What is standard procedure?

[Giorgi]

Hi there, I am complete newbie to detailing, and I want to try it on my very old car 1993 (Red color) Mazda 626 just to learn basics.

So, I watched tons of videos here and there, so far I got this:

1. I need to wash car
2. let it dry
3. use clay bar with quick wax as lubricant

then what? should I start correcting scratches? or remove swirls?

Any info would be appreciated

Regards
Giorgi

[Marc08EX]

Re: What is standard procedure?

to MOL!!!

It depends on the condition on your paint. If you have swirls and defects in your paint then you would need a cleaner polish to remove those defects. Products such as Ultimate Compound, SwirlX or ScratchX 2.0 will be the products used for this step. Please keep in mind to use the least aggressive method to get the job done. Once you're done with the defect removal then you can apply a polish such as Ultimate Polish to your paint to revitalize the color. After this step, you can then apply your favorite wax. If you don't have any defects or swirls then you can go straight to waxing.

What products do you have? Are you working by hand or do you have the G110v2?

Have you read Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle yet?

Hope this helps!

[dixie_boysles]

Re: What is standard procedure?

no you don't "let it dry". You dry it yourself using microfiber towels, a chamois, or waffle weave towel.

If you are a complete newbie to washing a car, you might wanna get good at that first before attempting removing swirls and stuff.

Wash>Dry>Clay>Polish>Wax

[Murr1525]

Re: What is standard procedure?

Scratches and swirls and water spots are all the same thing, just low spots in the paint you would need to level out. Of course how easy/hard that is depends on a lot of factors.

But in general, you would look at:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - For mild cleaning, you would use something like SwirlX or Ult. Polish. For stronger cleaning, a product like Ultimate Compound could be used.
4. Polish - This is optional, but if the paint single stage, you might want to do a pure polishing step, like Deep Crystal Polish. OR at least follow the Ult. Compound with Ult. Polish.
5. Wax - Can use whichever wax you like... Nxt 2.0 or Ult. Wax are popular.
6. Wax - 2 thin coats are best.

[jwestcott]

Re: What is standard procedure?

Giorgi,
You want to use Quick DETAILER with the clay for lube. Not:

3. use clay bar with quick wax as lubricant

Jim

[Marc08EX]

Re: What is standard procedure?

If you have not seen these videos yet, please make sure you check them out:

Meguiar's Quik Tips Video Series - Washing

Meguiar's Quik Tips Video Series - Claying

[Giorgi]

Re: What is standard procedure?

Hey Guys thanks for your time and input,

I have some more questions, so far, if I got you correctly:

Wash/Dry
Work with clay
Work to eliminate scratches etc. imperfections
polish
and wax

Now, I have some more questions ( ) what's the difference between Deep Crystal Polish vs Ult. Polish. ?

P.S. I am learning on G110v2

P.P.S. What is good interior vacuum that can remove stains? ideally portable.

[Murr1525]

Re: What is standard procedure?

The Ult. Polish has a mild cleaning ability and oils. The Deep Crystal Polish is only oils.

Not sure about the vacuum, but the Little Green Machines are popular for small jobs.

[Marc08EX]

Re: What is standard procedure?

Hey Guys thanks for your time and input,

I have some more questions, so far, if I got you correctly:

Wash/Dry
Work with clay
Work to eliminate scratches etc. imperfections
polish
and wax

Now, I have some more questions ( ) what's the difference between Deep Crystal Polish vs Ult. Polish. ?

P.S. I am learning on G110v2

P.P.S. What is good interior vacuum that can remove stains? ideally portable.

It's great to hear that you already have the g110v2. You'll have better results in less time with that tool.

Like what Murr1525 said, Ultimate Polish has some mild abrasives on it. You can either use that with the polishing pad and it should eliminate mild swirls and defects. You can also use it with a finishing pad which should help revitalize your paint. On the other hand, Deep Crystal Polish is a pure polish which contains no correction ability. Its sole purpose is to revitalize the paint and make it look more glossy.

Hope this helps.

[Giorgi]

Re: What is standard procedure?

Thanks again.

Another somewhat stupid question, if I got it right, each time I clean and polish, I remove some clear coat of the paint. So what happens when it gets just too thin? Can car actually get re-lacqued?

[Murr1525]

Re: What is standard procedure?

If you were doing the above procedure, with the products techniques, you would not be removing enough to be measurable.