Help with detailing

[Honda4Eva89]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this site and I would like some advice from you guys. I have spent hours reading and I have learned alot. Well today I decided to go to my local auto parts store (Advance Auto Parts) and I purchased a few of Meguiar's products.

I bought the DC#1 and DC#2 but instead of getting DC#3, I chose the NXT Tech paste. I also bought the smooth surface clay kit, Hot Wheels All Wheel cleaner, NXT Tire Coating, Wesley's Bleach White (sorry for not getting the NXT tire cleaner but they didnt have it), and also bought a tire brush (non-meguiar's but is because they didn't have it).

I would like to know what would be the best way to apply all of these. I'm planning on Washing the car, then clay, paint cleaner, paint polish, and wax.

I have never clayed a car so I'm not so sure on how to do it. So far I know that I have to do it after I wash the car. I first use the QD Spray, then clay from side to side and then dry with the towel. Is this all?

For the paint cleaner and the paint polish it seems straight forward. Apply and remove before it dries.

For the wax I know that I would apply last. I know it wouldn't matter which direction since the paint is going to be clean. I'm then going to let it sit for approximately 20 minutes. Should I apply a second layer the next day or is one coat enough?

BTW, I have a 05 Honda Civic Si in Vivid Blue Pearl.

Thanks in advance everyone and sorry for being such a newb in detailing.

[SL1CK]

Claying is really simple even for a beginner detailer.

You can open the clay and break it into small parts, so in case you drop it, you still have more clay to work with. The reason for throwing it out is because clay is sticky, and if it is dropped on the ground, it will grab all sorts of dirt and small rocks that, if it is continued to be used, will scratch your car's paint.

The basic instructions are to just:

Take the clay, or a piece if you want. Mold it into a wafer, sort of flat and round if you'd like. Now, spray the Quik Detailer on the surface to be clayed. Spray once on the clay so both are lubricated. When claying, lubrication is important! Now, just rub the clay over the lubricated area back and forth. It's that simple. Continue to clay the entire car, panel by panel.

Remember, always clay in this order (if you are going to clay something other than the paint):

Paint>Windows>Rims/Wheels>Exhaust

If you don't follow this order, you risk dragging dirt over your cars finish and further scratching it.

Its pretty simple, I'm sure you'll catch on quick.

[Honda4Eva89]

Alright, sounds good. I'm amazed that someone is on at this time. I'm probably going to do everything tomorrow since its not going to rain until monday. I have to take advantage of the low humidity since I've read that humidity can cause some problems with the wax.

Thanks for the reply. Now I feel more confident with the claying process.

Do you think that one coat of wax is enough, or will 2 coats be better? I'm thinking of doing 2 coats since the paint is dark.

[Top Down]

hmmmm, it rained this morning...should be over by now though. Perfect golf weather today!! 75 and low humidity!

[Murr1525]

Just to add, cut the clay into 3 or 4 pieces. If you drop one, throw it out. This way, you dont throw out the full bar. Your car probably wont need more than a 1/4 bar to do everything. But dont be afiiad to use as much QD spray as needed. You'll just need to but a new QD bottle in the future.

2 thin coats of wax is always best. Apply one, let it dry, and remove. Wait at least 20 minutes. Then apply a second coat, let dry, and remove.

[Honda4Eva89]

I wasnt even sure if the clay was going to be enough. They just seem to be so small. Is like 2 little pieces of soap. I'll probably use more QD than needed because I have purchased another bottle about 2 months ago but havent used it.

Should I wait 12 hours between waxes?

[Magic]

Originally posted by Honda4Eva89
I wasnt even sure if the clay was going to be enough. They just seem to be so small. Is like 2 little pieces of soap. I'll probably use more QD than needed because I have purchased another bottle about 2 months ago but havent used it.

Should I wait 12 hours between waxes?

Some do wait 12 hrs, but most of us can't. So at the very least wait about 20 mins between the first, and second application.

[Murr1525]

With a new car, you wont need as much as clay as other people. I would leave one bar wrapped, and cut the other in half. If you need more, you can always go get the other piece. Store unused clay in a zip-lock bag with a spritz of QD in it.

12 hours is for absolute best looks. If your car is parked outside, or you are going to drive it around, personaly I wouldnt worry about it. You'll just end up picking up dirt that you need to re-wash off before you can wax again.

20 minutes is kind of the minimum you want to wait, but you'll get 95% of the looks. Most people wouldnt notice a difference.

[Zet]

Seems like a very nice selection of products

DC1 needs to be worked a bit on the surface, how much depends on the condition of the paint. If you have swirls, or fine scratches, you might wanna try ScratchX. Maybe as part of the next detail.

What kind of applicators and towels will you be using?

[Honda4Eva89]

I still havent purchased the towels. I'm going to either today or tomorrow. I'm going to go to 2 different stores, AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, and hopefully find the Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber. If I do then I'll buy about 4 or 5 of those (is that enough?). If not then I'll buy some other brand name microfiber. I already have the Water Magnet Towel to dry the car.

For the applicators, I'm going to get the Even-Coat, and a few high-tech applicator pads.

I know, I know, you guys are probably thinking that I'm crazy and not using a buffer but is that I don't have that kind of money. I'm planning on purchasing only Meguiar's products though.

I already have the ScratchX, I'll take a look on how bad I have the swirls.

[BlueTooth]

its alright tot be applying by hand, just that it will wear you out. Plus guys on here give guys who do use there hands credit. I only use my hands since I too dont have the money at the moment to buy a $100+ DA just remember take it easy adn go slow so you wont miss anything, detailing is an Art not a speed show. Good luck to you

[Honda4Eva89]

Thanks Bluetooth.

What happens if I dont use the tape?

[Zet]

Originally posted by Honda4Eva89
I still havent purchased the towels. I'm going to either today or tomorrow. I'm going to go to 2 different stores, AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts, and hopefully find the Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber. If I do then I'll buy about 4 or 5 of those (is that enough?). If not then I'll buy some other brand name microfiber. I already have the Water Magnet Towel to dry the car.

I think you will use about two MF's for each step, maybe just one for claying. Sometimes I can also get by with just one MF for removing wax, if I manage to put it on thinly and evenly enough. But that would still be around six for all the steps. I think they sometimes have a three-pack of the SS MF, maybe get two of those packs. Fold the MF into quarters, and turn it over to a new side often, this will get you 8 sides for each MF.

For the applicators, I'm going to get the Even-Coat, and a few high-tech applicator pads.

Nice, then you can find out which you like best. I seem to like both...

I know, I know, you guys are probably thinking that I'm crazy and not using a buffer but is that I don't have that kind of money. I'm planning on purchasing only Meguiar's products though.

No, it's fine to work by hand This will also give you a really good "feel" for the paint. You can always later upgrade to a buffer like the PC, when you are ready.

I already have the ScratchX, I'll take a look on how bad I have the swirls.

Heh, sounds almost like a reason for calling in sick... "Sorry boss, but I have a really bad case of "the swirls", which I need to go polish out!"

[BlueTooth]

Originally posted by Honda4Eva89
Thanks Bluetooth.

What happens if I dont use the tape?

you could get the product in tiny areas that are real pains to get at ie:around headlights, taillights. Also the tape helps protect viynls (Cant Spell today) like plastic trim pieces, and areas where you dont want the product to go. Ill give you an example of the results of not using tape (dont have pics but I hope I can write an illustration good enough for you) Take a 2000 jeep Grand Cherokee. it has plastic at the bottom usually gray. if you were not to tape off this area using newspapers, the products would run down the plastic causing it to "fade" sort of. Giving a very horrible look of the vehicle and everyone would see it and think geeze what where they thinking, they should of used tape..

I hope all this helps, sorry for the late reply for I had College Orientation Friday7 and Sat8.

[farmboy]