New to Car Detailing at home, please help.

[KevD]

Dear Meguiars forum,

I am new to car detailing, I have done the typical car wash with a brightly colored car wash and a wax, but I have never done any polishing or complete detailing interior and exterior. That being said, I have a maroon 2008 Honda CRV with some swirl marks and scratches and a Silver 2011 Honda Accord with nearly perfect paint, and am looking for good products to use for both of those cars.

For the paint, I have read some recommendations to use Meguiars M105 and M205 for compound and polishing, then M21 as a sealant. Is that a good approach? I plan to use a Griots DA polisher (6") but am unsure about which pad (Microfiber vs foam) to use? Also, is M21 a good sealant, or are there better sealants out now that would be more highly recommended?

For the wheels and tires, I use the typical car wash and a tire shine, but any recommendations would be appreciated.

For interior, I just the typical detailer, but any recommendations would be appreciated.

Sorry I am sure this has been asked before, but I am new to this forum too and am excited to start detailing so I hoped to get answers quick.

Thanks everyone,

Kevin

[Murr1525]

Re: New to Car Detailing at home, please help.

For the paint, I have read some recommendations to use Meguiars M105 and M205 for compound and polishing, then M21 as a sealant. Is that a good approach?

Yeah.. UC and then #205 is also good choices.

I would recommend using something like the T.R.I.X product if possible, and then claying before the cleaning step.

#21 2.0 is good. Ult. Wax is the new "top of the line" synthetic from Meguiars though.

I plan to use a Griots DA polisher (6") but am unsure about which pad (Microfiber vs foam) to use?

If things arent bad.... and just maintaining after, foam is probably best.

For the wheels and tires, I use the typical car wash and a tire shine, but any recommendations would be appreciated.

I tend to use the APC to clean tires.

I also give the wheels a good cleaning, then use the Brake Dust Barrier. After that, car wash soap works great.

Tire Shine is just your favorite...

For interior, I just the typical detailer, but any recommendations would be appreciated.

Well, there are different options. I tend to use the Supreme Shine for a protectant every couple months, and then the Quick Interior Detailer for dusting in between.

APC can be used for a stronger cleaning.

[stemyx]

Welcome to the forum! So I agree with the all purpose cleaner. Meguiars D101 is my favorite because its strong, dilutable, and cheap. I like to use it on leather, tires and fabric. For polishing, I use foam even though you could get the microfiber for more cut. Also you want to get some good microfiber cloths like their supreme shine towels. And as far as sealant, I like their ultimate wax. Oh, and dont forget your two buckets and grit guards!! have fun!

[oneway]

Hello my friend. Welcome. Use two bucket wash method for safe washing and good techniques. Dry vehicle with a waffle weave towel, never a home bath towel as it will be too abrasive. Before any kind of paint correction or even waxing, clay bar the surface by using qwik detailer as a lubricant. Proceed to correction with m105 or ultimate compound. Proceed to polishing with M205 or ultimate polish. Then, wax or seal with m21, which in my opinion is a great product, I use it all the time. You can also use ultimate wax. These ultimate products are cost effective and you get great results. Practice practice practice, all the while having fun. You will get many opinions and much insight but the main thing is to keep asking questions and develop good techniques and good habits. Good techniques and habits will equal great results. Be blessed and keep it shiny friend...

[KevD]

Re: New to Car Detailing at home, please help.

Thank you all for the quick replies, I have a bunch of microfiber towels will those work for drying my car? Also, do you recommend the gold class car wash, hyperwash, etc?

For the paint correction, 1) if I use foam what type of foam pad do you recommend? Chemical guys, meguiars, griots? 2) What type of pad do you recommend I use for ultimate compound, polish, and ultimate wax? Also, can I just apply ultimate wax by hand? 3) I have the meguiars clay bar system, so I planned to clay before any compound/polish

Thank again, this is very helpful.

Kevin

[The Guz]

Re: New to Car Detailing at home, please help.

I am new to car detailing, I have done the typical car wash with a brightly colored car wash and a wax, but I have never done any polishing or complete detailing interior and exterior. That being said, I have a maroon 2008 Honda CRV with some swirl marks and scratches and a Silver 2011 Honda Accord with nearly perfect paint, and am looking for good products to use for both of those cars.

For the paint, I have read some recommendations to use Meguiars M105 and M205 for compound and polishing, then M21 as a sealant. Is that a good approach?

First of all welcome. M105/M205/M21 is a good combination. You can even trhow M26 into the mix on top of M21 for more pop as they say. I'm a fan of M21. I think it's a great sealant. I also like ultimate wax. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either one. UW is meguiar's current longest lasting sealant. Although M21 is no slouch. Durability will be determined by the environment you are in. Ultimate quik detailer and ultimate quik wax will extend the life of your selant. The maroon CRV would look good with either but I would say better with UW. The silver one would look good with M21.

For the wheels and tires, I use the typical car wash and a tire shine, but any recommendations would be appreciated

I use D143 to clean the wheels and tires. I either seal the rims with a sealnt (M21 or UW) or brake dust barrier. Brake dust barrier lasts longer. Then it's just soap and water until the next application of brake dust barrier. On the tires I like to use D163 tire and trim gel.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?42164-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Using-the-Right-Wheel-Cleaner

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?55170-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Brake-Dust-Barrier

For interior, I just the typical detailer, but any recommendations would be appreciated.

For the interior I like to use quik interior detailer and ultimate protectant. Natural shine is also a good protectant. For any leather I like the leather sealer system.

Thank you all for the quick replies, I have a bunch of microfiber towels will those work for drying my car? Also, do you recommend the gold class car wash, hyperwash, etc?

Gold class is good. I have started using shampoo plus and for me I like it. MF towels are ok to dry the car but if you can get your hands on a couple waffle weave drying towels that would be even better. Ultimate quik detailer or ultimate quik wax are good drying aids to help avoid water spots.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?41790-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Washing

For the paint correction, 1) if I use foam what type of foam pad do you recommend? Chemical guys, meguiars, griots? 2) What type of pad do you recommend I use for ultimate compound, polish, and ultimate wax? Also, can I just apply ultimate wax by hand? 3) I have the meguiars clay bar system, so I planned to clay before any compound/polish

I would recommend a 5" backing plate and 5.5" foam pads. I like to use the 5" lake country backing plate and 5.5" lake country flat pads. Orange for compunding, white for polishing and black for waxes/sealants. Ultimate wax can be applied by hand or machine. That is up to you.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?42524-Meguiar-s-Quik-Tips-Video-Series-Claying

[jarred767]

Thank you all for the quick replies, I have a bunch of microfiber towels will those work for drying my car? Also, do you recommend the gold class car wash, hyperwash, etc?

For the paint correction, 1) if I use foam what type of foam pad do you recommend? Chemical guys, meguiars, griots? 2) What type of pad do you recommend I use for ultimate compound, polish, and ultimate wax? Also, can I just apply ultimate wax by hand? 3) I have the meguiars clay bar system, so I planned to clay before any compound/polish

Thank again, this is very helpful.

Kevin

I'm a huge fan of the Gold Class car wash, I buy a few gallon jugs in the summer from Costco every year (no better deal out there). The waffle weaves mentioned are amazing for drying your car, if you use the flood rinse method after washing, you can easily dry the car completely with one waffle weave towel.

Lake country does make good pads (although a ton to choose from) or if you wanted to stick with Meguiars foam pads, you could get a few yellow ones for the 105/205 steps and one black one for your final finishing sealant/wax (or just do that by hand). Good luck with it all!!!!