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Over the weekend, I started detailing my Ceramic White Tricoat Lincoln LS. The attached photos show the results after about 3 four-six hour sessions. Here are the basic steps:
Session One:
Wash (NXT Car Wash)
Tar/Bug Removal (Meguiar's GC Bug & Tar Remover)
Clean/Dress Engine & Doorjambs
Clean/Dress Trunk (I put tire dressing on my spare -- am I crazy?).
Clay the paint (Quik Clay)
Session 2:
Polish Paint (Meguiar's #7 by hand)
Wax (Meguiar's NXT Wax)
Clean/Wax Wheels & Dress Tires (Meguiar's Metal Polysh & NXT Wax; 3M Tire dressing)
Dressing on Exterior Rubber/Plastic
Session 3:
Polish exterior plastic (Meguiar's Plast-X)
Clean Interior (Quik Interior Detailer and no dressing)
Clean/Dress leather (Meguiar's One Step Leather Care)
Clean Glass
Final wipedown w/ Meguiar's Final Inspection detailing spray.
The paint was basically clean, but the clay did remove a noticeable amount of dirt. On the polish step, I was having a tough time deciding between #7 or #9, but decided to go with #7 because after claying, the paint did not have any swirl marks or cobwebbing. Water spots on the rear deck were removed by the clay and polish.
Quik Interior Detailer does a great job cleaning up glossy and reflective surfaces, such as chrome door handles, polished wood, chrome bits, and LCD screens.
Over the years, I've gotten smarter about how I do this annual detail. I've found I can get better results with less work. Here are a couple of my take-away lessons.
1. Whoever invented microfiber towels should get a Nobel Prize. They simply cannot be beat for automotive detailing. They are soft, absorbant, and do not leave lint, especially on glass. I'll never use terrycloth or flannel towels again.
2. Latex gloves save your hands from nasty chemicals. Previously I never used gloves and got polish, wax, protectant, etc., all over my hands. It made a mess and hazed my skin. The latex gloves, however, protect my skin from the chemicals and are just thrown away. A worthwhile investment if you handle waxes and polishes.
3. Don't go into full cleaning mode on parts that are not dirty! One example is my interior. It never gets very dirty, so a quick wipe with a bit of cleaner and a wet MF towel works fine. Previously I spent half a day cleaning everything on my clean interior with not much to show for it. Duh! Another example is my engine. It's not greasy, just dusty. A rinse with water, 20% Simple Green, and an old paint brush does the trick. No need to blow through a whole can of Gunk!
Whatcha all think?
Session One:
Wash (NXT Car Wash)
Tar/Bug Removal (Meguiar's GC Bug & Tar Remover)
Clean/Dress Engine & Doorjambs
Clean/Dress Trunk (I put tire dressing on my spare -- am I crazy?).
Clay the paint (Quik Clay)
Session 2:
Polish Paint (Meguiar's #7 by hand)
Wax (Meguiar's NXT Wax)
Clean/Wax Wheels & Dress Tires (Meguiar's Metal Polysh & NXT Wax; 3M Tire dressing)
Dressing on Exterior Rubber/Plastic
Session 3:
Polish exterior plastic (Meguiar's Plast-X)
Clean Interior (Quik Interior Detailer and no dressing)
Clean/Dress leather (Meguiar's One Step Leather Care)
Clean Glass
Final wipedown w/ Meguiar's Final Inspection detailing spray.
The paint was basically clean, but the clay did remove a noticeable amount of dirt. On the polish step, I was having a tough time deciding between #7 or #9, but decided to go with #7 because after claying, the paint did not have any swirl marks or cobwebbing. Water spots on the rear deck were removed by the clay and polish.
Quik Interior Detailer does a great job cleaning up glossy and reflective surfaces, such as chrome door handles, polished wood, chrome bits, and LCD screens.
Over the years, I've gotten smarter about how I do this annual detail. I've found I can get better results with less work. Here are a couple of my take-away lessons.
1. Whoever invented microfiber towels should get a Nobel Prize. They simply cannot be beat for automotive detailing. They are soft, absorbant, and do not leave lint, especially on glass. I'll never use terrycloth or flannel towels again.
2. Latex gloves save your hands from nasty chemicals. Previously I never used gloves and got polish, wax, protectant, etc., all over my hands. It made a mess and hazed my skin. The latex gloves, however, protect my skin from the chemicals and are just thrown away. A worthwhile investment if you handle waxes and polishes.
3. Don't go into full cleaning mode on parts that are not dirty! One example is my interior. It never gets very dirty, so a quick wipe with a bit of cleaner and a wet MF towel works fine. Previously I spent half a day cleaning everything on my clean interior with not much to show for it. Duh! Another example is my engine. It's not greasy, just dusty. A rinse with water, 20% Simple Green, and an old paint brush does the trick. No need to blow through a whole can of Gunk!
Whatcha all think?
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