Announcement

**Murr1525** · Oct 13, 2009, 12:24 AM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

Problems: swirl marks, light scratches almost all around the car, some deeper (very few) scratches
Steps followed:

1.- Washed the car... this is where my problems start, I rent a condo, and we don't have a place where to wash the car, so I go to one of those "coins" places where you wash your car yourself (brown bear car wash, seattle,wa area). I don't like using the brush they have at those places for obvious reasons, I just use the pre-soak, hot soap rinse, then plain water rinse, then dry with cotton towels and MF for the final wipe. Any recommendations on this very first and important step?

Usually best to go at off hours, so you can take a bucket and sponge yourself.

2.- Clay the car... I wanted to go through the most visible scratches first, and use ScratchX, so I located those areas, I clayed it (using Quick Detailer for lubricating, which I think I read somewhere else is a waste, any ideas also here?) then applied ScratchX on very small areas at a time, only the light scratches disappeared after 2 or 3 passes, the deep ones were diminished, but still there

No, Quick Detailer is what you want for claying. Deeper scratches may be harder to get of course. Did you have ScratchX, or ScratchX 2.0? And did you apply it similar to this?

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

3.- I then set to apply a coat of SwirlX to the entire car, instead of claying the entire car first, I clayed one panel, applied swirlX, buff out, then move to next area and repeat. Is this ok? Does the claying using QD for lubrication helps or make things worse for swirlX?

You can just clay everything, then SwirlX everything. Has to be easier than a panel at a time.

If you were going to go panel by panel, I would still get everything clayed, then SwirlX and wax at the same time.

4.- After swirlX, most of the swirl marks were gone, except for the very fine scratches (which are still there

), but the entire car was very smooth, shiny and ready for the next step, which is: Deep Crystal polish... I most say I'm very pleased with this product! the result just right after polishing was great, another good set of the fine scratches were gone, and the car looked "darker". I was very nervous with the polish, never done it before, just waxing, so I took my time, got ready getting everything at hand, so I applied the polish in small areas then buff out almost immediately
I wanted the "3 step deep crystal" system, but couldn't find the paint cleaner

You were better off with SwirlX anyway. However, you will have to see if the swirls were just hidden or actualy removed. Assuming you worked in the SwirlX fairly well, I am sure a bunch are gone. But the DC polish likely only hid some.

5.- Next step was wax the car... as I wanted to apply the 3 DC system, I used instead the cleaner/wax (the little bottle that came with the clay kit). I think my mistake here was to not let the wax dry enough, I applied 2 or 3 panels, waited to dry for 1 or 2 minutes, then buff out (also another newbie question, is "buff out" the correct term to use when you remove either polish or wax?? sorry about that, just want to make sure) Anyway, the results I got was amazing! Car was shiny and beautiful! Still, I knew I needed one extra step.

Noooooo..... Well, its not that bad. But the cleaner/wax did just remove most of the polishing oils you put down from using SwirLX and DC Polish. Try to use a regular wax next time, or or just use the cleaner/wax followed by a regular wax.

No point in doing steps, then removing some of it with a cleaner/wax.

6.- I applied a coat of GC wax... I did let it dry for around 20min, and I think it over-dried as it was a little difficult to remove, I think it was still ok, but was scared at some point and I almost ran out of clean MF towels for the final wipes!

I have applied GC on this car before with excellent results, that's why I wanted to leave it as my last step. I was thinking on buying the NXT 2.0 wax, but I still have some GC left, once I finish the bottle (paste), I'll try the NXT product.

May have been applied a bit thick. It really cant "over dry".

- When claying the car and using the QD, I think I didn't wipe out and dry out the QD, so I left some of the product on the paint, I did the clay on saturday, on sunday morning I noticed some small black colored dots in some areas on my paint, I was so freaked out! luckily I Was able to remove them with a MF towel, and then applied the polish. I think I missed the spots because it was too dark when I finished, the building garage is not very well lit either

Doesnt sound like a big deal.

Good Luck.... always need more towels.

**james0509** · Oct 13, 2009, 12:35 AM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

1. My recommendation is to bring your own wash equipment. Also make sure that the towels you are drying with are clean. ( any bit of dirt and that will cause more swirl marks for your car)

2. QD for clay lube is fine, claying is a step that's only required approx. twice a year ( or you can do the plastic bag test, in another thread ) Most of the time claying isn't really for removing scratches, claying is to remove contaminants that you cannot remove with a car wash. If you want to remove scratches, use scratch X. If the scratches catch your finger nail when you lightly run your nail over the paint, then it's too deep.

3. Sounds fine here. as long as you remember what section you worked on. Just remember to dry the QD completely after claying.

4. Sounds good.

5. Remember to do the finger swipe wax test. When the wax slightly hazed over, swipe your finger lightly over the surface, if it leaves a clear trail that means it's ready to be removed ( also in another forum )

6. This is the same as step 5 right? Applying wax? Remember if you have time, the BEST thing to do when layering waxes is to let the first layer "cure" for 12-24 hours before you apply the second layer. If time is an issue, waiting maybe 30 mins should be fine.

On your last note , " I was able to remove them with a MF towel, then applied the polish"

Remember you are "polishing" the car with polish, not applying. Polish and wax are 2 separate things!

A few tips!

Since you are detailing by hand and you have an enclosed garage, to save your energy you can break up your detailing procedures into a range of a couple of days.

What I mean is, you can wash and clay the car day 1

Use UQD to remove light dust on day 2, then polish the car and apply wax.

That is just an example, since you might be too tired to rush everything in 1 day by hand.

Have fun! Hope I helped

**JLMex** · Oct 13, 2009, 12:02 PM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

Hey Murr:
Thanks for your tips! I'm ashamed I applied the cleaner/wax after the polish, as I read the details of the cleaner wax saying it has some polish in it, I thought it may complement the DC polish, not ruin it

Anyway, you learn something new everyday.
1.- Good tip, it will get harder to wash the next following months as is getting colder, and I hate to go and rush because somebody is already waiting and giving you looks.
2.- I used ScratchX 2.0, only on certain areas not the whole car. I did clay the specific area, then applied SX20, and move to next area.
6.- Yes, I think you're right, the layer was kind of thick, I even felt it on the MF towel when I was wiping out... is there a way to know the right amount of wax to be applied? not too thick, not too thin... I used GC paste, and I usually rub the pad thoroughly into the paste a few times, apply it to the car in a 30cmx30cm area, then get more wax in the pad

Thanks a lot for your time!!

**JLMex** · Oct 13, 2009, 12:12 PM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

Hey james0509:
2.- Yes, this is the first time I clayed the entire car, I know is only to remove surface contaminants, and I wanted a clean surface to then use scratchX 2.0... and yes, exactly that, the scratch I couldn't remove caught my finger nail, I was able to slightly reduce it, is less noticeable but is still there...
6.- I actually waxed the car twice, with a 24 hours in between

First day, Saturday: I clayed the entire car, applied SX20 on certain areas, and applied SwirlX on the entire car
Second day: I cleaned up the car with some QD and clean MF towels, then applied the polish, wait an hour or two, and then applied the cleaner/wax... which I should've applied just a regular wax here

and third day, Monday (yesterday): cleaned the car with some QD and clean MF towels, and waxed with GC paste

Thanks for the polishing tip!
Really appreciate your time and your responses!

**JLMex** · Oct 13, 2009, 12:16 PM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

Originally posted by JLMex View Post

, then applied the polish,

I meant I polished!! darn!

**William_F** · Oct 13, 2009, 01:39 PM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

JLMex,

I live in an apt with no access to water as well, so I can feel your pain. At least you have a garage to park in, so you're a step ahead of me.

If you go to the car wash when it's not busy, you can get by with bucket washing. The past couple days here it's been wanting to rain and tried once or twice, so our local car wash was pretty dead. I was able to get a good bucket wash with GC shampoo and my own wash mitts done with no problem.

**Murr1525** · Oct 14, 2009, 02:30 PM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

Thanks for your tips! I'm ashamed I applied the cleaner/wax after the polish, as I read the details of the cleaner wax saying it has some polish in it, I thought it may complement the DC polish, not ruin it

Well, I wouldnt say ruin... But not helping.

2.- I used ScratchX 2.0, only on certain areas not the whole car. I did clay the specific area, then applied SX20, and move to next area.

So in the end, you got everything clayed, used ScratchX 2.0 on certain spots, and then SwirlX on everything. Thats a fine way to go.

6.- Yes, I think you're right, the layer was kind of thick, I even felt it on the MF towel when I was wiping out... is there a way to know the right amount of wax to be applied? not too thick, not too thin... I used GC paste, and I usually rub the pad thoroughly into the paste a few times, apply it to the car in a 30cmx30cm area, then get more wax in the pad

Yeah.. dont be so through.

There are some pics in this link:

5-Step Paint Care

**JLMex** · Oct 14, 2009, 10:54 PM

Re: Questions and comments on my first detailing

Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post

There are some pics in this link:

5-Step Paint Care

Thanks for the link, I think I saw it right after I was done detailing

Thanks!
JL

Announcement

Questions and comments on my first detailing

Questions and comments on my first detailing

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment