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First time car will be detailed...need some advice

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  • draco159
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Well I just placed an order for the ONR after reading all of the great reviews. I've seen what GC wash can do to the car so I'll give this a shot, at least I can pick up some GC wash locally if it doesn't work as well as I hope. I'll be sure and post pics when I wash after it comes in, which I probably won't get to washing the car till next week at some point.

    Leave a comment:


  • Murr1525
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Well, the ONR is supposed to work pretty good, if it sounds good or not.

    Leave a comment:


  • draco159
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Originally posted by CieraSL View Post
    Yeah, get yourself a gallon of ONR. Very useful and versatile product. You may find this thread helpful: http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...ve-thread.html.
    You know, I might just try that when I get done with this GC wash. The only thing I don't like though us the bonding of the dirt to the wash sponge/mitt.

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  • CieraSL
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Yeah, get yourself a gallon of ONR. Very useful and versatile product. You may find this thread helpful: http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...ve-thread.html.

    Leave a comment:


  • draco159
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    I appreciate all of the feedback guys!

    Here is a list of things I have as of right now, and I'll be doing the almost full out detail this Thursday:

    - 2 Home Depot Buckets (can't seem to find anything resembling grit guards in stores)
    - 12 Microfiber towels from Wal-Mart (I'll be sure and order some Meg's MF's later. And as a side note, one brand new one that I got from Autozone tore in the wash but the WM ones did not so there appears to be a better quality with the WM)
    - 6 MF applicator pads from WM
    - 1 GC wash
    - 1 GC Clay Kit
    - 1 SwirlX
    - 1 DC2 Polish
    - 1 NXT 2.0 liquid
    - 1 Ultimate Protectant
    - 1 NXT 2.0 liquid wax

    Leave a comment:


  • Deaner5
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    I certainly agree with the others in the thread, but if your in a pinch and didn't have time to clay and do everything else, I say just do the NXT 2.0 just to hold you over until you can get a full detail in.

    While claying would be optimal, you certainly can wax it. It just might be a little hard to put on and off in some spots due to the crud on the paint which claying would remove.

    I say head to the local Wal-Mart and pick up a bottle of Cleaner Wax for about $5 and wax with that until you have the time, space and other things needed for a full detail.

    If a coin-op is an option, I would head there early (as Murr mentioned) or later at night so that you will have some time to wash (with your own buckets and mitts of course) and maybe lay a quick coat of wax down there and wipe it up there as well. A cooler cloudy day may also work as you could wash at the coin-op, head home and wax in the driveway (if it's a cool cloudy day, which might be few and far between in Texas, in MN we get a few and I did that a few weeks back).

    Hope this helps and certainly let us know about your progress. I run into the same issues in the winter when I don't have the space or heat to wash and wax as I would like and these have helped me survive the winters.

    Leave a comment:


  • Murr1525
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Well, some products have certain purposes, and some are about personal preference (liquid/paste, etc), or buying in bulk, etc. But really only need a few to get started. And then the collection just grows slowly from there.

    Leave a comment:


  • draco159
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
    Well, the spray wax will 'boost' the layers of Nxt wax, so it looks better and lasts longer. But at some point the surface wont feel as nice, the water wont run off as well, etc, and then it is time to re-wax with a proper wax like Nxt. That is where you would decide between a full detail with all the steps, or a quick one, like cleaner/wax + wax.
    Alright, excellent. I assumed the original wax would degrade over time, and that was only a step to make it last as long as possible(in a way). This all makes sense now, actually a lot easier than I thought when looking at a giant wall of products to choose from

    Leave a comment:


  • Murr1525
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Well, the spray wax will 'boost' the layers of Nxt wax, so it looks better and lasts longer. But at some point the surface wont feel as nice, the water wont run off as well, etc, and then it is time to re-wax with a proper wax like Nxt. That is where you would decide between a full detail with all the steps, or a quick one, like cleaner/wax + wax.

    Leave a comment:


  • draco159
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
    If you are using SwirlX and UC, there is really no need for a cleaner/wax type product.

    In the future, and what I tend to do, is use a cleaner/wax for a quick detail. So like:

    1. Wash
    2. Clay if needed
    3. ColorX
    4. Wax

    And then twice a year maybe, or even once if busy, do a more 'full detail', that will do more to remove swirls, water spots from the course of the year, such as:
    1. Wash
    2. Clay
    3. Clean - SwirlX, etc
    4. Polish
    5. Wax
    6. Wax

    As a side note, you might really want to get something like Ultimate Quick Wax for after your future washes, really seems to extend the life of the wax.
    Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
    If you are washing weekly, and using a spray wax each time, there should not be a need for a weekly cleaner/wax.

    But yes, the Cleaner/Wax or ColorX would be mild enough to use monthly if needed, but you may find you get more life than that out of your wax. Who knows.
    Oh okay, I think I'm starting to get how all of this works together. So UQW after every wash after I lay down a few coats of NXT this week. This will take place of a cleaner stage outside of the two or so times a year I address swirls and such. Man, I really appreciate all of your time guys!

    Leave a comment:


  • Murr1525
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    If you are washing weekly, and using a spray wax each time, there should not be a need for a weekly cleaner/wax.

    But yes, the Cleaner/Wax or ColorX would be mild enough to use monthly if needed, but you may find you get more life than that out of your wax. Who knows.

    Leave a comment:


  • Murr1525
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    If you are using SwirlX and UC, there is really no need for a cleaner/wax type product.

    In the future, and what I tend to do, is use a cleaner/wax for a quick detail. So like:

    1. Wash
    2. Clay if needed
    3. ColorX
    4. Wax

    And then twice a year maybe, or even once if busy, do a more 'full detail', that will do more to remove swirls, water spots from the course of the year, such as:
    1. Wash
    2. Clay
    3. Clean - SwirlX, etc
    4. Polish
    5. Wax
    6. Wax

    As a side note, you might really want to get something like Ultimate Quick Wax for after your future washes, really seems to extend the life of the wax.

    Leave a comment:


  • draco159
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post
    Well, I'd probably skip the polish this time, since you have other things you want to focus on. The car doesnt look terrible, so hopefully claying wont be too bad. Dont forget the glass.

    If you arent working in the SwirlX real well to remove swirls, you will move faster. I think 4-5 hours would be more than reasonable.

    Usually I wash the car one day. Save the interior for another day. Do the mufflers, etc another day, once or twice a year. Once or twice a year I'll do the wheels real good. You know, keep it simple and enjoyable.
    My interior is clean pretty much every day, so exterior is all I would be focusing on really. And I've never clayed glass, but I'll be sure and do that.

    Leave a comment:


  • draco159
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Originally posted by coopers23 View Post
    Paint Cleaners: Swirlx and Ultimate Compund; possibly Scratchx but not totally necessary. Order of aggressiveness from least to greatest: SwirlX, SctratchX 2.0, Ultimate Compund. Be sure to use ScratchX 2.0 and not the original formula as the original is weaker than SwirlX. I will try least to greatest and see which one works the best.

    Polishes: Either Deep Crystal Polish or M07 show car glaze. They are both very good and will add great depth to the paint. I goofed on my original post, I do have the Deep Crystal Polish. Not sure why I put DP2 instead of DC2, maybe I was thinking polish haha.

    Microfibers: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY!!!!! I would recommend about 12 to begin with. Walmart has decent quality ones but you could always go with the incredible Supreme Shine Microfiber from Megs. I'll be sure and try some of those Meguires ones!

    Wax: I like Gold Class, only tried NXT once and it was very good also. It really comes down to a personal preference. If you plan on applying the wax by hand, I recommend the paste but for machine application I suggest the liquid. The differences in the paste and liquid versions come down to a personal preferences. All I have ever used is liquid actually, I guess I'm too nervous about paste for some reason.

    Cleaner Wax: Cleaner Wax (A12), the consumer version, is very good and does a nice job of providing a little more muscle to remove slight oxidation and very mild swirls. Colorx is a much stronger cleaner wax, comparable to M06 Cleaner Wax. I have yet to use it but I have heard nothing but good reviews. These can be used if you are running low on time and still want to mildly correct, polish and wax the car. If I have time for a cleaner after weekly washes, would ColorX be too strong as opposed to using A12 in its place?

    Dressings: I like M40 Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner Conditioner for tires and some exterior trim. I also like Supreme Shine Protectant for tires and outdoor trim. Natural Shine Protectant is great for interiors and for people who prefer a low gloss on their trim pieces. I've never tried Meg's dressings outside of the interior ones, which I use all the time. I'll pick some up!

    Quick Detail Spray: Quik Detailer is great and does a fantastic job. Ultimate Quik Detailer is equivalent to M135 as it utilizes the hydrophobic technology (the product is “afraid” of the water and therefore the water will either bead or sheet off the car). Comes with the detail kit, and it will definitely be used a lot.

    Applicators: I prefer the foam applicator pads because they are the least agressive of the applicator types (foam, microfiber, terry cloth-->this is from least aggressive to most aggressive). I havn't seen foam in stores, but I'll look at all the shops nearby.

    Spray Wax: Quik Wax is a good product but Ultimate Quik Wax is even better. You can use these after you wash the car in order to boost the already established wax. This should really be used as a booster wax more than the base layer but it will work great either way. I've read this is good for weekly wash applications, I'll be sure and add it!

    Originally posted by coopers23 View Post
    Because you are using a paint cleaner, I would recommend using a pure polish afterwards. I would follow this with a pure wax of some kind.

    That being said, I will many times chase my paint cleaner with Cleaner Wax or Colorx. Afterwards, I top with two more layers of GC Carnauba Plus. A bit strange to some, but I love the shine it leaves.
    I have Deep Crystal Polish and NXT 2.0 liquid, so that should do the trick. Like I asked Cooper above, is ColorX too aggressive for a weekly wash?

    Thanks guys!!

    Leave a comment:


  • Shawn T.
    replied
    Re: First time car will be detailed...need some advice

    Because you are using a paint cleaner, I would recommend using a pure polish afterwards. I would follow this with a pure wax of some kind.

    That being said, I will many times chase my paint cleaner with Cleaner Wax or Colorx. Afterwards, I top with two more layers of GC Carnauba Plus. A bit strange to some, but I love the shine it leaves.

    Leave a comment:

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