Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

[99GrandTouring]

Ok I've found something thats going to work for me, for removing scratches/water spots/ and swirls.
I got the smooth surface kit for my b-day last week, but I don't have the time after work to do all 5 steps in one day.
I was planning on washing / claying / and using dc1 via orbital first evening,
then Washing/ 3m&scratchx/
Then final evening washing dc2 and color-x
Wait a couple days then wash and nxt.

I'm going to work on my g/f's 01 escape first, this is a neglected daily driver, basically I want to get as good / solid coat of protection on it as possible then try to maintain it. Once I get hers done then I'm gonna work on mine.

So would that be ok? or instead of the entire car should I do all the steps but just like 1 panel at a time? Say do all the steps to the roof / hood one evening, sides next evening and bumpers last?
My biggest concern is we live near chemical plants and there is alot of "fallout" so to speak, and when it rains water spots are horrible here!
What do you all think?
Thanks!

[03mach1]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

Yeah you should be fine is the car covered?, I did that when I was detailing my mach. It took me two days. Istead of washing it again I QD the entire car instead of washing it and continued with the detail. I am not sure if DC1 is DA compatible. I think if you use color X it is a polish/wax combo so I think it will give protection. I am going to check that.

[03mach1]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

Yeah I just checked on the colorX and it does give protection it is a combination of polish and wax.

[99GrandTouring]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

car is not covered and I'll be driving it to work everyday.
Basically I'm detailing in my shop/bay after hours...

[03mach1]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

I am thinking you should do panel by panel. Do all your steps and get one part done and move onto the next and do all your steps and get that done.Try to get to colorX step becuase that has protection.

[Murr1525]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

The other option would be to wash/clay/ColorX everything... then come back day by day to really focus on swirl removal of each panel, as well as polishing and waxing that panel.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

I would NEVER work on paint if the car has been driven since the wash...but I am pretty anal about that stuff.

At the very minimum do a thorough and careful wipe down with a product that has high lubricity such as Last Touch BEFORE you polish or wax each time.

Best case would be to do a wash each day.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

As long as the car does not get more then a dusting of dirt, I would venture to say that if he does a good job with a qd product of his choice, it would be ok.

[hacker-pschorr]

Re: Is it okay do the 5 step over a couple days?

I've taken 4-5 days to finish a detail (after work), the car never left the garage during this time and I would re-clay the panels I was going to work on each day "just in case".