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Help! detailing car for first time!

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  • Eddie6th
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post
    Hello Everyone,
    Im new to Meguiars online and a new car owner. I have never owned such a nice car and I hope to maintain its paint as much as possible. Im still trying to learn the ropes of this site. I cant afford a full detail by pro shops and I DONT have access to a garage at all.

    I have the following items:
    -Meguiars Gold Class Paste wax
    -Meguiars smooth surface clay kit ( w/Quick Detailer,2 clay bars, 4oz of cleaner wax, and Microfiber cloths)
    -Meguiars Gold Class car wash

    I was wondering if these steps would be fine:
    -Wash car with Gold Class car wash and then DRY
    -Use meguiars smooth surface clay kit all over the car
    -then wax with the Gold class Paste wax, then wipe off?

    So far I just wash with just regular soap and water since I fear screwing up the paint, its just my luck.
    I have NEVER used wax, and I fear if I apply it I will miss a spot that will bake into the paint. (Car is a dark grey charcoal color if it matters)
    How long should wax be left on before removing? Is it better to take off by hand and cloth or should I buy a buffer and learn to use it?
    Since I dont have a garage is it better if I wax early in the morning or in the evening?

    Im apologize for being such a newbie with all these questions. I would appreciate any info from anyone, Thank you all for your valuable time and insight.
    Sincerely -BH
    Always glad to help.

    first of all,although you have a new car,you might have to clay it.After you wash it,run your hand over the surface(gently,palm) and if you can feel any roughness,then you should clay it.chances are,the sides won't need this as it is a new car.

    I've been using meguiar's for about 8 years now and havn't had any bother.You have selected a good brand for protecting and having a car that looks good.

    After that you could proceed to the waxing(being a new car).You might not have experience to determine if it requires polishing.This you will have to do in the future.

    A great set up is Auto shampoo(Dish soap is not good for your car,it will remove wax and also contains salts),I personally love the deep crystal 3 step system.you can omit step 1 and keep it for the future.

    This is ultra important! Use proper applicators which are new and clean and wipe off with terry towel(100%) or microfibre.Do not use old rags because if they are contaminated,they will carry on to your clearcoat and scratch it.Work in the shade.If you have to work on your car near a busy street as i do,this creates a lot of dust,so if you are polishing or waxing your car,and you are taking your time,you might want to give the panel that you are about to work on a spray and wipe off with quick detailer.Then start your work.Also keep wax away from ABS plastics that are unpainted,but give them a coating of plastic protectant.If left for too long they will fade and turn grey.

    As far as an orbital buffer goes,you do not need one.With time you will be able to determine if one is neccessary or not,but you are a long way from that stage.

    If your car gets dusty every day and you want to wash it,use your conditioning shampoo in a bucket of tepid water.It's not neccessary to use Hot water.Try to rinse off the soap using a steady stream as this will help the water to run away.I dry my vehicles with a chamois,some prefer micros.I personally have never had any problems with chamois and they are 15 years old!The choice is yours.

    Your choice of wax is fine.Carnauba i found lasted longer.if you want your wax to last longer try NXT 2.0.i find using quick detailer on aregular basis solves the problem of longetivity,as my car is never garaged.

    anyway,good luck and hope you upload some pics!

    Leave a comment:


  • Maserati Mario
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
    The blue painters tape (use 3M only) should be fine. I think 3M also makes easier to remove painters tape, green maybe? Blue is like medium.
    Just bought the green 3m tape. This is 3 day tape, which means you can leave it on for three days. Allot sticker than Blue tape which is called 14 day tape.
    Also Green is more durable, water resistant and $3 buck cheaper. I prefer the green tape over blue. Works better, resists more abuse and wetness.

    Leave a comment:


  • Murr1525
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    The blue painters tape (use 3M only) should be fine. I think 3M also makes easier to remove painters tape, green maybe? Blue is like medium.

    Leave a comment:


  • Blackheart
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Wow. I need some meguiars heavy cutter and some painters tape too. ok cool. I just hope the tape doesnt leave that gooey residue. I will need some small alcohol swabs just in case. stupid rain wont go away, I want to start detailing already!

    Leave a comment:


  • Mike Phillips
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post
    On Step Number 2...I imagine the products fade the trim. Is there anything that can restore it?
    Here you go...

    G10810 Gold Class Trim Detailer

    Leave a comment:


  • Maserati Mario
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post
    On Step Number 2...I imagine the products fade the trim. Is there anything that can restore it?
    Yes Apc, dressing and dressing before you buff/wax.
    But to avoid this you should tape off these areas.
    How to tape-off a car

    Leave a comment:


  • Blackheart
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Originally posted by Lagos View Post
    everyone gave you great advice... i just want to add two things.

    1. buy a large pack of microfiber towels. You'll want plenty of clean towels for drying the car after the clay/quick detailer session, and for wiping off the wax.
    2. do your best to avoid getting any wax on the pastic or rubber trim around your cars body. if you get any on, wipe it off as soon as you notice it.

    Thats about it.
    You really have nothing to worry about. This stuff is actually a lot easier to do then people make it out to be.


    On Step Number 2...I imagine the products fade the trim. Is there anything that can restore it?

    Leave a comment:


  • Mike Phillips
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Just to note, there is no official recommendation for using any Meguiar's wax on window glass, if you do this it's your own decision. Car wax is formulated to bond to car paint, glass is a completely different animal.

    If you have water spots or any kind of film that has built up on the glass over time a popular product for removing it is our M04 Heavy Cut Cleaner.

    Here's a thread bout it,

    Glass Polishing - Deep Cleaning


    and another recent thread on this with some great pictures...

    How To Remove Water Spots off Glass using M04 with an RB


    Leave a comment:


  • Maserati Mario
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Yes you can clay your windows, just as you would your paint.
    Lot's of people just use wax on their windows and you can too.
    I just clean them very well and use Rain-X - love it.

    Leave a comment:


  • Blackheart
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    can clay bar be used on windows to remove some of the **** that has dried on it?
    What would you guys recommend for the windows as far as techniques and products?

    Leave a comment:


  • CieraSL
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Whatever you do, don't freak out. I hereby order you to relax, AND THAT'S AN ORDER, SOLDIER!!

    Leave a comment:


  • Lagos
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post

    thank you all For the great advice and all the helpful links you have provided for me.
    Im sure others will be apreciate the information as well.
    I cant wait for the skies to clear up, so I may start my first detail
    Once again, thank you sincerely -bh
    PS if you have any more insight please post.

    everyone gave you great advice... i just want to add two things.

    1. buy a large pack of microfiber towels. You'll want plenty of clean towels for drying the car after the clay/quick detailer session, and for wiping off the wax.
    2. do your best to avoid getting any wax on the pastic or rubber trim around your cars body. if you get any on, wipe it off as soon as you notice it.

    Thats about it.
    You really have nothing to worry about. This stuff is actually a lot easier to do then people make it out to be.

    Leave a comment:


  • Blackheart
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!


    thank you all For the great advice and all the helpful links you have provided for me.
    Im sure others will be apreciate the information as well.
    I cant wait for the skies to clear up, so I may start my first detail
    Once again, thank you sincerely -bh
    PS if you have any more insight please post.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mike Phillips
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post

    So far I just wash with just regular soap and water since I fear screwing up the paint, its just my luck.
    If you're not already, try using a quality car wash as it does make a difference...

    NXT Generation® Car Wash
    Gold Class™ Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner


    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post
    How long should wax be left on before removing?
    The Swipe Test


    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post
    Is it better to take off by hand and cloth or should I buy a buffer and learn to use it?
    Thin coats of wax that are allowed to fully dry before removing will wipe off easily by hand.

    There are 3 basic types of machines, if you decide you want to get into machine polishing you're going to want to steer towards whats called a Dual Action Polisher.

    Check this thread,

    Machine Photos - DA Polishers - Rotary Buffers - Traditional Orbital Buffers




    Originally posted by Blackheart View Post
    Since I dont have a garage is it better if I wax early in the morning or in the evening?
    Yes.

    You always want to work on a cool surface in the shade. If there is no shade then work early in the morning or late into the evening.

    Leave a comment:


  • J. A. Michaels
    replied
    Re: Help! detailing car for first time!

    I understand your fears. We have all been there at one time or another.

    Relax, if you run into any problems, this is what the forum is for.

    Claying is a step that is necessary, Scary at first. Yes. The hype is what does you in.

    Just work a small section at a time and you will do fine.

    You will be amazed at how easy it is to clay. You will be even more surprised at the amount of contaminants that you will remove from your paint.

    Good luck.

    Leave a comment:

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