New to detailing!

[paul.segovich]

Hello everyone .
Brief story. The only car I have ever owned was a high school beater. Barely getting me from A to B. I deployed with the Army reserve, and got rid of the beater! Upon my return to the states in April I will have a new car waiting for me. A new BLACK car.
Obviously I've gotten myself into a detailing nightmare, but I feel that i can take care of the car properly!
So the last few days I have started looking into detailing tips etc. But everything i've found isn't as detailed etc as i'd like.
I'm not a novice to ideas etc, but more to product names and what the product actually does to achieve the final shine promised.
As with every hobby i'm sure there are opinions, tips, biased opinions on products, etc.
In short the question is as follows.

With detail. How do i maintain the finish of my new black car. With what products, using what steps?
Also, it will all be done by hand, no power tools please.
Thank you

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing!

I'd start off simple, and build from there....

1. Dont let them wash the car.

2. Wash - Gold Class soap, 2 buckets, good towels, etc
3. Clay - Smooth Surface clay kit
4. ColorX
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0

Then of course there are wheel and tire products, glass cleaners, trim detailers, interior products....

[paul.segovich]

Re: New to detailing!

Thank you.
There aren't any specific products to use with black paint, is there? That's probably a horrid question.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing!

No, paint is paint for the most part.

I mean, you can experiment and get fancier in the future, but dont need that right away.

Also, you frankly may have to get it cleaned up the first time to see what condition the dealer has left the car in. Try to have them do as little as possible. That may take another product or two in the future to fix what they do.

[ricks778]

Re: New to detailing!

Most of the products you use on a car have little to do with the color of your car.
Clay removes contaminates imbedded on top of the paint.
Compounds will remove scratches. In addition, polishes will give you that final smooth finish before wax.
M07. Or Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze #7 Show Car Glaze. Will really make that black car look good. A glaze is usually an optional step, but in the case of a dark colored car, (and black being the darkest color) I think it is a necessary step IMO (In My Opinion).
Glaze will help give the paint a deep wet look. You may not like that look.
The wax you use too may play some in the type of look you want. The NTX synthetic wax will last longer, bead up better, and look good.
But if you do like that really dark wet look you may want to go with M26 or Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Car Wax. It will not last as long, or bead up as well as NTX. If you like the wet look M07, and M26 just seem to together.

[paul.segovich]

Re: New to detailing!

I don't mind spending time with my car, what so ever. But i want everything to be hand done.

This may make some of you cringe, but it's information that is very important. I live in Illinois. The winters are pretty bad, and the town goes crazy with salt. And i work 30 miles away, so seeing salt is inevitable.
How would i properly take care of my finish without having to detail my car on a daily basis?

[paul.segovich]

Re: New to detailing!

And also, all these names, numbers etc are running together. I have nothing needed to was my car properly. Can someone break it down for me, kindergarten style, on recommended products, in oder that i would use them during my car washing routine?

[paul.segovich]

Re: New to detailing!

step 1 - Wash
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

step 2 - Paint cleaning and surface prep
Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner
Smooth Surface® Clay Kit

Step 3 - Polish
Deep Crystal® System Polish

Step 4 - Wax
Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax

Step 5 - maintain
NXT Generation® Speed Detailer

This is the system that I have formulated. Am i missing anything, is the order right. are the products compatible?

Thanks guys!
I'll be sure, once i do get the chance to detail my car to post before and afters.

[james0509]

Re: New to detailing!

step 1 - Wash
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

step 2 - Paint cleaning and surface prep
Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner
Smooth Surface® Clay Kit

Step 3 - Polish
Deep Crystal® System Polish

Step 4 - Wax
Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax

Step 5 - maintain
NXT Generation® Speed Detailer

This is the system that I have formulated. Am i missing anything, is the order right. are the products compatible?

Thanks guys!
I'll be sure, once i do get the chance to detail my car to post before and afters.

The steps look good. You got some MF towels right? They're a must when it comes to detailing!

And remember not to use anything after it touches the ground. Etc your wash mitt, towels, and especially the clay bar! Black paint is notorious for easily getting swirls ( or showing them at least ).

Have fun!

[ziggo99]

Re: New to detailing!

I would swap out the Gold Class wax for NXT 2.0 for the sake of it lasting longer. Have a bottle of SwirlX on hand in case the Deep Crystal Step 1 doesn't give you the results you'd like.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing!

step 1 - Wash
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

step 2 - Paint cleaning and surface prep
Deep Crystal® System Paint Cleaner
Smooth Surface® Clay Kit

Step 3 - Polish
Deep Crystal® System Polish

Step 4 - Wax
Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax

Step 5 - maintain
NXT Generation® Speed Detailer

This is the system that I have formulated. Am i missing anything, is the order right. are the products compatible?

Thanks guys!
I'll be sure, once i do get the chance to detail my car to post before and afters.

I would not do this, but as you know it is all opinion..

1. Wash - Gold Class, etc
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit
3. Clean/Polish - ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0, Gold Class, etc

5. Maintain - This can invilve different products, depending on what maintenance is needed.

Quick Detailer is fine for bird droppings, etc. After washes, Ultimate Quick Detailer is great to use.

Hope that helps, though feel free to ask question if needed.

[paul.segovich]

Re: New to detailing!

The steps look good. You got some MF towels right? They're a must when it comes to detailing!

And remember not to use anything after it touches the ground. Etc your wash mitt, towels, and especially the clay bar! Black paint is notorious for easily getting swirls ( or showing them at least ).

Have fun!

Thank you for the tips. I left out the addition of the MF towels etc.
! And i'm sure that i'll have fun. Never having detailed before, upon reading up on it, this seems just about what i would like to do.

I would swap out the Gold Class wax for NXT 2.0 for the sake of it lasting longer. Have a bottle of SwirlX on hand in case the Deep Crystal Step 1 doesn't give you the results you'd like.

Is that the gold class in each step or just the wash, wax, etc?
And all of the products in the 'paint care' section boast to do almost exactly the same thing.
My car is brand new, it shouldn't have swirls or anything, but i'm a novice so i'm expecting to create myself some extra work by making some swirls accidentally.
Do you recommend anything for this application?

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing!

Is that the gold class in each step or just the wash, wax, etc?

The Gold Class soap is pretty top notch. And the Nxt 2.0 wax is pretty top notch.

And all of the products in the 'paint care' section boast to do almost exactly the same thing.

Joys of advertising. But you can ask about whatever. The DC cleaner will get rid of dirt, but wont do much as far as swirls/scratches.

My car is brand new, it shouldn't have swirls or anything,

We'll see.....

Do you recommend anything for this application?

Most things are pretty much the same as far as the basics. Its if you want to get fancier in the future, or have some kind of more severe paint problems, etc, where other products are needed.

[paul.segovich]

Re: New to detailing!

This car is my daily driver. And i don't plan on ever showing it. But i want to keep it looking nice, obviously.
The NXT 2.0 wax lasts longer right, so this would be better to make it through the winter? They salt like crazy out here. Sometimes sand too. It's a nightmare, really.

Does anyone disagree that the high pressure hot soap undercarrage etc automatic wash is a good idea to keep the salt buildup off my car during the winter driving?

I don't necessairly trust myself witht he black paint and using a orbital buffer, or anything like that. But it seems easier, quicker, and possibly produces a better end result.
Any tips for using this, any preference on machine?



And thanks again everyone for your help!
I have questions that are seemingly endless

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing!

Yeah, Nxt 2.0 will be the best option for durability. Hopefully you will get an ok day mid winter as well. And also using a spray wax after future washes will help extend the life of the wax.

I would o to the coin-op place and spray the under body. The soaps at those kind of places are quite strong, so really dont want them on the paint.

As or a machine if you wanted to at least browse one for the future, the G110 is a pretty good way to go.