Car Care 1-2-3

[Redfish]

Hi All,

First time poster...and general newbie to car detailing. I've typically cleaned my cars via some type of concentrated car wash liquid, and then tried my best at waxing. But, I never seem to use the right application, or applicator, or towel to get the wax off. Usually, after cleaning and waxing, I look at my car and think I have to wash it again. Down here in Tampa, FL we have hard water and with the temps, not a lot of time to get the water off before 'hard water' marks appear on the finish.

Anyway, I have two cars. One is a black Jeep Grand Cherokee and the other is a white Town N Country. I'm at the point where I think an electric rotary is the way to go for application and removal. I found a Coleman Powermate 10" Random Orbital Waxer/Polisher at Advance Auto ... any thoughts on that?

Also, in my search I found good reviews for Deep Crystal but could only find product information on Step 2 and Step 3 product, but not Step 1. What is Step 1 product?

Finally, my black JGC has light (very shallow) long scratches along the side either from the kids playing in the driveway or sometimes I drag the plastic rubbermaid trashcan down to the curb, and usually have to lightly squeeze the can in between the cars. I don't think a rubbermaid can can scratch a car's finish, but nonetheless, the scratches are there.

Thus, my main reason for visiting here is to get your advice on the best solution to help me remove the scratches, or at the very least, make them less noticable. White paste car wax on my JGC only accentuates the scratches.

Thanks in advance,

Redfish

[Murr1525]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

Give these a read first if you havent seen them before. Lets make sure you have the general process down:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[roushstage2]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

Quoting Redfish
Hi All,

First time poster...and general newbie to car detailing. I've typically cleaned my cars via some type of concentrated car wash liquid, and then tried my best at waxing. But, I never seem to use the right application, or applicator, or towel to get the wax off. Usually, after cleaning and waxing, I look at my car and think I have to wash it again. Down here in Tampa, FL we have hard water and with the temps, not a lot of time to get the water off before 'hard water' marks appear on the finish.

Anyway, I have two cars. One is a black Jeep Grand Cherokee and the other is a white Town N Country. I'm at the point where I think an electric rotary is the way to go for application and removal. I found a Coleman Powermate 10" Random Orbital Waxer/Polisher at Advance Auto ... any thoughts on that?
That is a ROB (Random Orbital Buffer, not a rotary). That unfortunately, for the most part, is only really good for waxing. There are some cleaning products that can be used with it.

Also, in my search I found good reviews for Deep Crystal but could only find product information on Step 2 and Step 3 product, but not Step 1. What is Step 1 product?
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. It is a milder cleaner.

Finally, my black JGC has light (very shallow) long scratches along the side either from the kids playing in the driveway or sometimes I drag the plastic rubbermaid trashcan down to the curb, and usually have to lightly squeeze the can in between the cars. I don't think a rubbermaid can can scratch a car's finish, but nonetheless, the scratches are there.
It can, and will. If you don't have a G100, your best bet may be using Scratch X with a terry applicator.

Thus, my main reason for visiting here is to get your advice on the best solution to help me remove the scratches, or at the very least, make them less noticable. White paste car wax on my JGC only accentuates the scratches.

Thanks in advance,

Redfish

Since you are working by hand, I would use Scratch X on the heavier scratches and then use the Deep Crystal System 1-3 on the vehicle. If you want to, I would clay before doing anything else.

[agp56]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

I agree the the esteemed roushstage 2 above concerning the Scratch X with the terry or microfiber applicator. You w ill be amazed at the difference that this product will make on light to moderate scratched areas. Moderate to heavier area sometimes can be dealt with by using a second applicaion.

[Redfish]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

Since you are working by hand, I would use Scratch X on the heavier scratches and then use the Deep Crystal System 1-3 on the vehicle. If you want to, I would clay before doing anything else.

What clay product would you recommend?

Redfish

[grover]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

Hi Redfish,

Fellow Tampa resident here. I have problems with water spots as well because of the hard water and the sun drying the water before I can get the water magnet over it.

What I've found works well for me is a thorough cleaning once a year - that's clay, cleaner, polish, nxt wax. The clay is the Meguiar's clay which comes with quick detailer. I've upgraded to a Meguiar's Dual Action Polisher to apply cleaner and wax - I now use #80 but used Deep Crystal Step 1 for many years with great results. Then use Deep Crystal #2 Polish and top it off with NXT wax.

Then, after doing that I use ColorX wax every other month. That means I'm always doing 1 car a month. 1 month is the Pacifica, the next month is the Town N' Country, and so on. ColorX is an all-in-one cleaner/polish/wax so it helps cuts the water spots out.

Sorry for the long post, but I hope it helps. Here's my 6 year old Sebring before I got the Pacifica.

And our van:

[WrightDetail]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

great lookin cars....spent 20+ yrs in FL, so know about the weather and water issues

[sstg]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

Hey wrightdetail how far from the stl are you? I'm in st.louis.

[roushstage2]

Re: Car Care 1-2-3

What clay product would you recommend?

Redfish

You could buy the Quik Claying Kit (which comes with the mildest clay, QD, and a Supreme Shine MF towel) or the blue Professional Mild Detailing Clay and provide your own QD and MF towel.

Keep it simple (I'd lean towards the kit), especially if you are just getting into the detailing game.