Tomorrow I detail my Sol!!

[5Hondas]

Tomorrow I will be detailing my red 1996 Honda del Sol Si. The car is 10 years old, and the paint is in fairly good condition, however, there are some swirl marks and oxidations, as well as some water spots.

So, I will try my best to get rid of all of these flaws and make the car look brand new -- All by hand!!

Here is what I plan on doing, let me know if you have any suggestions for application.

1) Wash - I'm using Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner and I will probably wash with a MicroFiber towel.

2) Clean - I will use the new Meguiar's Clay bar system, followed up my ScratchX on the Hood, Roof, and Rear Deck Lid. I will apply with a foam pad and buff off with a MF. Of course, I plan on putting on several coats of this to really work it into the paint. Finally, I will use the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner over the rest of the car. Again, I will apply with a foam applicator and buff with a MF.

3) Polish - I will use the Deep Crystal Polish to polish the car; applied with a foam applicator and buff with a MF.

4) Protect - I will use the Gold Class Wax - I'll probably put on two coats of wax, applied with a foam pad and buff with a MF. And of course do the final buff with a MF.

5) Maintain - I have a few bottles of the Quick Detailer, so I will use that to wipe off any droppings, pollen, etc; and I may start using the Quick Wax after every car wash after this detail. That way I can maintain a good level of wax until my next application of Gold Class wax.

I'm going to use the Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner for my wheels, and I will probably put some wax on them afterwards. I'm also going to use the High Endurance Tire Shine for the tires.

I'm not going to detail the engine bay just yet, it's still pretty clean. But after seeing some of the pics in the Engine Detail thread, I may do that in a few weeks -- But that will be a new thread.

Anyway, I'll post pics when I get a chance of the before and after, and perhaps some during pics.

Does anybody have any input or suggestions on my upcoming endeavor??

Thanks again, sorry for the long post!!

[TrufflePig]

if it were me,

i'd clean my wheels before your final wash and what not so that you don't spray dirt all over a clean car.

eveything else seems good to me.

maybe 2 coats of your GC WAX. 2 thin even coats.

then maybe a seal with #21, 20 or even #7 or #26.

goodluck.

[Murr1525]

With the ScratchX, dont jus tapply multiple coats.. work each coat in really really really well.. good bit of presure on it. And try and focus on one area, maybe 8 inches by 8 inches or so to concentrate on. Dont try to do your hood at all once.

Did you get to read these? Just in case you didnt..

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Remmber cleaners/polishes dont need to dry, so when you are using the DC products maybe do a panel, then buff off excess.

I like doing the wheels first when washing as well.. you will be sure to wash any overspray from the cleaner off then.

As far as waxing them, you wont be able to use Gold Class. The carnuba waxes tend to wear off in the heat easily. Even synthetic waxes dont last as long as they would elsewhere I dont think, but Nxt, #21, or #20 will last longer and be better for you.

And just to note, #7 is a pure polish, not a protectant.

[5Hondas]

Do you really think it would be necessary to put a sealant on top of the wax?? Which one would be best?? I have some Hi-Tech Yellow Wax #26, but it's a few years old, would it still be good??

I plan on doing the wheels first...I guess I'll hold off on waxing them; I only have the Gold Class Wax and the Cleaner Wax at home...and the several year old #26.

As far as application, I could not find the Meguiar's foam applicators pads, but I picked these up at Wal-Mart will they work:



Here is a description I found online:

http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?13008&affiliateid=froogle

Would it be a bad thing to apply product with a Micro Fiber cloth??

Would the NXT Generation All Metal Polysh work on the wheels?? I have Honda factory wheels from a 2002 Civic Si, they are in practically brand new condition. I'd like to keep them shining!!

Thanks for all your help!!

[N.E.W.car]

In Meguiars speak - a sealant is just another term for a wax.

The reason he said to apply something over the #7 is because it is a pure polish - meaning it does not have any protective ability. It's designed to polish the finish to achieve a deaper gloss - not to protect it at all. Go with #21 or your GC wax. Tech Wax is also a great wax to top #7 or any other polish with. It's my favorite actually...my avatar pic is of my white Titan, #7 topped with Tech Wax.

It's hard to tell about those applicators you are asking about. Personally, I would either use a Meguiars foam applicator or a high quality MF applicator. You can get "decent" ones at Wal Mart for $1.67 for a two-pack.

As far as applying with a MF towel - they tend to soak up a bit of product, so it's usually more of a pain than it's worth...the only thing I use MF towels to apply is a spray wax.

Hope this helps bud...

[TrufflePig]

yeah try and wax with NXT after a 7 or finish with #26.

the NXT is better than the GC. well that depends on who you ask, but me personally i reckon the NXT TECH WAX is better.

anyways, in terms of applicators. try and find a MEGS applicator pad.

personally, id say save the MF towel to WIPE off the wax or for FINAL BUFFING.

cheers and goodluck

and remember if you're using SCRATCH X, like it was already said, one small area at a time and work the product TOTALLY IN.

when removing wax, slow arm movements WORK BEST AND GET THE BEST RESULTS. trying to put out a fire on your car (fast arm movements) will do you nothing.

[5Hondas]

I plan on using the Deep Crystal Polish, followed up by 2 thin even coats of Gold Class wax.

I was curious why he would suggest using one of those other waxes (sealants) on top of my Gold Class? I don't plan on using the #7 polish, I will use the DC polish and then the GC.

Would it be a good idea to put #26 on top of the two coats of GC??

I'll try and find some other stores that may sell the meguiar's applicators...maybe Autozone or O'Reilly's.

Thanks for your input, you guys have all been a great help!! I am very excited to see how well this turns out!!

[sneek]

Originally posted by 5Hondas
I plan on using the Deep Crystal Polish, followed up by 2 thin even coats of Gold Class wax.

I was curious why he would suggest using one of those other waxes (sealants) on top of my Gold Class? I don't plan on using the #7 polish, I will use the DC polish and then the GC.

Would it be a good idea to put #26 on top of the two coats of GC??

I'll try and find some other stores that may sell the meguiar's applicators...maybe Autozone or O'Reilly's.

Thanks for your input, you guys have all been a great help!! I am very excited to see how well this turns out!!

Theres no problem with putting 2 coats of M26 on top of your gold class. Personally I like Gold Class better than NXT but as TrufflePig said it's all about personal preferences.
also if you but M26 paste then you will get an applicator pad with the product

[5Hondas]

Ok, I found some Meguiars Gold Class Applicator pads, so I'm going to use that. I also bought some M26...I like the Gold Class, but perhaps putting the #26 on top of the two coats of GC will really give the car a brilliant shine.

Anyway, thanks everyone for their help, I will start tomorrow AM, and try and get some before and after pics online ASAP!!

[5Hondas]

Sorry for the delay in posting my pictures...But here are a few of my del Sol soon after I finished:

[gb387]

Originally posted by 5Hondas
Sorry for the delay in posting my pictures...But here are a few of my del Sol soon after I finished:

Looks great, I like the shots above... nice work!