novice at detailing

[jeff99]

I try not to go too long with this

I grew up in the rust belt and never had a real nice car so I just did a very basic wash and wax. I was just concerned about keeping the salt off. During winter it seems that keeping the car looking real nice and shiny was a huge time and money sinkhole. It rained a lot during summer and Meguiar's products were nice to use so I like to keep on using them

I moved to Florida and the car i was using was ny roommates . I finally got my own car, I picked up a 2009 Pontiac vibe with 46000 miles and paint is silver. some minor scratches but that is all

I like this car it fits me and I what to keep it up but I am somewhat clueless

There are so many products out there and they change formulas from time to time I don't know what to get. up north it was the salt and down here I have to worry about the sun,bugs(love bugs are a major problem where I am at) and bird droppings. I don't have a garage to keep it in.

I want to get a real good wax job before summer so I am assuming I have to clay it first which is something i never did or would a cleaner waz and skipping the claying be good enough. This isn't a show car I drive it to work I just want to make sure it stays in good condition, BTW the water here is considered real hard

[Murr1525]

Re: novice at detailing

Just keep it simple at first, and then you can build from there.

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets, Grit Guards if possible, good quality towels, mitts
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit - May want to buy a second QD bottle to have.
3. cleaner/wax - The new White Wax would be good for you, or the ColorX
4. Wax - a regular wax like Ult. Wax would be the most durable.

5. Maintain - Ult. Quick Wax for after future washes.

Just get the Meguiars smooth foam applicators for applying products, and some good MF towels for removing products, and it will go pretty easy.

As far as bird droppings, you would want something like the QD spray, or UQD spray to remove them.

You'll want to try to work in the morning/evening on the car, and esp washing/drying quickly.

The cleaner/waxes wont work as well to remove the minor swirls/scratches as much, but maybe not where you want to focus at first anyway, until you get the hang of things.

Oh, and wet dryer sheets for bug removal...

[jeff99]

Re: novice at detailing

Just keep it simple at first, and then you can build from there.

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets, Grit Guards if possible, good quality towels, mitts
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay kit - May want to buy a second QD bottle to have.
3. cleaner/wax - The new White Wax would be good for you, or the ColorX
4. Wax - a regular wax like Ult. Wax would be the most durable.

5. Maintain - Ult. Quick Wax for after future washes.

Just get the Meguiars smooth foam applicators for applying products, and some good MF towels for removing products, and it will go pretty easy.

As far as bird droppings, you would want something like the QD spray, or UQD spray to remove them.

You'll want to try to work in the morning/evening on the car, and esp washing/drying quickly.

The cleaner/waxes wont work as well to remove the minor swirls/scratches as much, but maybe not where you want to focus at first anyway, until you get the hang of things.

Oh, and wet dryer sheets for bug removal...

Ok I read up on the 5 part method and watch several videos but I have some questions

I am assuming that I need to wash my car every week or every other week and I should not go longer then 3 months without waxing and clay 1-2 times a year .

The car doesn't get very dirty no snow or salt to worry about but there is the bugs, birds , it be in the sun all time and they do a lot of controlled burns where I live so I don't know how that affect my car. I have to drive though the smoke going to work

I am not sure how often I should clay I am assuming now that 1-2 times a year is enough and the same with waxing
If I use a cleaner wax should I use a regular wax as a second coat or is the cleaner wax by itself good enough

I seen what the sun birds and bugs do to cars and I want to avoid that so that is my main focus at the moment

[Murr1525]

Re: novice at detailing

Well, that kind of schedule would keep things in good shape, esp if using a spray wax after washing or while dying.

Claying is something that you sort of decide to do when the surface needs it. It is possible that you may clay one day, then get the car sprayed by something and needs clayed the next day. But yeah, a couple times a year is the usual plan.

Waxing 3-4 times with the spray wax in between should be good, esp if using the Ult. products.

Well, dont have to do anything, but 2 coats of wax tends to be recommended. So one of the cleaner/wax, then one of a regular wax would make the most sense. Or if busy/tired, just do the cleaner/wax. May not last as long as the regular wax though, but the spray waxes in between would help extend it a good bit.

[Chris Thompson]

Re: novice at detailing

First of all, welcome to Florida. Spray wax here is a godsend. Once summer rolls around and we go 3-4 weeks straight 90+ degrees (sometimes 100+), I recommend a full wax on the upper pannels (roof, hood, trunk, etc.) every six to eight weeks if the car is not garage kept.

Love bugs are awful. I would recommend that you dont let them build up once the season comes or else they can (and will) permanatly etch the front of your car. When you clean them off, follow up with a good spray wax.

3-4 times a year is a great recommendation for claying. I am not sure what part of florida you are in but if you live near a more industrialized area, it may require more. As you're washing it, just run your hand over the finished paint that you just cleaned (while wet) and feel for it. If the paint feels rough, clay wouldnt hurt.

I'd rather go a little above what's recommended and be safe than to not do enough and the paint become damaged.