Detailing DON'Ts

[akimel]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

A word about microfibers: If you guys are having good luck with the towels you have purchased over-the-counter, my hats off to you. All I can say is that the towels I purchased from Advanced Auto swirled the hood of my black Honda. After that I switched to better quality towels. Perhaps the Costco or Target towels are as good as Megs' Supreme Shines--that I cannot comment upon.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

Don't start a project that you don't have time for and then rush it.
Break it down into smaller stages, if you need to.

[Malo83]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

One more about microfibers:
I've used the Target vroom microfibers since I began detailing and I truly think they are on the same level as Cobra and Meguiar's. I have Ultimate Wipes but the convenience of running down the street for an 8 pack is worth it.

Adding one: always remember to clean the windows inside and out after everything. Couldn't tell you how many smudges I get from leaning on the car to take the wax off the hood.

X2, all I use are the Vroom MF's and they work great

[Bigmerc2003]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

11) Don't wear rings or a watch.
12) Don't forget to bring more products than you think you will use. More is always better.
13) Don't forget to take your Advil/Aleve/Tylenol before starting. AM I right Old Timers?
14) Don't forget to drink plenty of water.

Or belt's (buckles ****)

[FRS]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

Adding one: always remember to clean the windows inside and out after everything. Couldn't tell you how many smudges I get from leaning on the car to take the wax off the hood.

+1 on this one.

[techjazz]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

One more about microfibers:
I've used the Target vroom microfibers since I began detailing and I truly think they are on the same level as Cobra and Meguiar's. I have Ultimate Wipes but the convenience of running down the street for an 8 pack is worth it.

Adding one: always remember to clean the windows inside and out after everything. Couldn't tell you how many smudges I get from leaning on the car to take the wax off the hood.

[Poki]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

akimel, Thanks mostly for #9!! Now I can quit stressing out daily over my daily...driver.

[FRS]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

yes, go with UC .. it's an excellent product, the master of swirls!!!

[rapport25]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

After reading most of the replies I can only say i think we have all been there on most. Bloody hard working re doing an entire car to find the swirls are still there previously owned a silver car and now I have a pearl black cant believe how visible the swirls are. Dont get me wrong I have spent best part of 20 hrs detailing my passat and by hand.

Car looks great!!!Just me being picky.

I'm thinking of investing in some ultimate compound. And just doing one pannel at a time. I have tried scratch x 2.0 and used it on the entire car. Some Panels look great but its the usual parts that show. Bonnet, boot and roof in direct sunlight. These are very fine swirls heres hoping the ultimate compound will remove them or can anyone suggest fillers?.

Many Thanks Rappy.

[wifpd4]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

Now I am really old and slow but I should and figured this out long before now. But in case some other old hot rodder out there hasn't figured it out maybe this might help him.... "Purchase some Rubber Gloves."

I might suggest microfiber gloves. Breathable, less sweating and perhaps more comfortable. No matter our ages.

[genebrownlow]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

Ok, I am most likely the newest guy here but after spending the last 3 days working on my new black Camaro I have a small suggestion.

If you're like me, living somewhere where the humidity and heat are beating down on you. The sweat just pours. As I was rebuffing an area for the 3rd time I thought, maybe some of the sweat and oils from my hand are getting on the expensive cloth I just bought specifically for this job and everytime I turn the cloth over I rub that oil and sweat where I just buffed. Becuase it is wet it takes just a moment to dry and show the smear.

Now I am really old and slow but I should and figured this out long before now. But in case some other old hot rodder out there hasn't figured it out maybe this might help him.... "Purchase some Rubber Gloves."

I can't believe I didn't connect it because just this weekend I saw a demo in tv for a Sun City product and they were all wearing gloves. I guess you guys that do this all the time or for years just figure us "old" newbies would figure it out...

There ought to be a list somewhere...

[FRS]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

Do NOT buff out an entire vehicle without doing a test spot first! It is terribly depressing to spend hours with a paint cleaner, then polish and then wax only to pull the car out of the garage and realize that you only got rid of half the defects and you have to do everything all over again.

Heck, it's painful just reading stories about it!!

DO A TEST SPOT!!!!! TEST SPOTS ARE GOOD!!!!

This exactly happened to me once.

Very bad experience, I can tell you ...

[dennisg]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

Don't ever use brake fluid on tires use MGCETG.I had a friend that did this messed his paint job right up this was before the invention of AAP

[akimel]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

I have to disagree with the original posters rule #4, some of my best microfibers are red.

Haha! Perhaps I just need to reformulate the don't: "Don't wash your red (or blue or whatever) microfiber towels with your white ones."

[Mongoose]

Re: Detailing DON'Ts

I have to disagree with the original posters rule #4, some of my best microfibers are red.