First Time Detailing Questions

[photoryan77]

I'm going to be doing my first actual detailing job on my truck tomorrow, and I had a couple questions to help me along.

Some background first: Black Yukon, so I know it will be difficult to get the look I actually want. I'm not expecting show car results, just want it to look a lot nicer. It's an 03, and I can tell the previous owner didn't do anything more than maybe take it to the care wash once in a while. There are small scratches all over, and my main goal is to get most of those out.

First, my friend gave me a bunch of Meguiars stuff for my birthday, and he's gonna help me out, but is there anything I should consider picking up beforehand (remember, it will have to be from Pep Boys or something)? Right now, I have a tube of the newer version of ScratchX, NXT wash, NXT Tech Wax, and he has a clay bar.

Second, I have a Craftsman random orbit 7" buffer. Is there anything special that I should use with that? I have foam applicators, terry bonnets and MF bonnets.

Third, can I use products like ScratchX, paint cleaners and polishes, on the painted plastic parts of the car? I'm referring to things, like the lower plastic part of the bumper, etc. Or can these items only be used on the painted metal parts?

Lastly, can someone explain how the two bucket method works. I must be missing something about why that would be better than just one bucket with plenty of water/suds.

Thanks in advance for your help.

-Ryan

[CWM3]

Re: First Time Detailing Questions

I will try to help with my limited knowledge.

I would reccomend the following:
- Wash the car with the NXT
- Use the Clay Bar with some Quick Detailer
- Try the ScratchX but it probably won't be agressive enough (to what I imagine the car looks like). You may need #80 Speed Glaze. Work in sections. *Both work better, from my perspective, when used with buffer rather than by hand.
- 2 light coats of the NXT Wax when all done.

I don't see a problem with applying products on painted plastic products.

*All buffer questions will need to be answered by more knowledgeable people.

Do some searchning...there is all kinds of information on this forum.

[Murr1525]

Re: First Time Detailing Questions

1. ScratchX is a good enough starting point for you, but you may find that the machine lacks enough oomph to really do any work for you, and will instead just move the product around. To remove swirls, any product really needs worked into the paint.

2. Remember you are working on paint. As long as you use products for paint, on paint, you are good. Dont use products for paint on bare plastic, gray plastic trim, etc.

3. The idea of two buckets is that you kepe all the dirt and debris in the rinse bucket, and clean soapy water in the soap bucket. There is no need to wash with dirty water, whether it is full of soap or not. If you get a couple Grit Guards for yourself, or at least one, you will really see the sand on the bottom of your rinse bucket, even when you thought the car was pretty clean. I have had black water in my rinse bucket, and clear water in my soap bucket, and I wouldnt want ot use the black water on my car, soapy or not.

Hope that helps...

[TrufflePig]

Re: First Time Detailing Questions

take a look at these.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

How To Remove Swirls By Hand
How To Wash Your Car using the Two Bucket
Method
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX
What it Means to Remove a Scratch

all the best.