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Did I do the 5 steps correctly?
Hi all, I am new to detailing and want my car to look good (since it can't go fast, lol). I've read threads here and on Autopia, and watched Barry Meguiar's video, and I have to thank you guys for giving me such valuable info.
So this is what I did after learning the 5 steps of car detailing, and what I used. Please tell me if I did it right. My car is a dark shade of silver-grey, what Mistubishi calls "titanium". It is a daily driver that is parked 24/7 outdoors. I worked in a wash bay of a local car wash the entire time so it was cool and out of direct sunlight.
1) Wash
I rinsed the entire exterior with pressure washer. I then used a Versa-Angle Body Brush on the body with a bucket of Turtlewax Zip Wax carwash (an old bottle that I want to finish up) and a bucket of water to rinse the brush between applications. Then I used a Versa-Angle Wheel Brush and Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner on my factory alloy wheels and brushed the tire walls while I was at it. Next, I pressure rinsed the entire car. I dried the body with a synthetic chamois (Absorber), the wheels with a generic terry cloth, and the engine bay with another terry cloth.
2) Prep
I used the Quik Clay on the entire car starting from the top, hood and trunk lid. I then used ScratchX in conjuction with a High-Tech Applicator and an Ultra Plush Super Terry on the entire hood, top and trunklid, and spot treated scratches on verticle surfaces.
3) Polish
I applied Deep Crystal #2 Polish on the hood, top, trunk lid and wherever I applied ScratchX, with an Even-Coat Applicator and removed excess promptly with a Supreme Shine Microfiber.
4) Protect
I applied NXT Generation Tech Wax on the entire car with an Even-Coat Applicator and let dry. After that I removed excess wax with a SS MF, and buffed with a clean side. I also apply a small amount of NXT Generation Tech Protect on rubber trim and the tires with a High-Tech Applicator, starting with trim.
5) Maintain
I usually use the Quik Detailer that came with the Quik Clay, along with a SS MF, on the entire car. It's spring and I have to do it so often due to the high amount of pollen in the air and occasional rain.
Next I also did some interior work...
1) Engine
I pressure washed the bay and sprayed a liberal amount of Greased Lightning Orange Blast (a d-limonene degreaser). I let it do its work while I wash the rest of the car. I come back later and agitate with my VA Wheel Brush (after rinsing it, of course). Then I pressure wash the entire bay again and dry with a generic terry cloth. Finally I apply a coat of NXT Gen Tech Protect on plastic and rubber parts with a High-Tech Applicator.
2) Carpet and Upholstery
I spray a liberal amount of Interior and Carpet Cleaner, wait for half a minute, and wipe off repeatedly with terry cloth. Of course, I vacuum the floor and wash the rubber mats (for winter) separately. I also use masking tape to stick up hair and lint.
3) Glass and Mirrors
NXT Generation Glass Cleaner and Duo-Fiber Glass Towel. Works great.
I never really finished the carpet and upholstery because they have been neglected and I use up all my terry cloth towels before I can finish even the front door panels and seats! I'll continue when I am free. Also, I clean the external glass whenever I QD the car. I permanently have a SS MF, a Duo-Fiber Glass Towel, a bottle of QD and a bottle of NXT Gen Glass Cleaner in my trunk.
Please tell me I did it correctly.
By the way, I noticed that ScratchX is not really as powerful as it is advertised. I could remove very minor scratches with one to two applications, each time buffing until the compound disappears. But for slightly deeper scratches I simply could not do anything except to smooth out the edges of the scratches a little. But that said, I managed to remove most of the marks on my front bumper that was left by another car during a small parking incident.
On another note, the QD + SS MF combo works awesomely all the time. They are definitely staples in my carcare kit. I am wondering if the NXT Gen Speed Detailer works the same way, and more important, if it works well with the clay bar as a lubricant.
To sum it up, my car looks better than 99% of the other cars in my neighborhood, thanks to Meguiars products. It was $100 well spent.
Here is a couple of pictures of my car after all the hard work...
And the day after. Notice how the pollen in the air is starting to dull the shine.
So this is what I did after learning the 5 steps of car detailing, and what I used. Please tell me if I did it right. My car is a dark shade of silver-grey, what Mistubishi calls "titanium". It is a daily driver that is parked 24/7 outdoors. I worked in a wash bay of a local car wash the entire time so it was cool and out of direct sunlight.
1) Wash
I rinsed the entire exterior with pressure washer. I then used a Versa-Angle Body Brush on the body with a bucket of Turtlewax Zip Wax carwash (an old bottle that I want to finish up) and a bucket of water to rinse the brush between applications. Then I used a Versa-Angle Wheel Brush and Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner on my factory alloy wheels and brushed the tire walls while I was at it. Next, I pressure rinsed the entire car. I dried the body with a synthetic chamois (Absorber), the wheels with a generic terry cloth, and the engine bay with another terry cloth.
2) Prep
I used the Quik Clay on the entire car starting from the top, hood and trunk lid. I then used ScratchX in conjuction with a High-Tech Applicator and an Ultra Plush Super Terry on the entire hood, top and trunklid, and spot treated scratches on verticle surfaces.
3) Polish
I applied Deep Crystal #2 Polish on the hood, top, trunk lid and wherever I applied ScratchX, with an Even-Coat Applicator and removed excess promptly with a Supreme Shine Microfiber.
4) Protect
I applied NXT Generation Tech Wax on the entire car with an Even-Coat Applicator and let dry. After that I removed excess wax with a SS MF, and buffed with a clean side. I also apply a small amount of NXT Generation Tech Protect on rubber trim and the tires with a High-Tech Applicator, starting with trim.
5) Maintain
I usually use the Quik Detailer that came with the Quik Clay, along with a SS MF, on the entire car. It's spring and I have to do it so often due to the high amount of pollen in the air and occasional rain.
Next I also did some interior work...
1) Engine
I pressure washed the bay and sprayed a liberal amount of Greased Lightning Orange Blast (a d-limonene degreaser). I let it do its work while I wash the rest of the car. I come back later and agitate with my VA Wheel Brush (after rinsing it, of course). Then I pressure wash the entire bay again and dry with a generic terry cloth. Finally I apply a coat of NXT Gen Tech Protect on plastic and rubber parts with a High-Tech Applicator.
2) Carpet and Upholstery
I spray a liberal amount of Interior and Carpet Cleaner, wait for half a minute, and wipe off repeatedly with terry cloth. Of course, I vacuum the floor and wash the rubber mats (for winter) separately. I also use masking tape to stick up hair and lint.
3) Glass and Mirrors
NXT Generation Glass Cleaner and Duo-Fiber Glass Towel. Works great.
I never really finished the carpet and upholstery because they have been neglected and I use up all my terry cloth towels before I can finish even the front door panels and seats! I'll continue when I am free. Also, I clean the external glass whenever I QD the car. I permanently have a SS MF, a Duo-Fiber Glass Towel, a bottle of QD and a bottle of NXT Gen Glass Cleaner in my trunk.
Please tell me I did it correctly.
By the way, I noticed that ScratchX is not really as powerful as it is advertised. I could remove very minor scratches with one to two applications, each time buffing until the compound disappears. But for slightly deeper scratches I simply could not do anything except to smooth out the edges of the scratches a little. But that said, I managed to remove most of the marks on my front bumper that was left by another car during a small parking incident.
On another note, the QD + SS MF combo works awesomely all the time. They are definitely staples in my carcare kit. I am wondering if the NXT Gen Speed Detailer works the same way, and more important, if it works well with the clay bar as a lubricant.
To sum it up, my car looks better than 99% of the other cars in my neighborhood, thanks to Meguiars products. It was $100 well spent.
Here is a couple of pictures of my car after all the hard work...
And the day after. Notice how the pollen in the air is starting to dull the shine.
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