detail steps for amatuer

[trailblazer295]

The time is upon me again to give the truck a full detail. I was thinking of adding a polish layer between waxes and wanted some opinions. Here is the my proposed steps

Wash - GC soap
Clay
Scratch X 2.0 (select spots)
Pro line cleaner wax
Nufinish polish (yes yes I know)
NXT 2.0

Will the layer of polish improve the look of my red metallic paint? Any problems with the process?

[Murr1525]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

NuFinish is actually a cleaner/wax, so not going to help. Also, if you use a cleaner/wax topped with a wax, you do not want a polish in between. Look at these two processes:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - SwirlX / ScrathcX / UC as needed
4. Polish - Optional - DC Polish, #7, etc...
5. Wax
6. Wax

or:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Cleaner/Wax - using a dedicated cleaner on spots first, then cleaner/waxing everything is fine.
4. Wax

[trailblazer295]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

What about Ice polish in between cleaner wax and nxt?

[Murr1525]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

I don't know if TW Ice is a pure polish like DC Polish/#7, or more on the cleaner/wax side like NuFinish, or just a cleaner, etc.

If it is on the pure polish side, you would want to use it where the DC Polish/#7 are shown in my above post.

It sounds to me like your goal is to use a pure polish, so you will be wanting to look at the first process above. A pure polish doesnt really fit in with a cleaner/wax detail.

[Shawn T.]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

TW Ice is actaully advertised like a wax considering it is supposed to provide protection.

[trailblazer295]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

I was just looking to see if adding a layer of 'polish' between waxes would give me extra shine.

[Murr1525]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

It may, esp if you have darker colors or single stage, but you want it before the wax, not in-between.

[Shawn T.]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

It may, esp if you have darker colors or single stage, but you want it before the wax, not in-between.

[trailblazer295]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

Wouldn't a polish before the cleaner wax block the wax from cleaning?


This is the vehicle, old picture but after a wax job.

[Shawn T.]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

No, the polish would be cleaned by the cleanr/wax therefore negating the polish step.

[trailblazer295]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

Ok thanks, I'll forget the polish step, at least on paint. I might put the polish on trim to bring out more shine before putting regular wax on. At least then any over wipe of polish onto the paint will be removed. Thanks for the advice. I will be undertaking the process tomorrow, I'll post some pics of the updated ride all buffed up.

[Murr1525]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

You want a polish before a regular wax, and then 2 coats of the regular wax.

A pure polish before a cleaner/wax would be removed.

And a pure polish inbetween coats of wax would just interfere with the first coat of wax, as there is still some cleaning action from rubbing it in.

[trailblazer295]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

The cleaning is finally done, damn sap in several places took awhile to remove. Lunch break then its on to claying.

[Murr1525]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

Try some glass cleaner on the sap next time...

[trailblazer295]

Re: detail steps for amatuer

After several hours of elbow grease, its looking pretty good. Good day for detailing, high teens and little sun. Not the best for pictures but here she is.

Steps/Products Used

Automotive goo gone (sap)

Deep Crystal wash (tires/rims)
GC wash
Clay
Ice polish (trim pieces)
Scratch X 2.0 (select spots)
Pro line Cleaner Wax
NXT 2.0
Invisible Glass
Mothers Chrome Polish (lug caps)