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I was basically looking for any tips or tricks that anyone might suggest to maximize my upcoming detail on my White IS350 (pictured in my avatar and link in my signature). The car is in between a garage queen and a daily drive. I've had it for almost a year and have about 4,000 miles. She's garage parked ALWAYS and was only driven in the winter elements twice and washed thorough thereafter.
The car is in very good shape and might have very minor swirling but I try to be as careful in my maintenance of her. So, here is my regimen and I wanted to know if anyone can offer any tips, tricks or advice on things I might want to do to really maximize the look.
Generally, here is what I do...
Exterior:
1. Rinse car with Karcher power washer.
2. Second coating with Karcher with NXT car wash (Karcher has a soap dispenser).
3. Wash with NXT (two buckets with Grit Guards) and a lambs wool mit - Third Bucket also used for wheels and tires with grout sponge and assorted wheel brushes, for wells, tires, lug nuts and inner wheel). Always wash top down.
4. Rinse with Karcher. Follow up with hose with no attachment to rinse and dry car.
5. Dry using Water Magnet.
6. Clay if necessary (but frankly I really doubt it because the car feels ultra-smooth).
7. G110 + M80, speed setting 4 with an 8006 pad. Mainly used as a cleaner rather than for correction, although if I bump it up to speed 5 and make more passed I can get some mild correction. Where correction is needed, I've had great success with M83, followed by M80.
8. M07, with G110 + 9006 Pad
9. NXT 2.0 with G110 + 9006 Pad x 2 (12 hour apart)
10. Maintenance with either NXT Spray Wax or UQD, depends how I'm feeling (at least once a week, but more like 2-4 times per week).
11. Wheels waxed with NXT 2.0.
12. Tires dressed with GC Endurance High Gloss or All Season Dressing (depends on my mood).
13. Windows cleaned with NXT Glass Cleaner
14. Tail pipes cleaned with Mother's Mine Powerball and M105, finished with M80 and then with QD.
15. Headlights are in perfect condition.
16. Front and rear plates removed during this process.
17. Engine is mostly covered but otherwise not in need of detailing.
18. Door jams are washed/waxed and crud removed but should I be lubricating them again and if so, with what?
Interior:
1. QID on all interior plastics and wood grain.
2. NXT glass cleaner on interior glass.
3. Car thorough vacuumed using a Shop Vac.
4. Carpets cleaned with APC and hot water extractor (LGM - Bissell).
5. Leather??? Confused here. Leather looks like it's still brand new (remember only 4000 miles). Should I clean it? I have Lexol, but I don't really like it.
6. Q-tips and QID on vents and in other tight spots.
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I know this is pretty thorough, but I know there are always little tips and tricks people use to just bring up the level of the detail a tad. For example the M105 + powerball on the tail pipe is something I picked up from someone and it just works amazing. Any other ideas I can pick up to give me that little extra?
I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks!
The car is in very good shape and might have very minor swirling but I try to be as careful in my maintenance of her. So, here is my regimen and I wanted to know if anyone can offer any tips, tricks or advice on things I might want to do to really maximize the look.
Generally, here is what I do...
Exterior:
1. Rinse car with Karcher power washer.
2. Second coating with Karcher with NXT car wash (Karcher has a soap dispenser).
3. Wash with NXT (two buckets with Grit Guards) and a lambs wool mit - Third Bucket also used for wheels and tires with grout sponge and assorted wheel brushes, for wells, tires, lug nuts and inner wheel). Always wash top down.
4. Rinse with Karcher. Follow up with hose with no attachment to rinse and dry car.
5. Dry using Water Magnet.
6. Clay if necessary (but frankly I really doubt it because the car feels ultra-smooth).
7. G110 + M80, speed setting 4 with an 8006 pad. Mainly used as a cleaner rather than for correction, although if I bump it up to speed 5 and make more passed I can get some mild correction. Where correction is needed, I've had great success with M83, followed by M80.
8. M07, with G110 + 9006 Pad
9. NXT 2.0 with G110 + 9006 Pad x 2 (12 hour apart)
10. Maintenance with either NXT Spray Wax or UQD, depends how I'm feeling (at least once a week, but more like 2-4 times per week).
11. Wheels waxed with NXT 2.0.
12. Tires dressed with GC Endurance High Gloss or All Season Dressing (depends on my mood).
13. Windows cleaned with NXT Glass Cleaner
14. Tail pipes cleaned with Mother's Mine Powerball and M105, finished with M80 and then with QD.
15. Headlights are in perfect condition.
16. Front and rear plates removed during this process.
17. Engine is mostly covered but otherwise not in need of detailing.
18. Door jams are washed/waxed and crud removed but should I be lubricating them again and if so, with what?
Interior:
1. QID on all interior plastics and wood grain.
2. NXT glass cleaner on interior glass.
3. Car thorough vacuumed using a Shop Vac.
4. Carpets cleaned with APC and hot water extractor (LGM - Bissell).
5. Leather??? Confused here. Leather looks like it's still brand new (remember only 4000 miles). Should I clean it? I have Lexol, but I don't really like it.
6. Q-tips and QID on vents and in other tight spots.
--------
I know this is pretty thorough, but I know there are always little tips and tricks people use to just bring up the level of the detail a tad. For example the M105 + powerball on the tail pipe is something I picked up from someone and it just works amazing. Any other ideas I can pick up to give me that little extra?
I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks!
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