Need new car help.

[HeavenSoldier]

Hello, I'm new to the forum. I have a brand new car, the picture is here, not the same model but same color http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/N.../Index2007.htm. But anyways I'm new, I'm followed these threads, http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...&threadid=2409 , http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...&threadid=7304 . Am I supposed to follow those pages and I will be okay? I find the 5 step page difficult to understand for me as a beginner. But the suggested products page is okay. My car was made this month. So what do I need?

So far I understand I need to
1) Wash car using grit guard
2) Dry with Supreme Shine Microfiber
3)Okay here is where I get lost. On the five step page it tells me to paint clean or clay bar. Is it necessary to clay bar a new car?
3) Polish - Should I polish a new car?
4)Wax, my car looked great when it got out the shop. I see no point in waxing it since it was just made. But my question is, I see two products : a quick detailer and spray wax? Whats the difference and which one should I use. Sorry but I'm very very very new to all of this and just want to know what to do with a brand new car to keep it looking sharp. Thanks and God Bless.

[Murr1525]

Re: Need new car help.

Well, here is the basic idea, to go along with what you had typed:

1. Wash - Good soap like Gold Class, etc, good quality sponge/mitt, and Grit Guard. However, you want to dry with the Water Magnet Towel.

The Supreme Shine is for removing excess product, like cleaners/polishes/waxes.

2. Clay - I think it is good to clay a new car. I certainly got gunk off of mine when it was new. Just pick up a Smooth Surface Clay kit.

3. Clean - Like the clay, it could be optional, but even in transport, cars get a lot of dirt on them. Might as well get off to a good start. Deep Crystal #1 is a good choice by hand, nice and mild.

4. Polish - Again.. if you feel like it.... Deep Crystal #2 is an easy to use pure polish.

5. Wax - If it already looks great, then it is a wax that will protect it and keep it looking great. You'll certainly want to pick one up, either a paste or liquid wax. 2 coats is what Meguiars recomends.


Spray waxes are for touchups, after future washings, to give back that fresh waxed look, and a little protection.

Spray detailers are for removing things like finger prints, birt droppings, hard water spots, or can also be used after a wash to give a fresh shine.

Incidently, it sounds like you might be a little short on time, or not wanting to go too ccrazy with too many steps. What I typed above would be a complete detail by hand. The other option, for the time-strapped among us, is a cleaner/wax. This is how I use one in some of my detailing routines when I am short on time:

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

Just a quick routine when I am in a hurry... gives great results nonetheless.

You might also browse over at autodetailingsolutions.com if you are going to be buying a bunch of things, you should be able to get a good price.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Need new car help.

some say that clay is only needed when the surface of your car doesn't feel really smooth.

if you lightly drag your fingertips across your paint and it feels rough it needs to be clayed. if it feels smooth you may be able to skip.

as a general thing, i always clay, as i like that feel and personally think it helps bring out the shine.

[HeavenSoldier]

Re: Need new car help.

Well, here is the basic idea, to go along with what you had typed:

1. Wash - Good soap like Gold Class, etc, good quality sponge/mitt, and Grit Guard. However, you want to dry with the Water Magnet Towel.

The Supreme Shine is for removing excess product, like cleaners/polishes/waxes.

2. Clay - I think it is good to clay a new car. I certainly got gunk off of mine when it was new. Just pick up a Smooth Surface Clay kit.

3. Clean - Like the clay, it could be optional, but even in transport, cars get a lot of dirt on them. Might as well get off to a good start. Deep Crystal #1 is a good choice by hand, nice and mild.

4. Polish - Again.. if you feel like it.... Deep Crystal #2 is an easy to use pure polish.

5. Wax - If it already looks great, then it is a wax that will protect it and keep it looking great. You'll certainly want to pick one up, either a paste or liquid wax. 2 coats is what Meguiars recomends.


Spray waxes are for touchups, after future washings, to give back that fresh waxed look, and a little protection.

Spray detailers are for removing things like finger prints, birt droppings, hard water spots, or can also be used after a wash to give a fresh shine.

Incidently, it sounds like you might be a little short on time, or not wanting to go too ccrazy with too many steps. What I typed above would be a complete detail by hand. The other option, for the time-strapped among us, is a cleaner/wax. This is how I use one in some of my detailing routines when I am short on time:

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

Just a quick routine when I am in a hurry... gives great results nonetheless.

You might also browse over at autodetailingsolutions.com if you are going to be buying a bunch of things, you should be able to get a good price.

Thanks a lot for the responses.
1) Also, according to the 5 step process website, it says to clean before I clay? Does it really matter?
Thanks for showing me a complete detail by hand! It really helped. It seems like the process you showed me is almost the same as http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...&threadid=2409 (Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle ) , and the http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...&threadid=7304 website but you made it easier to understand. So if I buy the products on those pages and use your detail info I should be okay?

2)Sorry another question, how often should I do a complete detail like you mentioned, maybe once a month? Also once I complete the detail I use the Spray wax, then immediately use the spray detailer?

So basically, I complete the detail process you mentioned above. Then the following week I continue my regular car routine and wash the car and use the spray wax and spray detailer to give it back that fresh look? Thanks a lot this thread really helped. God Bless

[Murr1525]

Re: Need new car help.

1. You have to read carefully. For some reason, they wrote the cleaner first, then the clay, but it kind of hints at using the clay first. Not the best wording, but oh well.

I hope you'll be ok using my process, no ones told me I'm wrong yet...

2. How often to detail is a more complicated question. Kind of like how often to clay. You might not need to clay every single time. But it all depends on how bad the weather is, what is in the air around you, etc. The best thing is to do the detail, and kind of feel the paint as you go, get an idea of what smooth, clean paint really feels like. And when you do your next wash, get a look at what soap and water running off a fresh waxed car looks like. Then you'll be able to tell when it starts to go away a bit.

After washing, you would pick to use either the spray wax or spray detailer, not both.

How to Get Great Results Using Meguiar's Spray Waxes

The wax is an apply, dry, and remove product. The Detailer is a spray, wipe, and keep going kind of product. Different advantages/disadvantages, both are nice, but definately get a detailer. You'll need it for bird **** if nothing else.

Yup, do the detail. Then next week or so wash and use the detailer OR spray wax. Then wash a week or so later, etc, until you start to see/feel a fair decline, then do over.

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Need new car help.

some say that clay is only needed when the surface of your car doesn't feel really smooth.

if you lightly drag your fingertips across your paint and it feels rough it needs to be clayed. if it feels smooth you may be able to skip.

as a general thing, i always clay, as i like that feel and personally think it helps bring out the shine.

When using you fingers to feel how smooth your paint is use a sandwich bagm it works better.

[HeavenSoldier]

Re: Need new car help.

Thanks Murr! Now I'm set to go! But for a new car, do you recommend using the spray detailer or spray wax to keep that new car fresh look. Thanks a lot for the help, you broke it down nice. But thanks and God Bless.

[Murr1525]

Re: Need new car help.

Well, you need a spray detailer no matter what. Not just for after washing, but also to remove hard water spots before they set in, bird droppings, etc.

Now, a spray wax would be good if you think you'll feel like / have a little bit of time to go around and apply it to the car, then go back around and buff off. If you get the hang of it, it goes real fast.

But a detailer will just shine things up, while a spray wax will add back a little protection. Kind of a trade off, as I had said.

[HeavenSoldier]

Re: Need new car help.

Okay thanks I'll go ahead and get those.
So I'll go ahead and get.
1)Grit guard 2)Supreme Shine for spray detailer etc? 3)Clay bar 4)Deep Crystal #1 5)Deep Crystal #2 6)Scratch X 7) Mitt with Water Magnet Towel 8)NXT Speed Detailer 9)Wax 10)Car wash soap

Also for my interior, would it be good to use the Meguiars Quik Interior Detailer http://www.autogeek.net/detailer-interior-wipes.html to protect my dash from UV damage and to clean chrome etc inside car?

Also, is it okay to wash the microfiber towels(water magnet, supreme shine) in the washer machine then dry it in the dryer and can I do the same for a mitt? Thanks and God Bless.

[Murr1525]

Re: Need new car help.

Keep in mind you may want a few of each towel.

The QID is more of a cleaner. Works good though.

For a dressing, you would want something like Nxt Tech Protectant, or Natural Shine, or there are a few others. They have more of the protection in them.

I like to apply the dressing with a somewhat less expensive microfiber cloth from Tartget, etc, let it sit for 5 minutes or so, then come back and buff off.

The QID, kind of like the exterior Quick Detailer, you can just apply and wipe around with a cloth to remove the dust, etc.

As far as washing, wash the microfiber things seperately from cotton, mitts, etc.

[HeavenSoldier]

Re: Need new car help.

Thanks a lot Murr. I used some other wipes and used it on the meter gauge and scratched it But I'm learning. Thanks a lot. I will print all of this out, it really helped, I'm now on my way to detailing! Thanks and God Bless.

[Murr1525]

Re: Need new car help.

No problem.. keep asking away....

Incidentally, I usually dont wipe anything over the clear plastic on the gauges unless it really needs it... That stuff scratches easy....

Once you get the hang of everything, you can go back and try some PlastX on it if you like to try and remove some of the swirls.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Need new car help.

When using you fingers to feel how smooth your paint is use a sandwich bagm it works better.

yes you can do that as well.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Need new car help.

1. Full Detail - it depends as Murr said on your car's finish and the time you have to spend or want to spend. I'd say a full detail about once every month or two months. You can get away with just a: WASH - CLAY - #66 or Colour-X - NXT x 2 for those jobs in between. Or perhaps you don't have that much time and you can go WASH-CLAY- NXT x2. If you keep your finish clean in between washes it should be okay.

But if you let it go, you'll have troubles later. And it all starts with a REALLY GOOD WASH. With your grit guards you've just invested in something really worth while. Good job there.

2. In terms of washing. this is my procedure.

I wash all the Microfibres that touch the paint on their own.

Then i have MF's that only touch the wheels and rims, and those get washed on their own.

My Water Magnets, that's a seperate wash.

And then i have a bunch of Microfibres for the wheel wells, under body etc...and those get washed as well.

Cold/Warm water with a little bit of High Efficency Tide Soap and they come out brand new. works everytime.

I hang all my towels to dry.

For interior. I use Natural Shine. Red bottle. Its a white creamy liquid and smells really nice. Works awesome too. Quick Interior i say is for when you're out and you notice some dust etc...and you just wanna do it quick or for in between wax jobs. Its also a good product. But i'd say you would get a dedicated Interior Cleaner besides Quick Interior.

And YES, clean your paint before you clay. you don't wanna drag stuff along its finish. Clean it as best as you can with the wash, and then go back over it with the clay and clean it even MORE.

then rinse it over and dry with Water Magnet.

goodluck

[HeavenSoldier]

Re: Need new car help.

Hey thanks a lot. Now I'm really on my way. Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer the questions.

Hey some more questions if you don't mind.

1) For using things like the NXT speed detailer, scratch X, wax, is it okay to use the supreme shine cloth?

2) Is it best for me to use a high-tech applicator pad, or the even coat applicator pad? And can these pads be used for Scratch X, spray wax, spray detailer?

3) Truffle you recommended the Natural Shine Vinyl and Rubber Protectant, can these me used on leather? Like the leather area where you let your window down (sorry don't know the technical term )

4) Also I have another rookie question, my owners manual recommended me not to use a fabric protector. But I used a Armor All leather care protectant for the leather seats. Is a protectant a fabric protector? The directions say "Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot cleaners) on the seat. This can damage the seat or occupant of the air bag system and result in serious personal injury." What would you recommend on leather seats?

Okay I think that will be enough to last me forever. God Bless this website, and thank you all.