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Lots of Questions

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  • #1

    Lots of Questions

    I am new here and had been doing the usual detail of my wifes and my cars for a while now and found this place and realized I am really missing the boat on my process. Anyways we both drive Hondas, a Civic and an Accord, and am looking for some tips on a good process I can use to detail both cars. I had been washing, claying then waxing and totallly leaving out the polishing part. I will be doing this job by hand but will be investing in a DA soon as I have used polishers in the past but have not had one in a few years.

    A little about both cars, the Civic has the usual wear and tear some light scratches and swirls in the paint and bugs and scratches on the front as well as some stains from bird poo. The accord is older and the paint I would say is a little faded and it also has the light scratches and swirls to go along with some bird poo stains. They are both green, the Civic is a lighter green and the Accord is a very dark green.

    I am just looking for a process and the products to use that I can possbily do on both cars. After reading on here about others processes and the products they use I am kind of wondering what would be the best products for me to use on our cars.

    Thanks to everyone for your help. I will be doing one car this weekend and the other the next and will post pics after completion.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Lots of Questions

    The bad news is, there are lots of ways and products you can use, so picking one can be overwhelming. You can use the Deep Crystal line of products, which is the consumer line, such as Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner followed by Deep Crystal System Polish. Or you can jump into the professional line and use the Paint Reconditioning cream for example.

    My advice is to get a DA sooner rather than later, as taking out defects by hand can take a long time and wear you out. Not that its not possible.
    AeroCleanse, LLC
    Wisconsin's Elite Detailing Service
    www.aerocleanse.com

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Lots of Questions

      Thanks for the reply, yeah I have been really looking in to getting a DA soon. That is what I was afraid of though, not being a simple answer really. I just want to try to get an idea of what would get me the best results on these cars but understand that without the DA I will probably be limited.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Lots of Questions

        Here are some simple processes to look at by hand.... as well as good quality towels, Grit gaurds, etc...

        1. Wash - Gold Class, Nxt, etc.
        2. Clay
        3. Clean - #105 for swirls, Deep Crystal #1 for general cleaning.
        4. Polish - DC#2 is easy to use, #7 Show Car Glaze is top of the line.
        5. Wax - Nxt 2.0
        6. Wax - Two thin coats are best.

        1. Wash
        2. Clay
        3. Cleaner/Wax - I like to use ColorX.
        4. Wax - Nxt 2.0

        I like to use the Ultimate Quick Detailer after future washes to restore the nice shine.
        2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Lots of Questions

          Originally posted by tone363 View Post

          A little about both cars, the Civic has the usual wear and tear some light scratches and swirls in the paint and bugs and scratches on the front as well as some stains from bird poo. The accord is older and the paint I would say is a little faded and it also has the light scratches and swirls to go along with some bird poo stains. They are both green, the Civic is a lighter green and the Accord is a very dark green.
          Here's a very effective recipe to take the paint on both of these cars to their maximum potential working by hand...
          1. Wash
          2. Clay if needed
          3. Rub out the paint working small sections at a time using M105 Ultra Cut Compound and a clean, foam wax applicator pad.
          4. Polish - If you're getting M105 then might as well get a quart of M81 Hand Polish
          5. Protect - Apply one or two coats of your favorite wax or paint sealant.



          Cant speak highly enough about how great M105 is at removing swirls and scratches by hand.


          Mike Phillips
          760-515-0444
          showcargarage@gmail.com
          "Find something you like and use it often"

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Lots of Questions

            Mike, so it's okay to work M105 with a clean foam applicator pad like the one that comes with Gold Class paste? Or with a special foam pad? Do I have to give some pressure on application, or just work the product?
            Sorry for so much questions. Real newbie here. Thanks

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Lots of Questions

              Thank you everyone!

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Lots of Questions

                Originally posted by d doctor View Post
                Mike, so it's okay to work M105 with a clean foam applicator pad like the one that comes with Gold Class paste?
                Yes.

                Originally posted by d doctor View Post
                Or with a special foam pad?
                Any clean, quality foam or even microfiber wax applicator pad will work.

                Originally posted by d doctor View Post
                Do I have to give some pressure on application, or just work the product?
                If you work the product you are using pressure, it's a question of how much pressure and for how long? These are variables you test out for yourself by working on your car.

                When using M105 you would test by rubbing for a little time with a little pressure and then wipe-off and inspect. If it looks good then remember how long your worked the product and how much pressure you used and duplicate this over small sections at at time until you've went around the car.

                If the results don't look good, try testing again only now rub with a little more pressure for a little longer. As you finish this application reduce your pressure to make you last passes in a more gentle way. Wipe off the residue and inspect your results.

                Find a balance of pressure and time that works for your paint system and the defects you're trying to remove. It's called a Test Spot.

                Make sure you can make one small area look good before going over the entire car.

                Polishing paint is an art form, not just a mechanical step 1, step 2, step 3 procedure. Creating a show car finish or something close to it requires the human elements of care and passion and usually a little bit of persperation...


                Mike Phillips
                760-515-0444
                showcargarage@gmail.com
                "Find something you like and use it often"

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Lots of Questions

                  M105 is great, but its expensive...so don't be surprised.
                  AeroCleanse, LLC
                  Wisconsin's Elite Detailing Service
                  www.aerocleanse.com

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Lots of Questions

                    A fellow forum member, VoicesInMyHead, recently brought to my attention that Auto Detailing Solutions has a special promotion going on 12 oz bottles of M105 for only $9.99: http://www.autodetailingsolutions.co...t-compound.htm.
                    Swirls hide in the black molecular depths, only waiting for the right time to emerge and destroy your sanity.
                    --Al Kimel

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Lots of Questions

                      Yeah, ADS is a good place for all your Meguiars needs, plus Grit Guards, etc.

                      Not sure if one 12oz bottle would be enough to do 2 entire cars really well or not. The quart is a good price too.
                      2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Lots of Questions

                        Thanks Mike. Havent thought about timing the application before. I guess it could make the process more efficient. Before now I just rub and repeat the application until it looks good to me. With this I can do one section with just one application after I found out the right pressure and time. Sure do wish I knew about this before.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Lots of Questions

                          I agree with everyone, M105 is a great product. I would look into getting a DA as mentioned.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Lots of Questions

                            Thanks again everyone

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