Which panel you start 1st?

[KLnyc]

Guys

The hood,roof,trunk,side panel? Its there a right way? I.e. like washing, most of us wash from the roof 1st then hood then side panel etc.
So, I was wondering for polish, its there something similar?

[krossoverr33]

i usually start with the hood and work my way to the back.

[Mosca]

Hood and trunk first, that way you are doing the most visible areas when the applicators and removal towels are the cleanest.


Tom

[KLnyc]

Tom,

yeah that's very true too. Most of peoples see the hood more than any parts of the car.

[gb387]

I start wasing with the hood... If I have to work around shade/sun I start where the shade is on the vehicle first!

[rusty bumper]

I start with washing my tires first.......I'm kinda beat anyway after I give a car a decent hand washing, and it seems to be easier on my back this way.

I then work from the top down.

As far as polishing goes, I save the roof for last on vans & SUV's, as this seems to help my back too. But if I can buff the whole vehicle without standing on a stool or something, then I start from the top down.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

When it comes to washing, I always do the wheel wells first, then the wheel and tires; then after a thorough rinsing of the paint, I begin on the roof. My belief is that if there is anything on the roof or around the windshield moldings that may wash down, I am not drying it into the paint.

When it comes to detailing the finish, again, I start on the roof. I do this for many reasons: You do not want to sling product on to the freshly detailed hood. I have used a rotary for 16 years and I still slip the odd time and get sling. I also do not want to accidentally bump the side of a freshly polished panel. So, I start from the top down, eliminating or severly reducing the risk of contaminating completed panels.

There is no right or wrong way; only personal preferences when it comes to detailing.

Tim

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey,

When it comes to washing, I always do the wheel wells first, then the wheel and tires; then after a thorough rinsing of the paint, I begin on the roof. My belief is that if there is anything on the roof or around the windshield moldings that may wash down, I am not drying it into the paint.

When it comes to detailing the finish, again, I start on the roof. I do this for many reasons: You do not want to sling product on to the freshly detailed hood. I have used a rotary for 16 years and I still slip the odd time and get sling. I also do not want to accidentally bump the side of a freshly polished panel. So, I start from the top down, eliminating or severly reducing the risk of contaminating completed panels.

There is no right or wrong way; only personal preferences when it comes to detailing.

Tim

Your way is the right way, but the PC is not too bad about sling, and I make it a habit of using FI before I use a LSP.

I'll have to make some changes when I get that rotary though.

[Buellwinkle]

I start with the engine compartment, then tires, then hood, doors, roof, trunk.

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
Your way is the right way, but the PC is not too bad about sling, and I make it a habit of using FI before I use a LSP.

I'll have to make some changes when I get that rotary though.

You're right RB, with the PC you should not get any sling as long as the PC is turned on and off with the pad being in contact with the paint's surface. Mike said something funny today how he is so used to showing people at the Saturday clinics how to place product on the PC's pad. Then when he switches back to the rotary, one blip on the switch...Oops! Trust me, there IS a reason why you wear an apron when using a rotary!

<-----

Tim

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by 2hotford
You're right RB, with the PC you should not get any sling as long as the PC is turned on and off with the pad being in contact with the paint's surface. Mike said something funny today how he is so used to showing people at the Saturday clinics how to place product on the PC's pad. Then when he switches back to the rotary, one blip on the switch...Oops! Trust me, there IS a reason why you wear an apron when using a rotary!

<-----

Tim

I hate to see what I look like the first time out with a rotary.

I did get sling with the PC not too long ago. ........It happened when I was trying DACP for the first time.

I made the mistake of setting the speed on full blast, and the white stuff went everywhere!

DACP specks are no fun to get off the wipers & trim.......Glass too.

[mirrorfinishman]

As far as polishing and waxing, I usually start on the driver's side of the trunk, working across to the passenger side. When the trunk is finished I start on the passenger side of the hood, working across to the driver's side.

Then I do the sides of the vehicle, starting at the front driver's side. Then I do the top, rear and front of the vehicle. I finish off by doing the extreme lower sides of the vehicle that sometimes contain road tar.

Since I am right handed and I do all of the polishing and waxing by hand, I always work around the vehicle in a counter-clockwise direction. That allows for my right hand to lead the way. For someone who is left handed, I would recommend going around the vehicle in a clockwise direction.

[Mosca]

LOL, my car doesn't have a roof...!


Tom

[KLnyc]

^^ haha nice one.