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First real detail coming up: My ?'s

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  • #1

    First real detail coming up: My ?'s

    First I want to say thank you to everyone who posts the secrets to this art. I have learned so much in my short time of being a member here. I have watched all of the "How to" video's, more than once , and have searched the answers to 90% of my questions already just through out the threads. So THANK YOU!


    Well I think I'm ready to tackle my first true detail. By that I mean attempt to correct any scratches or flaws, give the car a layer of protection, and leave it looking better than it did the day it rolled off the showroom floor.

    Car: My grandma's 2009 Ford Taurus - Burgundy in color. (I'll post pictures tonight)

    The car has some very minor, to almost major scratches and scuffs. She's maybe 5' tall and 76 years old, she can't help it!

    Products I have on hand:
    Gold Class car wash
    Purple Power
    Hot Rims All wheel cleaner
    ArmorAll Wheel protectant
    Clay bar kit with cleaner wax
    Ultimate Compound
    ScratchX 2.0
    Ultimate Polish
    Gold Class liquid wax
    Ultimate Quik Wax

    New foam pads
    20+ Microfiber towels

    I'll be doing this all by hand.

    So here is the process I was going to take. If I am wrong, please tell me, I can take it!

    Wash
    Gold Class wash - 2 bucket system with Micromit. Dry with Microtowel after each side, blower to dry cracks and wheels

    Wheels
    Purple Power on wheel wells
    Hot Rims All wheel cleaner
    ArmorAll Wheel protectant

    Body
    Clay bar - Until smooth
    Ultimate Compound - Until scratches and swirls are gone
    ScratchX 2.0 - on whatever the UC didn't remove
    Ultimate Polish
    Gold Class liquid wax
    Ultimate Quik Wax


    Sound about right?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

    Wash
    Gold Class wash - 2 bucket system with Micromit. Dry with Microtowel after each side, blower to dry cracks and wheels
    Might be hard to dry each side and not get them wet again...

    Wheels
    Purple Power on wheel wells
    Hot Rims All wheel cleaner
    ArmorAll Wheel protectant
    Same with wheels.. I just do them first so not spraying the car all over again.

    Body
    Clay bar - Until smooth
    Ultimate Compound - Until scratches and swirls are gone
    ScratchX 2.0 - on whatever the UC didn't remove
    Ultimate Polish
    Gold Class liquid wax
    Ultimate Quik Wax
    UC is stronger than ScratchX 2.0, so what it didnt/you didnt remove, a machine or better technique would be needed.

    Frankly, if you have the receipt, I'd take the ScratchX back and buy something else you may need.
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

      Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
      Frankly, if you have the receipt, I'd take the ScratchX back and buy something else you may need.
      Ok so I have them backwards. Use UC on heavey swirled or scratched cars, and 2.0 on lighter stuff?

      What else would I need here?

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

        Ok so I have them backwards. Use UC on heavey swirled or scratched cars, and 2.0 on lighter stuff?
        Ehh.. sort of. Its easier to say that you want to have a stronger and a milder cleaner on your shelf, and use them as needed.

        So your strong cleaner can be UC.
        And mild could be SwirlX or Ult. Polish.

        So you pretty much have that covered. There really isnt much need for anything in the middle (ScratchX) if you are doing complete detailing.

        What else would I need here?
        Well, the list of things you could add is pretty endless. More Quick Detailer could be good for the future, glass cleaner, any interior products, more applicators. A cleaner/wax type product can be handy for quicker details...
        2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

          Maybe you can try Scratch x first, if it doesn't do the job then go with UC. From what I understand, Scratch X is less aggressive than UC. Therefore, UC is the last resort, if Scratch X does not get it done.

          You should consider getting Swirl X too. Add it to you selection.

          Good Luck!!!

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

            biggest thing is take your time!!! do a quality job!!

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

              another thing if you have have chrome rims or alum rims use a non acid spray,, i bought mine from a detail shop its nor meguiars but ABOUT 80% of my products are meg. some times i use soap an water on the rims especially if you clean it weekly. hope you have fun!!

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

                So I should follow:

                Clay bar - Until smooth
                Ultimate Compound - Until scratches and swirls are gone
                Ultimate Polish
                Gold Class liquid wax
                Ultimate Quik Wax


                ...

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

                  Saying UC until scratches are gone, when working by hand, could be a few days job.... if even possible. You may want to do a test spot, see how things go before jumping into everything.

                  But yeah, thats the right idea.
                  2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

                    Well the car turned out pretty good, but I did have some issues. While clay barring the car, the clay would gum up and seam to stick to the paint. I have PLENTY of lubrication, it looked like tar almost? Clad wouldnt touch it. It only showed up after a few passes with the clay.

                    Ultimate Compound didn't remove all of the swirls, which I was expecting, but I was doing it by hand too.

                    The Ultimate Polish was drying VERY fast. I has very hot and humid. Next time I'll do it in my garage.

                    I learned a lot from this detail. No matter how much I read, putting product on paint is the best teacher.

                    Anyway, hers the pictures...

                    BEFORE:









                    AFTER:


















                    Thanks for your help!

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

                      Well the car turned out pretty good, but I did have some issues. While clay barring the car, the clay would gum up and seam to stick to the paint. I have PLENTY of lubrication, it looked like tar almost? Clad wouldnt touch it. It only showed up after a few passes with the clay.
                      Sounds like you did good. Anothe poster commented on somthing similar, with tar only showing afte claying. Maybe this is something new?

                      Ultimate Compound didn't remove all of the swirls, which I was expecting, but I was doing it by hand too.

                      The Ultimate Polish was drying VERY fast. I has very hot and humid. Next time I'll do it in my garage.
                      Again, sounds ok... as long s you got good results. When it is hot, you tend to have to work smaller areas at a time, or find cooler places.

                      I hope she liked it...
                      2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: First real detail coming up: My ?'s

                        Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
                        Sounds like you did good. Anothe poster commented on somthing similar, with tar only showing afte claying. Maybe this is something new?



                        Again, sounds ok... as long s you got good results. When it is hot, you tend to have to work smaller areas at a time, or find cooler places.

                        I hope she liked it...
                        Saw it today in the sun and it looked great! She LOVED it! She kept saying that it looks like a whole new car or that it just got painted.

                        Thanks for you words of advice!!

                        Comment

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