Grade My Detailing Procedures

[PIMPaLiCiOuS]

I'm new to detailing. Check my intro post here.

I bought a bunch of stuff, but I want to make sure I'll be using them right.

Actual Truck Wash Plan

1) Wash with NXT Generation Car Wash, including using NXT Generation Tire Cleaner and Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner.

2) Shine tires w/ NXT Generation Insane Shine Tire Coating.

3) Shine chrome (bumpers, door handles, side mirrors) with NXT Generation All Metal Polysh.

4) Clean windows w/ NXT Generation Glass Cleaner.

4) Evaluate truck paint. If needed, clay bar with Smooth Surface Clay kit. If not, then skip to 6.

5) If clay barred, wash a second time.

6) Wax with NXT Generation Tech Wax.

The following is what I think I should be doing everyday, every week, and then every month:

Daily Plan

1) Dust truck and remove any impurities w/ NXT Generation Speed Detailer.

Weekly Plan

1) Clean truck using Actual Truck Wash Plan.

2) Use NXT Generation Spray Wax all over truck instead of the Tech Wax.

Monthly Plan

1) Clean truck using Actual Truck Wash Plan.

Let me know if I should do anything in a different order, or if I'm missing anything, or if I'm doing something stupid.

After looking at all the different products and reading the 5-Step Process again, I'm still confused as to when I should be using the Deep Crystal System Polish. When and why?

And if upon evaluation of my paint, it needs to be cleaned, what is the difference in using a Clay Bar kit OR the Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner. Do they do the same thing? When should I use one and not the other?

Lastly, what product is everyone using for the exterior rubber trim around the windows? Is it OK to use NXT Generation Tech Protect on them? If so, how would I apply it?

Lots of questions! PLEASE HELP!

[PIMPaLiCiOuS]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?



Where is everyone? Detailing? I know its a lot of reading. I just wanted to be specific.

[TH0001]

"Let me know if I should do anything in a different order, or if I'm missing anything, or if I'm doing something stupid."

Everything looks good and in proper order.

"After looking at all the different products and reading the 5-Step Process again, I'm still confused as to when I should be using the Deep Crystal System Polish. When and why?"

DC2 (polish) is a beutifing product that would be used after you clean the surface (via clay or DC1) but before you but on a sealent.

"And if upon evaluation of my paint, it needs to be cleaned, what is the difference in using a Clay Bar kit OR the Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner. Do they do the same thing? When should I use one and not the other?"

The clay will remove bondend contaimments from the surface of the vehicle as well as wax, polish and anything else on top of it. DC1 is a mild mild abrasive with chemical cleaners that will remove very light swirls and clean the old wax out of the pours in the paints surface. Both have alot of overlapping qualities (though DC1 will not remove bonded contaminents)

Wether to use one or the other, when you clay you are removing everything from your previous steps, so it makes sense (if you are anal about cleaning) to go ahead and use DC1 in conjunction with the clay. However, if you deciede you want to strip everything off the paint, but don't feel the need for clay, then you can use DC1 to get the job done.

"Lastly, what product is everyone using for the exterior rubber trim around the windows? Is it OK to use NXT Generation Tech Protect on them? If so, how would I apply it?"

I use Exterior Trim Detailer but you can definetly use NXT Genertaion Tech Protectant on them. Apply it to an applicator pad then carefully apply it to the trim.

"Lots of questions! PLEASE HELP!"

I hope I did.

[TH0001]

"Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?



Where is everyone? Detailing? I know its a lot of reading. I just wanted to be specific."

Relax, its the weekend and your on a detailing forum. Everybodies out working on there cars, this place is slow on the weekends.

[PIMPaLiCiOuS]

Thanks, that was a lot of help. Sorry if I sounded impatient. There's a few items I still need to buy which no auto store has in stock here, so I'd have to order it online, and I wanted them to get here before next weekend (wow, what a sentence).

I actually did find a mistake after re-reading. I should inspect the paint first to decide if I need to clay bar. If not, then continuing "blinging" out the truck. If I do need to clay bar, I should do that before shining the tires and chrome trim because I would wash it again after the clay bar. I was thinking that in my head the whole time, just typed it out wrong.


Since the truck is brand spanking new with no swirls and such, would I just be fine with the clay bar and wax and to never even touch the paint cleaner and paint polish?

[j3ffff]

make sure you wash with the two bucket method, dry with 100% cotten towels or waffle weave towels and use microfiber towels to buff out compounds, polishes and waxes.

[N.E.W.car]

If you use the clay bar after your initial wash/detail - you need to use more than a spray (booster) wax following the clay bar.

Claying will remove most, if not all, of the wax - and a single coat (or even multiple coats) of a spray wax is not sufficient protection.

[TH0001]

Clay is abrasive and will marr paint, you should be prepared for that also.

I usually do tires and rims first, washing each seperate one before I wash the car. After I dry the car, I dress the tires and use newspaper covers that I made to cover them (since I usually buff the paint after and get splatter).

[gb387]

Originally posted by TH0001
Clay is abrasive and will marr paint, you should be prepared for that also.

Is this true(marring) even with the consumer level clays? (Smooth Surface and Quik Clay) I have found them to be very gentle on the paint... Reason I ask a new person to clay might be frightened off when hearing that.

[TH0001]

Yes, I wouldn't lie to you...

Clay doesn't **** contaminents in, but gentley sands themaway while floating on the lubricatent.

I don't wanna scare anybody off, and yes Quik Clay and others are very mild and used correctly will probably not leave anything noticable. But it is abbrasive and that should be noted.

[gb387]

Originally posted by TH0001
Yes, I wouldn't lie to you...

Clay doesn't **** contaminents in, but gentley sands themaway while floating on the lubricatent.

I don't wanna scare anybody off, and yes Quik Clay and others are very mild and used correctly will probably not leave anything noticable. But it is abbrasive and that should be noted.

Not saying you would lie.... I have heard that an aggressive clay(I have not used an aggressive clay) will leave marring and that is kind of where my mind was going, but this explanation clarifies it.

[TH0001]

I'm not saying that your saying that I said that I would or wouldn't lie
I agree that the consumer clays are super non aggresive and probably would leave any marring or defects. I thought (though I could be wrong) that he he said he had a perfect surface (maybe I'm confusing two different threads). And any marring from the the consumer clay is bound to be so mild that DC2 plus NXT will easily cover it up.

[sneek]

I'm not saying that your saying that I said that I would or wouldn't lie

LOL
i have not noticed anymarring with clay but maybe i am not looking close enough??

[TH0001]

Here I clarified it on another thread, so let me post what I wrote there before I get myself in trouble...

"I was the one who said that. I didn't mean to cause concern, but anytime you rub anything on the surface of your car, you can cause marring. The person posted they had a brand new black car, and I was just making the point that you might but light marring in the surface with the clay.

The consumer grade is very fine grade and shouldn't do much if any damage, so just make sure you use alot of lubricant and make sure your surface is clean so your not dragging anything. I need to be clear before I speak (or type). Sorry if I caused any concern. Just be aware that clay is abrasive and take your time and you will be FINE!"

[sneek]

also keep on kneading (sp)?? the clay