Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

[GLOCKer]

So I know the purpose of Iron X is to remove iron and "industrial fallout" contaminates from the paint surface before washing. But how important is this? I also saw on Amazon that Sonax sells a similar product called Fallout Cleaner? Is this just as good?

Also, are there any tips for making detailing a car faster? I was kind of hoping that a foam gun might speed up the washing process, but it's starting to sound like it doesn't. I dry the car with a leaf blower before polishing and waxing it. And then I do all of the small detail stuff. It's taking between 12 to 13 hours for a complete wash and detail of my car. I've been having to break it up over the course of the week to get it all done.

And lastly; I've got a couple light scratches on my car that I'm confident will come out. I've tried using Ultimate Compound by hand, I've tried it with the Meguiar's DA Power too. So, do I need a more aggressive method of application, or a more aggressive compound? Or should I just be a touch more aggressive using the DA Power System? (I really should be more aggressive with the wallet and buy a real DA system.) The scratches are barely in the clear coat but not coming out with what I have.

[The Guz]

Re: Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

I'm a fan of ironx. I use it twice year. The reason for this is that my cars are light in color so I can see the spots that embed themselves into the paint. You have a black car so you don't see them. It's a completely optional step. A clay bar will get them out with a little more effort. I will tell you this. When using an iron remover it removes those deeper embedded contaminants making it a little easier to clay.

I'm a big fan of Mike Phillips aggressive wash method when using an iron remover. See this article. Saves so much time then the traditional method.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/86146-aggressive-approach-washing-car.html

In regards to your other question about making detailing faster, my honest answer is to upgrade to a DA polisher. That DAPS system is nice but it doesn't have quite the speed and power to get the results you are looking for.

For me it takes as long as it takes. In my recent full paint correction, I spent about 15 hours. That included compounding, polishing, etc.. On my cars that are in better shape, all I do is polish and seal. That can take between 6-8 hours.

If you are looking for a quick detail then a cleaner wax is the way to go.

Seriously though, upgrade to a DA.

[GLOCKer]

Re: Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

Damnit Guz. I know you're right on the need to upgrade to a DA. I'm fighting it. I need to stop.

[GLOCKer]

Re: Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

More questions!

I'm going to wash my car again this week in preparation for yet another car show this weekend, but I'm not going to get into a polish and wax as I just did all of that. Which is a better product for my black car; Ultimate Quick Wax or California Gold Quick Wax? Can any of these products be applied in sunlight? I'm thinking it'd be nice to have something I can arrive at a car show with and use for touch up.

Also, I'm using Meguiar's Wash and Wax. Should I consider a different car wash product like California Gold?

[Blueline]

Re: Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

And lastly; I've got a couple light scratches on my car that I'm confident will come out. I've tried using Ultimate Compound by hand, I've tried it with the Meguiar's DA Power too. So, do I need a more aggressive method of application, or a more aggressive compound? Or should I just be a touch more aggressive using the DA Power System? (I really should be more aggressive with the wallet and buy a real DA system.) The scratches are barely in the clear coat but not coming out with what I have.

I use the DA power systtem for individual scratches as they occur...and I have had a couple of ugly ones...and the DA is a super tool coupled with UC. Perhaps you should be a little more aggressive. NOTE: The more agressive you get with it, the scratch will come out but you might haze your clearcoat slightly. No big deal. Use a little polish and the haze will come out glossy. If you are looking to do a whole car, then the little DA power system is not really the tool. A drill is just not ergonomically designed to be held in positions needed to paint correct for a long time.

[The Guz]

Re: Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

Damnit Guz. I know you're right on the need to upgrade to a DA. I'm fighting it. I need to stop.

Just get one. You will be glad you made that investment.

More questions!

I'm going to wash my car again this week in preparation for yet another car show this weekend, but I'm not going to get into a polish and wax as I just did all of that. Which is a better product for my black car; Ultimate Quick Wax or California Gold Quick Wax? Can any of these products be applied in sunlight? I'm thinking it'd be nice to have something I can arrive at a car show with and use for touch up.

Also, I'm using Meguiar's Wash and Wax. Should I consider a different car wash product like California Gold?

Hard to say which is a better product for your car. I'm pro UQW/D156. It can be applied in direct sun light. If it's very hot and humid outside it will streak. Are you referring to Gold Class Quick Wax or Mothers Quick Wax? Both of those will streak in direct sunlight.

Either car wash will work fine. Wash & wax will leave a layer of wax to give you that freshly waxed look. You can use any spray wax over wash & wax. Same thing can be said if you use gold class shampoo.

If it were me I would wash, UQW and upon arriving at the car show use a little Ultimate Quik Detailer. UQD can be used in the sun but it can streak based on the weather.

[Spazzz]

Re: Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

Like Guz said.
You own a black car as I do. I'll have to say yours is a whole lot nicer.
Sooner or later you are going to get (need) a DA.....I can't imagine trying to keep mine in shape without one.
Take the plunge, get one and make life just a little bit easier.

[GLOCKer]

Re: Iron X? Tips? Agressiveness?

Oops! I meant Gold Class, not California Gold!

I went ahead and picked up a bottle each of UQW and UQD. I have a car show Sunday and I wont have a chance to wash the car before then, so I will drive it to the show and just touch it up. Luckily, it's still very clean from the last show, but it's going to need a lot of touching up!