New to Detailing!

[2doorvic]

I drive a white 2003 honda civic and i really wanting to try and improve my paint quality buy detailing it. I have swirl marks and have never clay bar'd my car before so im wanting to make sure i have all the info and the right products to do the job right.

First off ive read through a few threads about the 5 steps to washing a car and the remove swirl marks by hand thread.

So my question is this, in order what should i do to detail my car by hand and what products to use for best results!

1. Wash car
2. Clay bar
3. Scratch X
4. Some type of cleaner
5. Some type of sealant

^is that the right order or do i have it backwards? Any info would be great!

Here is a pic of my car to show you what im working on.

[Carfire]

Re: New to Detailing!

Sounds Good!!
Although you do not need your 4th Step.
I would see with Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0.
The Meguiars 5 Step Method is:
Wash
Prep
Polish
Wax
Maintain

[2doorvic]

Re: New to Detailing!

ok so use the NXT tech wax for the sealant?

thanks for the info!

[Nick Chapman]

Re: New to Detailing!

North Carolina?

NXT will be a great sealant for your vehicle.

Wash
CLay
ScratchX or SwirlX
NXT x 2(wait 24 hours in between coats)

Nick

[2doorvic]

Re: New to Detailing!

North Carolina?

NXT will be a great sealant for your vehicle.

Wash
CLay
ScratchX or SwirlX
NXT x 2(wait 24 hours in between coats)

Nick

thanks man! and yeah im for NC

so which is better scratchX or swirlX?

[Murr1525]

Re: New to Detailing!

I would probably do a test spot with SwirlX first.

Then you would want ScratchX 2.0 if that isnt enough.

[BACNBLACK]

Re: New to Detailing!

So just curious, wouldn't you also want to use Deep Crystal Polish after the ScratchX to help give it a little more "pop" before applying the NXT Wax ?

[Murr1525]

Re: New to Detailing!

Using a pure polish is optional, but can be good if you want the best looks possible. If ScratchX was the only cleaner used, then yes, you might want to follow it up.

The SwirlX is a cleaner/polish, so it would be more optional to follow that up with a pure polish.

[BACNBLACK]

Re: New to Detailing!

Cool, that makes good sense.
Thanks.

[redman]

Re: New to Detailing!

Welcome to mol,

[2doorvic]

Re: New to Detailing!

so is swirlX better because it has the polish in it or is it better to use scratchX and a polish?

[Sal329]

Re: New to Detailing!

Lets plan a day man come on over we will work on the car together. I will have to see when, I have an RV to detail tomorrow depening on weather, picking up my pressure washer on wed, sat I have a detail planned... If your free during the week maybe next week?

[Murr1525]

Re: New to Detailing!

SwirLX would be milder than ScratchX 2.0. So it is more a matter of what strength product you need to do the job.

[2doorvic]

Re: New to Detailing!

Lets plan a day man come on over we will work on the car together. I will have to see when, I have an RV to detail tomorrow depening on weather, picking up my pressure washer on wed, sat I have a detail planned... If your free during the week maybe next week?

hey man that sounds GREAT!!! i could really use the help! but ive work till 4:30 everyday and thats in concord so i dont usually get back to belmont till a little after 5. So im not sure if that will give us enough daylight to do anything. But im usually free on the weekends! i was planning on starting on it this weekend but i would rather wait till your free to make sure i get it down right! so just let me know when your free....

[Sal329]

Re: New to Detailing!

Maybe a sunday we can get together