First attempt... This weekend

[dhonan42]

After buying a new car, I finally decided that I should invest some money to purchase the proper equipment to care for it. So after reading for days I decided to order the g-100 kit #2 from autodetailingsolutions.com. The steps that I plan on taking are wash> clay> wash> #80 > nxt wax. I have a 04 red GTO, the paint is in pretty good condition, only common defects and swirls. The only question I have is that it looks like the previous owner left some wax residue on the windshield spray nozzles and some other pieces of plastic. I ordered some #39, do you think that will take it off? Also, any other suggestions or tips before I start would be greatly appreciated. I am kind of timid about taking a power tool to my car's paint.

Thanks for any help.

[Murr1525]

Being nervous is ok.. it will keep you from rushing.

3 tips:
1. Dont drop it on your paint - this is the only thing you can do to hurt the car.
2. Dont pick it up from the paint until it has stopped spinning.
3. Dont start in the middle of your hood the first time. Start on your back fender.

As far as #39.. it is a good start. #39 and a toothbrush make a good combo for most things. Be sure to follow it up with something to keep the plastic/rubber moisturized, even a little of the Gold Class trim detailer. Wipe it on, let it sit, then wipe off excess.

edit:
Also, I am not sure what is in the #2 kit, but either way, make sure you have the appropriate number of pads, towels, bonnets etc for each product. Then get a few extra soon.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: First attempt... This weekend

Hi dhonan42,

Welcome to Meguair's Online!

Originally posted by dhonan42
The only question I have is that it looks like the previous owner left some wax residue on the windshield spray nozzles and some other pieces of plastic. I ordered some #39, do you think that will take it off?

The M39 and a tooth brush or this, Triple Duty Detail Brush will work.

Also, any other suggestions or tips before I start would be greatly appreciated. I am kind of timid about taking a power tool to my car's paint.

Thanks for any help.

Tape any plastic trim off before starting and/or anything, or any place that you don't want to detail, (get the wax out of the cracks), later.

Take your time, overlap your passes and overlap your sections.

Your end-results are completely dependent upon your prep work. So do a good job up front for this process and your end results will astonish you!

[Xtreme99_s-Dime]

not to kill the meguiars product vibe, but I recently used a Mother's product called "back to black" on all of my plastic trim and it seemed to work wonders. i have heard that it comes off easily with water if you don't apply a protectant though.

just my .02

--Stephen

[dhonan42]

Outcome...

Well... here is the outcome. I am very happy with the way it turned out. I washed, clayed, 80, nxt. After using the DA for the first time, I did have some minor swirls that are hard to find unless looking for them. Maybe, next weekend I will do another 80 and nxt to try to get rid of them. Any other sggestions?

[dhonan42]

.