order of body detailing

[Ruslan]

I'm a newbie in detailing. I just bought a new car. Want to clean it up good, so I have the questions for experienced detailers. Please check is my steps of cleaning body paint. Are they in right order?

1. Wash with Dawn detergent (to strip old wax).
2. Rubbing compound fine cut (to remove some scratches).
3. Clay.
4. Wash with car wash shampoo (to remove clay lubricant and clay residue).
5. Paint cleaner.
6. Paint glaze.
7. Wax.

I hope these steps are in correct order. But I have doubts that paint cleaner will remove all (or part of it) what rubbing compound did to my paint and reveal again those little scratches. Is that possible? So maybe I should better use a rubbing compound after paint cleaner and before paint glaze? Sorry if it a stupid question.



And the last question to Meguair's representatives who knows the formulas of products. The shine that NXT Generation™ Tech Protect leaves on my dash is too grease for me. I want to leave my dash and all interior vinyl/plastic exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer (outstanding stuff) - completely matte. But I worry about protection. I read in many threads on the forum that QID gives "just a little" UV protection. Is it really enough that "little" UV protection which Quik Interior Detailer gives for my dash and interior, so I don't have to use any additional protectors like Tech Protect?


If I still have to use additional protection against the sun rays (and possibly against any other bad things) would you recommend me the protector which gives me a full protection, but leaves my interior completely matte, exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: order of body detailing

Originally posted by Ruslan
I'm a newbie in detailing. I just bought a new car. Want to clean it up good, so I have the questions for experienced detailers. Please check is my steps of cleaning body paint. Are they in right order?

1. Wash with Dawn detergent (to strip old wax).
2. Rubbing compound fine cut (to remove some scratches).
3. Clay.
4. Wash with car wash shampoo (to remove clay lubricant and clay residue).
5. Paint cleaner.
6. Paint glaze.
7. Wax.

I hope these steps are in correct order. But I have doubts that paint cleaner will remove all (or part of it) what rubbing compound did to my paint and reveal again those little scratches. Is that possible? So maybe I should better use a rubbing compound after paint cleaner and before paint glaze? Sorry if it a stupid question.

Hi Ruslan,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Read through this and use the product is shows and you will get the results you're looking for without using old fashioned compounds which will destroy your finish.

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

[Jbirk]

Do not wash with Dawn. It is for dishes and degreasing pots and pans not for your car. It has harsher chemicals, enzymes, ... the emulsify grease and is probably not good on your paints internal essential oils and solvents.

Put simply, DO NOT USE DAWN or other Dish Soap

If you are really bent on doing a strong wash, double the Nxt Car wash amount from the recomeneded amount. However, it will be more of a challenge to rinse, still won't remove much wax as it is not intended too... I will be honest with you I use about 85% to 100% of the recomended amount of Car Wash. I do not need anything stronger to wash my cars. You will probably get the same results with less effort and it will rinse away easily if you follow the instructions.

Another option is to wash twice!

Use a Car Wash soap like Nxt or Gold Class. Try to Avoid inferrior products. I like both the Nxt and Gold I tried them both. If you want to get really clean, use Nxt I find it makes my care very clean but doesn't leave it as shinny as Gold Class Wash.

Wax removal

You don't really need to remove old wax if there is any. (have yet to see a dealer wax a car they sell). Later steps like clay and cleaner will remove the wax if there is any.

Please read the How Too Section about the 5 steps. You somehow created a 7 Step process that is more 7/5th the work and probably will provice 5/7th the result

The order is supposed to be
1. Wash and also remove bugs and tar
2. Clay (then rinse clay residue)
3. Cleaner i.e. Deep Crystal Step 1 is very gental. I was told to use this and it is my favorite cleaner. (Will remove wax too if there is any)

If Deep Crystal #1 does not remove specific scratches or swirls (you shouldn't have any on a new car), you can use ScratchX, but this stuff should only be done by hand and you need to be careful with it... Stay away from edges too... It is a strong dimenishing abrasive that breaks down as you use it, so it eventually leaves a shine not a rough look.

4. Deep Crystal #2 (A pure Polish / Non-Abrasive as I have been told). It works well and I do not see that it takes off any paint even though it probably does. It is very safe.
5. Wax once maybe twice with a really good Wax like NXT Tech Wax Paste or Liquid (A Syntetic Next Generation Wax Product)

I did my first car entirely by hand and got wonderful results. I recomend you do the whole process by hand at least once before switching to a machine. I am in the process of figuring out what machine to buy to finish up my second of 4 cars.

Again, read the How-To's and browse the forum... and ask any questions.

Mike Phillips said he will get back to you. He is the man when it comes to this stuff... There really is nobody with more knowlege or experience, IMO.

[Ruslan]

Thanks for reply guys.
Mike, please help with other questions too.
Thanks in advance.

[roushstage2]

Re: order of body detailing

Originally posted by Ruslan
I'm a newbie in detailing. I just bought a new car. Want to clean it up good, so I have the questions for experienced detailers. Please check is my steps of cleaning body paint. Are they in right order?

1. Wash with Dawn detergent (to strip old wax).
2. Rubbing compound fine cut (to remove some scratches).
3. Clay.
4. Wash with car wash shampoo (to remove clay lubricant and clay residue).
5. Paint cleaner.
6. Paint glaze.
7. Wax.

I hope these steps are in correct order. But I have doubts that paint cleaner will remove all (or part of it) what rubbing compound did to my paint and reveal again those little scratches. Is that possible? So maybe I should better use a rubbing compound after paint cleaner and before paint glaze? Sorry if it a stupid question.



And the last question to Meguair's representatives who knows the formulas of products. The shine that NXT Generation™ Tech Protect leaves on my dash is too grease for me. I want to leave my dash and all interior vinyl/plastic exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer (outstanding stuff) - completely matte. But I worry about protection. I read in many threads on the forum that QID gives "just a little" UV protection. Is it really enough that "little" UV protection which Quik Interior Detailer gives for my dash and interior, so I don't have to use any additional protectors like Tech Protect?


If I still have to use additional protection against the sun rays (and possibly against any other bad things) would you recommend me the protector which gives me a full protection, but leaves my interior completely matte, exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer.

No rubbing compound, just clay, use scratch-x for scratches, clean, polish, and wax. should be just fine.

QID is more of a cleaner. You could use the Tech Protectant, let it sit for about 10-20 min, and then buff off any excess and see how you like that, or try Natural Shine Protectant.

[genes]

You have come to the right place for information.

These products are are easy to use, do what they say, and can be used either for a consumer or for a business. I tested these products out on many various cars to find the look I wanted and to see the lasting effectiveness.

I use Gold class and Hyper-Wash to clean cars. If the car, mostly van roofs, are real dirty, I put a capfull of all purpose cleaner in with the wash. The wash is very concentrated so a capfull is all I use in a two gallon bucket.

I use hyper dressing on interiors. I really like #40 but to get a matte finish I turned to hyper-dressing. You can dilute it in ratio's like 4:1 for matte, 6:1 for shiny,8:1 for a brylcream look. I have only used it at 4:1 and it lasts along time on the interior areas.

For light scratches I start with #80. If they come out all is fine. If not, then to the garage for many other options. Mr. Phillips will set you straight on this.

I do agree with the former gentleman and would never recommend Dawn or especially any rubbing compound. You will constantly hear someone recommend, " start with the least aggressive product". This advice will keep you away from thinning your clear coat and help find a quick solution.

[Ruslan]

Thanks a lot!

Does Hyper-Dressing give a full UV and other protection for my interior?

[roushstage2]

I honestly don't know, but I would assume so since it is a dressing...

[F-150]

Re: order of body detailing

Originally posted by Ruslan
I'm a newbie in detailing. I just bought a new car. Want to clean it up good, so I have the questions for experienced detailers. Please check is my steps of cleaning body paint. Are they in right order?

1. Wash with Dawn detergent (to strip old wax).
2. Rubbing compound fine cut (to remove some scratches).
3. Clay.
4. Wash with car wash shampoo (to remove clay lubricant and clay residue).
5. Paint cleaner.
6. Paint glaze.
7. Wax.

I hope these steps are in correct order. But I have doubts that paint cleaner will remove all (or part of it) what rubbing compound did to my paint and reveal again those little scratches. Is that possible? So maybe I should better use a rubbing compound after paint cleaner and before paint glaze? Sorry if it a stupid question.



And the last question to Meguair's representatives who knows the formulas of products. The shine that NXT Generation™ Tech Protect leaves on my dash is too grease for me. I want to leave my dash and all interior vinyl/plastic exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer (outstanding stuff) - completely matte. But I worry about protection. I read in many threads on the forum that QID gives "just a little" UV protection. Is it really enough that "little" UV protection which Quik Interior Detailer gives for my dash and interior, so I don't have to use any additional protectors like Tech Protect?


If I still have to use additional protection against the sun rays (and possibly against any other bad things) would you recommend me the protector which gives me a full protection, but leaves my interior completely matte, exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer.

when you clay a car doesn't it take off wax anyway?

[Ruslan]

Thank you for your response. The Quik Interior Detailer is a great protectant that will leave the least amount of shine. If you have further questions please feel free to contact me.

This answer I got from costumer service. I hope it actually has a "great protectant", not "little", like people on the forum say, because I intend to use it alone without any additional products.

[Murr1525]

I tend to think it is just a little protectant as well. I love using the Nxt Tech Protectant. I apply, then let it sit for about 5 minutes, then buff off. Leaves a perfect matte finish.

And the combination of claying and paint cleaning will remove old wax. A mild clay may not get all of the old wax.

[Accumulator]

Re: Re: order of body detailing

Originally posted by F-150
when you clay a car doesn't it take off wax anyway?

Not like you *can't* clay off LSPs, more a matter of whether you should clay with that much pressure.

It all depends on how aggressively you clay. I clay *very* gently and it doesn't remove an appreciable amount of my LSP. I've been "spot-claying" at most every wash since detailing clay came out in the early '90s and I've never had it remove my LSP unless I got far more aggressive than I believe I oughta. The idea is to clay contaminants off the LSP, not clay the LSP off the panel.

[F-150]

Well yeah I know..I just heard that claying a car would probably remove wax protection and you should wax your car after claying. I've onyl clayed a car once tho ....gently of course

[Mike Phillips]

Re: order of body detailing

Originally posted by Ruslan
I'm a newbie in detailing. I just bought a new car. Want to clean it up good, so I have the questions for experienced detailers. Please check is my steps of cleaning body paint. Are they in right order?

1. Wash with Dawn detergent (to strip old wax).
2. Rubbing compound fine cut (to remove some scratches).
3. Clay.
4. Wash with car wash shampoo (to remove clay lubricant and clay residue).
5. Paint cleaner.
6. Paint glaze.
7. Wax.

I hope these steps are in correct order. But I have doubts that paint cleaner will remove all (or part of it) what rubbing compound did to my paint and reveal again those little scratches. Is that possible? So maybe I should better use a rubbing compound after paint cleaner and before paint glaze? Sorry if it a stupid question.

Even though others have chimed in, I'll add my two cents and it will probably repeat some of what has already been said.

Here's the process you listed,

1. Wash with Dawn detergent (to strip old wax).
2. Rubbing compound fine cut (to remove some scratches).
3. Clay.
4. Wash with car wash shampoo (to remove clay lubricant and clay residue).
5. Paint cleaner.
6. Paint glaze.
7. Wax.

Here's the recommended process,
Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
1. Wash with a premium car wash formulated for washing cars specifically
2. Clay the car with detailing clay
3. Use a paint cleaner like ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches
4. Polish with a pure polish like Deep Crystal Polish
5. Apply two thin coats of your favorite wax
6. Maintaining using a quick detailer and a spray-on wax in-between normal washing and waxing.

Traditional rubbing and polishing compounds are to abrasive and will do more damage than good. ScratchX uses a microscopic diminishing abrasive that if you work it against the finish will remove small particles of paint enabling you to level the upper surface with the lowest depths of the defects you're trying to remove.

If somewhere between 1-5 applications of ScratchX will not remove the defect then either the defect is to deep and cannot be safely removed or the defect will require a machine applied product from our Professional Line in order to remove it.

Read these two articles to further explain the problem and the solution.

PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Your post kind of read like you have already used some type of rubbing or polishing compound on your car's finish and if this is true then whether or not you can remove these scratches by hand will depend upon on how hard your paint is and how deep the scratches are.

And the last question to Meguiar's representatives who knows the formulas of products. The shine that NXT Generation™ Tech Protect leaves on my dash is too grease for me. I want to leave my dash and all interior vinyl/plastic exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer (outstanding stuff) - completely matte. But I worry about protection. I read in many threads on the forum that QID gives "just a little" UV protection. Is it really enough that "little" UV protection which Quik Interior Detailer gives for my dash and interior, so I don't have to use any additional protectors like Tech Protect?

Quik Interior Detailer is more of a cleaner than it is a protectant, for maximum protection you should periodically apply a dedicated protectant like NXT Tech Protect. One option if you don't like the results NXT Tech Protect is leaving is to allow the product a few minutes to penetrate and then wipe the surface down with a clean microfiber polishing cloth to remove any excess, this should leave a protected surface that has a matte look. You could also check out some of our other interior dressings.

If I still have to use additional protection against the sun rays (and possibly against any other bad things) would you recommend me the protector which gives me a full protection, but leaves my interior completely matte, exactly like it is after use of Quik Interior Detailer.

You could try either of these and again for a totally matte finish, give the surface a final wipe after a few minutes with a clean microfiber polishing cloth.

Natural Shine Vinyl & Rubber Protectant
#40 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Ruslan
Thanks a lot!

Does Hyper-Dressing give a full UV and other protection for my interior?

I typed Hyper and Protection into the forum search engine and pulled up a number of related threads including this one,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3619