Getting into detailing

[akimel]

Re: Getting into detailing

Proper Auto Care has a great package of discontinued Meguiars' brushes (free shipping, I think, if your purchase exceeds $25):

http://www.properautocare.com/mejubrpa.html

But don't think you need to go out and overload yourself with products and tools. Be patient. Achieving perfection takes time. Accepting the perfection one can never achieve takes even longer.

Al

[Murr1525]

Re: Getting into detailing

The best brushes were the Meguiars brushes...... I dunno now. Just try to feel them and find the softest.

RainX should be at most stores.... Advance Auto, Target, etc... You would not use it on the inside, and I dont like their "inside" window products for fog, etc.

[zzephyr27]

Re: Getting into detailing

Yeah I'll get the hang of it. I'll look into those applicators.

[akimel]

Re: Getting into detailing

Stoners's Invisible Glass is a good product. No need to buy another glass cleaner until you've gone through the bottle you have now.

What kind of applicator did you use to apply the tire gel? The Eagle One tire swipes seem to work pretty well. But it's just a matter of doing it several times. Eventually you'll get the hang of it.

[zzephyr27]

Re: Getting into detailing

Sounds good. I'll look into an aluminum wheel cleaner. They aren't plastic. Do have any ideas for a brush to clean in all the wheel divots?
I'll look into rain x. Is it used for insides too? I don't see it on autogeek. Where is it carried?
Thanks

[Murr1525]

Re: Getting into detailing

Yeah, I meant the Nxt Glass Cleaner. You can clay both sides, but it is pretty impossible for anything to be on the inside that would need clayed.

You might have used too much gel all at once.... applying a few smaller blobs at intervals might work better. I more or less do that with the sprays that I use.

As for your wheels... they dont look like bare metal, so likely painted. Just to be sure, that isnt a plastic hubcap? It is an actual metal wheel? If so, the safest product to use would be the Aluminum Wheel Cleaner (or Multi Piece Wheel Cleaner if you see it in a store). Remember you can also clay them, and if painted, could use a paint cleaner on them.

Like the paint, glass isnt perfectly smooth. So using something like wax or RainX puts a coat on the glass to help water bead and blow off as you drive. However, some people get wiper chatter/streaking from applying it on the windshield, some dont. I use RainX on all my windows and get good results. Something you can try if you feel like it. Its not required though.

[zzephyr27]

Re: Getting into detailing

hard to beat nxt what? there's an nxt glass cleaner? hmm well I already have the stoners..
and I'll try clay..I think the insides and outsides need a good cleaning

I used Meguiar's Hot Shine Tire Gel
I just squeezed some onto an applicator and rubbed it around the tire..where I'd initial start though seemed to get the most of the glob..how do you spread it even?

Please excuse my extreme noobness but I don't know what my wheels are made of..if anyone knows..

and about the last thing you said..are you saying it's normal to wax windows? I didn't on any of them..should I? or just stoner's everywhere? what's rainx for?

[Murr1525]

Re: Getting into detailing

Just make sure the car is clean before re-applying wax. Either wash or QD it.

You can try the Stoners... but it is hard to beat Nxt. Remember you can clay the glass as well.

How did you apply the tire shine? Which one?

Without looking back... what are your wheels made of?

You can certainly clean the glass like usual. Waxing it or RainXing it would be fine.

[zzephyr27]

Re: Getting into detailing

Maybe ill do a coat tomorrow..it'd be 24 hours or so between..that's ok?

I am happy with it. I think I can still get it better though. I want to polish the chrome edging..there's a lot of it and it's getting pretty dull.

Also my windows could be better. I bought Stoner's aerosol but haven't used it. I'll give it a go soon. It's ok to use on the inside of the windows too?

I also have PlastX but didn't use it..

I'm not sure I applied my tire gel gloss correctly. It seemed hard to spread it around evenly..

also, what would work nicely with my wheels?

sorry for the bombardment of questions

for the t tops, the top glass..what would be best to use on it? I didn't wax it..treat it as a window? or should I wax it

[akimel]

Re: Getting into detailing

All I used for wax was one thin layer of NXT 2.0
Should I follow it up with another coat?

I would, but it's totally up to you. A second coat, allowing for sufficient time between applications (optimal time being 12 hours for NXT), will ensure uniform coverage and should provide you with greater protection.

Are you happy with the way your car is looking now? Do you see an improvement? Your car was already looking pretty good. It sure looks good now.

Al

[zzephyr27]

Re: Getting into detailing

All I used for wax was one thin layer of NXT 2.0
Should I follow it up with another coat?

[akimel]

Re: Getting into detailing

Well done, mate. You appear to have gotten the hang of detaiing in short order. What wax did you finally decide on?

[zzephyr27]

Re: Getting into detailing

[zzephyr27]

Re: Getting into detailing

I don't think I'd have room for that..

I'm considering laying down a lot more money for an actual good quality cover instead of this pathetic cheap one...any worthy recommendations?
Something that will really actually keep stuff out

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Getting into detailing

Nothing I can do about the trees.
Wash it everytime I leave the house...?

Or as you can.

No perfect solution under these conditions.

Maybe look at one of those portable canopies? The steel ones.