step by step

[toe]

if you are detailing by yourself and doind a complete detail what steps do you guys take? i have been doing interior first includind windows then on to washing buy sometimes i wonder should i clean windows earlier in the process.exterior windows are the last thing i do

[Murr1525]

Re: step by step

Usually I do my interior another day.....

But I guess all at once i would:
1. Clean mufflers/pipes, wheels, tires, wheelwells.
2. Wash Car, Dry.
3. Clay
4. Clean
5. Polish
6. Wax
7. Clean outside windows/RainX, do some interior if time, including glass, dressing, etc
8. Remove Wax, RainX.
9. Wax / RainX
10. Continue interior, dress exterior, tires, etc.
11. Remove Wax, RainX
12. Pat down tires, wipe wheels, exhaust

Something like that.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: step by step

Like Murr I will start with tires/wheels ect and if any grime-tar-oil or grease is on the lower panels I use some body solvent to address these as well.

Next on to my wash then move in to my garage to dry an then compressed air to remove any remaining water from the cracks ,trims and moldings.

Then the rest simular to Murrs.

Just time yourself and try different routines to see what you think works best for you.

Others will chime in with their routines and you can come up with some good ideals from these and start putting something together.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: step by step

I like to do my interior, while I am waiting for the wax to dry. Do the front, check on the wax, etc. Then while I am waiting between coats I really get after the interior., Then repeat everything. While I am waiting for the second coat of wax to set. I my way of thinking it seems to save me time.

[DogParkGuy]

Re: step by step

Suggestion: which tasks are the most tiring or physically demanding? Which are easiest? Do the hard ones first while you are fresh.

Example (from my experience): using my dapc on the hood is easy; on the roof and lower panels is harder since I am not as flexible as I was in my younger days. This year (any day now that temperatures are flirting with 50s) I will buff out roof and lower panels first.