My car was detailed by a friend

[broken1]

A friend from a local car forum offered to do a once over full detail of my car (as he wants to use it to advertise his new detailing service)

He did a short write up, so I thought I'd post it here (all done with Meguairs Products)

When the car arrived, these are the pic's that I took.
You will notice that in direct sunlight the car had
alot of mirco scrathes, as well as lots of swirls.
This is caused mainly due to the incorrect washing
technique, and very abbrasive material cloths to wipe
the car down. Most of these scrathes where above the
clear coat, but some area's needed more attention,
and time to remove them.

The car arrived at about 08:30, Broken and I then
chatted abit, while we waited for his dad to arrive
to fecth him. During this time I inspected the car
for serious defects, although its difficult to spot
if the car is dirty, you have an idea before you
start working on the car.






Once brokem had left, it was time to start working,
the first step was getting the car clean, so I rinsed
the car down, using a pressure hose, with meduim
pressure, I then processed to spray the wheel,
withthe meguiars " Hi -TECH" all wheel cleaner,
which is clear coat safe.

Once I had removed all surface dirt, from just
risning, I processed to wash the car down,
using the NXT Car wash.





Once the car was washed and rinsed, I then
used the Super Asorber Cloth to clean the car
down. Now that the car was clean, I pulled the
car out into direct sunlight to inspect the
finish closer. I then taped up a small
section on the bonnet to perform the test spot,
I believe by doing a test spot you firstly, save
alot of time, and most importantly you can then determine,
if you have the right products / skills to complete
the job, Imagine doing the entire car, only to find
that, you wasted your time, and the swirls etc are still there!!




After taping the super plush terry cloth to the
bonnet, I began my test spot.



I first clayed the area
Then used a mirco fiber cloth to remove access QD
I then slapped on my W8006 Polishing pad to
the orbital
I decided to use #80 , speed glaze, from the
Meguiars professional range, as this has a
enough abbrasives to beakdown the swirls and
scrathes, and it also the least aggresive product
I have in my arsenal of Meguiars stuff.




After making to passes using the W8006 pad and
#80 Product, I found that I was working well,
to remove the blemishes.




I followed this process through the car. thereafter
I processed to apply a pure polish by hand and
by using an applicator pad, I then buffed off
using a Super Plush Terry Towel, and then Waxed
the car using The NXT WAX to seal in the rich,
reflective finish.






Products Used:

NXT WASH
CLAY
#80 Speed Glaze
Pure Polish
NXT WAX
W8006 Polishing pad
W9006 Finishing Pad
Hi Tech Wheel Cleaner
Super Plush Towel
Micro Fibre Cloths

Total Time : 7 Hours


I think the results are excellent. My regular maintenance has been lacking, due to the cold here (we get cold this time of year) and I wasn't going to say no to a free clay/polish/wax :-)

I just hope I can maintain the standard with no machines (I haven't managed to buy a PC/Orbital buffer yet - they quite pricey here)

What do you guys think?

[Murr1525]

Looks good. I thought he might have tried some #83, but #80 seemed to get most swirls out.

You have a few options to keep it looking good by hand. Be sure to read these threads over first:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

One of the most important things is high quality towels, sponges, etc.

As far as products to use, you could do two different approaches:

1. Wash - Gold Class, Nxt Wash, etc.
2. Clay as needed
3. Clean - Deep Crystal #1
4. Polish - Deep Crystal #2
5. Wax - Nxt wax, or any of your other favorites.
6. Wax - Remember 2 coats is best.

OR:

1. Wash -
2. Clay as needed
3. ColorX, or perhaps it is called ColourBoost in your area.
4. Wax - Nxt wax, or your favorite wax.

Both of those procedures, done every so often, will keep the car looking top notch.

After future washings, when the coat of wax is still good, you can follow up the wash with either a quick detail spray, or spray wax.

How to Get Great Results Using Meguiar's Spray Waxes

[broken1]

Thanks for the tips :-)

I've got all the products you've mentioned except the deep crystal no1 and no2 (cleaner and polish)

I'll go pick some up as soon as I can find (product availablitly is a slight problem here, and the meguiars website hasn't started online sales yet - they are in the process)

As for cloths, I've got quite a few - but plan on getting many more in the near future!

Oooo...can't wait till my car needs some attention again...