I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

[Andrew A4]

Hello everyone! I just made an introduction post in the other section of the forums -HERE- and now i need to get some good tips on cleaning, polishing, and protecting the paint of my new Sprint Blue Pearl Effect Audi A4. Over the years I've typically done everything by hand.... and it's just too time consuming and tiring to get it done right. Plus I don't want to use wrong buffer pads to screw up this very unique pearl effect paint job which is special order only from Audi for the Audi RS4 and S4 and not even supposed to be available in the A4. My A4 is the only one in the country with this color.

Long story short, I've got quite a bit of nice Meguiar's products in my garage since my father did some graphic design work for the company year ago and have purchased their products ever since.

Currently here is my list of my Meguiar's supplies:

• #1 Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
• #2 Meguiar's Deep Crystal Paint Polish
• #3 Meguiar's Deep Crystal Carnuba Wax
• Meguiar's Deep Crystal Wax (didn't have a number on the bottle)
• Meguiar's Quick Detailer Spray

I've also got an RA7000 Chamberlain Waxmaster 7" Orbital Waxer/Polisher. What i really need to know is what materials of pads do I need for each of the 3 step process. Can this be done with just three separate pads? Or what do you all recommend?

Description from a website:
WaxMaster RA7000 Orbital Waxer/Polisher

The RA7000 is the most ergonomically designed WaxMaster. The extended handle allows for an easy one-handed grip while the 'knob handle' in front can be used to stabilize the polisher when waxing doors and panels. The RA7000 is very popular with car enthusiasts; the 0.50 amp direct drive motor produces 2400 oscillations per minute. The RA7000's lightweight combined with performance makes it easy to see why it is so popular.



I'm sure it's a piece of junk but I'm hoping I can get by with it. My car is ALWAYS garaged and gets a daily wipe down with a California Car Duster. Living in SoCal, we rarely ever get rain and the only chance this car will see snow is if I go skiing in Mammoth or Tahoe. (well.... i did do some donuts in the sand after the lifeguards let me take the following photos since they laughed at me saying "should we call the tow truck now or after you get stuck??"..... ha! They just don't know the power of Quattro!!!)

I intentionally tweaked some colors with Photoshop to give a cool looking overexposed effect.





Here are some originals:









Thank you all in advance!

-Andrew Kalionzes

[Mike Phillips]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

We have an "Open Class" coming up, you might be interested in attending this to learn more about Meguiar's and car care?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

Here's the link,

Open Class - January 27th

Here's an example of a typical detailing class on a Saturday...


LXForums.com at Meguiar's! - March 3rd







Date: March 3rd, 2007
Time: 8:00am to 3pm
Place: Meguiar's Inc
17991 Mitchell South
Irvine, CA 92614
Mapquest Driving Directions


Requirements

IMPORTANT: If you plan on attending the detailing class for the you must be a registered member of Meguiar's Online Discussion Forum.
Click here to Register to become a member of Meguiar's Online!


Already a member?
Click here to sign-up for this class now!


Never joined a discussion forum before? Click Here to go to a step-by-step tutorial on how to register with to become a member of Meguiar's Online! (It's easy! )



Classes Size Limitations: 30 People - This is due to limited space in the classroom. If this class is not full by the Monday prior to the event non-club members will be allowed to sign up and attend.

It is important that we have an accurate head count to order pizza, refreshments, and Meguiar's gift bags. Only attendees that have signed up will receive a Meguiar's gift bag with Meguiar's products, samples and catalogs.

Your are encouraged to check your e-mail and the sign-up list the evening and/or morning prior to the event for any notifications or cancellations. We have only canceled one class in our history and it was due to an emergency.

Schedule:

• 8:00 am to 8:30 am Coffee and pastries served. 8:30 am to 11:00 am - In-depth presentation covering the history of Meguiar's, Consumer and Professional Product Lines and the Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle . 11:00 am to 11:30 am - Question & Answer time. 11:30 am to 12:00 noon - Surface evaluation of attendees cars to discuss the owners current car care program. 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm - Lunch - Awesome Pizza and Cold Refreshments will be provided. 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm - Product demonstrations with a focus on using proper technique for applying products by hand and with the G-100 Dual Action Polisher. 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Open Garage for testing and trying out Meguiar's products on attendees cars with instruction and guidance from Meguiar's Training Instructors.

The afternoon portion of the event is a hands-on experience and attendees are encouraged to put on a Meguiar's smock and get involved. Learning is best done by participating, not watching from the sidelines.

Learning how to remove scratches by hand from a clear coat finish




Leaning proper technique for using the G-100



Pictures of the event will be posted to Meguiar's Online Discussion Forum under Detail Days at Meguiar's.

For more information, please contact Mike Phillips

[Andrew A4]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

I'm in Mike!!! Thats only about a 20 minute drive for me.

Thanks for the info! Gotta keep my new beauty shining!

[Chex]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

Man photoshop rules! maybe you could give me some tips in how to start using it :P

the first thing you should do is stop using the duster and change your dust cleanup in to using quick detailer and a high quality microfiber towel. This is because sometimes car dusters have more potential of scratching or swirling the finish if they are not well maintained.

regarding to paint maintenance, you have good supplies, but you should also add a clay bar to that.

And since your car is new, I'd suggest this as a yearly based maintenance schedule:

Wash it weekly (gold class shampoo and NXT car wash are the most recommended)

wax it every month (you can do it every two, but it looks you are willing to do whatever it's needed to keep that paint in shape and glossy) with NXT tech wax

wax it and polish it every two months with a pure polish (like DC2 or if you want to upgrade that, #7 showcar glaze or 3M hand glaze)

Clay, Clean (if needed with DC1 or scratchX), polish (with a pure polish) and wax it every 6 months or at least do this once a year.

this process may vary depending on the weather conditions and mean people who like to damage cars.

so to be a little more clear, let's say you wax it this saturday, then next month you'd polish it wan wax it. next month wax, next month polish and wax, next nonth wax, nexxt month see if it needs paint claying and cleaning. if needed do it and if not jus polish and wax, etc...

orbital buffers do work ok, but if you want to get a better machine, buy the G100 ("PC" porter cable 7424), a DA polisher backing plate, and W8006 and W9006 foam pads from meguiar's. You can buy a W7006 foam cutting pad with the sole purpose of putting microfiber bonnets on it to remove waxes (using it for other purposes may result in more swirls and scratches).

so you can use the W8006 foam polishing pads(yellow ones) to apply cleaner waxes, or paint cleaners like DC1 and ScratchX. Leave the W9006 foam finishing pads (tan ones) to apply normal waxes (DC3 carnauba wax, gold class, NXT, or the wax of your choice)

If you want to get the most from using your G100/PC it's a must (not obligatory but will boost your skills even if you haven't used a PC at all) to buy the PC video offered in showcargarage.com

By the way, you can buy the smooth surface clay kit from meguiars. I haven't used it, but they say it works good.

Hope this helps. And if I left anything unclear, I know Mike Phillips will finish answering any further questions

[Andrew A4]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

Man photoshop rules! maybe you could give me some tips in how to start using it :P

the first thing you should do is stop using the duster and change your dust cleanup in to using quick detailer and a high quality microfiber towel. This is because sometimes car dusters have more potential of scratching or swirling the finish if they are not well maintained.

Good Call. I do maintain mine well and only use it on very slightly dusted vehicles.

regarding to paint maintenance, you have good supplies, but you should also add a clay bar to that.

I've got a clay bar but this car is far from needing it. Its got 2k "california" miles on it.



And since your car is new, I'd suggest this as a yearly based maintenance schedule:

Wash it weekly (gold class shampoo and NXT car wash are the most recommended)

wax it every month (you can do it every two, but it looks you are willing to do whatever it's needed to keep that paint in shape and glossy) with NXT tech wax

wax it and polish it every two months with a pure polish (like DC2 or if you want to upgrade that, #7 showcar glaze or 3M hand glaze)

Clay, Clean (if needed with DC1 or scratchX), polish (with a pure polish) and wax it every 6 months or at least do this once a year.

this process may vary depending on the weather conditions and mean people who like to damage cars.

so to be a little more clear, let's say you wax it this saturday, then next month you'd polish it wan wax it. next month wax, next month polish and wax, next nonth wax, nexxt month see if it needs paint claying and cleaning. if needed do it and if not jus polish and wax, etc...

orbital buffers do work ok, but if you want to get a better machine, buy the G100 ("PC" porter cable 7424), a DA polisher backing plate, and W8006 and W9006 foam pads from meguiar's. You can buy a W7006 foam cutting pad with the sole purpose of putting microfiber bonnets on it to remove waxes (using it for other purposes may result in more swirls and scratches).

so you can use the W8006 foam polishing pads(yellow ones) to apply cleaner waxes, or paint cleaners like DC1 and ScratchX. Leave the W9006 foam finishing pads (tan ones) to apply normal waxes (DC3 carnauba wax, gold class, NXT, or the wax of your choice)

If you want to get the most from using your G100/PC it's a must (not obligatory but will boost your skills even if you haven't used a PC at all) to buy the PC video offered in showcargarage.com

By the way, you can buy the smooth surface clay kit from meguiars. I haven't used it, but they say it works good.

Hope this helps. And if I left anything unclear, I know Mike Phillips will finish answering any further questions [/quote]



Thank you for the information. What kind of cash am I looking at spending for this G100 and associated pads/applicators, etc? (thats a big issue here). I'm trying to spend money on modding the car right now.

[Andrew A4]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

Ouch.... $225 for the polisher alone. Hmm.... my wallet hurts.

I'm sure its an amazing piece of machinery, but i cannot afford such luxuries until I start my new job.

[the other pc]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

Hi Andrew, to MOL.

Awesome Audi! Love it!

I know the suggested retail price on the G100 is a bit intimidating but don’t worry. It is available discounted from some Meg’s distributors and people who attend a class are also offered the opportunity to order one at a reduced price. You’ll get the 411 on that in class.

If you don’t have any swirls or etching you can hold off for a while.

…I've got a clay bar but this car is far from needing it. Its got 2k "california" miles on it. ….

Oh you’d be surprised. I’ve seen a car go from pristine to needing clay in seconds right here in sunny SoCal. It just depends on what’s floating in the breeze. But Mike will go over all that.


PC.

[Andrew A4]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

How about this..... what do i need in terms of pads to do a nice was on my very clean car and then to buff it out? I'll just probably hand wax it and butt it off with a very very soft microfiber towel. Or if you have a good foam pad to suggest, i'll try that. I'll probably use the cleaner/wax i have as well.

[Chex]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

Hi tech foam applicator pads and even coat applicator pads from meguiars work pretty good.

By the way, if you're not willing to spend 225$ on the G100 which includes backing plate and a foam polishing pad, you can try looking on ebay or lowes for this tool (lowes sells the porter cable 7336 but it does the same job).

you usually get it between 100 to 120$, but then you'd have to buy the pads and backing plates which would be like hmm.... between 35$+ (depending how many pads you buy.

the only thing the G100 offers that the normal PC's don't offer is a lifetime warranty, but they're all porter cables so you know it's a very durable tool and a very prestiged brand. now you can make your decision.

P.S. some ebay porter cable sellers offer you packages that include buffing pads and the backing plate, but I'd recommend you getting Meguiars pads.

[Lydia]

Re: I've detailed my own cars for years.... now I need advice from you pros!

ADS (autodetailingsolutions.com) has the G100 for around $150.