Just started detailing.. advice needed

[G370z]

Hey everyone!
I live in Guam and my parents own a Nissan 370z.
I like to detail the car on a weekly basis. (I just started and I am a noob)

I do this every week:
1. Wash (w/ Meguiars NXT soap)
2. Clay Bar (Smooth surface kit)
3. Wax (Meguiars NXT 2.0 or Gold Class Carnauba)

I recently bought a Meguiars Mirror Glaze #7 - Show Car Glaze.
I don't seem to know how and when to use it.
And also the car also has swirl marks and i want to get rid of it.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thank you!

[Murr1525]

Re: Just started detailing.. advice needed

If detailing every week, I think you will be much happier doing:

1. Wash
2. Maintain - Ult. Quick Wax

And then maybe once a month or so do your full detail of:

1. Wash
2. Clay if needed
3. Clean - This is where you would use a mild cleaner, like SwirlX or Ult. Polish. Or a stronger cleaner like Ult. Compound to try and work on swirls/scratches. Can be hard by hand, but maybe a panel a say or something.
4. Polish - This is where the #7 would go, after the cleaners. It would be most appropriate after UC or SwirlX. Bit repetitive after Ult. Polish.
5. Wax
6. Wax - 2 thin coats are best, though spray waxing every week kind of evens things out, and one coats would probably be ok.

[Relentless]

Re: Just started detailing.. advice needed

I think claying every week is overkill. Like Murr1525 said wash & spray wax weekly. I would add the rims to the process whenever necessary. Take them off to clean the backsides and apply a wheel glaze. Keeps them cleaner longer & easier to maintain w/o having to take them off all the time.

[G370z]

Re: Just started detailing.. advice needed

Thanks for the replies!

In Guam, the cars get dirty real easily. The unpredictable weather here is also a disadvantage. Most of the time, the wax doesn't last long on the car due to humidity.
Also the stores here don't have Meguiar's full range of products (esp. Ultimate series)

Although in one store, I see Meguiars Fine Cut Cleaner and wonder if that would work.
Is it safe to use compounds/abrasive stuff on clear coats?
(also I'm currently waiting for my Random Orbital buffer)

[Murr1525]

Re: Just started detailing.. advice needed

Fine cut probably isnt the best choice. Any SwirlX at all, or #80?

As far as how often, yeah, that all up to you. You may want to wash, and then see how the water runs off, feel it, etc, and see what you think. Then detail if wanted, or just spray wax.

[04blkpearlcoupe]

Re: Just started detailing.. advice needed

The glaze goes on before the wax.