My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

[EV0B0Y691]

Okay, this is how I clean my car and my parent's cars.

Step 1: I clean the wheels and tires first with this cheapo microfiber wash mitt from the dollar store using Gold Class Car Wash. Then I take the Meguiar's Super Plush Wash Mitt and dip that into a bucket of Gold Class Car Wash and work my way throughout the vehicle, making sure I don't miss a spot.

Step 2: I then dry the car with a towel from the house (Yes, I know it can scratch the paint, but I use it lightly, and I don't rub hard, just to remove MOST of the water) Then I get the little water left over with microfiber towels.

Step 3: I clay the car with Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit to remove overspray and any other contaminents. Then I use Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber to remove everything.

Step 4: I then take a Meguiar's foam applicator pad and apply Gold Class Liquid Wax throughout the whole car, let it haze, and then I remove the wax with microfiber applicator pads. And I use a microfiber towel to remove any wax leftover.

Step 5: I look over the vehicle throughly making sure there isn't any leftover wax, if there isn't, I clean the windows with Stoner's Invisible Glass, and I wipe it with microfiber towels.

And that's it.

So, is there anything else I would need to add to my process, and is my process any good? Please suggest some improvements. I know I need to get a proper drying towel, so I'm planning on getting the Absorber soon along with Meguiar's Water Magnet. As you can see, I don't even use polish, because I don't really know how to use it, and I can't find any off the shelf. Also, would I need ColorX to boost the color and depthness of the paint?

These are products that I'm planning on buying in the future:

the Absorber
Meguiar's Water Magnet Towel
ColorX
ScratchX
PlastX(sp?)
Meguiar's Versa Angle Brush
NXT Wax

[QiB1400]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

The process you described appears to be okey! Make sure you rinse the car properly between steps 1 and 2 (but i guess you just forgot to mention it).

Removing wax with an applicator pad i kind of a question mark to me, i prefer removing wax with the MF towels. I wipe away the wax on a panel and rewipe with a second towel. I refold and switch sides of the first towel now and then to avoid saturation.

ColorX is a great product to remove light swirls (polish) and also to boost the color and depthness of the paint (cleaner). ColorX is applied and direcly removed there is no need for curing. (apply/remove colorx before waxing)

The nxt wax can be applied before gold class, as a layering product allthough Meguiar's official statement is that it is of no use. (i think we all know better). Besure if you layer products to first apply the synthetic product (nxt wax) and after apply the carnauba/natural (gold class).

i hope this helps you in any way.

[Murr1525]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

1 - Good, see if you can get Grit Guard or two for your buckets. And try and use the two-bucket system when washing your car.

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

2 - If it works for you to dry that way, then go with it.

3 - Good. You may not need to clay every single time, just have to evaluate the surface and see.

4 - Yeah, you're missing a little here, that could probably improve your results. I have a daily driver, so I like a good, quick process. Here is what I do.

Wash
Clay as needed
ColorX
Wax - I like #21 Synthetic Sealant, but you can use any wax you like as well.

ColorX is a great one step product, I highly recomend it. Just use a foam applicator, work it into the paint a little as you go, let it dry to a haze, and buff off.

Here is a thread of ColorX is action:

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Not sure about your removal process either... You can just use a Supreme Shine towel/s to remove everything.

[cornflake_81]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

Yeah, the grit guard sounds like a good addition to your scenario. Especially since you clean your wheels first, you want to be sure you leave the grime and nastiness from your wheels in the wash bucket and not back on your mitt. Personally, I like to leave the wheels for last. Or as Murr suggested, the color-x/#21 combo. Or try the Deep Crystal System. Meguiars makes a lot of great products and half the fun is trying them out and finding out what works for you.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

See my responses in Blue below and more at the bottom of the quote:

Okay, this is how I clean my car and my parent's cars.

Step 1: I clean the wheels and tires first with this cheapo microfiber wash mitt from the dollar store using Gold Class Car Wash. Then I take the Meguiar's Super Plush Wash Mitt and dip that into a bucket of Gold Class Car Wash and work my way throughout the vehicle, making sure I don't miss a spot.I do mine in reverse order - wash the car first and then follow with the wheels - this way I can use the same bucket without fear of pulling brake dust onto the paint

Step 2: I then dry the car with a towel from the house (Yes, I know it can scratch the paint, but I use it lightly, and I don't rub hard, just to remove MOST of the water) Then I get the little water left over with microfiber towels. As a final rinse try taking whatever nozzle you use OFF the hose and let just a steady stream of water flood over the car. You'll be amazed at how much water this will remove from the surface. Now follow this up with a good waffle weave microfiber towel like the Meguiar's Water Magnet.

Step 3: I clay the car with Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit to remove overspray and any other contaminents. Then I use Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber to remove everything. Sounds right, just make sure you're wiping with the microfiber as you go rather than waiting until you've clayed the whole car.

Step 4: I then take a Meguiar's foam applicator pad and apply Gold Class Liquid Wax throughout the whole car, let it haze, and then I remove the wax with microfiber applicator pads. And I use a microfiber towel to remove any wax leftover. Just make sure you're applying a nice, thin coat of wax. If you think it's too thin, it isn't. But I'd use a regular microfiber towel to remove the wax - fold it in half and then in half again and turn it regularly as you remove the wax.

Step 5: I look over the vehicle throughly making sure there isn't any leftover wax, if there isn't, I clean the windows with Stoner's Invisible Glass, and I wipe it with microfiber towels. That'll work.

And that's it.

So, is there anything else I would need to add to my process, and is my process any good? Please suggest some improvements. I know I need to get a proper drying towel, so I'm planning on getting the Absorber soon along with Meguiar's Water Magnet. As you can see, I don't even use polish, because I don't really know how to use it, and I can't find any off the shelf. Also, would I need ColorX to boost the color and depthness of the paint?

These are products that I'm planning on buying in the future:

the Absorber
Meguiar's Water Magnet Towel
ColorX
ScratchX
PlastX(sp?)
Meguiar's Versa Angle Brush
NXT Wax

You'll find a good application of ColorX can do wonders for your paint as it is a very effective cleaner for hand use. I would also recommend that you apply a tire dressing and some sort of dressing to the wheel wells to make them look black and new again. It's the little "details" that really finish the process. Oh, and don't forget to dress all the other rubber trim on the vehicle too. And, depending on the type of wheel, why not put a quick coat of wax on them as well - it'll shine them up and make brake dust removal in the future a bit easier too.

[EV0B0Y691]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

Well, I can't get #21 off the shelf right? Or can I? Because I'm mostly an off the self guy, seeing that I'm only 15, stuck w/ an '07 Camry. (Long story.) Btw, when I wash my wheels first with the cheap $1 microfiber wash mitt, I retire that afterwards, so I don't use it on the body whatsoever. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, the tire dressing I use is Meguiar's Hot Tire Shine. It's not the foam one, because the foam one tends to splatter all over when you drive. Uhh, can someone please explain to me what Grit Guard is? And how do you usee degrease on the wheel wells? I'm thinking of getting Greased Lightning degreaser soon...
Well, here are some results after a wash/wax, all with Gold Class!

[MaximusZTS]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.




This is a grit guard. run a search on goggle for it and you will find out what it is.

[EV0B0Y691]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

^Got it.

[Murr1525]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

Stuck with a Camry SE? Sounds like a good problem to me...

You can get #21 off the shelf, though maybe not off every shelf. Pep Boys might have it, or try and find a PBE store in your area that sells Meguiars. They should either have it or order whatever you need. Here is an older link that might still help..


How to locate Meguiar’s Professional & Detailer products in your hometown

[EV0B0Y691]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

Thanks a lot man! Btw what is #21? Sorry, lol I only know about off the self stuff. I was surprised to get the Super Smooth Clay Kit @ Pepboys. I'm guessing #21 is...a polish? Does the Deep Crystal one work good? Thanks in advance.

[Murr1525]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

#21 Synthetic Sealant



#21 Synthetic Sealant is a wax, just a different wax than your Gold Class.

Deep Crystal #2 is a pure polish, and works quite well. Pure polish meaning that it is only for making the surface look good, not for removing swirls or adding protection.

[EV0B0Y691]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

So is polish necessary with my method? And is Gold Class a good wax and is #21 really necessary? It might be hard to come by, so if it's needed, I'll really have to look around. And my price estimate for #21 would be...$19.99? Or $24.99?

[EV0B0Y691]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

Nvm, I looked on Meguiars.com and it's $42.99!!! =O

[Murr1525]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

There should be a smaller size #21 available these days. I get mine online cheaper, but Gold Class Wax works fine also, or Nxt wax, etc. All good waxes, dont get too tied up in it, just pick a wax you like.

ColorX is a cleaner/polish/wax all in one, which is why I recommended it.

If you wanted, you can use a seperate cleaner, seperare polish, and a seperate wax. Might get slightly better resutls, but could be hard to tell on silver.

[gorin002]

Re: My detailing process. Plz tell me if there is anything else I should do.

oooh seen that camary sooo nice

what about M16 ?