are hidden in the paint. I am kind of scared to try this since I don't want to mess anything up.
4. Is there a detailers book that I can buy or do I just go by trial and error.

I plan on showing my car this year and would like to get that clean, glossy finish on my paint and would like to do it myself rather then paying someone to do it. When it comes to this car I am very picky about how things are done to it.

I would like some pointers on how to start and finish my car to have that show car look that I have always wanted. I really want my car to stand out and to resemble my license plate name: sawulk

Your help is greatly appreciate!

Best regards,

Sawulook

P.S. I would really like to attend the class at Meguiar's but I am not certain when the next one will be.

[sneek]

welcome to MOL
1. don't really understand your question you should use the 5 step program
1)wash - NXT wash
2)clay - Quiik Clay
optional wash - NXT wash
3)paint cleaner - DC1
4)polish - DC2
5)wax -NXT tech wax

2.yes dish soap is bad use megs DC or NXT wash
3.very hard to mess thins up when claying just use plent of Quik Detailer
4. no i dont think there are any books but there are the meguiars videos and you can always ask questions on this fourm

also if you want a really ultra nice shine you could try M21 -never tried it myself but just do a search and you'll quickly find that M21 makes a black car look like its made of chrome

hope this helps
-Pat

[sawulook]

Thanks Pat,
I really dont know much about detailing so your help and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I am just afraid of screwing up my paint as I once did on my accord when I tried to use the high speed buffer. To say the least, I burned the paint in a few places and after that I just gave up. Now that I have found this website, I am hoping to gain some knowledge on how to and what product to use instead of just picking up stuff off of the shelf at my local Pepboys.

Since I will be showing my car next month, I would really like to prepare it nicely since it will be in one of my sponsors booths.

Your help was greatly appreciated.

Sawulook

[sneek]

hmmm try using a dual action polisher! almost impossable to burn paint! try the Meguiars G100 DA or the PC 7424

also for show
try 2 coats of NXT or M21
and for an even better shine top that with #7 ( it wont give you any protection just an amazing shine)
if i was you i would go for M21 !
good luck!!

[sneek]

i couldnt find the links until now this should answer some of your questions
Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
How to Clay Paint
Topping NXT
there are more but i just cant find them right now

[Tim Lingor]

Hey sawulook


Welcome to Meguiar's Online!!

Here are a few links that will help you get started, and lead to some of the things Sneek commented on above.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Why Meguiar’s Recommends Polishing Paint

How To Wash Your Car using the Two Bucket
Method

How To Clay Paint

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Hopefully the above links will give you a good start. Please feel free to post questions and we will do our best to answer them!

Tim

[sneek]

heheh just beat you too it but you have more links than me !

[sawulook]

Sneek & 2hotford:

Thank you very much for the infomation and the links.

I will read them tonight to see where I need to start first.

Again, thank you very much and thank you for guiding me to the basics and where to start.

I was just lost with all of the information, I guess I need to do some reading for the next few days.



Sawulook

[Murr1525]

It can take a while to read, but dont stop asking questions.

Just a couple thoughts:

Claying is the most fantasitc thing you will ever do. Just use the Meguiars Quick Clay, which is nice and mild. People thought I had just waxed my car the fisrt time I did it. Then I cleaned/polished/waxed the car!

No books yet. We are all eagerly awaiting word of Mikes Phillip's book, but not out yet.

[sneek]

lol mike needs to write a book or make a video !
mabe even for the consumer line!

[sawulook]

Thanks guys,

Wow, I didn't know there was so much information on detailing a car and the different types of waxes and cleaners to use. I will have to continue reading more and more each night to figure out what all to do.

I plan on doing the 5 step program to begin with and then once I have had a little hand on experience, then I will get into the DA part.

I am just in Awww right now with everyones informative information.

Again, thank you!

One quick question; Since my car color is a brown or bronze color, how will I know when to stop claying? Do I just go by feel or do I continue to use until the color brightens up?

Thanks,

Sawulook

[Murr1525]

When I use the clay, this is what I do, but there are a few different ways to do it.

*. Cut the clay into 2 or 3 peices. If you drop a piece, throw it out.

1. Wash the car.

2. Rinse it down get all soap off, and give it a once over with a towel, to get the big spots.

3. Pick a section, and start claying. Spray some QD on the clay, then onto the panel, and slide the clay along the surface. There will be some friction at first, then it will start sliding very easy. Once there is no more friction, move on.

4. Hose that section down, and move onto next section, etc, till finished. I just try to keep everything wet, and hose the QD off.

5. Clay paint first, then glass, then trim, then wheels if you want to do all of them. Never use clay from your wheels anywhere but on wheels, so do them last.

6. Hose down entire car, and dry everything off.

7. Then procedd to clean/polish/wax, etc.

You may be able to do 3 cars with a piece of clay, but only get one car per bottle of QD. Use the QD, dont be skimpy.

You'll get the feel for it pretty quick.

[sawulook]

Thank you Murr1525,

I am going out to the store tonight to buy the clay and QD spray unless it comes together, then I will buy the package.

After I have clayed the car, I dont was it again to get everything off?

Once I am done with the clay, do I just throw it away or can I use it on my other car? (White Expedition?)

Sorry about all of the questions.



Sawulook

[Snowman]

^^ There is no need to wash your car once you have clayed it, just make sure to buff off all the QD that you lubricate the surface with and you can probably get a good 2 or 3 uses out of a bar of clay BUT that just depends on how contaminated the vehicles are.

PS- Just remeber to keep working the clay as you are doing your vehicle so that you get clean clay with each swipe. In other words constantly kneed the clay as you do the job.

[Murr1525]

Meguiars Quick Clay (box with Clay and Lube in it) can be very hard to find. You may have to order it online, or from Meguiars. I did. In a pinch Clay Magic is ok. I dont like Mothers.

You'll have to see it yourself, but you'll see dirt on the clay. When it looks kinda covered in dirt, sort of fold it over on itself, to expose new clean clay. When this dirt starts reapearing when you fold, time to get a new piece.

As for other cars, you can work two ways.

* Cut the clay bar into 2 or 3 pieces.

1. Clay your cars paint, then glass, then trim, then wheels with one piece, and throw it out. Then clay the second car with a second piece.

OR.

2. Clay your cars paint, glass, trim with one piece. Then get a 2nd piece for wheels. Then, use the first piece for the other cars paint/trim/glass. And the 2nd piece for the wheels.

You just cannot bring breakdust up onto your paint.