Starting Car detailing

[ffpmme]

So I am needing to wax/polish/detail my [COLOR=#009900 !important]car[/COLOR]. I have a 00 limited metallic blue that I just bought. The finish is in not bad shape, but I would like [COLOR=#009900 !important]the car[/COLOR] to last a while so I need to protect it.

I have always used Meguires in the past. I was thinking that route but I would have to use some compound or polish then the synthetic wax. Sine I am doing this for the first time I am thinking it is going to be a long process.

1) wash (meguiars[COLOR=#009900 !important]gold[/COLOR] class)
2) clay (Mothers or Meguairs)
3) re-wash
4) polish (Meguairs Ultimate polish)
5) sealant ( Meguairs liquid wax)
6) optional wax (meguairsgold class carnauba)

Now I like the 5 step system, but I am not sure where I can use a synthetic in there since carnauba wax only lasts for about 6 -8 weeks as I have been told, and going into winter now I want the best protections I can get.


Am I missing a step?

What are the products I should be using when it comes to the protection steps? I am using gold class for the wash and figuring the regular clay kit in the store.

Also for step 7 detail/maintain, I LOVE final inspection.

So suggestions and tips on things to get are needed. Product recommendations are a must in layman's terms please!! There are so many different products available, no idea what I should/should not be looking at.

I am reading the daily driver thread and learning from that!!

Thanks

[davey g-force]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Do you have any swirls or other defects to correct? If so, the UP will probably not do much.

Your process looks okay, no need to re-wash after claying though. So, if you've got defects, you may want to look at changing Step 3 to Ultimate Compound.

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Do you have any swirls or other defects to correct? If so, the UP will probably not do much.

Your process looks okay, no need to re-wash after claying though. So, if you've got defects, you may want to look at changing Step 3 to Ultimate Compound.

Some scratching near the key hole. Some swirls on the hood but nothing serious. There is a odd scratch on the passanger side though, but it is not in as bad shape as it could be.

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

If you want the best durability, two coats of the Ult. Wax would be best.

The FI is good for removing bird droppings, etc. But the Ultimate Quick Wax would be best to follow up future washes, or use while drying.

And yeah, as noted above, what is the condition like, feels rough, etc? Could be other things to add, remove, etc.

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Well, if you want to keep it simple your first time, and not worried about swirls/scratches.. esp with reading the Daily Driver thread,

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Ult. Wax

5. Maintain - UQW after future washes

Is about as quick and easy as a full detail gets.

You could also consider using something like the T.R.I.X. product after washing, before claying, if you feel there there is any iron/tar on the surface. Good for a complete cleaning once in a while if needed/wanted.

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Yep that is what I was looking for a good plan of attack.

UQW Ult, Quick Wax right

T.R.I.X. not sure what that is? I do no think there is any tar.

Shoudl I put something over the ult wax? A carnauba for the look?

Really with the FI? I thought it always gave a great look as the very last step of the detail. What should I use to give it that pop.

The daily thread is intresting, a lot of stuff in there.

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Yeah, it is all just up to you about how many steps you feel like, how worried about defects, etc. Just up to you, and we can fine tune it.

You may even be able to do a quick detail now, a quick one if there is a warm week around Thanksgiving... never know. Then bigger details in the spring.

UQW = Ult. Quick Wax

TRIX is a tar/iron dust remover, such as brake dust (not like actual car rust). Just handy if you have the issue, as claying can take a bit longer to remove that stuff.

Well, we were thinking more on the protection side since you mentioned winter, so Ult. Wax there. You could do Gold Class after if wanted, but not as durable. Kind of up to you. Or perhaps the Gold Class Spray Wax after the future washes.

Looks are always kind of personal preference.

If you wanted to let the wax sit a while to cure, and then FI, that is ok. But there is no protective stuff in it, so after future washes (and with trying to get through winter as best as possible) the spray waxes would add some protection back.

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Yes I think I will clay it and give it a layer of wax before the weather turns cold. I am doing it all by hand. Protection is the most important right now. Int he spring and summer I will do the polish and wax coating.

Now how do you wax the roof of a SUV??? IS it has diffuclt as it looks?

[jarred767]

Not too bad, just get a sturdy little ladder and you should be good to go.

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Yes I think I will clay it and give it a layer of wax before the weather turns cold. I am doing it all by hand. Protection is the most important right now. Int he spring and summer I will do the polish and wax coating.

Wash
Clay
ColorX or Cleaner/Wax
Wax - Ult. Wax

will be pretty fast and simple for that then.

Now how do you wax the roof of a SUV??? IS it has diffuclt as it looks?

Yeah, some sort of step ladder tends to be needed. Or maybe one of the work platforms (Werner?) from Home Depot/Lowes. They are on sale once in a while, though usually sell out fast.

[JET_Fusion]

If you like the carnauba look, go with the Gold Class. The difference in durability isn't THAT big compared to ULW. There is a difference worth noting, though, with ULW you don't have to worry about getting product on the non-painted surfaces---that is no white residue on the plastic trim.

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Ok so did the car yesterday and it looks great!!! Had a rain storm last night and it bead like glass. First I washed it with Gold Class Wash!!! Love that stuff. Then clay. That was ok, did not do what I expected it to do. Then Ult Compound. WOW!!! That stuff turned it so smooth it was awesome. Then 2 coats with the Ult Wax. Since this was all done by hand, needless to say my right shoulder hurts today! I am thinking of putting a coat of Hi tech #26 over the ULW, to give it a nice wax look. Any thoughts??

Also what about polish? I was looking between ULT polish and and #7 glaze. Is glaze the same as polish? Or should I use something like #205 Ultra finishing polish. Where would this go in the steps? How often do you need to polish? I used compound this time, I am thinking I would not need to do anything until April? I am going to get a DA/buffer before then, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how often to do what. Thanks

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Ok so did the car yesterday and it looks great!!! Had a rain storm last night and it bead like glass.

Well, thats most important..

First I washed it with Gold Class Wash!!! Love that stuff. Then clay. That was ok, did not do what I expected it to do.

What did it do? Or what were you expecting?

Then Ult Compound. WOW!!! That stuff turned it so smooth it was awesome. Then 2 coats with the Ult Wax. Since this was all done by hand, needless to say my right shoulder hurts today! I am thinking of putting a coat of Hi tech #26 over the ULW, to give it a nice wax look. Any thoughts??

Just personal preference. Maybe only do it to one fender/door and leave the other fender/door so you can compare.

I think it is a bit of a shame to cover up the UW hydrophobic properties, but all up to you.

Also what about polish?

Sure... esp a cleaner/polish would be good, as you shouldnt need the strong cleaner every time.

I was looking between ULT polish and and #7 glaze. Is glaze the same as polish? Or should I use something like #205 Ultra finishing polish. Where would this go in the steps?

The naming of those things gets tricky, and even worse between companies. Just as well to ask what they do if not sure.

Ult. Polish is a mild cleaner/polish, so some cleaners and good bit of oils.
#7 is a pure polish, so only oils.
#205 is a mild cleaner/polish, just a hair stronger than Ult. Polish.

So using #7, you would want some kind of cleaning step first. With the cleaner/polishes, you would be combining steps. And for a modern clearcoat, the UP/#205 would have plenty of oils.

How often do you need to polish?

When I do a detail, I try to cover everything one way or another. So my cleaning could come from a cleaner/polish, or it could come from a cleaner/wax. And same with getting some polishing oils from a cleaner/polish, or from a cleaner/wax. And then wax after of course.

As far as how often exactly, that is kind of up to you. Esp now, you will be able to see when the wax seems to be degrading, water not running off as easily. Harder to apply a spray wax, etc, and then you would think of re-doing things.

I used compound this time, I am thinking I would not need to do anything until April?

If you only have dirt to remove after winter, you really wont need the compound at all. The milder products can do that.

I am going to get a DA/buffer before then, but I am trying to figure out a plan of how often to do what.

If you are able to use a spray wax after washing, esp the UQW over the UW, it seems to last a pretty good while, or at least I thought it did over last winter.

[1994Gen1L]

Re: Starting Car detailing

I have found that UP applied with a DA Polisher is a great way to clean and nourish paint.

Another option would be:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Color X
4. ULW
5. Maintain with UQD and UQW

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Well, thats most important..



What did it do? Or what were you expecting?

I heard claying was the best thing next to the wheel, I guess I had my expentations higher. I still have some old bird poop on the hood that I need to get out now.

Sure... esp a cleaner/polish would be good, as you shouldnt need the strong cleaner every time.


The naming of those things gets tricky, and even worse between companies. Just as well to ask what they do if not sure.

Ult. Polish is a mild cleaner/polish, so some cleaners and good bit of oils.
#7 is a pure polish, so only oils.
#205 is a mild cleaner/polish, just a hair stronger than Ult. Polish.

So using #7, you would want some kind of cleaning step first. With the cleaner/polishes, you would be combining steps. And for a modern clearcoat, the UP/#205 would have plenty of oils.


When I do a detail, I try to cover everything one way or another. So my cleaning could come from a cleaner/polish, or it could come from a cleaner/wax. And same with getting some polishing oils from a cleaner/polish, or from a cleaner/wax. And then wax after of course.

Everything would be meg's products right now. I may mix lines, professional and ult. But that is it. Since I just cleaned with UC I should not have to do heavy cleaning again for another yearish. I guess I am trying to figure out if I can do one then the other in a set time frame. In April I would use a #205 or Ult polish then in September a UC and #7. I work better if I have a set plan and know what to do every time.


As far as how often exactly, that is kind of up to you. Esp now, you will be able to see when the wax seems to be degrading, water not running off as easily. Harder to apply a spray wax, etc, and then you would think of re-doing things.

If you only have dirt to remove after winter, you really wont need the compound at all. The milder products can do that.


If you are able to use a spray wax after washing, esp the UQW over the UW, it seems to last a pretty good while, or at least I thought it did over last winter.

I have the UQW and I will give it a try when I wash the car.

So for my needs right now the steps are

1) wash
2) clay
3) UP or polish /cleaner of some kind ( UC x1 per year)
4) wax

This is for the 3 or 4 times a year.

Every week would be
1) wash
2) uqw