Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

[Asetian]

Hey everyone, I have a Jag so I feel it is necessary that I keep it nice...
None the less I hand wash when I can and I've been making the mistake of using a local carwashes.

Now my car is a giant swirl. Its is really really bad, everywhere, swirls.

I am most concerned with removing or AT LEAST making these less noticeable.
I have read the threads on how to remove etc but i would like more in depth explanations on what to do.

Such as how to wash it right and what exactly is this clay block thing I keep seeing.
What I should buy to get these processes started and what not.

Sorry Im a young female...(automatically mean I know nothing about cars right?) id rather learn to do these things myself instead do paying $100s out the wazzo to detail shops.

Help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Garage Troll]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

First, welcome to MOL and I am officially jealous you have a JAG

Okay, down to business. You can basically find what you would need at your local auto parts store or Walmart.
If I were just starting, I would get the following:

Gold Class shampoo
Smooth Surface Kit
Ultimate Compound
Ultimate Polish
Ultimate Wax
Ultimate Quik Wax
Two 5 gallon buckets
Some foam applicators
Some quality microfiber towels

In the future I also suggest investing in some grit guards if you can.

As far as how to use them I suggest reading the following:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?29505-Your-Daily-Driver-A-Simple-Wash-amp-Wax-Regimen

Unfortunately I am on my phone and only have limited ability here but I'm sure Mr. Stoops will be to the reduce here

[keep_it_clean]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

WASH= 2 bucket method. 1 bucket has your wash soap and water in it and the other is just plain water. prerinse the car with water to remove and lose dirt. take your wash mit(or whatever you use to wash the car with) and put it in the soapy water bucket. make sure it is nice and wet then wash 1 panel at a time. when done with that panel put wash mit in the bucket with just water in it then ring it out and place back in soap bucket(this will leave most of the dirt in the water bucket so you do not rub it into the car when using the soapy water) then rinse off that panel before soap dries. do this until the entire car is washed and rinsed. also use a different wash mit for the bottom of the vehicle(collects alot of dirt there) and for the wheels so it is not stuck in the wash mit and transfered to the rest of the car. dry the car with a good microfiber towel to prevent adding any swirl marks. once again use seperate towels for the bottom of car and the wheels. and somehow store them so you know which one you used where and always use them for the same thing.


now if you have ever took you hand and like glided it over the paint and felt like a little bump it is more than likely imbedded debris that the soap wash not able to break down during the wash. this is where clay bars come in. by spraying a clay lube of some kind on the vehicle then after kneeing and flatting out the clay rub it where you just sprayed until that surface is smooth. do not use alot of pressure and make sure surface is lube or you can leave some marring behind. has the clay runs over the debris it will grab it and pull it off the surface of the paint. the clay and lube will keep from scratching the car. keep kneeing the clay and doing the same thing all over the car. this will get the surface reall smooth and clean. do not use the whole bar of clay. depending on the size cut it in half or thirds.

now to remove the swirls. i would recommend the Microfiber DA kit. it comes with MF pads and compunds and finishing polish that would made to work with the pads. i believe they also have a kit that will come with a DA as well. you will need one to use these products. i have seen pictures of people that have never polished a car before use this kit and get AMAZING results. there are alot of in depth write ups on how to use this system.

i hope that helps you out some. there are other detail forums you can join that have some real good people on them just like this one does so if you can not find a forum member here that lives close by that is willing to help you get some hands on expierence i am sure one of the other forums there will be someone close and willing.

[Wilhelm]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

You are going to be an artist someday. But for now, begin with a clean canvas. Pay someone who knows what they are doing to correct the paint, i.e., get rid of all the swirls. Then focus on washing it yourself regularly. Choose your favorite technique, be it by a two bucket method, a rinseless wash or a waterless wash. Use good products, you can't go wrong with Meguiar's products and they are available all over. Wax it every couple of months and avoid car washes, especially free car washes.

This is your basic foundation for developing good habits, a regular regimen. You can put more into it and have better results, but develop the basics first.

[Murr1525]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

Do you think you could get any pics of it?

Do you feel like investing in any machines, or trying to do it by hand?

The best thing starting off is to not worry about the swirls. Just get it cleaned up the first time, then we will adress the swirls slowly after. If you go in focusing on the swirls, and arent even sure how a product applies, you're not going to get far.

I would consider doing this starting off: (and it also will be good products for a quick detail in the future)

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets, Grit guards, good quality mitts, towels
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0

Those are pretty standard easy to apply products. Apply them with a smooth foam applicator, and remove with a good MF towel like a Supreme Shine, etc.

Then, once you have that down, you can start to worry about swirls. Working by hand, you will only want to do a panel a day anyway. So you will have the whole car shined up, and then when you have a free day or evening, you will clean off a panel with soap or QD, then work on removing the swirls. Then wax after. (2 thin coats is best).

Then after you get around the whole car, you will be set, and just maintaining. Wash with Ult. Quick Wax after, or the Wash, Clay if needed, ColorX + Wax for a quick Detail.

[Asetian]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

Thanks for all the responses!
But talk to me like im 5! <--- hxc

[Asetian]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

OOps

[Asetian]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

Do you think you could get any pics of it?

Do you feel like investing in any machines, or trying to do it by hand?

The best thing starting off is to not worry about the swirls. Just get it cleaned up the first time, then we will adress the swirls slowly after. If you go in focusing on the swirls, and arent even sure how a product applies, you're not going to get far.

I would consider doing this starting off: (and it also will be good products for a quick detail in the future)

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets, Grit guards, good quality mitts, towels
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0

Those are pretty standard easy to apply products. Apply them with a smooth foam applicator, and remove with a good MF towel like a Supreme Shine, etc.

Then, once you have that down, you can start to worry about swirls. Working by hand, you will only want to do a panel a day anyway. So you will have the whole car shined up, and then when you have a free day or evening, you will clean off a panel with soap or QD, then work on removing the swirls. Then wax after. (2 thin coats is best).

Then after you get around the whole car, you will be set, and just maintaining. Wash with Ult. Quick Wax after, or the Wash, Clay if needed, ColorX + Wax for a quick Detail.

At the moment, no since its night.
I can try if it doesnt rain tomorrow.

And im confused as to if those are brands above and what not -.-

[Asetian]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

You are going to be an artist someday. But for now, begin with a clean canvas. Pay someone who knows what they are doing to correct the paint, i.e., get rid of all the swirls. Then focus on washing it yourself regularly. Choose your favorite technique, be it by a two bucket method, a rinseless wash or a waterless wash. Use good products, you can't go wrong with Meguiar's products and they are available all over. Wax it every couple of months and avoid car washes, especially free car washes.

This is your basic foundation for developing good habits, a regular regimen. You can put more into it and have better results, but develop the basics first.

Worst part about it, it wasnt even free car washes.
They had a poor kid with a broken arm vacuum my car once... =[

[Asetian]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

First, welcome to MOL and I am officially jealous you have a JAG

Okay, down to business. You can basically find what you would need at your local auto parts store or Walmart.
If I were just starting, I would get the following:

Gold Class shampoo
Smooth Surface Kit
Ultimate Compound
Ultimate Polish
Ultimate Wax
Ultimate Quik Wax
Two 5 gallon buckets
Some foam applicators
Some quality microfiber towels

In the future I also suggest investing in some grit guards if you can.

As far as how to use them I suggest reading the following:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?29505-Your-Daily-Driver-A-Simple-Wash-amp-Wax-Regimen

Unfortunately I am on my phone and only have limited ability here but I'm sure Mr. Stoops will be to the reduce here

Thanks... now as far as brands go, is Ultimate the brand or is that just what the labels should say???

Its ok, I had a crackberry once, i understand the whole phone internet fiasco.

[Murr1525]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

And im confused as to if those are brands above and what not -.-

Dont worry... dont have to learn it all by tomorrow. Ask anything you need to.

All the products mentioned are Meguiars products.

So the bottle would say Meguiars Gold Class Soap, Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay kit, Meguiars ColorX, Meguiars Nxt Wax 2.0, etc.

I would recomend going to autodetailingsolutions.com, and they will have all the mentioned products. Just type in the name, and it will pop up. You can also buy there, they have pretty good prices. It is somtimes (usually) hard to find everything in one store.

[Wilhelm]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

Worst part about it, it wasnt even free car washes.
They had a poor kid with a broken arm vacuum my car once... =[

Would you have a poor kid with a broken arm do a heart and liver transplant on you? Represent you in a death penalty appeal? Administer the oath beginning your second term as The President of the United States? Of course not, so no poor kids with vaccums and whatnot should come within yards of your car. Or rich kids, either. That's about as good as I am at talking to you as if you were five.

[Detailing by M]

Wow, tall order. Not that you can't learn theses skills.
All your answeres are already here. Search "how to..." .
Another, look for classes in your area.
And your going to spend more money on equiptment, time and products then paying a pro to do it.
I would recomend finding a friendly detailer to do the dirty work for you and ask them for pointers and the procces they use. Personaly I love educating my customers (and then again I know other detailer that don't).
But I'm just being honest with you and by all means I'm not trying to discorage you. You can learn how to do this.

[Garage Troll]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

As Murr said, ask away. There are absolutely NO stupid questions on this site. NONE, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH, ZERO!!!!

Everyone on here started with absolutely no knowledge of car care at some point. Except for Mike Stoops. I'm starting to think that some higher power may have plopped him here as is to rid the world of swirls. LOL. Just kidding

Seriously, take all of this one step at a time and start off simple. I think Murr's idea of learning to wash and wax first is the way to go. When I look back at my first post, I think going into the compounds so quickly is a mistake. When you feel confident with one step, take the next.

[ffboy]

Re: Need help with Detaling. I am getting it all wong..

Take your time in learning the steps in removing swirls. It can be done by hand, but it will take time and elbow grease. Just make sure you don't jump to the most agressive cleaner/compound megs has to offer. I would start with ultimate polish/swirlX first to see if its sufficient in removing the imperfections and to determine if the paint is soft or hard enough to yield good results. Ultimate compound while not too bad to use is the most agressive of all the consumer cleaner/compound from megs and depending on the paint, it may result to marring if the paint is on the soft side.

For protection, you can use ultimate wax/nxt 2.0 depending on the color of your paint. But whatever you choose, results will be beautiful. Maintain with ultimate quik detailer and ultimate quik wax.

And remember to practice proper car wash techniques. So much can go wrong when washing a car. That's why for me, the only person who can really properly clean/take care of their cars is the owner. that's why i prefer cleaning my cars myself. I'd rather see it dirty than see swirls after someone else washed it the wrong way.

We all started with ZERO knowledge anyway, and even now i'm still learning about detailing. It is rewarding and tiring too.