New to the forum and to detailing. Many questions abound.

[ihadmail]

Hey everyone!

I'm the owner of a white Toyota Tacoma that is in need of some pretty sever detailing. I've been reading and researching for the past few days, and still have a few questions.

My paint is oxidized on the majority of the hood and the roof panel. There are a few spots on the doors that were repaired with touch up paint before I got the truck that need some blending.

From my research and (probably flawed) thinking this I what I should do to correct it in this order:

-Wash
-Clay Bar
-Ultimate Compound
-Swirl X
-Polish
-White Wax
-Ultimate Wax

I will be doing this using the new DA Power System and my nice DeWalt corded drill.

Some follow up questions:
-Can I do the clay/compound/polish/wax over a week period completing one panel at a time?
-Do I have to do the full process for a panel start to finish or could I do part one day and the rest the next day?
-Which section would be best to start a thread detailing my progress with pictures and thoughts as I go?

I greatly appreciate any/all input here and can repost this in a different area if this isn't the right place for these questions.

James

[Marc08EX]

Re: New to the forum and to detailing. Many questions abound.

to MOL!

It seems that you have the correct understanding of the proper steps and the process. However, some of the products you listed is a little redundant and you can save time and money by changing your steps.

I would do:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Ultimate Compound
4. Ultimate Polish
5. Ultimate Wax

The reason why I took out SwirlX is because it's a milder paint cleaner like Ultimate Compound. There's no need to do 2 paint cleaners to remove oxidation. If the purpose of SwirlX is to clean up the micro-marring Ultimate Compound might create then Ultimate Polish will do just that. White Wax is pretty much an all in one product with good amount of paint cleaners. Since you're going to clean and polish your paint already and you have a stand alone wax at the end, there's no need for this all in one product. If you're going to do a quick and easy detail in the future (after you're done with this full blown detail) then White Wax is appropriate to use.

Yes it's ok to do one panel at a time. Might make it easy on your body.

You don't have to do the entire detailing process on each panel at that specific time. For example, you can wash the entire vehicle and clay the entire vehicle. Then the next day,you can do ultimate compound on one panel. On the next day, you can do ultimate polish on that same panel. The day after, you can do both Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish on the next panel. The combinations are endless. Just make sure before you do anything on the next session, the surface is clean. Will this car be driven daily or parked in the garage?

To show off your work, I would post it in this sub-forum: Show Off Your Latest Detail Work

Looking forward to seeing your progress and results. And please don't forget that we're here to help!

[ihadmail]

Re: New to the forum and to detailing. Many questions abound.

Thanks for the quick reply. I was unsure if I would need to follow the compound with the swirl x to finish the process, sort of like sanding 2000 grit after 1000 grit.

After reading all the info I could on the white wax and ultimate wax I'm still leaning toward the two step wax process to get the results that I think I want.

[Marc08EX]

Re: New to the forum and to detailing. Many questions abound.

Thanks for the quick reply. I was unsure if I would need to follow the compound with the swirl x to finish the process, sort of like sanding 2000 grit after 1000 grit.

After reading all the info I could on the white wax and ultimate wax I'm still leaning toward the two step wax process to get the results that I think I want.

Ultimate Polish will take care of that for you. It will clean up any type of micro-marring left by the Ultimate Compound (if there is any) and will polish up the surface at the same time.

If I were you, I would do a test spot. After applying Ultimate Polish, do a spot with both White Wax and Ultimate Wax and do another spot with Ultimate Wax. See which one you like better and go with it. If you don't see a difference then just stick with Ultimate Wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to the forum and to detailing. Many questions abound.

The Ult. Polish is a little milder than SwirlX, but usually still able to handle and little marring left by the UC.

Also, the white wax + Ult. Wax would be a great two step on its own.

But you will get better cleaning from the UC, better polish from the UP, and better protection from the Ult. Wax. So if you are going to do the individual steps, stick with finishing it off that way.

[ihadmail]

Re: New to the forum and to detailing. Many questions abound.

Awesome guys. I guess I just need to go pick up the DA Power system and some pads then. I have the ultimate compound and polish already.

The only question I still have is which section to start a thread to show progress and such on my project?

[Marc08EX]

Re: New to the forum and to detailing. Many questions abound.

To show off your work, I would post it in this sub-forum: Show Off Your Latest Detail Work