Maintaining after Detailing

[RGP]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Time it takes? Everyone is different. Some quicker than others. Like everything else,the more you do it,the more efficient you'll get at it. The size of vehicle you're working on?

Hi Eddie,

I think it's best paraphrased as most do it fast; I on the other hand merely do it "half as fast". BTW, did the "hiss test" on the roadster last night. I went over every inch for nearly 45 minutes with the bare hand, MF, and even a 10X eye piece just to make sure. Nary a sound. I even checked the roll pans and rocker panels. Just like clean glass. Maybe in my ignorance, the 12 coats of NXT 2.0 has done the same as the initial new car claying. Thanks to you, I'm still gonna get the kit 'cause it's just so easy. I find the only really critical issues are using light pressure, loads of lubricant, re-kneading and rotating the clay and not dropping the clay so it gets contaminated. See. An old dog can in fact be taught new tricks!

[Eddie6th]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Hi Papa,you just said it!

You do it in that order.

1]wash/dry
2]clay with plenty lube
3]swirlX or scratchX2.0
4]wax

5]regular maintainence


Time it takes? Everyone is different. Some quicker than others. Like everything else,the more you do it,the more efficient you'll get at it. The size of vehicle you're working on?

[PAPARAZZI]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Wash clay can be done in the first hour or two, no this is where i get confused, when due i due the third step which is swirl x or compound, an final step which is wax !!!



Thanxs

[RGP]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

I only have a daily driver. I use my California Duster on the car first, then wipe it down with QD and a microfiber. I do it every few days or as needed.

Works for me as well, Calais. I'm monitoring any possible scratching, but haven't seen one bit so far. I inherited my neighbor's duster after she gave up using it. I keep that one as a beater for my wheels, door jams, etc. 17??? Geazalou; I've got ties three times as old as you! Good for you getting an early start. People razzed me in the mid 60's for being a car nut. I'm still at it. Still haven't lost the stick shifties!

[Eddie6th]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Hi,Did you manage to get your hood finished?

1] I'm happy with any of the meg's shampoos for washing.I've just finished a bottle of soft gel and started a bottle of NXT.Gold class shampoo is also good.

2] Clay bar kit,with quik detailer.I can't buy the clay seperate here,but I use QD a lot anyway.Don't use UQD for claying,it's not recommended.

3] I have the Deep Crystal set: DC1-paint cleaner,DC2-polish,DC3-carnauba wax. The choice of wax here is down to your personal preference. I am going to try the NXT Tech wax 2.0,soon(waiting for the order to arrive).Although everyone here loves the new Tech wax2.0,doesn't mean carnauba is no good.It's still an excellent wax! There is also the Gold Class wax.I've used it in the past and it's good aswell.

3b] As far as cleaner/polish goes.The DC1+2 won't really do anything to remove swirls or scratches.They can remove very,very fine scuffs.You're best bet is swirlX or ScratchX 2.0.Again,I'm waiting for an order of scratchX2.0.At the moment I'm using a 3M product.I can't get the professional line here.

4] For maintainence,I use QD.I now have UQD,but havn't had the chance to use it yet.I think this will be my replacement here.

5] For the interior,I use 'Natural Shine' on the plastic and rubber parts.I don't have any leather.I also use it on exterior trim and don't have any problems with it.There is also the gold class trim detailer.

6] For the tyres,I',ve been using 'Hot Shine' trigger spray,but I put it onto a sponge and don't spray directly onto the tyres,to avoid too much mess.I believe,the 'gel' (purple in color) is very good aswell,possibly better.

7] Any metalwork,I use NXT All Metal Polish,as a general metal cleaner.It's good for cleaning up your tail pipe.

8] I keep 'PlastX' aswell,but I'll not go into this here.If you need to use this,it's better posted as a new thread.

What you'll need to work with:

A good quality wash mitt or sponge.
A good quality waffle weave,like the 'Water Magnet' and/or chamois,for drying.If you use a chamois in conjunction with the waffle weave,try to get a big one,not like me,using old,small ones.You'll get your car dried quicker,hence less water spots to deal with.
At least 4 foam applicators,A couple of the soft applicators(optional).
At least 3 supreme shine microfibres.I have 9.They are always handy.

At the moment,I do everything on my car by hand.I'm trying to get a hold of a DA,but I'm not desperate.For you,see how you get on by hand.You can always get into that side of things later on.

Lastly,looking at your avatars,your paintwork seems to be in very good condition,so I don't think you'll encounter many problems....

[bmwx5]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Eddie what is your arsenal or your detail items that you use? ... it seems since I caught on to this detailing business I've bought all kinds of stuff but I feel and am convinced that all Meg products are well worth it . What made you start using Meg products in the first place?

[Calais]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

The QD products are for light dust though, so going more than a day with a daily driver will probably put too much grime on the paint for the QD.

I only have a daily driver. I use my California Duster on the car first, then wipe it down with QD and a microfiber. I do it every few days or as needed.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

yeah,i remember that thread.There was definitely something far wrong with that case.i don't know what happened there?

Ultimate Compound is quite aggressive,so you might want to stick with swirlX or ScratchX2.0.

You've probably already read,that you start off with the least aggressive,see how it fairs,and only move up the ladder if neccessary.

The order of aggressiveness from mild to strong:

swirlX
scratchX2.0
ultimate compound

looking at your vehicle,I don't think you'll need UC.(I seen your pic of the hood,last night).....

[bmwx5]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Yes I did do a full detail on my truck . I am somewhat satisfied with the results as I have that deep wet glossy look but the front part ( the hood specifically ) needs some more polishing , but the clay part worked out well . I was looking on one of the threads where the guy used UC and he got all kind of scratches or swirls or whatever it was on his Honda ... but I think that was due to him leaving the UC on too long as well as poor technique ... anyhow I would hate that too happen on a dark color ... Yikes !

[Eddie6th]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Hi.With your car being black,it will be more noticeable.As far as it being attracted more to a smoothly finished surface,there is some evidence there.

A week or so ago,someone asked a similair question,and Mike phillips who was here at the time said that he had conducted an on the spot experiment with a hood that was half waxed,and the other half without.After a certain period,the waxed side had more dust on it,just from the atmosphere.He couldn't explain what the scientific reason was,but said that it could be down to the wiping action when applying the product,creating static energy.

I get this to,with my black car and my blue car,and is perfectly normal.

Washing is always better to remove dust.I have taken away light dust with a microfibre and quik detailer.It didn't do any damage.Don't wipe it only with a dry microfibre.Some people here use a 'Californian Duster' with success,but I can't give you advice on that,as I've never used one.

The only cars that tend to hide it more are light silvery colored cars.Probably the best I've seen for not showing dust is the light golden/green metallics.

Did you get a full detail done?

[bmwx5]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Hey Eddie ... quick question ... I've noticed after letting my car settle after waxing ... and then a few days later I used UQD and UQW ... I notice dust get attracted to the hood of my car ... now I dont know if it is because the color of my car which is deep black causes these dust or stuff to stand out or does the wax or the UQD attracts theses dust ... anyhow it's no big deal since I'd just get a microfiber to wipe them off ... Just wondering if you have this minor problem since you have the same color.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Your Welcome..

Remember,you don't neccessarily have to finish all in one go,depending on how much time you'e got.

Enjoy!...and we'll see some of your pics soon!

[bmwx5]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Thanks Eddie ... yes your right about detailing ... it's like a full time job , BUT well worth the time and effort !

[Eddie6th]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Well I meant $5.99 each at Kragens ... Thanks Eddie for the compliment ... Just trying to my car to look like yours

Even at $5.99 each,I'd be laughing!

When I said 16€'s,that was with a little discount because I buy quite a lot from his shop.Should've been 19.99€'s.

You've got a good finish to start with. Don't preoccupy yourself with time.Doing a full detail can take quite a bit of time.Just as an example.I took out a couple of scuffs and scratches from the top surface of my bumper this evening.Took about an hour or so....By the time you wash,dry,clay,polish,wax............

good luck with your work!

[bmwx5]

Re: Maintaining after Detailing

Thanks MM for the information