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New to detailing, am I on the right track?

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  • #1

    New to detailing, am I on the right track?

    So, I am brand new to this whole concept of detailing, but after a week or so of research, I figured I'd hop in here and get some feedback before I begin. I have 2 cars that need attention, and can drive one while the other is in the garage, so no problems with rushing or waiting for the right products/tools. This is the first time I have actually done anything like this, (auto car washes for years before, maybe a couple coats of wax slapped on here or there...) so I could really use an honest opinion of where I'm at.

    Okay, So I already washed the first car (2 buckets) and clay-barred (spent around 4 hours doing this to get everything I could). I completely detailed the interior as well. I have the car taped up and in the garage as we speak.

    From what I gathered I think I picked up everything I might need. Here's the list of everything picked up so far:

    Gold class car wash
    Ultimate Compound
    Scratch x 2.0
    swirl remover 2.0
    all metal polish (Kit with drill attachment)
    clay bar kit
    ultimate polish
    ultimate wax
    plastX
    Endurance tire gel
    gold class leather wipes

    as well as:

    rain x original
    rain x anti-fog
    back to black

    Also picked up the following:

    Porter Cable 7346
    3m backing plate
    3 ccs white polishing pads
    2 ccs black finishing pads
    1 ccs wool cutting pad
    2 microfiber bonnets
    a dozen or so microfiber towels

    If anyone recognizes something that I should have in my arsenal, let me know!

    So I'll just write down my plans and order of details and I hope that I'm not too far off. This is the order of what I am planning on doing this weekend:

    car is already washed, clayed, and taped..

    Beginning with a 2x2 or so test area...

    1) Start with swirl remover 2.0 with white pad and PC on speed 5-6
    -if that doesn't work, move down to ultimate compound on white pad
    -if that doesn't work, switch to wool cutting pad
    -if that doesn't work, use scratch x 2.0 and work in by hand?
    -if that doesn't work, well, not sure, lol
    2) Remove with mf towel by hand
    3) Move on to Ultimate Polish with white pad and PC on speed 5
    4) Remove with mf towel by hand
    5) Switch to Ultimate Wax with black pad and PC on speed 3
    6) Remove with mf bonnet and PC on speed 5-6
    7) Final hand polish with mf towel
    8) Examine results, and if satisfactory on test area, continue on with rest of car
    9) Move on to trim, wheels, tires, headlights, and finally windows

    So here are my questions:

    1) Am I on track here? Any unnecessary steps, or ones that should be included? Any one notice anything way out of place?
    2) Are the 3 types of pads going to be enough, or should I be using more? These are the only ones stocked (at least that I could find) locally. Are there any chains that sell these, or are most of them for sale online only? I don't really want to wait for more if I can pick some up nearby...
    3) I have some small chips in my windshield, is there anything to do about this? I couldn't find anything on this.
    4) If one panel is worse than the rest, should I do a test area there, and then follow the same procedure for the whole car, or just that panel, and then do another test area on another panel for the rest?
    5) Is there anything specific I should know about the color of my cars? They are silver and burgandy. I'll post pics below.
    6) Any other questions I should be asking? (I do have a couple specific ones, but I'll post in a different section...)

    I know a lot of this is covered in alot of different places, and I just wanted to make sure I put it together in a way that is going to really make a difference. What I really need is a flow chart, lol.

    anyways, love this site so far, and any comments or criticism will be gladly welcomed. Thanks in advance for any input!!

    cars:

    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: New to detailing, am I on the right track?

    I would say don't use the wool pad.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: New to detailing, am I on the right track?

      Okay, So I already washed the first car (2 buckets) and clay-barred (spent around 4 hours doing this to get everything I could). I completely detailed the interior as well. I have the car taped up and in the garage as we speak.

      From what I gathered I think I picked up everything I might need. Here's the list of everything picked up so far:

      Gold class car wash
      Ultimate Compound
      Scratch x 2.0
      swirl remover 2.0
      all metal polish (Kit with drill attachment)
      clay bar kit
      ultimate polish
      ultimate wax
      plastX
      Endurance tire gel
      gold class leather wipes

      as well as:

      rain x original
      rain x anti-fog
      back to black

      Also picked up the following:

      Porter Cable 7346
      3m backing plate
      3 ccs white polishing pads
      2 ccs black finishing pads
      1 ccs wool cutting pad
      2 microfiber bonnets
      a dozen or so microfiber towels
      Yeah, dont like the wool pad.

      If anyone recognizes something that I should have in my arsenal, let me know!
      Well, always more to add...
      So I'll just write down my plans and order of details and I hope that I'm not too far off. This is the order of what I am planning on doing this weekend:

      car is already washed, clayed, and taped..
      OK

      Beginning with a 2x2 or so test area...

      1) Start with swirl remover 2.0 with white pad and PC on speed 5-6
      -if that doesn't work, move down to ultimate compound on white pad
      -if that doesn't work, switch to wool cutting pad
      -if that doesn't work, use scratch x 2.0 and work in by hand?
      -if that doesn't work, well, not sure, lol
      I would try Ult Polish first, then UC if needed.
      Not as familiar with the pads, dont want the wool pad. Polishing for cleaners, finishing for waxes in the idea starting off. Of course take before/after pics in good light, etc, and can come back here if the test spot isnt quite right.

      Hopefully someone else can chime in about those exact pads, and what compares to what.

      2) Remove with mf towel by hand
      Those products dont need to dry, so remove right away.

      3) Move on to Ultimate Polish with white pad and PC on speed 5
      4) Remove with mf towel by hand
      If you needed to go to UC, then Ult Polish could be a follow up.

      5) Switch to Ultimate Wax with black pad and PC on speed 3
      6) Remove with mf bonnet and PC on speed 5-6
      7) Final hand polish with mf towel
      8) Examine results, and if satisfactory on test area, continue on with rest of car
      Yeah, though the wax doesn't generally need to be in the test spot. But can be if you want to make sure of it as well.

      2 coats of wax is best of course.
      9) Move on to trim, wheels, tires, headlights, and finally windows
      Yeah, or while wax is drying. Though the Ult. Wax doesnt seem to want much drying time.

      So here are my questions:

      1) Am I on track here? Any unnecessary steps, or ones that should be included? Any one notice anything way out of place?
      Pretty much, see above.

      2) Are the 3 types of pads going to be enough, or should I be using more? These are the only ones stocked (at least that I could find) locally. Are there any chains that sell these, or are most of them for sale online only? I don't really want to wait for more if I can pick some up nearby...
      Often buying online for that kind of thing, unless you can find a PBE store near you. You can check the Dealer Locator on the front page, right hand side. But call before you go.

      As far as pads, for the cleaning step, you might want to switch to a new pad halfway through or so, so it is nice to have a couple pads to use.
      3) I have some small chips in my windshield, is there anything to do about this? I couldn't find anything on this.
      Not really.

      4) If one panel is worse than the rest, should I do a test area there, and then follow the same procedure for the whole car, or just that panel, and then do another test area on another panel for the rest?
      If drastically worse, then maybe one area would need the UC, and the rest wont. If you used UC in just one area though, you would want to Ult Polish everything to even it out.
      5) Is there anything specific I should know about the color of my cars? They are silver and burgandy. I'll post pics below.
      Not really.

      6) Any other questions I should be asking? (I do have a couple specific ones, but I'll post in a different section...)
      Not really... just have to try a test spot, and see your results. As mentioned, pics will be good along the way in case something doesn't go right with the test spot. Might want to have a good flashlight, swirlfinder light, etc to help with the close up pics.
      2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: New to detailing, am I on the right track?

        Wool pads, as stated above, are for use with rotary buffers only.

        Ultimate Compound is more aggressive than Swirl Remover 2.0 . Ultimate Line: Compound, Polish and Wax should give you a good coverage.

        Ultimate Protectant (spray) or Ultimate Black (lotion) would be a nice addition for your exterior/ interior protection of plastic and vinyl. Quik Interior Detailer is great for quick detailing inside.

        Comment

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