New to detailing, need some advice

[winggx]

I live in an apartment, and I am not allowed to hand wash my car there.
I am planning to wax my car every 4 months, so here are the things that I am going to do every time when I wax my car.

Step 1. Go to coin self car wash to use pressure washer to get the dirt out. Especially the dirt that is hidden in hard to reach angle that automatic car wash cannot clean.

Step 2. Go through an automatic car wash.

Step 3. Drive back to apartment, wait for car to cool down a bit, then use clay bar to clean.

Step 4. Use deep crystal system polish to polish car.

Step 5. Apply wax (Thinking of using Gold Glass Camauba Plus Premium Wax)

Step 6. Apply quick detailer after every car wash.

Does this procedure sound right to you guys?

And I have one more question too...

I am really concerned about clear coat...

If I polish my car 3 times a year, will my clear coat be gone really quick?

If yes, can I skip the polish part, and just wax my car after using clay bar?

Thanks in advance!!

[Murr1525]

Re: New to detailing, need some advice

1. Wash: You can also look into the waterless wash products, like the Meguairs Rinseless Wash, Spray Wash and Wax, or the Optimum No Rinse. Short of that, just be sure to go through a touchless place. Dont want to add swirls with some brush rubbing around.

2. Clay: Clay as needed, may or may not be needed every time.

3. ColorX: If your goal is good basic detail, using ColorX is a great option.

4. Wax: Then follow up with your favorite wax.

Otherwise, you could look at Wash, Clay, SwirlX/Ult. Compound, Wax, Wax... but obviously more steps.

I tend to do the detail with ColorX more often, and then once a year or so use the dedicated cleaning step (SwirlX).

And no, you are not removing clear coat using mild products like this. Assuming applied in a mild manner of course...

[BillyJack]

Re: New to detailing, need some advice

First, welcome to MOL! There's a virtually unlimited amount of info to be had here, so spend some time when convenient scrolling and searching to get yourself familiar with the various products.
The new for 2012 rinseless Express Wash product sounds tailor-made for your situation. Blowing off the heavy stuff at the coin-op wash, then finishing it at home will be just as good as a hose and bucket wash. I've been using Optimum's similar product for years, and I do more no-rinse washes than conventional hose and bucket.
Keep one principle in mind-"Always use the least aggressive product for the job"
Having a few options available, such as a polish, Color-X and Ultimate Compound allows you to attack each area of the car with a product appropriate for the necessary correction. Doing it that way, you'll have no worries about clearcoat damage, no matter how long you keep the car. Polishes such as Ultimate Polish or Deep Crystal have so low of an abrasive level that you could probably polish monthly for 10 years and never hurt your clearcoat.
One more point I'd like for you to consider; If you're planning on a detail every four months, I'd recommend Ultimate Wax for its durability. You could always top it with GC for that special "glow" that GC offers.
Above all- Have fun!
As others before me have said- "Detailing is supposed to be therapy-not a reason for therapy"

Bill