Right Process???

[SkinnyJ012]

I've been detailing my car and a few friends here and there on the side and usually stick with the same process (which i'll list below). I just wanted some input on whether i needed to add another step, take away a step. Let me know? Give me your opinion or let me know the steps that you guys use for that perfect paint finish? Let me know anything else you want to throw at me.
1-Wash-Gold Class/NXT Wash (whichever I have around)
2-Meguiars Mild Clay Bar (QD as Lube)
3-Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
4-Swirl Remover(#9)
5-Show Car Glaze
6-NXT Tech Wax
Cheers
-Jeff

[Megafast13]

Re: Right Process???

You could always try M105 & M205 instead of Swirl remover.

Not sure if you need 2 different waxes. Maybe just a couple coats of the same wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: Right Process???

Yeah, you are a little repetetive with your cleaning/polishing. Think of it this way, what you are doing is:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean
4. Clean/Polish
5. Polish
6. Wax

What you want it to look like is:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean
4. Polish
5. Wax
6. Wax
or some combination of products that falls into that order.

What you might do, esp if you feel the cars need a good cleaning, (and working by hand?) is:

1. Wash - 2 buckets, Grit Guards, etc of course.
2. Clay as needed
3. Clean - Look for the new SwirlX. It is a little stronger than the DC Cleaner, but still mild. Of course other products may be needed to really deal with lots of swirls, scratches, etc. But SwirlX would be a good basic cleaner.
4. Polish - This would be the spot for a pure polish like your #5.
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0
6. Wax - Two thin coats are best.

[SkinnyJ012]

Re: Right Process???

Since i'm working all by hand, would M105 or 205 be my best bet for that, or whats the best for working by hand?

[Megafast13]

Re: Right Process???

By hand I would recommend the new Ultimate Compount and SwirlX






1. Wash (GC or NXT Wash, 2 grit guard/buckets)
2. Clay (IF PAINT IS RUFF TO TOUCH) if not Try ColorX or SwirlX
3. Ultimate Coumpound
4. NXT 2.0 A couple thin coats
5. Ultimate Quik Detailer


Read this to:

5 Step Paint Care Process

[SkinnyJ012]

Re: Right Process???

One Last thing, if i use Ultimate Compound, would i want to follow that with the Glaze/Polish or is there no need for that?

[Megafast13]

Re: Right Process???

You could do a coat of swirlX after it, but Ultimate Compound was made for the average Joe to use and get really good results by hand.

You could follow with #7 Pure Polish or the DC Pure Polish

[Murr1525]

Re: Right Process???

The Ultimate Compound is a stronger compound, but it should finish pretty good on most paints. On some paints, maybe you would need a milder cleaner after it.

It is a cleaner only, so using a pure polish after would still be good.

[SkinnyJ012]

Re: Right Process???

Thanks for the Help!

[Megafast13]

Re: Right Process???

No problem. You will find that this is one of the best forums on the web.

Welcome to MOL!!!

If you have any other questions just ask

[akimel]

Re: Right Process???

I'd like to follow up on Murr1525's first comment. Skinny, your steps 3-5 are redundant and could in fact be reduced to one step. DC1 is a paint cleaner; Swirl Remover (M09) is a mildly abrasive cleaning-polish that is also loaded with polishing oils; Show Car Glaze (M07) is a pure polish loaded with polishing oils. You could save yourself a lot of time and still accomplish the same goals by eliminating DC1 and #7. #9 will both clean and polish your paint.

As others have mentioned, you might consider adopting SwirlX or Ultimate Compound as your cleaning-polish--if you believe you need a more powerful product to remove swirls and scratches that #9 is unable to remove. You could then follow this up with a pure polish such as #7, but the application of a pure polish is purely optional. Conclude with one or two coats of NXT (two coats is recommended).

BTW, my second son is a graduate of the University of Delaware. I visited Newark many times.

Cheers,
Al

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Right Process???

Just to chime in...

Are you detailing cars for profit or fun?

If you're detailing for fun only then all the recommendations in this thread are pretty much dead-on...

If you're detailing for profit then you probably have to goals like most of us,

Do a great job for your customer
Reduce time and overhead for maximum profit

If you're detailing for profit and working on daily drivers, not trying to remove each and every swirl and scratch, then look at this process for the paint,

Wash
Clay
Cleaner/Wax

For the cleaner/wax you can use ColorX as it will work on just about anything by hand or machine and can be found just about anywhere for a very affordable price.

If you want to buy in bulk then D151 Paint Conditioning Creme would be a great choice and pick up a few secondary dispenser bottles to pour off into.





KISS = Keep It Simple Simon

[sudsbyhubbs]

Re: Right Process???

It doesn't get talked about a lot here, but D151 is a really great product. It's easy to get caught up in steps and products and to get away from keeping it simple. The only thing I like to add to 151 is a coat of wax just to make sure the paint has plenty of protection.