Am I doing this in the right order?

[Lydia]

Just detailed a white Grand Prix GT yesterday, and I wanted to make sure I had the order of products and the products used right. I've used products in the wrong order before or used two products when I could have just used one so I want to make sure this is right. I used:

Whole car:
DC Car Wash
Smooth Surface Clay
DC Car Wash again (because I didn't wipe off the QD and also I wanted to make sure the car was clean)

Hood, spoiler, bumpers:
ScratchX (2-3 times)
DC 1
DC 2
DC 3

Rest of the car:
Cleaner wax
-OR-
ColorX

Tires/wheels:
Some kind of wheel cleaner
Hot Shine Tire Spray

Headlight covers (black ones):
PlastX

The reason I did the DC system on only part of the car is because that part was the worst and I didn't have time to do the whole car with the DC system. Besides, my arms were getting sore .

Thanks in advance for any advice!

On a side note, I detailed a black Gold Wing motorcycle that was being sold (spent about 15 hours on it) and the guy that picked it up complimented me on it quite a bit (warm fuzzy feeling). He told me if I ever came down to where he was, I should bring my stuff because he had 4 cars that I could detail.

[TH0001]

Yes you did good. A couple quick pointers if I may...

You could skip DC1 after using ScratchX, because the cleaners in ScratchX (abrasives) are much more effective then DC1.

ColorX is an all in one product (think DC1,DC2,DC3), only less effective. You used it on the areas that needed the least cleaning, and used your dediciated process on the worst areas.

Sounds like you did a great job. How did you apply the scratchX?

[Murr1525]

I would say in some ways, ColorX can be more effective than DC#1.

It might have been a little repetetive on the hood with both cleaners, but if it did the trick, then no big deal. Shouldnt need to do it again for a while that way.

Should be able to use DC1 on its own in the future, or just ColorX everything. I really like ColorX topped with a regular wax when short on time.

[Lydia]

Should be able to use DC1 on its own in the future, or just ColorX everything.

I'm a little confused about being able to use DC1 on it's own in the future. Just use DC1 and then what? Wax? Can I skip the clay?

Maybe I shouldn't even worry about that and just use ColorX and a coat of wax since I usually don't have much time. I just want to know what would be better to use when I DO have extra time...(I guess these questions apply to what I should use on my truck too lol)

Thanks TH0001. It's encouraging to hear something like that from someone who knows about detailing. My friends think I know a lot about detailing, but I'm just finally realizing how LITTLE I know. It's strange how it works like that....

I applied the ScratchX with some old (but clean) hand towels. Rubbed it in very well until it was almost gone, then once the spot on the towel started getting a little gummy, I would switch to a clean spot.

Also I had another question. The spoiler has a VERY small space underneath it for the air to go through (in fact it looks like air couldn't go through...the only way I found out there is a little tiny space is when some of the water I was rinsing it with ran underneath it). Some crud got stuck underneath the edge of the spoiler. In the future, how should I deal with something like that? I tried to clean it very well, and I even tried using a stiff bristled brush to get the crud out. It looked pretty clean but then every once in a while when the edge of my microfiber hit the place where the spoiler meets the trunk lid, I would knock out a little crud. Also, water got stuck under the spoiler and very slowly dripped out, looking a nasty brown color. It was quite annoying since I had the car nice and clean and polished and then in a while there would be a brown drip line. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks so much for the help and sorry for the long post!

[Murr1525]

You're doing fine with your detailing, nothing to worry about.

I should be more clear when I type. I meant to say you will be able to use DC#1 without the ScratchX beforehand. You used 3 different products to clean the paint that time, but since you got the paint into good shape, you will only need to use one at a time. Either DC#1 followed by polish, wax, or a cleaner/wax.

Here are two routines I use, first being a 'full detail' and the other being a 'quick detail'. I maybe do the 'full' deatail twice a year. The 'quick' one a lot more often.

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - DC#1 / ScratchX if needed
4. Polish - DC#2 at the moment
5. Wax - #21
6. Wax - #21

1. Wash
2. Clay if needed
3. ColorX
4. Wax - #21

Obviously you can substitute your favroite polish and wax. But maybe that answeres your question.

As far as getting into tight places, you might have to get creative. Maybe you can fold a towel over a ruler.

[Lydia]

OK I think I understand now. Thanks for the help!

[MotorcycleDetailing]

Lydia, What did u ise to detail the motorcycle?

Thanks
Trev