Detailing System

[kristina27]

Does anyone have a good detailing system or tips and tricks so that nothing is forgotten when doing a full interior and exterior detail? Like what order, inside or outside first? Any ideas will help.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Detailing System

Wash, doorjambs, clay, wax/polish entire exterior, move on to interior after finishing wax, after interior is done wax should be dry and your detail is done.

[l SIC l]

Re: Detailing System

Here is my detailing list that I wrote up almost a month ago now for people to use as a guideline: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46641

Hope that helps!

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Detailing System

Here is my detailing list that I wrote up almost a month ago now for people to use as a guideline: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46641

Hope that helps!

Doesn't get much better than that!

[cnfowler]

Re: Detailing System

SIC, just have to ask. Are the cars in your signature yours or family members?


Colin

[l SIC l]

Re: Detailing System

@Justin - thanks a lot mate, glad it helps

@cnflower - they are the parents cars, but I live at home and drive em' too so I work on them like they are 'ours' (apart from the Charger, Dad would kill me for driving his 'baby' haha). I've had a few late model MKIV Supras, but now I'm still waiting for another one to come up for sale, it's proving harder than I imagined to find a decent one these days!

Cheers,
Shaarn

[DogParkGuy]

Re: Detailing System

I start with the interior; vacuuming, cleaning seats, wiping down dash, etc, cleaning windows. Then I rinse the exterior and start with the wheels and wheel wells. I spend about 10-15 minutes on each wheel and wheel well. Then I wash the exterior and leave suds on as a lubricant for claying. Then I was again, rinse and dry with a water magnet. Then any paint correction and wax.

I think it makes sense to start with the interior first since I am usually tired after finishing the exterior and don't want to miss anything inside.

[kristina27]

Re: Detailing System

@ | Sic| Your detailing regimen is definitely a good one to follow. I have yet to find a system that works for me. I inevitably forget to do something. The interior detail system for me is the toughest. Right now I'm experimenting with doing the one door side at a time.

[Murr1525]

Re: Detailing System

You can always wash one day, and worry about the interior another day if just doing your own car. I dont try to rush it all at once.

Esp if you are keeping after it, doesnt take more than 5-10 minutes on the interior another day.

[Tuck91]

Re: Detailing System

Here is my detailing list that I wrote up almost a month ago now for people to use as a guideline: http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46641

Hope that helps!

You forgot to mention actually cleaning the interior in your list.

[HCAD]

Re: Detailing System

I have changed my order slightly for the winter months. More time is needed to let the interior area dry thoroughly before delivery. This is especially true if the interior seat or carpet is really bad and I have to extract with vigor. So at least a portion of the interior gets done early in the process. I will always wash the exterior first though, then wiping down the door jams after a wash which helps lead into cleaning the interior.

Other than that, I like to start in the drivers seat and get everything the driver will notice first, while I'm fresh. By the time I work around to the passenger side, hopefully it won't be as dirty, and it's likely that I'll be trying to finish up quickly, so if I'm going to miss something I want it to be on that side. (Not that I ever miss anything!)

It never hurts to make lists though, especially at first. You'll probably just need to list the often forgotten things, it's not likely you'll forget to wash the wheels or clean the windows. My common ones were visor mirrors, sunroof jams, gas cap area, rear cup holders and the top 1/2 inch of side windows.

Good luck!

[TOGWT]

Re: Detailing System

Cleaning Sequence

Interior

1. Vacuum dash, seats
2. Wipe down with a damp micro fibre towel
3. Brush carpets with a stiff brush and then vacuum
4. Clean all glass surfaces before applying any protection type products
5. Clean door jambs and door shuts.

Exterior

1. Wash to remove road dirt / debris
2. Detailer’s Clay removes surface contaminants( clay is an abrasive product, you may need to polish to remove micro marring)
3. Paint Decontamination, to remove ferrous metal particles (caused by brake ‘dust’ from pads)
4. Paint cleaner (removes environmental surface stains and debris (oxidation, tar, bird excrement stains, etc))
5. Polish (remove scratches and micro marring)
6. Apply protection (Wax and / or Sealant)
7. Clean wheel’ s and tyres, apply protection
8. Detail engine bay