My 1st detail job

[roaringlion]

Well today i spend quite a considerable time detailing the exterier of my car, noway near as good as you guys (your gods of detailing to me ) but its a hell of alot better than it was. I still (personaly) see/feel alot of inperfections ie. swirl marks and some pitting and also not as glass like (to the touch) as i would like but i guess it come to technique and practice and aslo not to mention a few more products as i only used

Soft Wash Gel
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (which i much admit i did have to put 2 to 3 coats on a few sections that where still faded and oxidised
Deep Cyrstal Wet-Look Polymer Sealant
also a butt load of passion, sweat and elbow grease

So, the real test is when it rains sometime this week and how long it wiill take for theh contamination to build up to rediculas levels before the weekend.
So i guess as question has arose with can i use a quick detailer mid week to keep the shine up and then go to a 2 step programme of wash and polish (DC wet-look polymer sealant) or should i use a seperate polish? and also can i wax using a quick detailer after the polish?


Anyway i would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to the people of this forum whom have helped me in answering my questions esspesialy Murr and Mike Phillips thanks guys you rock, i would also lile to thank Meguiars for their awsome products

[SiriusRIMZ]

I think I speak for everyone when I say...




Congrats on your first detail!

[roaringlion]

Sorry, didnt know i needed to post pics aswell

Dont supose the questions will be answerd either then i guess?

[SiriusRIMZ]

Sorry I must have overlooked your question...

This is my thought about it, others may think differntly.

It really depends, most of the time the Wax will act as a sealer and the water will bead off your finish, but eventually, you will need to clean it. QD is great for clean-ups. I wash my car about twice a month and all the time inbetween I use some NXT Detailer. I'd almost encourage using a QD rather than a full wash because there is less chance of marring a finish.

For my usual washes, I'll decide what needs to be done. Bare with me here as I have just switched from applications by hand to the G100. I used to use Scratch-X, then DC2, then NXT or any wax of your choice, for my routine wash. Now I'll use #80, or if theres no marring, a pure polish like #7, then wax, or in my case, #21.

I would not use QD as your 'wax' per say, however some QD followed by an application of NXT Spray Wax would go the step beyond most as to preserving that "just washed" look and protection. If you have the time and are dedicated to it, go ahead and QD and Spray wax, though it may not take much less time than a full polish out.

[roaringlion]

Hey no problem Sirius, just that im still very new to using Meguiars and the results i have gotton yesterday where pretty damn good and i want the look that i got to get better and i know it wil take time and some working out to get the right products and order. I also want to point out that i havnt used a wax yet as i was told that the DC wet-look is basicly a wax as well, but i want to get the shine that i have created (even though i can stil feel some roughness/pitting and its not as smooth as i would like it to be, swirl marks i can live with as im a daily driver anyway). May i ask why i shouldnt use QD as i mentioned before that i didnt use a wax in my 1st detail because i was told that the DC wet-look was basicly a wax anyway so that was why i was asking to use a QD mid week plus over here in australia we dont get NXT spray wax, we only get the QD and NXT speed detailer (not sure what the differance is). Also there was a question on about the polishes that i queriedaswell

[SiriusRIMZ]

QD Mid week would be ideal. I use NXT Speed Detailer, as its all I can find in my area, but I'm sure they are very similar in their intended purpose.

To remove the roughness and pitting you might want to try a clay bay. Do you have access to a Quik Clay or even some Clay Magic? This should remove many bonded pollutiants. If possible, you also might want to pick up some Scratch-X, as it could remove a good deal of swirls you have.

[Murr1525]

Yeah, ScratchX will be able to help with swirls, and even the oxidation. But I would really encourage you to track down some sort of clay.

You would want to use a polish, like the DC#2, after the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, and before the Wet-Look Sealant.

I try to wash weekly, or so, and I use a spray wax after most washings. You cant fine QuickWax or Nxt Spray Wax?

The QD will add back some shine, but wont add any protection, etc.

[roaringlion]

Yeah we do get the newest clay bar system over here the Quik Clay Detailing System but i cant be buggered using it because im a daily driver to a factory and ive also found out we to get the Quik Wax also the Deep Crystal Polish but it said the DC Polish should be followed by the DC Wax but you've said that the DC wet-look is basicly a wax anyway didint ya Murr? so i guess theres no need go go and buy a seperate wax. Do i really need to use the DC Paint cleaner again, a week after i used it? i thought i only need to use it every 3 to 4 months? I'll use a spray wax mid week and after my weekly wash, probebly the Quick Wax

[Murr1525]

Yes, you can use either:

1. DC#1
2. DC#2
3. DC Polymer Sealant

or:

1. DC#1
2. DC#2
3. DC#3

Both will work fine.


Using the Paint Cleaner/Polish every 3 - 4 months should be fine. Since it is a daily driver, I'll say more on the 3 side.

If you get the polish, you'll want to use the cleaner to remove the previous wax.. basicaly starting over. So you might want to enjoy your results a little first.

Some people dont mind doing a complete wax job after washing. I get too much junk on my paint (daily driver), so since the QuickWax is gentler to apply, I dont work dirt in like I would with a regular wax.

[Murr1525]

BTW, I just noticed you mentioned about wishing the paint felt a little smoother in the first post. That last bit of roughness is what the clay is going to get rid of.

It does seems like a pain to all these steps to a daily driver, I certainly take shortcuts where possible for my car.

[roaringlion]

Originally posted by Murr1525
Yes, you can use either:

1. DC#1
2. DC#2
3. DC Polymer Sealant


Using the Paint Cleaner/Polish every 3 - 4 months should be fine. Since it is a daily driver, I'll say more on the 3 side.

If you get the polish, you'll want to use the cleaner to remove the previous wax.. basicaly starting over. So you might want to enjoy your results a little first.

Some people dont mind doing a complete wax job after washing. I get too much junk on my paint (daily driver), so since the QuickWax is gentler to apply, I dont work dirt in like I would with a regular wax.

Ok so the following weekend (not this 1 comming but the next) should i

1. DC#1
2. DC#2
3. DC Polymer Sealant

But for this week i'll just use

Wash
DC Wet-look
Quick Wax

then next week i'll

wash
1. DC#1
2. DC#2
3. DC Polymer Sealant
4. Quick Wax

Looks like a looooond day the following weekend, hope its not in the mid to late 30's or into the 40's that weekend (thats degrees C)
Also whats a good engine cleaner, everyone seems to just use a degreeser

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

From Meguiar's, you have two main choices for an engine cleaner/degreaser:

Safe D-Greaser

Safe D-Greaser



Super Degreaser

Super Degreaser




Once dry, use Meg's Hyper Dressing at a 3:1 dilution rate for the engine compartment.

Hyper-Dressing



Hopefully, you can locate the above products in Australia.


Tim

[Murr1525]

You just need to use the Quick Wax after washings, not directly after the DC Wet Look.

Dont need to add extra steps to a long day

[roaringlion]

Why not directly after the DC wet-look?, what is the differance between DC wet-look and a wax like DC#3? and can i ask a question about cleaning applicator pads, what is recomanded to clean those?

[Murr1525]

The Quick Wax is only a booster, to restore shine/gloss/slickness, and a little bit of protection.

You are not going to need to boost/restore anything right away.

For the foam applicators, I just hand wash with dish washing liquid. For the Even-Coats, I am just starting with them. I washed them by hand a bit to get the big gunk off, then on the gentle cycle in the machine. Seems ok, but I am not sure.