Starting Car detailing

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

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.

Hmm.. for a '00 I would certainly expect it to be needed, unless the previous owner did some caring.

Did the white clay turn up brown? You mentioned it didnt feel real smooth even after claying?

Is the bird dropping on the surface, or etched into the paint? An etching is where you would want the UC.

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.

UC once a year by hand wouldnt hurt anything. You can still apply the UC gently, or with more passion. I suppose if anything, after winter is when you would want the UC if your goal was once a year.

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

Yeah, pretty much. Can always add things in to try and whatnot, but thats the main idea. Though you would tend to want two coats of wax.

You can use UQW after washing, or if you go around once to get the bulk of the water, use UQW while going around again for a final drying.

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

Hmm.. for a '00 I would certainly expect it to be needed, unless the previous owner did some caring.

Did the white clay turn up brown? You mentioned it didnt feel real smooth even after claying?

Is the bird dropping on the surface, or etched into the paint? An etching is where you would want the UC.


UC once a year by hand wouldnt hurt anything. You can still apply the UC gently, or with more passion. I suppose if anything, after winter is when you would want the UC if your goal was once a year.

ok that is a good time to place it after winter salt and grime. Compound, polish and wax in April. and I think they did some work on the paint before, it was not in as bad of condition as I would expect for a 12 year old car.

Yes I think it is etched, It was on the top of the hood, so it was a hard to reach with just a towel and buffer pad. I had a odd scrape on the fender and with the UC and ULT it came out and looks great!

Now my wifes car is in bad shape and I think I am going to need to UC it also. Should I use a polish as well or will a combination product like #205 do? She has a 07 with no paint care.

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

UC followed by a cleaner/polish, or UC followed by a pure polish would both be ok. Just up to what products you feel like playing with.

[andytsang]

Re: Starting Car detailing

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

For my van, I climb up on my 3 steps ladder. I also wear an apron so my belt would not rub against the the van while I lean on the side to reach in. I know it is not that high but I also don't look down.

[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

Sorry Murr, I read back through page one and noticed you already covered this. That's what I get for checking MOL from the office.

James

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

So I was looking around at some of the other prducts out there in the line. How does M#21 Sealant 2.0 vs ULT wax? What is the difference between the two?

[davey g-force]

Re: Starting Car detailing

M21 is essentially the professional version of NXT. Both M21 and UW are great sealants but the UW should last longer and have more of a darkening effect on darker colours. M21 is applied in a more traditional way compared to UW liquid.

[ffpmme]

Re: Starting Car detailing

M21 is essentially the professional version of NXT. Both M21 and UW are great sealants but the UW should last longer and have more of a darkening effect on darker colours. M21 is applied in a more traditional way compared to UW liquid.

Ok so if UW will last longer then I will just stick with it. Here is one downside to good waxing, is that I now see ALL the little nicks and paint issues that I did not see before. Almost want to re-paint the whole car!!

So for any midwestners, how do you wash your car in January. No garage here, so not sure how to clean it up. Does anybody use Delta Sonic or fullers or are they just to harsh?

[Murr1525]

Re: Starting Car detailing

I use a coin-op place if needed to at least blast the crud off, and can spot free rinse, then drive to dry it.

Or if there is one that is not busy, you can take your own soap/mitt and wash properly.

Or hope for a day above freezing, and go for it.

Just use the UQW when it is clean, to extend the wax a bit.