Brand new car - how to start?

[Accumulator]

mikkl- You'll find that with experience you can get *very* close to trim without actually hitting it with the machine's pad. Best to mask the trim though.

When you get the blue tape, I'd get geniune 3M brand stuff (either their blue or green tape should work fine). The cheap generic blue tape I got at Lowe's left some *awful* adhesive residue that was a royal pain to remove, requiring solvents and a lot of work.

[BJClarke001]

Originally posted by mikkl
Many thanks folks. My clay kit arrives tomorrow and, weather permitting, I start detailing on Saturday.

Question on the DA--how do you keep the chemicals off of the plastic or is this not a problem? The one thing clear in the nxt paste directions is to keep it off of anything other than paint. How do you do that with a mechanical buffer?

Just curious. As I mentioned earlier, I'll be working entirely by hand but that doesn't stop the curiosity.

mikkl

mikkl,

I find that if you apply the wax by hand around trim first then use the buffer for the remaining wax application, you really don't need to get that close to anything with the buffer pad. Like: door handles, bumber trim, rubber gaskets and so on.

[mikkl]

Here are the results

Four hours later, here are the results. The process I used was:

2 bucket wash with Meguiar's soap
Clay the entire car
DC #2
Nxt Paste, 2 coats

I think the results speak for themselves!

Now to rest my shoulder

[mikkl]

Another picture or two. I have never had a car before with such a reflection.

Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.

mikkl

[gb387]

WOW! That looks great, well worth the work! Thanks for posting an update.

[BJClarke001]

mikkl,

Good job ! ! That looks great! ! Well, you must have studied hard on this sight before doing it, because your results are perfect. I love the hood shot in the garage.

[mikkl]

Thanks!

[rusty bumper]

I'll throw my 2 cents in here too.

Mighty good work there!

[Murr1525]

Looks excellent.. I love working on my Legacy as well.

[Ranger72]

nice job