doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

[CumminsCrazed]

ok guys, like the title says, im doing my first full (G110) detail before this weekend. Ill be doing it on a gun metal gray 03ish Ford T bird....my questions are this....

• Will Wheel Brightener 4:1 be ok on the wheels? (unsure on type, id assume chrome or coated polished alum.)
• When you guys say....3 passes with G110 and a single product, what is considered a pass, and how many should you do with moderate pressure vs. light pressure
• Any sugg. on what i can use on the convertible soft top?
• If wheels are CC (which i assume so) should i "wax" them/treat them as any other painted surface?
• Where all should/can i use APC+ to clean?

Thats all i can think of for right now, however, if i think of any more i will add them. I plan to wash and clay vehicle tomorrow night, then rewash and hopefully finish Fri. night. I dont have time to do it in 1 day with me working full time, and he has nothing else to drive, so i gotta do it in steps.

Will try to get before pics tomorrow night....do i do those pre or post wash?

[Carfire]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

I would dilute wheel brightener to 10:1 and make sure you know what type of wheel it is other wise it could be catastrophic. I normally do 6 passes with M105 or 205. I say a pass is going over an area;horizontal vertical horizontal vertical horizontal vertical and then finish with a horizontal. I hope you understood that.On a convertible top I would use regular soap and/or APC 10:1 or 4:1 depends on the severity. I use APC+ exclusively on the interior, like dash board, console, arm rests seats etc.

[the_invisible]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

Post wash pics to give us a true idea of the original condition of the paint.

Take pre wash pics if you wanna show us what you have done from start to finish.

Have fun.

I am still waiting for pictures of your pop's Nissan pickup.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

I would be very careful with the wheel brightener. Also keep your passes confined to a work area no bigger then say 18x18. Good luck.

[CumminsCrazed]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

thanks guys!!! if the weather holds out i might wash tonight and rewash tomorrow, clay and detail!

[akimel]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

Here is Mike Phillips's definition of a "pass":

If you're buffing out a section by machine a pass would the overlapping passes it takes to cover the section one time. For example if you're buffing out an area 2 feet by 2 feet, it may take you 6-8 overlapping passes to work the product over the entire section one time, that's one pass. If you cover the entire section 4 times before turning the polisher off that would be 4 passes.

How many passes you should do and how much pressure you should apply depends on what polish/compound you are using. If you are using, e.g., a diminishing abrasive polish like M80, then you need to work the product until it breaks down and goes translucent. If you are using, on the other hand, one of the SMAT polishes (SwirlX, Ultimate Compound, M205, M105), then you can stop at any time you believe/hope that the defects have been removed. In either case, do not polish to a dry buff.

And don't forget: always do a TEST SPOT: How to do a Test Spot!

I use Raggtopp products for my convertible top. They sell one cleaner for fabric/vinyl tops and then different protectants for fabric and vinyl tops.

What wax are you planning to use? What waxes do you own? I use NXT to wax my wheels.

Do not be surprised if this first full detail takes a lot more time than you have planned.

[CumminsCrazed]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

ok....for compounds i have Ultimate Compound and M205.

For Wax i have NXT 1.0 (3 yrs old) and i JUST got with my ADS order 16 oz. of M21 2.0, which i will use on the T bird.

[the_invisible]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

ok....for compounds i have Ultimate Compound and M205.

For Wax i have NXT 1.0 (3 yrs old) and i JUST got with my ADS order 16 oz. of M21 2.0, which i will use on the T bird.

Good choice on Ultimate Compound and M205.

Ultimate Compound is not as aggressive as M105, and it is the compound of choice due to its lower cost. You MAY want to substitute M205 with something like SwirlX if the owner of the vehicle is not specifying an ultra gloss finish. Again, this is for cost-cutting. Only the highly-trained eyes will notice the difference in results between M205 and SwirlX.

[CumminsCrazed]

Re: doing first full detail in the next few days.....questions!

i also have swirlX....but ive known this guy for a long time and i want to really make his car glow!

I didnt get a wash done tonight, so tomorrow i HAVE to do the whole thing! Hopefully i get off work early AND dont have to work Sat AM