Tips?

[Chubbz91]

Heyy just about ready to do a 5 step process on my Civic. Any tips on how to work in the swirlx or anything like that? Note its all done by hand. Tips would be greatful.Thanx

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Tips?

By hand?
Probably will need multiple applications, lots of elbow grease.
Remember to work in small sections.
Use a clean side of your microfiber to remove product.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Tips?

If you're doing that all by hand, you're gonna wanna spread it out into a few days otherwise your arm may fall off or you might get burned out. Try to buy a DA eventually. That's my tip!

[Zaris]

Re: Tips?

As someone who has detailed his car twice by hand so far, I can tell you that paint cleaners like SwirlX may, and probably will, need more than one application to effectively see results. Apply with a foam applicator pad in small sections at a time (the smaller the area you're working on, the stronger the application) and wipe off with a microfiber towel after a minute or two of vigorous rubbing-in. Wipe it off immediately. Don't let it sit and dry on the paint because then it will be solid and harder to remove. The only thing you need to let sit on the paint during the five-step process is wax.

If you're not satisfied with the look, give it another application until you're happy with it or, after half-a-dozen go's, that is the extent that working by hand will give you.

Don't mix two different products onto the same foam applicator pad. Same for towels. Use one for each.

Look up the streak test here on the forums to judge if your layer of wax is ready to remove. And it never hurts to apply a second layer if you have the time.

Be prepared to feel pain in your shoulders and the palms of your hands and possibly the feet and knees. I know I sure did, and I thought I was physically ready for it. I frequent the gym 4 times a week! :P

Oh, and music. Don't forget the music~

[Chubbz91]

Re: Tips?

Damn great tips. yeah i dont really have days to do it so ill just pray i can bang it all out in the matter of 9hrs. Zaris you said get ready to feel the pain in my palms? what do u mean by that?

[kiwiatlarge]

Re: Tips?

Great tips .. this is also on my to-do-list shortly (by hand application). Just waiting for the pollen n stuff to settle from our Spring time..

[Zaris]

Re: Tips?

What I meant was, the amount of vigor needed to buff out certain swirls, scratches, holograms, etc. by hand with a foam applicator pad will be so great that parts of your body is going to start aching in due time. I found my body stress points after hours of detailing to be my shoulders and the palms of my hands just because of the simple motion of applying product in a circular motion and my feet and knees when I bend down to do the lower areas of my car.

That paragraph was only meant to be a bit of a joke and a subjective truth, heh. Some probably will never experience these pains at all.

[Megafast13]

Re: Tips?

Wash: 2 Buckets, Grit Guards, Ultimate Wash & Wax
Clay: Smooth Surface Clay Kit
Polish: Ultimate Compound & SwirlX (Multiple applications)
Wax: NXT 2.0
Maintain: Ultimate Quik Detailer/Ultimate Quik Wax

That is the best thing to start out with for the exterior. You can also use PlastX on your headlights/taillights. And on the interior, Quik Interior Detailer, Supreme Shine Protectant, etc.

For Tires I recommend Meguiars Hot Shine Tire Gel Kit.

Buy from:

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/

[Chubbz91]

Re: Tips?

Heyy Zaris i get what you mean now lol. Megafast13 i will be getting the two bucket method and i have all those products u listed, except the tire shine i have the endurance tire gel.I dont need the plastx cuz my year of honda (eg) i have glass headlights.

[Underdawg736]

Re: Tips?

If your doing this by hand then the best advice I could give you is to STREEEEEEETCH! Stretching out your muscles will help prevent stiffness and soreness the next day, it won't prevent it but it will hopefully make it a little more bearable. I've detailed several cars and ambulances by hand before getting the G110 v1 and I can attest to you that stretching helps....big time.
I would stretch at least 15 to 30 minutes, stretch everything from head to toe. Stretch at least 10 to 15 seconds at a time, stretch to the point were it almost becomes uncomfortable. Also another major thing to do is to stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water during the detail.

After washing and claying I would tape off any trim you have to prevent any staining (if they're porous plastic). As others have already stated, work in small sections at a time using plenty of passion and check your work often! I use the up-down, left-right, and diagonal method as opposed to using just circular motions. Depending on the condition of your paint and weather your paint is hard or soft will determine how many passes it'll take to achieve your desired results. It most likely will take more then 9 hrs to correct by hand.
If your going to use polish, it won't be so tough since you won't be doing any correcting much.
With waxing, depending on which wax you use, it'll take at least 15 minutes to dry. Do the swipe test with your MF towel, if you swipe and see a nice reflective shine with no smudges or smearing, then the wax is ready to be removed.

GOOD LUCK!

[Chubbz91]

Re: Tips?

Greta tip thank you i would of never thought about the stretching thing, yeah i hope i can do it in 9hrs. This is my plan of action. Wash,dry,clay,swirlx,2 coats of NXT liquid wax. I do have to ask why do ppl say use two layers of wax?