Beginner Detailer Needs Help

[ksing44]

I’m sure this is the place to get some needed advice. I have a car that I absolutely love, and I want to be able to care for the finish like a pro. I have read others comments about multi step processes for getting an absolutely stunning finish, but I am always confused about all of the numbers they throw around. They say they use #this and #that followed by #this and then followed again by #that. I have never seen all of these different numbered products. I am also concerned about trying anything too drastic, because I am not experienced and I am afraid I could damage my paint.

How can I start?
I have used cleaner wax, regular wax, and a final detail spray. My car looks nice, but I am sure it could be much better if I had a clue about what to do. I think maybe some polish and then the wax might be a good start. I am afraid of any kind of compounding/sanding of the finish, but maybe polish is safe for someone like me that doesn’t know what to do.

Please help me and give me a path to follow that is OK for a beginner.

Thank you

[Corbon91]

Try watching the auto appearance care clinic video. You can see it here: http://www.meguiars.com/clinics/clinics_template.cfm

[garry42]

The videos on Meguiars website will be an excellent place to learn about detailing. They are "step by step" and cover the entire process. The main thing I have learned in the past year is that paint preparation is the key to achieving the expected results!

The #'s referred to are from the Meg's Professional products, not the Consumer products usually found on retail store shelves. (Confused the heck out of me originally as well!)

[Mosca]

ksing44,

There is so much to know, and it's all very simple and yet confusing at the beginning.

It's all about process, not product. But that's like Bach's explanation of how to play the clavichord; "It's elementary. You simply push the proper keys and pedals at the proper times, and the instrument plays itself!"

There are a number of articles available at sites such as Better Car Care and Autopia. I started to write here what I know, but those articles set the standard for ease of understanding and comprehensiveness (David's writings turn up plagiarized all over the internet, which is the ultimate back-handed compliment). Rather than my weak paraphrasing, go to the source.


Tom

[ksing44]

Polish Recommendation?

Thank you for the links. I think I will start with some polishing by hand. Can you guys recommend a polish for a first time polisher? I suppose it should be from the "Consumer Line" and I want some polish that doesn’t cut too much, so I can be pretty sure that my inexperience will not ruin my paint. Is there some BOZO-proof polish that a novice can use with safety? Should I use ColorX or a "true" polish. I think the ColorX is a chemical cleaner, not a true polish. Please help guide me and get me to the perfect shine without damage to my paint.

[1 Clean WS6]

ksing44 I think a great three step process to use for a novice would be the Deep Crystal System. This is part of Meguiar's consumer line and is VERY reasonably priced. The three products are:

1) Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner - this is a great first step product that works great with hand application to remove minor scratches and contaminants on the paint

2) Deep Crystal Polish - this is a wonderful "pure polish" (it contains no cleaners or waxes) that will give your paint a deep, wet looking gloss

3) Deep Crystal Carnuba Wax - this is a affordably priced carnuba wax that will add some great protection to your Benz and deepen its color

There are an INFINITE amount of product combinations to use in a multi-step process...in the end it will come down to your personal taste and abilities. However, I truly believe that for the money you can't go wrong with the Deep Crystal 3-step process.

Good luck and let us know how it goes,
Mike

[mopar]

^^^very true i bought the 3 step last year and it works amazing this year im gonna use nxt as the 3rd step though but its very user freindly and with the colour of yuor car i think you will be blown away at the defference it will make good luck take yuor time and you will be very happy with the results

[gb387]

ksing44... As the rest have said use the Deep Crystal 3 step system you can't go wrong. I have applied that system by hand and you will get good results by hand but it will take some time.

Sounds like you have not waxed your car for sometime, I would defiantly use all three steps the cleaner works well, leaves the paint surface clean and ready for polish and wax. The system is easy to use inexpensive and you are not going to hurt the paint. Of course you need to apply the wax with an applicator pad and remove it with 100% terry cloth towel or microfiber towel. Set a side the better part of a day to wash and do all three steps.

Another option you might try calling Meguiars 800 # they are very helpful over the phone and can get you what you need.

[ksing44]

Deep Crystal, here I come.

Actually, I am an avid waxer (I’m not sure waxer is a word) of my car. I wax my car almost every month. Even in cold weather, or especially when it is cold and snowy, I manage to get some wax on the car by working in my garage. I just want to do more than I have done in the past. My car looks good, but I wonder how good it could be if I had some more experience. I watched a TV show in which the guy demonstrated wet sanding, polishing, and waxing. He changed an almost new finish to a "show car finish" that was truly magnificent. I am not ready for that level yet, but I thought I could try a little bit more than wash, cleaner wax, more wax, and quick detailer spray.

Like "2003 Black Lightning", my car is a darker color, so it shows any imperfection. It also shows your effort with beautiful results, however, if you keep it looking clean and shiny. I don’t think anything compares to a beautiful shine on a dark colored car. I sometimes wonder why anybody ever washes a silver car. They can get away with murder, but it must be disappointing to work all day on the perfect wax job and not even be able to tell you did anything. I guess I am a little jealous of those guys or gals with silver cars (Hello Mike, with that 2000 Pontiac Trans Am), but I love my dark blue car when it is clean.

I think the Deep Crystal 3 step system is in my future. Thanks for all of the help.

[gb387]

one more thing... if you are willing to spend a little more instead of getting the Step 3(carnuba Wax) in the system get the NXT wax in its place. Just a thought, I did Step 1(Paint Cleaner), Step 2(Pain Polish) then the NXT wax(2 coats one 12 hours after the other) very happy with the results.

Only thing I don't like about the Deep Crystal System the wax only lasted me about 3-4 weeks. Having applied NXT only 3 weeks ago I am happy to see that it is lasting longer than the Step 3 in the deep crystal system.

Just a little more to think about I am not trying to make it more difficult but just another option. I know we could go all day with other options but the NXT will provide a longer lasting protection and I feel better end results.

I think it would be fun to learn to wet sand a car, I am lucky enough to work where I can experiment with products and methods of repair and wet sanding is on the list we have some fiberglass vehicles w\clear coat, me and another guy want to try it and follow with the proper compounds and polishes.

Gallery my truck with NXT

[ksing44]

WOW!, Lightning

WOW! Lightning. No swirl marks in that awesome black shine.

[1 Clean WS6]

Re: Deep Crystal, here I come.

Originally posted by ksing44
I don’t think anything compares to a beautiful shine on a dark colored car. I sometimes wonder why anybody ever washes a silver car. They can get away with murder, but it must be disappointing to work all day on the perfect wax job and not even be able to tell you did anything. I guess I am a little jealous of those guys or gals with silver cars (Hello Mike, with that 2000 Pontiac Trans Am), but I love my dark blue car when it is clean.

ksing44 you are right...light colors...like silver are very forgiving in that they do not show every imperfection like darker colors but I have to disagree with you about not being able to tell if it has been polished or waxed. True, lighter colors will "wash out" their gloss more than darker colors in direct sunlight....but in artificial light or indirect sunlight...they show their gloss very well. I've attached a few photo's of my WS6 inside my garage to show what I mean.

Mike

[1 Clean WS6]

#2

[gb387]

1 Clean WS6...

Nice looking car very nice shine to it! looks like you have a lightning as well.

[1 Clean WS6]

Hey Gb387! Thanks for the compliments!!

Yep...it's an '02...#2522. I drive that truck every day as I use it to tow my mobile detail trailer....I absolutely love it! I want to get some of the chrome look door handles that your L and the 04's have...I think they really add a nice touch to the interior.