First Time Ever Detailing

[Lanevoboi757]

Hi everyone,
Ive read a lot of your posts already, but it seems all of you do a lot of things differently or use things differently. I am a total noob to detailing. The first thing ive attempted was using the 3step Meguiars process which included paint cleaner, polish, and wax. It turned out pretty good.

As of right now i have a 95 milano red acura integra. The paint has been
1)oxidized
2)i have some little paint chip dots on my hood
3)a couple of swirl marks
4)Some water looking spots

This is what i plan on doing. Feel free to correct me I am confused.
1)Wash-Gold Class car wash
2)ClayBar-Quick Clay Detailing system
3)Polish-Some say 3M Swirl Mark Remover, or Gold Class? I dunno
4)Wax-Meguiars NXT Tech Wax

Oh yea im doin all this by hand. Should i just use microfiber cloths for all? How bout terry cloth or the diaper cloth?

I also read from one other post it said to use
1)Paint Cleaner-Color X
2)Polish-Gold Class
3)Wax-NXT Tech Wax

Im confused. Which way do i go?

[Airborne Ranger]

Hey Lanvevoboi757,

Welcome to MeguiarsOnline

Looks like from your procedure that your on the right track. Browsing through my Meguiars catalog I don't see any polishes that are in the Gold Class line, that's ok seeing your probably not familar with every single product that Meguiars makes

Removing paint imperfections by hand can be a real drag, just my opinion. Using a machine would help speed things up abit, your arm won't be sore the next day and the end result if done right will be rewarding. I tried to remove swirls and oxidation by hand. It's a royal pain man! I say this because like you, when I first started out everything was by hand and the results were just awful, smears, uneven gloss, streaks you name it!

An orbital polisher is very simple to use and the results are worth every dollar! You can get a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher from Lowe's for $109. Though alot of people use the 7424, the one at Lowe's is the 7336SP model, this is the one I have and I love it. Makes things speed up quicker and the results are rewarding. All you really need to use one is common sense. Most people can use one they just don't know it.

If it were me and my truck was in the same condition as your car I would go about it like this.

-wash

-clay with Autopia clay or Meguiars clay

-rewash

#83 DACP and a W-8006 pad on a PC set at about speed 5

#82 Swirl Free on a W-8006 pad to bring up the gloss

At this stage you can either choose to go straight to a wax or glaze with a product called #7 Show Car Glaze or #81 Hand Polish. though it seems alot of people prefer Handf Polish better to use and seems to shine better.

Good luck with it and post some pics when your done man
,,,,deadman98

[Lanevoboi757]

Thanks for helping me out man. I thought no one was gonna help me out. Kinda hard to find someone who is willing to teach or help.

Thanks again. Ill try what you said