Multi-day daily driver detail

[kristina27]

Hey everyone. So I have a 91 Mazda miata that is my daily driver. I need to do some serious detailing to include paint correction/polishing. I don't have a garage so it is at the mercy of the elements. The only way I am able to us my DA is the auto hobby shop we have on my base. My question is what do u guys recommend for tackling this detailing job over multiple days? More specifically when it comes to paint work and maintaining a clean surface from day to day even if I'm driving it.

[wifpd4]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

Most of mine are multiple day projects. I usually divide the days into work goals with logical stopping points.
So day one is washing and claying. I have access to a wash bay, which helps in my case.
Day two is compounding/polishing and first coat of synthetic wax. Application of protectant on vinyl and plastic parts and tire dressing.
Third day is interior cleaning, glass cleaning, and final coat of wax.

Days two and three start with a wipe down with microfibers and a quick detailer. Not an expensive detailer like Ultimate Quik Detailer, something less expensive as I'm just trying to remove the dust that accumulates overnight. Using a "No Rinse" product is a good way to get rid of dirt and dust, too.

In your case, you may need to not only deal with dust, but bugs on the front area. If your dust is more of a dirt, you may need to wash the car again before starting each day. Just remember improper washing techniques can introduce swirls and defects you are trying to remove.

Also I tape up the car on the end of day one, in your case you may want that as the start of day two. Driving around with tape on your car might look a little peculiar. Also you may wish to work tire dressing into the start of a day, so it can dry before you drive around town.

[C8N]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

When I did a full exterior detail, it took me 10+ hrs. Two things I would recommend is 1. never rush and don't put a time limit on yourself and 2. do not work tired. The reason why I mentioned the 2 is because when you rush and are tired, you tend to get sloppy. I would devote at least 2 days to fully detail your car. Most importantly, remember that detailing 101 is to work clean.

[yfwong]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

Divide it into 2
Day 1 Interior + tire (about 2 hours) - Vacuum, clean the carpet, glass and etc. Then wash the tire, apply tire gel. Drive it out after 30 mins to make sure it is dry.
Day 2 Exterior (I do this during weekend, 7 hours at least) - 2 buckets washing, wipe it dry, clay and wax by section, buff off and rest well. It is good to apply the wax immediately after I clay the section to prevent it gets dirt again.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

You can do this in 4-6 hrs with a DA.
Keep
It
Simple
Get some cleaner wax and a yellow polishing pad.
Wash, clay, polish/wax.

To maintain the shine wash it weekly. Clay when the paint feels like sandpaper and wax every few months.

[Mike Calloway]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

For weekly/bi-weekly cleaning, try a rinseless wash using the Garry Dean method.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

What is the current state of the paint on this Miata? What color is it? Most NA Miatas, especially in the first few years of production like yours, have single stage paint. Even the clear coat colors are usually pretty soft and correct very easily. Of course, if this 22 year old roadster has been repainted, all bets are off!!!!

But, if this is indeed single stage factory paint, then depending on what your ultimate goal is for it and, given how small these cars are, you should be able to tackle this in a day pretty easily. You may find that Ultimate Compound is all you need for correction, then optionally a quick once over with Ultimate Polish before finishing off with Ultimate Wax. Since this car sits outside all the time, Ultimate Wax is our top recommendation as it's our longest lasting, best protecting wax (fully synthetic hydrophobic polymers and all that good stuff). For routine maintenance do yourself a favor and pick up some Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere - you'll be able to clean up the whole car in under 30 minutes even if it's been driven in the rain for several days.

[kristina27]

multiday detail on daily driver

It's a black 91 Mazada miata but more accurately a Eunos Roadster. But the same car just mine is Japanese. I washed it the other day and it seems to have a clear coat. At least it does to the best of my knowledge. The washing revealed some sickening water stains as well a scratches and swirl marks but not as bad as i thought they would be. But at no time did any paint color come off while waxing. The only thing I don't like is that some body work was done but not good bodywork. I think bondo was used then painted so that might become an issue. But it's just the strip underneath each door and that might make a difference when using my DA.

[wifpd4]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

The paint color may no show up on your wash mitt or towel when washing. You may need to use something like Ultimate Compound on a foam applicator rubbing gently in a sort of hidden spot. The of course if you know there is bondo, then you may also find different paints on various parts of the car too. Not perhaps common, but not uncommon either.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Multi-day daily driver detail

As MIke Stoops alluded to, the condition of the paint is key. One of the toughest details I have ever done was a Miata. Thought it would be a six hour job, it turned into a 16 hour detail. The paint was simply hammered. To give you an idea of how bad the paint was, I thought the Miata's color was dark brown. Halfway through the paint correction I realized it was black, LOL. It took me 3 hours alone to clay all of the surface contaminants off the paint. It's always best to do a test panel first to give you an idea of how long the entire paint correction will take.

I have done many details over 2 days. With my own car, I will do it over several days concentrating on sections at a time, such as the hood and front fenders, trunk and rear quarter panels, doors (each side), and finally the bumpers and front and rear fascia. Unless you professionally polish, there's certainly no hard and fast rule that your paint correction has to be completed on the same day as you start.