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New to detailing.

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  • #1

    New to detailing.

    Hi everyone. New to detailing here just have a few questions. First and foremost Meguiars I swear by you as far as car wash goes. Never waxed before so I will have to wait to see on that though.

    Second! Here are some pics of my car. It is a black 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 SE.




    You see those swirls on the hood? They are annoying the heck out of me. Now this is what I have planned in a week. I was going to do the following.

    1. Wash/Dry
    2. Clay Bar
    3. Paint Cleaner
    4. Polish
    5. Wax (That Tech stuff)


    After I clay bar when I do step 3 do I just "clean" whatever parts of the car have the swirls? What can I use on the rest of the paint that is in relative good condition?

    As for polishing what do you all recommend as the best that is available in say Autozone or Pepboys? Any other tips for me? I know I am forgetting a few things but it will come to me lol.




    Last edited by Markus Kleis; Jul 31, 2010, 04:38 PM. Reason: No hyperlinks before 30 posts
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: New to detailing.

    Welcome to MOL. As far as Meguiars over the counter products you can get SwirlX, ScratchX, and Ultimate Compound pretty much at any auto supplies store. UC is the most aggressive, scratchx 2.0 is next, and Swirlx is the least aggressive. Always try the least aggressive method first, but there is no telling whcih one will work until you try it on your specific paint

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    • #3
      Re: New to detailing.

      For paint cleaners, I would try the least aggressive product first then move on up to greatest. In the order of aggressiveness, Swirl X < Scratch X 2.0 < Ultimate Compound. As of for polishing step, it is really optional and depends on your paint condition. Color X(least aggressive) is a great alternative to apply before Tech Wax 2.0.

      Good luck.
      1999 Toyota 4Runner 4WD SR5

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      • #4
        Re: New to detailing.

        i have found at auto zone you can get Meguiar's Show Car Glaze Polish (#7) It's a non abrasive polish so you may use it as much as you like.
        Am i obsessed?? A car is the second biggest financial investment for most people, why not keep it looking better than new?

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        • #5
          Re: New to detailing.

          Well I finally finished the detailing. Let me know what you all think for a first timer.

          Last edited by Markus Kleis; Aug 8, 2010, 05:54 PM. Reason: No hyperlinks before 30 posts, broken links

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          • #6
            Re: New to detailing.

            what steps did you use? Looks good!
            Am i obsessed?? A car is the second biggest financial investment for most people, why not keep it looking better than new?

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            • #7
              Re: New to detailing.

              Welcome to mol.
              Your car looks very good. Congrats.
              quality creates its own demand

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              • #8
                Re: New to detailing.

                wow, this looks great. Let us know the steps, along with the pads/towels that you used. I have a black car and have a hell of a time finding foam applicator pads, ordering the on line now.

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                • #9
                  Re: New to detailing.

                  Fantastic turnaround - the holograms on the hood looked really bad to start with.

                  What products and process did you use to correct that mess? Working by hand on a black car can be a daunting prospect, especially when starting with the mess you had on your hands.

                  Very nicely done!
                  Michael Stoops
                  Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

                  Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

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                  • #10
                    Re: New to detailing.

                    Did everything by hand. Took 2 afternoons to do it... All in all about 12-14 hours.

                    1. I Washed with Meg's Ultimate Wash
                    2. Claybared
                    2. Used Swirl-X on the hood with a Cotton Terry Cloth to wipe on and one to wipe off.
                    3. Polished the whole car with Meg's Show Car Glaze #7 used Cotton Terry for the app and removal.
                    4. Applied 2 coats of NXT 2.0 used Foam Pads

                    I worked section by section when I did it. First afternoon I finished and had 1 wax coat on the hood, pass side, roof, and rear end. Second afternoon I finished the claybar and polish on the drivers side and added another coat of wax to the areas I did the day before.

                    Today I am going to finish up by claybaring the windows. Heard good things about that. Also heading to the Junkyard to try and pick up some Focus SVT rims.

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                    • #11
                      Re: New to detailing.

                      Originally posted by LJGoose View Post
                      2. Used Swirl-X on the hood with a Cotton Terry Cloth to wipe on and one to wipe off.
                      3. Polished the whole car with Meg's Show Car Glaze #7 used Cotton Terry for the app and removal.
                      Those cotton terry clothes must be something. Usually they inflict damage on their own.

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